Best 10 Indoor Plants That Don’t Need Sunlight
Houseplants come in all shapes and sizes, some growing to be the height of small trees while others fit better as petite, tabletop treats. While there’s truly no bad choice when it comes to houseplants, it can be easy to get lost in the sea of options available to you at a moment’s notice.
Many factors go into determining which houseplant would be the best fit for your home. Everything from the temperature and humidity ranges that they accept to the types of soil and fertilizer that allows them to flourish can differ from one plant to another, so you need to make sure you can meet the requirements necessary for your desired plant.
Entering The World Of Low Light Plants
Lighting plays a crucial role for most houseplants, as they rely on sunlight for a multitude of functions. Primarily, the light provides it with the energy it needs to produce its own food and grow as intended. Without that light, these plants would develop much less effectively, and their appearance would reflect this.
What is considered “low light”?
So, what if your home doesn’t provide sources of sunlight that plants enjoy? Luckily, there are many popular options of houseplants that require little to no light, and their other care requirements are just as relaxed! Here are a few different plants that enjoy and even flourish in low light environments.
1. ZZ Plant
Also known as the Zanzibar Gem, the Zz Plant is a tropical plant native to regions of Eastern Africa. Characterized by its waxy, oval leaves, it’s celebrated by houseplant aficionados from all around for its extreme hardiness, which allows it to survive and grow properly in a number of different conditions. They prefer bright, indirect light, as if common among most houseplants, but it still grows well in extremely low light conditions.
Other care requirements
2. Chinese Evergreen
As its name implies, the Chinese Evergreen is naturally found in parts of Asia, and is also commonly referred to as the “Philippine Evergreen.” A table and desktop treat, this plant grows up to 2 feet tall. It sports large, glossy leaves that are green with colorful accents that streak down along the center of each leaf. These colors vary depending on the plant, ranging from white to red, and while they are comfortable growing in low light conditions, the vibrance of their colorful accents depends on being provided with occasional bouts of bright, indirect sunlight.
Other care requirements
3. Cast Iron Plant
Similar to the Chinese Evergreen, the Cast Iron Plant is another perennial houseplant whose origins can be traced to China. It produces small, purple flowers close to the soil, which are heavily overshadowed by its deep-green, oval-shaped leaves. These leaves can also grow to possess a splotchy pattern of yellow dots, adding an entertaining layer of coloring. It grows slowly, but is very hardy and requires little from you. Low light conditions are ideal as a result.
Other care requirements
4. Monstera Plant
The Monstera plant family has built up something of an empire in the houseplant world. Its various members are extremely popular additions to any room, most recognizable for their perforated leaves that create holes, and even entire gaps, in between portions of the foliage. Large and waxy, these leaves and their stems can grow to great heights when provided with the correct growing conditions. Low light conditions are acceptable for many of these plants, although they prefer bright, indirect light.
Other care requirements
5. Parlor Palm
In contrast to some of the other plants on this list, the Parlor Palm is a more sleek option that you can add to your home with ease. It doesn’t produce large leaves, opting instead for thin, sword-like leaves along slender stems. Appearing more like miniature trees, the Parlor Palm’s deep green foliage fits perfectly on any tabletops. First discovered in regions of Central America, the plant’s tropical roots lend to its resilience once placed in your home. It’s used to shaded environments, so low light spaces are perfectly fine.
Other care requirements
6. Dragon Tree
The Dragon Tree is one of the most unique houseplants that you’re going to come across on your journeys. Its foliage grows exclusively from the top of each stem, pointing straight upward and leaving its thick stem exposed. The leaves themselves are a deep green, with additional red coloring serving as an outline. All in all, it takes on the appearance of a small, indoor tree, which is where the name “Dragon Tree” comes from. It can withstand lighting conditions ranging from full sun to shade and low light. Other care requirements: Average household temperature Average household humidity Fertilization not necessary Loamy, well-draining potting soil
7. Japanese Sago Palm
The Japanese Sago Palm is a tropical beauty that tends to grow fairly low to the soil and belongs to an ancient group of tropical and subtropical plants known as cycads. Long groups of green fronds grow out from a wide, thick base. The only drawback for this unique plant is that it grows slowly, producing one collection of fronds at a time and reaching around 2 or 3 feet in length after several years of care. Still, its care requirements are fairly relaxed, and it can tolerate low light environments when tended to properly.
Other care requirements
8. Elephant’s Ear
Elephant’s Ear is a large houseplant that is perfect for filling out the empty spaces in your home. Its foliage grows out from a hard, swollen stem structure. This plant gets its name from the large, heart-shaped leaves it produces, as well as the fact that it could potentially grow over 3 feet tall. They reach maturity relatively quickly, and while they don’t tend to produce flowers, their leaves are more than enough to make them a spectacle. They grow best in partial shade, but can also grow well in a number of other light conditions.
Other care requirements:
9. Snake Plant
Humorously also known as the “Mother-In-Law’s Tongue,” the Snake Plant gets its more common name from the fact that its foliage grows straight upward in a tall, wriggling pattern. Each leaf possesses a deep green center and bright yellow outline, and they generally grow out directly from the soil. A popular choice among houseplant lovers, the Snake Plant reaches its peak when placed in areas of your home that experience partial shade and similar low light conditions.
Other care requirements:
10. Peace Lily
Odds are, you’ve seen or heard of the Peace Lily at one point or another. However, you may not have known that it’s not actually a member of the Lily family, instead being part of the Araceae family. Their name comes from the fact that their flowers resemble those of the calla lily, defined mainly by their bright white spathes. Popular as a gift, Peace lilies are often treated as floor plants, since they can grow up to three feet tall and improve the natural ambience of any room they inhabit. It prefers partial shade and can tolerate fluorescent lights as a substitute for natural light.
Other care requirements:
These are just a few of the many houseplants that can withstand low light conditions and continue to grow to their fullest extent. As always, the health of your plant will depend on a number of different factors, so providing the proper lighting is only one piece of the puzzle. Remember to maintain a consistent care schedule for your plant, and pay attention to the way in which your plant is growing. This can give you clues as to whether the current care schedule works or if it needs to be tweaked.
Now that you’ve got a better grasp of which plants enjoy low light, it’s time to begin your search and discover the one that’s perfect for you!
