However, the peace lily is not pet-friendly. Dracaena plants hail from Madagascar, and are perfectly at home in a semi-shady spot or in filtered light (for example, through a sheer curtain). Pogostemon Helferi: Also known as Downoi or Little Star, this is a low-growing plant with star shaped leaves. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Do not place plants more than 5' away from this type of light. However, quite a few can survive in low light conditions so before you get skylights installed or replace all your real plants with fake ones, maybe reconsider your choice of house plant. ", The lighting condition: "These beauties are partial to a shady spot and grow well on a windowsill in the winter. Growing yucca in low light will lead to fewer flowers and thinner growth for the plant. This is also known as Devil’s Ivy. Fast Growing “Low light” is when your plant gets no direct light, likely because it’s placed several feet away from the light source. That should be the go-to first book for houseplant beginners. Some prefer full shade while others will thrive best in partial shade, so make sure to look this up when you buy your plant. In low light tanks, this species will remain very low to the ground. Spider plants, native to tropics around the globe and the first houseplant for innumerable people, probably owes its popularity to its unique growth habit (and for its ease of growth as a low light houseplant).The mother plant, a clump of curving leaves that resemble long, broad grass blades, sends out long stems with “baby” plants at their ends. Snake Plant. You’ll have to be sure to display it somewhere where it will have room to stretch out. This plant is great at climbing. 1. ZZ Plant $44, The Sill. Think tropically when you go shopping for them—and with a little thoughtful TLC they’ll flourish. Also, you can basically put this plant anywhere, since it grows equally well in low light, medium light, and direct light. Their ideal is 65–80 degrees Fahrenheit, which mimics their native jungle and forest habitats. ", The lighting condition: "In its natural habitat, this plant would be found under trees in a bright but shady spot, so it is best to try to replicate this in your home. Make sure its roots don't stay wet, and you'll have a happy plant on your hands. “Medium light” is when there’s, say, a sheer curtain between the light source and your plant. Snake plants purify the air you breathe and release oxygen. You’ll sometimes see them indoors in doctors offices (much like the pothos, learn how to propagate golden pothos from cuttings ). From trusty species that require almost no effort to unique blooms that don’t need a window, these plants will liven up all your darkest corners. Our Picks. Plants need light to eat, and the only source of food is by a window. In fact, plants need light to survive. You can pot this plant or mount it to a plank (as you would with a staghorn fern). If the coloring on the leaves starts to fade then it may mean you have exposed your plant to too much direct sunshine, so move it to a shadier spot. Water whenever the soil becomes dry to the touch. The lighting condition: "Direct summer sun should be avoided as the leaves can easily burn, so keep this plant in a shaded spot and only increase the hours of sunshine in the winter when the light is low." ... 31 Best Low-Light Indoor Plants and How to Care for Them. It’ll vary a bit depending on the number and size of … Available in dark green and variegated forms, spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum, makes a great tabletop or basket plant in low-light conditions. "Although many different hybrids can now be found, the most popular is the Alocasia sanderiana with its erect stems, dark green glossy leaves and striking pale veins. Peace Lily 2. Here is a list of my favorite, low light indoor plants. Can a low-light plant survive in a windowless room? They also do well in bright, indirect sun. "It sits up there with some of the best houseplants for air purification, so is a great choice if you are considering one for the living room or bedroom. She still wouldn’t recommend placing any of them, however, in zero natural light, but know that they will do just fine in shady areas. The leaves are a deep purple and pinstriped, with a velvety texture. The aptly named staghorn fern is a low-light plant that works both indoors and out. ", "This trailing vine will drape happily over a hanging basket or cling to a moss stick and climb using its aerial roots for support," says Sibley. Below are general guidelines for exposure for low light indoor plants. These are plants with cane-like stems, often grown like small indoor trees or shrubs. Soak them once a week before rehanging them, and mist as needed. … Water: Weekly. They are very hardy, hard-to-kill plants. This tabletop plant comes in many different varieties and tolerates lower light conditions very well. Share on Pinterest. 4. Your own judgment is the best indicator of whether your plant is receiving too little or too much light. "However, these low-creeping variations are great as trailers or climbers and love to make their way up a damp moss stick. Low light will make it appear more of a green foliage plant. "Pretty slow-growing, this bushy plant will eventually reach around 4 to 6 inches in height. To plant outdoors, they need rich, fast-draining soil and humid air. They are easier to care for and maintain in low light than in high. When the top 2-3 inches are dry, it’s time to water. It also doesn’t need fertilizer and can survive in fluorescent light—talk about a plant that’s hard to kill! "They are, however, not the easiest to keep alive in normal home conditions, as they like constant humidity, so they will be at their best housed in a terrarium or bottle garden. If you’ve ever tried to grow plants in your basement, you’ll know that they don’t like darkness. Low-light houseplants are typically tropical shade plants which have adapted to survive better with more shade. Grow lights provide us with the ability to do just that. Known also as the Aglaonema, this great indoor plant for low light is considered one of the easiest house plants to care for. The green leaves of sun-loving Tillandsia maxima turn pink before producing a spiky, vivid purple flower. Peace … Like the Cast Iron Plant, it does not like cooler temperatures and needs to be away from drafts. Too much sun and the leaves will start to bleach and burn, but too little light and the red hues will start to turn green. They like humidity, so leave a squirt bottle of water nearby and mist it when you’re feeling friendly—and water the soil before it dries out completely. And they don’t have to be boring. Sansevieria 4. With proper care (we promise it doesn’t take much), you can be the plant parent you’ve always wanted to be. Humidity: As with temperature, a low level or lack of moisture in the air can cause plants to wilt and stress. Shop our low light indoor plants. It will do just fine in low light, but you can expect more flowers to bloom if it’s placed in bright, indirect light. Keep soil moist during the growing season, and use a humidifier to keep moisture in the air; maintain night temperatures above 55F. Though the baby rubber plant prefers medium light situations, it will tolerate low light (it will just grow a bit more slowly). ", The lighting condition: "Like most ferns, the bear's paw favors low lighting and will not appreciate being placed near any direct sun.". The unique-looking crinkly leaves on this plant give it a cute quirkiness we can’t get enough of. “Kokedama give you the option to have some planter-free greenery,” Muñoz says. This plant does best when watered one to two times per week. Heart-leaf philodendron plants can be potted or hung. Pot using succulent soil, and water when the soil is very nearly (but not quite) bone dry. ", The lighting condition: "The asparagus fern is fully adaptable to low light or bright conditions, but keep it away from direct sunlight as this can cause yellowing foliage and leaf drop. Article by Get Busy Gardening! (Don’t worry; this kind of TLC is easy: You’ll actually water them less than full-sun specimens, because more shade translates to slower growth rates and slower evaporation of the water in the soil.) They are easier to care for and maintain in low light than in high. One of its most sought-after characteristics is that it is great at cleaning carbon monoxide from the air. Fast Growing Not only does the staghorn fern do well in low light, it also does well in humidity—which makes it a perfect plant for the bathroom. I’ve included a brief description of how to care for each plant, so double-check the amount of light required before finding a home for your new plant. (Yellow leaves are a sign of tooharsh light.) Pothos 3. Jungle cacti are epiphytes, which means that they grow (harmlessly) on tree trunks in their natural habitats—and they look nothing like the harshly spiky cacti you may be picturing. Buy your houseplants accordingly. ", "This trailing Ficus is not the first plant to come to mind when one thinks of a Ficus," notes Sibley. Get it now! Begonia (Begonia semperflorens) Begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae. They’re good to go near a west or southeast window. Temperature: Plants positioned near a source of heat, such as a heating vent, may not be able to handle as much bright light as a similar plant in a cooler spot. It’s an exceptional low care indoor plant that cleanses the air as well. During the winter, mist the plants frequently to help prevent the leaf tips from turning brown. Spider Plant 5. Move plant to a more brightly lit area, adjusting it slowly to to the increased light. ", The lighting condition: "Your peace lily will thrive in indirect sunlight, and will appreciate being kept out of any intense sunshine. Here are some ideas for indoor plants that can take low light areas in your home or office. This can, for instance, be opposing to a window. 8 Great Low-Light and Low-Maintenance Plants for the Office. They’re easy plants to grow indoors that will thrive and look beautiful even if receiving very little light. It can be grown in almost any room in the house. 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