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Best Houseplants for Low Light Areas
Even if you don’t have large windows letting in tons of sunshine, it doesn’t mean you can’t have houseplants that will thrive, or even bloom. Below are some of the best plants for the low light* areas of your house, apartment, or dorm room.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra eliator) – Avoid overwatering in fall/winter. Keep soil lightly moist in late spring and summer. Will tolerate a wide temperature range (45F-85F).
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum) – Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings; prefers normal room temperatures (65F – 75F). Mist leaves occasionally.
Pothos, or Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum) – Will tolerate low-light but will grow more vigorously in moderate to bright light. Allow soil to dry between waterings. Average room temperatures.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.) – Prefers consistently moist soil; leaves will droop when it needs water. Repot annually in spring to refresh the soil.
Snake Plant, or Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Sanseveria trifasciata) – One of the easiest houseplants to grow. Water infrequently during the dormant period in winter.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) – If you tend to kill plants, or know someone who does, then this is the plant you want! Almost indestructible, it can survive neglect, drought, and low to no light for extended periods.
*Low-light areas are those either near a sunless window (north-facing or shaded by an outside structure) or well away from a window. If there is enough light to read a newspaper, there is likely enough light for a plant adapted to low light.
