Lovely Low Light Houseplants

Expand Your Indoor Jungle!

Whether you’re an avid outdoor gardener with an itch to keep your hobby going during colder months, or you prefer the slightly simpler indoor gardening lifestyle, we want to help you grow your houseplant collection! Houseplants bring many health and decorative perks to your home, while also providing a sense of fulfillment as they flourish under your care. Our greenhouses stock a wide variety of indoor plants with unique characteristics and care requirements. In fact, among the most important details to be aware of when choosing the perfect plant for your room is its light requirement!

Let’s talk about houseplants that are best suited for lower light exposure. These plants typically originate from tropical locations, Central Europe, or South & Central Americas. They reside in mostly shaded areas that receive only small amounts of sun shining through the cover above. Most low light houseplants grow lower and provide fantastic air purifying powers, which also make them great for your office.

Care

Always remember, low light does not mean no light! Expose your low light plants to East or West curtain-filtered sunlight. Also, your plants should be located far enough away from windows so that they do not receive any direct sunlight. Make sure furniture, walls, or any other objects do not block your plants from indirect light. If your room does not contain any windows, fear not! You can still enjoy gorgeous houseplants with artificial lighting. LED lamps, ceiling lights, or wall lights need to be turned on at least 14 hours per day to ensure your plant receives proper exposure.

Most low light houseplants require little care when it comes to watering. As a general rule of thumb, the soil of these plants should feel slightly dry to the touch before their next thorough watering. Never allow them to completely dry out, and of course, avoid over-watering. For all green foliage low light houseplants, apply a 30-10-10 fertilizer, and for blooming low light houseplants try a 15-30-15.

Now that you know more about what defines the plants in this category, let’s talk about some of our favorite ones!

Low Light Houseplants

Spathiphyllum (Peace Lilies)

First, Peace Lilies can be found naturally from Mexico to South America. They grow towards the bases of mountains and in moist, shaded areas along rivers and other waterways. Their thin, leaf-like white flowers are called spatches, and carry a subtle fragrance. The blooms are 1 to 4 inches and transition into a light green as they mature. Their dark green foliage provides a striking contrast against their leaves, making them focal points of any room.

Peace Lilies are much more tolerant of shade than most houseplants, though will need indirect, bright, filtered sunlight for flowering. Flowering occurs sporadically, but with increased chance as a result of more sunlight. Keep these plants evenly moist and fertilize them every 6 weeks during active growth periods with a 15-30-15 houseplant fertilizer found in our greenhouses. Between waterings, let the surface of the soil slightly dry out, though never completely. Avoid letting their leaves touch up against cold windows, as brown spots can appear. If this occurs, remove the affected leaves and new ones will grow in their place!

Fun Fact: Their name derives from the fact that their blooms resemble white peace flags!

Sansevieria (Snake Plants)

Next, this plant’s name origin should be no mystery. Their flat, widened, wavy foliage grows upright and resembles the slithering snakes! While their appearance may pique your interest, Snake Plants do much more for our homes than add to the feng shui. They’re actually one of the best houseplants for cleaning the air in our homes! These plants absorb harmful toxins and require very little maintenance to continue to thrive, which allows them to exhale oxygen for us to breathe.

Thanks to their adaptability to nearly any conditions within your home or office, these plants excel in low light areas. While they will survive for weeks without water, a thorough watering roughly once a week will ensure its good health. Like most houseplants, avoid over-watering.

Fun Fact: Its air purification superpowers link this plant to increased productivity, mood, and health, as well as less stress. Sounds like the perfect plant for your office!

Epipremnum aureum (Devil’s Ivy)

Various names for this next low light houseplant include Golden Pothos, Money Plant, Silver Vine, and Devil’s Ivy. Native to the Solomon Islands, this tropical houseplant requires minimal care and is virtually pest and disease free! Provide Pothos with water once its top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch, and position in areas that receive bright, indirect sunlight. Average to high temperatures and humidity help it thrive, as well as potting with well-drained soil.

Houseplant enthusiasts love the Devil’s Ivy for its phenomenal foliage pattern. These plants can reach lengths higher than 50 feet as they tend to grow from the top, draping their long vines down to the ground in jungles. For this reason, they’re fantastic in hanging baskets! Their glossy, heart-shaped leaves alternate growth with those around them, appearing on either side of the vine. The variegated green and yellow leaves can reach about 4 inches long when grown indoors. Pothos are carefree and grow vigorously in a wide range of conditions.

Fun Fact: Their nickname of “Devil’s Ivy” can be traced to them being quite difficult to kill.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant)

Highly Instagrammable ZZ Plants are a must-have for any houseplant collector. Zamioculcas zamiifolia, otherwise known as the Zanibar Gem, originate from East Africa. They have an upright, compact growth behavior which lends them to being perfect for tight spaces in homes and offices. With high, glossy leaves that keep their natural shine, the ZZ Plant also attracts indoor gardeners for its beauty and uniqueness. Despite its low light requirement, the ZZ Plant’s waxy leaves actually reflect sunlight to brighten rooms. It grows slowly, purifies the air, and will tolerate nearly any light exposure.

Water your ZZ Plant roughly every 2-3 weeks, letting it dry moderately between soakings. Fertilize every month between Spring and Fall with a Miracid 30-10-10 fertilizer according to package directions. There is no real need to prune your plant, though you may cut back individual branches as needed.

Fun Fact: Propagating your ZZ Plant is slow, but super easy! Simply break off a healthy leaf and place it in a cool, dry place for several hours for it to form a callus. Then, plant it in moistened sand inside a half-shut plastic bag. Place the bag in bright, indirect light and add water to keep the sand moist. Within a year, when the leaf forms roots, place it up into well-drained soil.

Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)

Chinese Evergreens are considered among the best indoor plants for beginners! They’re quite tolerant of just about any condition, including low light, dry air, and even drought. This tropical plant features gorgeous green foliage lined with silver and blooms similar to Peace Lilies when exposed to higher amounts of light. Because they’re slow growing and easy maintenance, Chinese Evergreens make for awesome office plants!

These plants pair perfectly with the previously mentioned ZZ, Pothos, and Snake Plants. Keep the soil evenly moist when watering, allowing the plant to dry out slightly between waterings. Room temperatures should remain average, and fertilization is not needed for it to thrive. Quick trims can keep your Chinese Evergreen contained, and you can save some of your trimmings for propagation of new plants! Regularly check your Chinese Evergreen’s leaves for signs of spider mites, aphids, or mealybugs, and see one of our team members in store if a problem arises.

Fun Fact: Chinese Evergreens are one of the few houseplants with silver present in their foliage colors.

Neanthe bella palm (Parlor Palm)

Originally found in Central America, the Parlor Palm instantly became a popular houseplant in the United States when brought over. Its key benefits that led it to becoming an indoor plant sensation include its lower light tolerance, as well as its growth behavior. Its foliage grows in thick groups that mostly cover its thinner, less attractive branches. Their upright growth pattern also make them well suited to hallways and offices, so you’ve probably seen them at your local doctor or dentist. Not to mention, they’re excellent air purifiers!

Parlor Palms also tolerate lower temperatures and various soil types. Avoid over-watering your palm, and take extra care when repotting and propagating (they have weaker root systems).

Fun Fact: Parlor Palms are often grown in groups to evoke a jungle-like feel.

More Low Light Houseplants:

• Butterfly Plant
• Cast Iron Plant
• Dieffenbachia
• Kentia Palm
• Money Tree

Our greenhouses are filled will the best selection of indoor plants for beginners and experts alike! Visit today to talk to our team about which houseplants are best suited for your home, and receive additional growing tips. We’re here to help you expand your houseplant collection!

View our guide to the Best Indoor Plants for Every Room