29 Best Low-Light Indoor Plants for Your Home

Indoor plants aren’t just for decorating your space. It has numerous benefits, which include improving air quality and uplifting your mood.

If your apartment doesn’t have a sunny window, then don’t worry. There are a bunch of indoor plants that can be grown in low light.

Proper care, occasional watering and timely pruning can help these low-light houseplants to flourish.

Even a novice person can choose any of these indoor plants to start growing them successfully.

Before that, I want you first to understand the difference between direct light, indirect light, low light and dark.

Low-light, Indirect-light and Dark

While reading about plant care, you might have gone through words like direct light and indirect light.

When the sun rays directly touch your plant leaves, then it is regarded as a direct light spot. Most indoor plants may turn brown if you expose them to prolonged sunlight.

Indirect light, as the name suggests, sunlight doesn’t touch the leaves directly. Instead, the plant is kept a little away from the window.

Low light is the space in your room where the sun can’t reach, and it is a little shadowy. 

A dark room is a place where there is little to no sunlight. You might have to use grow lights to grow plants that require light.

29 Best Low-Light Indoor Plants for Your Home

Based on the above explanation, assess the lighting conditions in your home. This helps to determine the best plant for your indoor space.

Below listed are houseplants that can flourish in low-lighting conditions. In rare cases, you might have to use artificial light or grow lights to encourage dark foliage.

1. Ponytail Palm

Ponytail Palm is a unique, drought-tolerant plant that thrives in low-light conditions.

Despite its name, it is not a true palm but rather a succulent native to Mexico. Its thick, bulbous trunk stores water, making it highly resilient to infrequent watering and adaptable to various indoor environments.

This slow-growing plant features long, cascading, curly green leaves that resemble a ponytail, giving it a striking and elegant appearance.

Ponytail Palm can grow up to 3 to 4 feet indoors, making it a perfect low-maintenance choice for homes and offices.

Also Read: 23 Houseplants that Can Survive with Almost Zero Sunlight

2. ZZ Plant

ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) grows well in a dry environment and pushes the low-light limit to its extreme. Native to East Africa and Tanzania, where it thrives in heat and drought, ZZ has become a popular houseplant because of its tolerance for less-than-perfect conditions.

ZZ features graceful stems bearing waxy, oval, dark green leaves and grows 2 to 3 feet tall.

3. Spider Plant

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a resilient and adaptable houseplant that thrives in low to moderate light. Native to South Africa, it is known for its long, arching green leaves with white variegation and its ability to produce baby plantlets.

This air-purifying plant can grow up to 1 to 2 feet tall and wide, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or shelves.

4. Peace Lily

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) is an elegant plant known for its lush green foliage and striking white blooms. Native to tropical regions of the Americas and Southeast Asia, it thrives in low-light conditions and helps improve indoor air quality.

Peace Lilies grow up to 2 to 3 feet tall and require occasional watering to maintain their vibrant leaves and beautiful flowers.

5. Cast Iron Plant

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) lives up to its name, as it is one of the toughest houseplants available. Native to China and Japan, it tolerates low light, neglect, and a range of indoor conditions.

With its dark green, strap-like leaves, this slow-growing plant reaches up to 2 feet in height, making it a perfect addition to dimly lit spaces.

6. Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a hardy trailing plant that thrives in low-light environments. Native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, it requires minimal care and can grow in water or soil.

Its heart-shaped leaves come in shades of green, gold, and variegated patterns, making it a stylish yet low-maintenance plant for any home.

7. Dracaena

Dracaena (Dracaena spp.) is a group of plants known for their striking foliage and adaptability to indoor conditions. Native to Africa and tropical Asia, Dracaenas tolerate low light and irregular watering.

With their upright growth and long, sword-like leaves, these plants can grow from 2 to 6 feet tall, making them ideal for adding vertical greenery to your space.

8. Ivy

Ivy (Hedera helix), also known as English Ivy, is a versatile and fast-growing plant that thrives in low light. Native to Europe and Western Asia, it can grow in pots, hanging baskets, or as a climbing vine.

Its trailing stems with lobed green leaves make it an elegant choice for indoor decor, and it also helps purify the air.

9. Mass Cane

Mass Cane (Dracaena fragrans’ Massangeana’), also known as Corn Plant, is a popular low-light houseplant with striking yellow-striped leaves. Native to Africa, it thrives in indirect light and requires minimal watering.

Its tall, cane-like stems and bushy foliage can grow up to 6 feet, making it a great floor plant for homes and offices.

Also Read: 11 Best Indoor plants that Absorb CO2 Most Effectively

10. Calathea

Calathea (Calathea spp.) is a stunning tropical plant known for its beautifully patterned leaves. Native to South America, it thrives in low-light environments with high humidity.

With unique foliage that moves in response to light changes, Calatheas grow up to 2 feet tall, adding an artistic touch to indoor spaces.

11. Maidenhair Fern

Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum) is a delicate, feathery plant that prefers low light and high humidity. Native to tropical and temperate regions, it thrives in bathrooms or kitchens with indirect light.

Its soft, lacy green fronds grow up to 1 to 2 feet tall, making it an elegant choice for indoor greenery.

12. Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia spp.), also known as Dumb Cane, is a low-maintenance plant with large, variegated leaves. Native to Central and South America, it thrives in low to moderate light and adapts well to indoor conditions.

This plant can grow up to 5 feet tall, adding a bold and tropical touch to any space. However, its sap can be toxic if ingested, so keep it out of reach of pets and children.

13. Prayer Plant

Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura) is a striking houseplant known for its unique leaf movements, which fold up at night, resembling hands in prayer. Native to Brazil, it thrives in low-light conditions and appreciates high humidity.

With its vibrant, patterned leaves, the Prayer Plant stays compact, reaching about 12 inches in height, making it ideal for desks or tabletops.

14. Parlor Palm

Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is one of the most popular indoor palms due to its ability to thrive in low light. Native to the rainforests of Mexico and Guatemala, it requires minimal care and helps purify the air.

Growing up to 4 feet tall, this slow-growing plant features delicate, feathery fronds that add an elegant tropical touch to any indoor space.

15. Watermelon Peperomia

Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) gets its name from its leaves, which resemble the rind of a watermelon. Native to South America, it thrives in low-light environments and requires minimal watering.

This compact plant grows up to 12 inches tall, making it a perfect choice for small spaces, shelves, or office desks.

16. Staghorn Fern

Staghorn Fern (Platycerium spp.) is a unique plant that grows well in low light and high humidity. Native to tropical regions, it is often mounted on wood or placed in hanging baskets.

Its large, antler-like fronds make it a striking decorative plant that can grow up to 3 feet wide.

17. Arrowhead Plant

Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum) is an easy-to-grow houseplant with arrow-shaped leaves that come in various shades of green, pink, and cream. Native to Central and South America, it thrives in low-light environments.

This vining plant can be grown as a trailing or bushy houseplant, reaching up to 3 feet in height.

18. Schefflera Arboricola

Schefflera Arboricola (Schefflera arboricola), also known as the Dwarf Umbrella Tree, is a hardy indoor plant that tolerates low light and occasional neglect. Native to Taiwan, it features glossy, umbrella-like leaves.

This bushy plant can grow up to 4 feet indoors and adds a lush, tropical vibe to any space.

19. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a well-known succulent that is valued for its medicinal properties. Native to North Africa, it can adapt to low light but prefers bright, indirect sunlight.

With thick, fleshy leaves filled with soothing gel, Aloe Vera grows up to 2 feet tall and is perfect for windowsills or tabletops.

20. Anthurium

Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) is a beautiful flowering plant with glossy, heart-shaped leaves and vibrant red, pink, or white blooms. Native to tropical rainforests, it can tolerate low light but blooms best in bright, indirect light.

Growing up to 2 feet tall, Anthurium adds a pop of colour and elegance to indoor spaces.

21. Chinese Evergreen

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.) is one of the easiest houseplants to care for, thriving in low-light environments with minimal maintenance. Native to Asia, it features striking variegated leaves in green, silver, and red hues.

This slow-growing plant reaches about 2 feet in height and is perfect for adding greenery to dimly lit rooms.

22. Yucca Cane

Yucca Cane (Yucca gigantea) is a drought-tolerant plant known for its thick, woody stems and sword-like leaves. Native to Mexico and Central America, it adapts well to low-light conditions.

With its tall, upright growth, Yucca Cane can reach up to 6 feet indoors, making it a great statement plant for corners or entryways.

23. Nerve Plant

Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis) is a small but stunning plant known for its deep green leaves with striking white, pink, or red veins. Native to South America, it thrives in low light and high humidity.

This compact plant grows up to 12 inches tall and is ideal for terrariums, small pots, or as a desk plant.

24. Lucky Bamboo

Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is a popular indoor plant believed to bring good luck and positive energy. Native to Central Africa, it grows well in low light and can be kept in water or soil.

With its flexible stalks and ability to be shaped into various designs, Lucky Bamboo grows up to 3 feet tall, making it a decorative and meaningful houseplant.

25. Tradescantia Zebrina

Tradescantia Zebrina (Tradescantia zebrina), also known as Wandering Jew, is a fast-growing trailing plant with striking purple and silver-striped leaves. Native to Mexico, it adapts well to low light but thrives in bright, indirect light.

This vining plant grows up to 2 feet long, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or shelves.

26. Monstera

Monstera (Monstera deliciosa), also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is a tropical beauty known for its large, fenestrated leaves. Native to Central America, it can tolerate low light but thrives in bright, indirect sunlight.

This fast-growing plant can reach up to 6 feet indoors, making it a bold statement piece in any home.

27. Snake Plant

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), also called Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, is one of the most resilient houseplants, thriving in low light and requiring minimal watering. Native to West Africa, it is known for its upright, sword-shaped leaves.

This air-purifying plant grows up to 4 feet tall, making it an excellent choice for improving indoor air quality.

Must Read: 9 Reasons Why My Snake Plant Is Not Growing

28. Philodendron

Philodendron (Philodendron spp.) is a low-maintenance houseplant with trailing or upright growth habits. Native to the tropical Americas, it thrives in low light and is highly adaptable.

With its heart-shaped leaves and vining stems Philodendron can grow up to 6 feet long, making it perfect for hanging baskets or climbing structures.

29. Bird’s Nest Fern

Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) is a unique, tropical fern with wavy, bright green fronds that resemble a bird’s nest. Native to Southeast Asia and Australia, it thrives in low light and high humidity.

This slow-growing plant reaches up to 2 feet tall and is perfect for bathrooms or shaded indoor spaces.

Don’t Miss: 19 Best Houseplants with Purple Leaves

Conclusion

Bringing greenery into your space doesn’t require bright sunlight or expert gardening skills.

Many indoor plants thrive in low-light conditions, making them perfect for your apartments, offices, or dimly lit spaces.

From resilient options like the Snake Plant and ZZ Plant to elegant choices like the Peace Lily and Parlor Palm, there’s a low-light plant for every preference and decor style.

By selecting the right plants and providing proper care—such as occasional watering, well-draining soil, and a little humidity—you can enjoy the beauty and benefits of indoor greenery with minimal effort.