10 Hardy Houseplants for Those Tricky Low-Light Spaces at Home

If a lack of natural light is the only thing keeping you from adding plants to your home, wait no more. There’s a wide range of unique and beautiful low-light varieties perfect for indoor spaces.

With the help of plant expert and owner of Meraki Market, a plant and home decor shop in Haddonfield, New Jersey, Madison Ramirez, we’ve compiled a list of easy-to-find, vibrant indoor greenery to breathe life into low-light interior spaces, along with tips and tricks to help these beauties flourish.

1. Prayer plant

Prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura) hail from the tropics of Brazil. They feature oval tri-colored leaves with feathery veins that almost look painted on. They get their name from the graceful leaves that fold in together at night, like a pair of praying hands. Prayer plants come in many varieties, each with unique coloring.

Care tips:

• Prayer plants are quite hardy and easy to care for. While they are tolerant of low-light, they also do well in medium to bright indirect light, near a window with a curtain for example, or under a grow light. Crispy leaves are a sign your prayer plant is getting too much sun.
• Keep the soil fairly moist but never sopping. Never allow the soil to dry out completely, as this can cause leaves to brown. Ramirez says prayer plants love high humidity, and only distilled or filtered water — don’t use tap water!
• Fertilize the plant once or twice a year, preferably during the warmer months.

Styling advice:

Prayer plants enjoy high humidity, so they work well in groupings with other plants that give off moisture. When grown indoors, they don’t often produce flowers. Their real beauty is in their brilliant green leaves.

Prayer plants are especially versatile and work well in different areas of the home. Prayer plants will grow graceful trailing vines in a hanging basket or perched atop a high wall shelf. Or you can prune back the stems regularly to maintain a more compact, round and bushy shape.

Because they have specific needs (including high humidity and filtered or distilled water) Ramirez concedes, “Prayer plants are a little finicky — but I do find them the most beautiful!”

2. Swiss cheese vine

The eye-catching tropical Monstera adansonii’s common name, swiss cheese vine, refers to its uniquely perforated leaves. Scientists believe these holes allow Monstera to withstand strong winds and allow light to reach down to the lowest parts of the plant in its natural environment.

Care tips:

• Monstera likes low to bright indirect light and adapts well to partial shade.
• Water swiss cheese vines every two weeks. Aim for a moist but never soggy soil. Yellow leaves are a sign you need to adjust your watering schedule. You may be overwatering or not providing sufficient draining.
• Ramirez offers an easy tip to prevent pests, “Monsteras are prone to spider mites. So for prevention, I recommend misting the leaves and roots with one part rubbing alcohol to seven parts water every few weeks.”
• Trim unhealthy or weak vines to encourage new growth.

Styling advice:

Like prayer plants, Swiss cheese vines look dramatic in a modern, iron hanging pot or stationed on a high shelf, where its lacy leaves can drape down. It’s also important to keep Monstera up high where pets cannot reach, as this plant is toxic to animals.

In their natural tropical environment, Swiss cheese plants grow vertically using the support of fellow plants in their environment. If you don’t have pets, you might try mimicking this process by training your plant on a moss pole.

Using a moss pole as a stake, attach a piece of fine wire mesh to the moss with wood staples. Mist the stake regularly and repot around every three years.

3. Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo is not a type of bamboo at all. It is actually the cane cuttings of the Dracena sanderiana. Since Confucian times, lucky bamboo has been associated with resilience and fortitude. In Feng Shui, bamboo is said to attract “chi” or positive life force.

Care tips:

• Lucky bamboo does best in low, indirect light.
• You can grow bamboo in water, provided the roots are fully immersed.
• Increase the water level to encourage higher root growth and larger foliage at the top.
• If you transfer bamboo to soil, make sure the pot has good drainage, so the soil doesn’t retain too much water.
• Gently clean leaves every few weeks to prevent spider mites, a common problem with lucky bamboo.

Styling advice:

Because of its association with good energy and good fortune, many people like to keep lucky bamboo in their home office. Some cultures believe that placing lucky bamboo in the southeast spot of the home will increase prosperity and wealth — and that giving a bamboo plant as a gift is said to bring good luck to the giver and the receiver. The number of stalks on the lucky bamboo has significance too. For example, two stalks represent love and affection, and seven stalks bring good health.

Some bamboo plants come already trained into braids, loops, and other creative shapes, which can add even more interest to your space. Lucky bamboo can grow to be two to three feet tall.

4. Staghorn Fern

Native to Australia, staghorn ferns (Platycerium bifurcatum) differ from other houseplants and other types of ferns in that they are “epiphytic,” meaning in the wild, they grow on other trees and plants.

To mimic that environment in your home, you can hang staghorn ferns in baskets or mounted on a board. The plant’s distinctive fronds shoot out from the center, resembling moose or deer antlers.

Care tips:

• Staghorn ferns cannot tolerate total artificial light or direct sunlight. They need soft, diffused light, preferably spaces with northeastern or southern exposure.
• Soak staghorn ferns once a week in a sink or bathtub, making sure the roots are fully submerged and saturated. Drip-dry plants before re-hanging.
• Mist tops and bottoms of fronds gently during the week — less in high-humidity rooms.
• Staghorn fern spores develop on the ends of antler fronds. Once they have browned and dried, you can gently scrape them off and propagate them in a seed tray filled with peat-based potting soil.

Styling advice:

Mounted on rustic wooden boards or centered in square frames, staghorn ferns become living art. Wrap the root ball in burlap and attach it to a rustic piece of wood to add color and texture to gallery walls.

While staghorn ferns are often mounted on planks and boards, you can also grow them in wire mesh pots or baskets and set them on a table or hang them from above. Line the container with an inch of sphagnum moss and fill it with loose, well-draining potting mix before adding the fern. The staghorn fern prefers lots of space, so use a basket or pot at least 14 inches wide.

5. Chinese Evergreen

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum) is one of the more durable and forgiving houseplants around — perfect for amateur green thumbs and forgetful plant parents. Different varieties feature oval or linear green leaves with varying patterns of silver, pink, red, or white throughout.

Care tips:

• Chinese evergreens enjoy low to bright light, provided it’s not direct sunlight. They even do well in fluorescent light, making them the perfect choice for interior, windowless spaces.
• Keep Aglaonema commutatum moist and provide good drainage. Although, truthfully, they won’t complain if you forget to water now and then.
• Chinese evergreens do like warmer spaces. Keep them in an area of the home that remains at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above.
• Some owners prefer to snip Chinese evergreen flowers because they aren’t particularly attractive and require a good deal of energy to produce.

Styling advice:

Use colorful pots to contrast the vibrant green leaves of Aglaonema or to bring out magenta accents speckled across the leaves of certain varieties. These plants tend to stay relatively compact, so they work well on a bookcase or coffee table.

While the Chinese evergreen is a slow grower, it can grow to be as tall as three to eight feet over time . Taller plants make striking accents for empty corners or next to larger pieces of furniture. Repot the Chinese evergreen every two years to encourage growth.

Because this plant can survive in fluorescent light, it’s an excellent choice for a windowless bathroom or basement. Chinese evergreens are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, so always keep them away from animals.

6. Spider Plant

The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is another highly adaptable houseplant that is tolerant of low light. Fast-growing and forgiving, they are the perfect beginner plant for the first-time plant owner.

The spider plant’s long, narrow striped green leaves reach out and arch over, giving the plant a delicate, wispy appearance. Chlorophytum comosum gets its common name from the miniature offshoot plants that develop at the end of their long stem which resemble little spiders.

Care tips:

• Fading green stripes on spider plant leaves are a sign your plant is thirsty. Water weekly with filtered water, allowing the plant to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
• During spring and summer only, fertilize spider plants twice per month when the soil is moist.
• Ramirez loves spider plants because they are so easy to propagate, “Once your spider plant produces a ‘baby’ you can remove it from the vine. Fill a jar or glass with water and place the bottom of the cutting in the container. Provide fresh water weekly. Once the propagation grows strong roots, you can plant it in soil.”

Styling advice:

Spider plants are safe for pets, so these are a good option for coffee tables, kitchen counters, and other more accessible areas. Modern plant stands stationed in a corner or atop an entryway table make perfect homes for the cheerful spider plant. If you want to grow long spiderettes, hang your spider plant in a corner that sees indirect light.

7. Heartleaf philodendron

Another hardy and dependable house plant for low-light interiors is the Philodendron scandens or heartleaf philodendron, one of the more than 480 varieties of philodendron known to exist.

Philodendron varieties come in all shapes and sizes. Some have leaves as small as three inches, and others have leaves reaching as long as three feet. The heartleaf philodendron features dark green, heart-shaped leaves.

Care tips:

• High humidity conditions encourage more substantial leaf growth, so mist occasionally between waterings.
• Avoid direct sunlight and water the heartleaf philodendron when the top half of the soil is dry.
• Prune dead or diseased leaves and stems as needed, always cutting just above a leaf node.

Styling advice:

Leaves of the philodendron are toxic to humans and pets, causing mouth and throat irritation and possible vomiting, so place them high away from kids and animals. If you place a heartleaf philodendron on a high shelf or in a hanging basket, the vines will gently trail down for a dramatic effect.

Research shows philodendrons are good at purifying the air, removing toxic chemicals, including acetone, ammonia, and formaldehyde from the environment. That makes them a good choice for a child’s bedroom, workspace, or musty basement.

8. English Ivy

English ivy (Hedera helix) is a hardy and versatile houseplant. You can easily prune smaller-leaf varieties to maintain a more compact appearance. You can also train varieties to spread and climb a trellis or create an ornamental topiary.

English ivy cultivars are classified primarily by their leaf shape. They range from flat leaves with five lobes to three-lobe, heart-shaped leaves, and others with curly or rippled leaves. Ivies have glossy green leaves, tinged with silver, yellow, gold, or white, depending upon the type.

Care tips:

• If ivy isn’t flourishing, overwatering or underwatering is likely the culprit. Provide good drainage to prevent root rot and only water when the top ½ inch of soil is dry.
• Fertilize ivies once per month while they are actively growing. Skip the fertilizer when growth slows during the hotter and cooler months.
• To promote bright leaf colors, introduce artificial light in areas of the home where sunlight is not available.

Styling advice:

A sphagnum moss topiary is a wonderful way to create visual interest using indoor plants. Using a small to medium size pot, fresh sphagnum moss, and some basic supplies that you have around the house, you can train ivy into a living sculpture. This is a great project for children to express their creativity and learn the basics of plant care.

English ivy works well up high in a hanging pot or on a top-shelf. Just remember that all ivies are eager to explore and need to be trimmed so they don’t overtake everything in their path. Fortunately, English ivy grows slowly enough that it is easy to reign in.

To prune English ivy, just use your hands or pruning shears to cut just above a leaf. You can propagate those clippings in water or soil to make new plants.

9. Rex Begonia

Originating from the forests of India, rex begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum) makes a striking indoor houseplant. The “stained glass” begonia in particular, has striking ruby red leaves trimmed in silver gray. “Fireworks” begonias are one of the newer cultivars featuring dramatic black, deep purple, and silver leaves that look like fireworks erupting.

Care tips:

• Rex begonias like an environment that mimics the forest floor: rich, aerated soil, ample humidity, and lots of shade.
• Water weekly while allowing the top ½ inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
• While begonias like high humidity, avoid misting, which can breed mildew. Instead, add a humidifier to the space.

Styling advice:

Since these plants love humid environments, rex begonias are ideal for the bathroom. With varieties offering bright leaves of violet, red, and silver, begonias are a great way to add color and life to stark, neutral bathrooms. (Just be mindful to keep begonias away from pets, as they can be toxic to dogs and cats.)

10. Golden Pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a lush, vining houseplant that is great for beginner home gardeners. Also called the “Devil’s Vine”, the golden pothos has shiny, heart-shaped, bright green leaves with ivory, yellow, or gold variegation.

Care tips:

• While golden pothos can grow to be several feet long, in low-light, they may not grow quite as vigorously or show as vibrant of colors. Add artificial light to keep variegation brilliant and bright.
• Pothos enjoy room temperature spaces without drafts.
• Pothos leaves tend to collect dust. If you notice that, gently wipe them down with a soft cloth.
• To keep pothos round and bushy, cut back vines just above the leaf.
• At her New Jersey plant and gift shop, Meraki Market, Ramirez often recommends golden pothos for plant beginners because they are so durable. “They truly require little to no care. Pothos can adapt to low light and only require watering every two to three weeks. They are very easily propagated and can even survive in just water!”

Styling advice:

Golden pothos is another plant that can be toxic to humans and pets, so place them away from both, maybe in a high basket or atop a tall piece of furniture. Their vibrant vines look beautiful cascading down a bookshelf or cabinet. Just make sure to keep them a few inches away from walls, as their aerial roots can attach and remove the paint.

To create a larger indoor garden, you can pot golden pothos together with the Dieffenbachia carina or dumb cane plant. The dumb cane is a lush houseplant with large, vibrant green leaves. It works well with the golden pothos because they both enjoy the same humidity, soil, and lighting conditions.

Tips for Growing Indoor Houseplants in Low Light Conditions

If you live in a home or work in an office with few or no windows, you can still be a proud plant parent. Here are some overall tips for choosing the ideal houseplants and ensuring they get all they need to thrive in low-light spaces.

1. Look for plants with darker leaves

If you can’t find the plants mentioned above or just want something a bit more exotic, here’s a good rule of thumb choosing low-light plants: opt for plants with darker foliage. Darker leaves are a sign a plant is especially efficient at photosynthesis and can flourish without excess sunlight.

2. Don’t overwater low-light plants

Surprisingly, a little neglect goes a long way with low-light houseplants. OK, so maybe “neglect” isn’t the best word, but when it comes to these varieties, it’s not an issue if you forget watering now and then.

Some plant owners compensate for lack of light by overwatering and overfertilizing indoor plants, but the opposite is best. Low-light plants can go longer without watering and feeding than plants exposed to bright light.

As Ramirez cautions overzealous plant owners, “I think it’s important to mention that a lot of us tend to “over-love” our plants. Plants generally like to be left alone. The soil of your plants should dry out completely in between watering.  Let them be and trust your gut; it is much easier to bring a plant back from underwatering than overwatering them.”

3. Rotate plants to brighter rooms

While there are some exceptions, low-light plants generally don’t mean “no-light” plants. There are a few ways to give them the light they need. Try rotating low-light plants into brighter parts of your home for a few weeks before moving them back into darker areas. Or leave indoor lights on during the day.

4. Try a grow light

Artificial lighting is another way to ensure houseplants have sufficient light to make the food they need to grow and flower. There are four types of grow lights: incandescent bulbs, high-intensity discharge, light-emitting diode (LED), and fluorescent.

Because fluorescent lights are safe, affordable, and versatile, they tend to be the most popular option for home growers. Generally, plants should be placed 6 inches to 12 inches away from grow lights, and they should be used during the daytime, for around 12 to 14 hours in rooms with some sunlight, and 16 to 18 hours per day in rooms without any outdoor light.

More than just pretty plants: Indoor greenery is good for your health

House plants offer countless benefits beyond just the aesthetic. Research suggests plants are good for our physical and emotional wellness, as well.

A widely-cited 1989 study by NASA found certain houseplants improved air quality by removing certain chemicals from interior spaces. Another study found microorganisms in certain plants and/or potting soil mixes effectively removed high levels of at least one volatile organic compound (VOC) benzyne within a short period of time.

Houseplants help us breathe a little easier in other ways too. We know that spending time outdoors in nature is good for the body, mind, and soul. The same is true when we bring nature indoors. Research links indoor plants to reduced stress and anxiety and increased focus and sense of well-being.

So now that you know what makes plants wonderful houseguests, how to choose the best varieties for your space, and ways to give them TLC, it’s time to get potting!

Header Image Source: (Annie Spratt / Unsplash)