.png)
The North-Facing Survival Guide: Our Favorite Houseplants for Low-Light Spaces
- Dana Owen
- 11 hours ago
- 10 min read
Are you looking for plant survivors for your sun-starved space? Let us help with some of our favorite easy-care houseplants for medium to low light.
First, what exactly IS a low-light indoor environment?
We consider medium and medium-low light to be within or near northern-facing windows or in areas with a good amount of indirect light. Truly low-light areas are located far from windows, in corners/shady nooks/hallways, and receive only moderate ambient light. An easy tip is that if you can't read a book by the natural light available, then it's likely not enough light to keep a plant happy.
What about artificial lighting?
While it is true that fluorescent lighting can supply the full spectrum of light needed for plants to grow (though maybe not flower or truly thrive), they really need to be within a foot of the plant to provide that. If you have a room with no windows and only artificial lights overhead, we recommend supplementing some of your usual bulbs with LED grow bulbs. If lighting is far from the plant and/or isn't on for 8-10 hours a day, then you'll do best adding a grow light within a foot or two of your plants (there are so many fun options now!). Your green babies will tell you if they're not getting enough light—if you see thinning, stretching leaves and stems, or paler and smaller leaves, it's time to move them or add supplemental light!
Read on for our favorite Low-Light Houseplants!
Those that are nontoxic are marked with the paw icon—we recommend keeping the others out of reach or in areas where pets aren't allowed.
Ferns
Best Varieties: Crocodile, Blue Star & Lemon Button
(Left to right: Crocodile, Blue Star, Lemon Button)
These lush ferns vary greatly in appearance, but all are very easy care—water regularly to keep them lightly moist and they will be happy in anything from high to low light. (You will have slower growth, and fronds are likely to be smaller in lower light settings. The above examples have been grown in medium to medium-high light). We love all three for their texture and color as well as how easy they are to keep looking good! Mature size after many years is 2-5' for Crocodile Ferns, 1-3' for Blue Star Ferns, and 8-18" for Lemon Buttons, depending on cultivar and lighting. An added bonus is they're all pet-safe, so you don't have to get strategic with your locations.
ZZ Plants - All
(Left to right: Solid, Obscura)
Unlike most tropical plants that prefer bright, indirect light, ZZ plants are quite forgiving and will push new growth even if only getting the light from your desk lamp! Their glossy leaves and upright form make them a great plant for an office or poorly-lit bedroom. Over time, they can grow to 3-4' tall and 2-3' wide depending on cultivar, but they are typically slow growers. They're very forgiving of forgetful waterers, so if you want a super easy care plant for your low light spot, this is it (just keep out of reach of pets)! Give them a deep watering once every 2-3 weeks (make sure their pot has good drainage), and you're set.
Snake Plants - All
(Left to right: Moonshine, Whitney, Laurentii/Wintergreen/Moonshine/Black Dragon assortment)
Snake plants have a dramatic, upright architectural shape, and they'll survive in even the darkest of rooms. And with endless varieties now available, you can choose from a wide range of colors/shades, sizes and shapes. You don't have to settle for the basic snake plants of your childhood (though grandma's is probably still alive in the corner!). Water these easy-care plants sparingly—only when soil is completely dry (this is another highly forgiving option for those of you with low light and less-than-perfect plant parent records). There's a snakeplant for every space—choose a sweet little birdsnest variety for a bedside table, or a 5' tall Wintergreen for a stately corner accent! While most cultivars aren't appealing/easy to chew, smaller or more spikey varietals may interest pets, so be sure to keep out of reach.
Pothos (Epipremnum) - All
(Left to right: Jade, Cebu Blue, Marble Queen)
Pothos are considered to be some of the easiest houseplants to grow, and conveniently are also very tolerant of low light. The one thing they don't like is staying wet, so wait to water when the top few inches of soil have dried (or when leaves start to wilt). Jade (above left) does best in low or artificial light, but all varieties are tolerant. A rule of thumb is that variegated cultivars (especially those with more white/cream) need more light to maintain variegation, so we recommend placing them in medium-low rather than low light. In darker areas, all varieties are likely to have smaller leaves, grow more sparsely, and may revert to solid green if they are variegated. They can reach over 6' in length with a relatively fast growth rate, making them fun options for training vines over doorways and windows! This also helps keep them out of reach of pets.
Satin Pothos (Scindapsus) - All
(Left to right: Jade Satin, Exotica, Argyraeus)
Did you know that Satin Pothos is actually not a true pothos? (Yes, it would have been helpful to just give it a different common name). On top of that, Jade Satin Pothos is not the same plant as Jade Pothos! Luckily, they can all tolerate lower light. In general, Satin Pothos has very similar preferences to 'true pothos'—they do not want to be overwatered. If they are too dry, the leaves start to curl, so if you're an anxious plant parent, you can wait for them to tell you they want a drink. While they can handle low light spots, you will definitely see bigger leaves in medium light or when supplemented by grow lights. Satin pothos is much slower growing than true pothos, with more compact growth and thicker leaves. Make sure to tuck or hang out of pet reach.
Cast Iron Plant
(Left to right: Solid, Milky Way)
Cast Iron Plant has earned its name because it stands up to a lot of abuse! (You may have your great-great-grandmother's Cast Iron in a dark corner!). The long, dark green leaves complement any space and can pretty much live in any space as well. Another great option (perhaps the best) for absent-minded plant parents, Cast Iron Plants tolerate both very low light and very little water. Ideally, you give them a drink when the top couple inches of soil feel dry. Over time (often MANY years), they can grow up to 3' tall and wide. While they are pet-safe, they are also apparently appealing (at least to certain cats who will not be named)... so you may still want to tuck out of reach!
Heartleaf Philodendron (P. hederaceum) - All
(Left to right: Solid, Micans, Rio)
This handsome trailing plant comes in many varieties, and all are easy care and truly lovely. They're beautiful draping over the edges of a bookshelf or climbing up a trellis. Another tough plant, it's an excellent option for new plant parents due to easy of care and faster growth rate. Heartleaf can tolerate anything from bright indirect light to low light, with variegated and colorful cultivars being less richly hued or patterned in low light. In general, heartleaf cultivars do best in medium-low light; if deciding between a heartleaf and a pothos for your darker spaces, we'd recommend the pothos. That said, we've found that Micans is surprisingly tolerant of low light (in addition to thriving in bright light as seen above). Water heartleaf philodendrons when the top couple inches of soil are dry. Most cultivars grow pretty quickly, and reach 2-3' tall and wide. We like them in hanging baskets or on high shelves to keep away from pets.
Silver Sword Philodendron (P. hastatum)
This lovely philodendron surprised us with its tolerance of lower light. It does best in medium light, but can tolerate medium-low. If it starts looking leggy or the leaves seem less vibrant (the beauty, after all, is in the rich silvery blue-green foliage), then move it to a brighter spot. As a natural climber, Silver Sword does best when given a pole or trellis, and can grow over 10' tall over time. As it matures, the leaves get very long and divide into lobes. Silver Sword likes to stay lightly moist—if unsure, make sure its pot has good drainage and water when the top inch of soil is dry. We love that this gorgeous variety is one of the easiest large-leaf philos to grow!
Remember to place away from inquisitive mouths.
Monstera deliciosa
Several different species go by the name Monstera, but Monstera deliciosa is the most adaptable to lower light. It's not going to grow fast, but generally it will do just fine in low to moderate light levels. Definitely one of the best options for a large/more stately plant in your lower light spaces (just buy it big so you don't have to wait forever!). Water Monstera when the top two inches of soil are dry. This is another very easy-care houseplant, but keep in mind that it is toxic to pets, and it can be harder to find a space for a large specimen that isn't within munching range.
Baby Rubber Plant, Peperomia obtusifolia 'Red Edge'
Red Edge Peperomia is another winner for new plant parents or those of us just trying to survive! Tolerant of everything from high to low light, the only thing these beauties ask for is occasional water (let fully dry between waterings). If you want a more compact/tight growth habit, place in medium rather than low light—either way, they typically stay under 1' tall & wide.
The O.G. Baby Rubber Plant (solid green) is equally tolerant of lower light—we just prefer Red Edge as the red stems and leaf edges give a pop of color.
Diving Deeper: While we love many other peperomia for easy care such as Raindrop, Watermelon, and Felted, these varieties prefer bright indirect light. There are some trailing varieties such as Parallel (P. tetragona), Hope (P. deppeana x quadrifolia), and String of Turtles (P. prostrata) that can handle medium-low light. If they start getting stringy/less compact or have less variegation, then move to a spot with a bit more light. Peperomia bonus—they're all pet-safe!
Hoya
H. publicalyx, H. carnosa & H. australis are best
(Left to right: H. pubicalyx 'Pink Speckled', H. carnosa 'Pink Princess', H. australis solid' & 'Lisa')
These three hoya species are pretty much tied for their adaptability to light—others may do well in medium or medium-low lighting, but these three are considered best for lower light situations. There are MANY varieties and variations of Hoya pubicalyx and carnosa, and if you want to waste a good 10 hours, we encourage you to deep dive on Reddit to get even more confused about the differences (not that Dana did...). As with other plants on this list, cultivars with more patterning will be at risk of losing some of that coloration or reverting to their simpler plant parentage in lower light. Hoya australis ss. will likely do better than Lisa, and cultivars such as Pink Princess with more white in their leaves need more light. All hoya are pet safe, so this is a great option for lower spots with lower light!
Diving Deeper: While the above hoya species can maintain healthy growth in lower light, they may not bloom. If you see new tendrils reaching with no leaf development, that may not mean they need more light, but rather a trellis to grow onto. As natural climbers, they sometimes send bare shoots out to search for something to grab onto. Hoops are best so that they can wrap around them without lattice in the way.
Calathea (aka Goeppertia)
G. insignis Rattlesnake Plant, G. makoyana Peacock Plant, & G. kegeljanii Network Plant are best
(Left to right: Rattlesnake, Peacock, Network)
Thriving in low to medium light, these tropical gems like regular watering (keep soil lightly moist, not wet). Humidity is a plus! Their bold, attention-grabbing leaves actually move in response to light cycles, making them dynamic additions to your low-light spaces. All three of these grow slowly, but can reach up to 2' tall and wide over time, creating a lush and unique statement piece for your low-light area. Calathea can get a bad rap for being finicky, but these three varieties are some of the easiest care. When someone's Network Calathea (aka Mosaic Plant) has browning leaves, it's most often due to sun scorch—these cultivars truly do prefer lower light areas! Pets can safely munch, though you may not want to lose any of these gorgeous leaves!
Neanthe Bella Palm (a.k.a. Parlor Palm)
Certain palms can be great options for the shadier spots in your space, with Parlor Palms being a favorite. Known for their bright, feathery fronds, these low-maintenance palms do well even with very little light. Give them a pot with good drainage and water when the top inch of the soil feels dry. Avoid placing near cold drafts or next to an air vent (a good rule of thumb for any plant, but these guys like to stay warm and humid when possible.). Parlor Palms are great pet-safe options for floor pots—if a few of those fronds get munched, your only concern is that it might not look great. At maturity, they can reach up to 6' tall and 3' wide, but if you'd like a smaller one, they do grow slowly. Safe for pet mouths, and also quite appealing due to their texture!
Key Tips: For all plants placed in lower light areas, there are a few things to be extra conscientious of:
Keep an eye out for signs of disease or pests—when they're not getting their ideal light, plants can be more stressed and therefore more prone to disease or pest activity.
Dust those leaves! Yes, it can be tedious, but it's extra important for plants in low light. Even a fine layer of dust can inhibit their light uptake and ability to photosynthesize. We like using microfiber gloves—for an added bonus, spritz your gloves with an organic pest treatment. (To be extra safe, do a thorough pest check before using gloves on multiple plants. You don't want to inadvertently spread teensy spider mites!)
Pay attention to your watering. While some of the above plants may like watering every few days when in a brighter spot, they likely won't need it as often in a darker area. That said, don't assume that they need less—it all depends on the type of pot, soil, how rootbound they are, if they're near an air vent, etc... don't stress about it, but take a second to do the finger test rather than assuming you know if they need watering. If you overwater in lower light areas, they may take longer to dry out and therefore be more susceptible to root rot or fungus gnats.
For houseplants that like humidity (which is most of them, especially in winter/dryer months), consider adding a humidifier to your space (or placing them in a bathroom). Again, one less stress to the plant and another way to ensure its long-term success in a lower light environment!
As a general rule of thumb, when we breed for special characteristics like a dark edge or pink variegation, we often sacrifice some of the original vigor that the plant evolved in nature. If you would prefer more robust plants that are less prone to disease or pests, we recommend choosing the 'O.G.s' of the above recommendations. If you are less worried about perfection and open to some trial and error, then give that Manjula a try! After all, much of the joy of growing plants is experimentation and learning!
