10 Low-Light Indoor Plants That Brighten Any Corner of Your Home
Being raised in a small apartment with barely any sunlight, I learned something surprising, some of the most beautiful houseplants don’t need much natural light to thrive. Over the years, I’ve tried different plants in dim hallways, north-facing corners, and even in bathrooms.
And guess what? These ten plants proved their strength, beauty, and resilience time and time again. Below, I’ve shared my personal notes, what worked, what didn’t, and how each plant added life to even the darkest spaces.
1. Snake Plant
The Costa Farms snake plant thrived several months in a dark hallway with minimal attention. The plant is vertically variegated in shape, and has to be watered about once or twice a week. It is able to endure dry conditions and even prefers intense diffused light.
2. ZZ Plant
Bloomscape
$139
The Bloomscape ZZ illuminated a darkened desk area with gleaming and robust leaves. It can survive in small areas where they are erratically watered given the fact that it can endure low light and grows at a slow pace. It was doing fairly well with dust, and swept off leaves each month so as to keep them shiny.
3. Pothos Plant
The Sill
$69
I suspended a Pothos in a shelf and gazed upon the trailing vines. It continued to produce new leaves even under the artificial light. The vine can be growing in water after cutting it and then planted in another room hence easy to grow more.
4. Peace Lily Plant
Plants
$55
My Peace Lily surprised me and had bloomed in a shady alcove at the living room. It rewards you with shinning leaves and the occasional white flower and forms an oasis of calm, elegant atmosphere. It is more comfortable in wet soil. During the summer make it a little wetter and avoid keeping it in cold drafts.
5. Cast Iron Plant
American Plant Exchange
$41
Just like it is named, the Cast Iron Plant endured low light and varying temperatures in my guest room. It has dark green leaves that do not demand much care and are fresh in appearance. These should be reported every two to three years, and a loose, well-draining potting mix should be used.
6. Heartleaf Philodendron
The Sill
$64
This small Heartleaf Philodendron was able to adapt very well to my unpredictable time. It has the tendency to make shelves move and can withstand the average level of humidity inside the place. It will catch back well when I forget to water it. Light pruning encourages gushier growth and condenses the plant.
7. Chinese Evergreen
Rancho Mirage Florist
$90
The marbling of a Chinese Evergreen enlivened a dark corner in the office. It feeds well on light and replenishment of soil, and it is able to endure some neglect and low light conditions. Do not overfertilize, a small spring feeding will encourage new leaves to grow.
8. Parlor Palm
Plants
$45
I put a Parlor Palm to add a soft and tropical feel to the bedroom. It has delicate fronds which are adapted to evenly wet soil and it can withstand low light. Turn the plant around every now and then to foster even development and not to give the plant an uneven appearance.
9. Dracaena Lisa
The Sill
$279
Lisa indifferently lifed a shadowed niche. Its slender and long leaves are graceful and it needs good soil which drains well, and needs watering after every two weeks or so. Cut away all the leaves that are becoming yellow in Dracaena to keep the plant healthy and encourage new growth.
10. Bloomscape Boston Fern
Garden Goods Direct
$37 $30
The Boston Fern could grow in my bathroom, which had very poor lighting. It is idolatrous of the damp spa-like feel of the arching, wet fronds. To increase the humidity of the frond, it is good to put it in a pebble tray or water and mist the soil on a periodic basis.
Conclusion
Although your house may not be facing the sun directly, with these plants you will still be able to have greenery in your house. Take good soil with good water drainage, plant the plants according to the time of watering and sometimes have containers to have equal growth.
And in the darkest corner you will admire your peaceful, green, and growing space on a daily basis. Get to enjoy the process of learning because you are exposed to the gradual but consistent progress that occurs throughout the year and indoors.
Deanna Rollins
Deanna Rollins brings her love for cozy spaces and outdoor living to TheDailyEdits, sharing decor inspiration and furniture finds that make every space shine.