No-Light Plants: 16 Indoor Plants That Require Minimal Light

Many types of indoor plants can survive with minimal sunlight. These plants, known as medium-light or low-light houseplants, can survive with indirect sunlight or artificial lights. Some varieties, like bromeliads and spider plants, can thrive in artificial light. Still, they prefer fluorescent light over incandescent light because it emits a high heat output that can burn plants.

Low-light indoor plants are the best houseplants for beginners to grow because they only require basic maintenance. Here are some options to consider:

1. 1. Bromeliad: Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) are tropical plants that prefer bright indirect light or fluorescent light because direct sunlight can damage their colorful leaves. Bromeliads brighten up bathrooms, kitchens, and living room areas, including shelves and tabletops.
2. 2. Cast-iron plant: The cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is one of the best choices for rooms that lack natural light or have an abundance of shady spots. Its hardiness holds up in most climates, but the cast-iron plant is susceptible to overwatering or frequent repotting.
3. 3. Chinese evergreen: One of the best houseplants for first-time indoor gardeners, the Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) is drought-tolerant and thrives in low-light areas with dry air. The color of its green leaves determines how much light this low-maintenance plant needs: Dark leaves need low light, while lighter-colored leaves require medium light.
4. 4. Dracaena: There are over a hundred Dracaena species, from small houseplants to the tree-like Dracaena Massangeana. All do well in bright, indirect light situations, grow in low and medium light, prefer humidity, and require frequent watering. They are air-purifying plants that can draw out chemicals in the air, like carbon dioxide, that lead to illnesses.
5. 5. Maidenhair fern: The maidenhair fern (Adiantum) is a great option for those with experience taking care of delicate houseplants. This fern is a beautiful but fragile plant: It likes indirect bright light but does poorly in direct sun. Maidenhair ferns also like high humidity and need moist soil, but overwatering causes root rot.
6. 6. Parlor palm: A symbol of wealth in the Victorian era, the parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is a tall plant that lends bright, vibrant greenery to living rooms and dining rooms. They prefer medium light and shady spots but also suffer when overwatered. If given enough light, they sprout small yellow flowers.
7. 7. Peace lily: A peace lily is a popular houseplant that blooms large, shell-like white flowers that contain a large seed pod. Home gardeners commonly grow peace lilies as indoor plants because they are not resistant to temperatures below forty degrees Fahrenheit. The color of the flower depends on the amount of light it receives; medium light and fluorescent light produce white flowers. It’s also an air-purifying plant that breaks down toxic gases like formaldehyde. Learn more about peace lily care.
8. 8. Peacock plant: Also known as cathedral windows, rattlesnake plant, and zebra plant, the peacock plant (Calathea makoyana) has beautiful patterned green leaves that need low to medium light (direct light makes them wilt). The peacock plant also requires more care than other low-light indoor plants and prefers climates with high humidity. Use either distilled water or rainwater to moisten the plant’s soil.
9. 9. Peperomia: More than 1,000 types of peperomia exist in South and Central America, each producing variations on its small green or colored leaves. Peperomia are hardy plants that prefer dry soil and bright, indirect light, but their leaves burn in direct natural light.
10. 10. Philodendron: The heartleaf philodendron is one of the best plants for large, partially shady spots or low-light conditions. The climbing variety of this plant can grow three feet in height and cover a space of up to six feet, and they require minimal care. Learn more about philodendron care.
11. 11. Pothos: Another great choice for first-time plant owners, pothos plants lend a tropical flavor to rooms. They have long vines (the vines of the golden pothos grow up to ten feet) and work best in hanging baskets from the ceiling. Be wary of yellow leaves, which indicate too much direct sunlight; they need only low to medium light.
12. 12. Prayer plant: So named for its pink-veined leaves, which fold like hands held in prayer after nightfall, the prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) needs high humidity but is easy to grow and looks beautiful in hanging baskets. Be sure, however, to keep the soil moist but also well-drained.
13. 13. Snake plant: The snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), or mother-in-law’s tongue, is one of the most durable low-light indoor plants. This plant only needs monthly watering and remains healthy even with minimal attention. The plant can live in most light situations but does best in indirect light and, as a succulent, needs dry soil.
14. 14. Spider plant: Another popular choice for indoor plants, spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum)—also known as spider ivy or ribbon plants—need indirect light and live well in fluorescent light. With proper care, this low-light plant produces small white flowers and spiderettes—baby spider plants that grow into adult plants.
15. 15. Staghorn fern: Experienced plant owners note that the staghorn fern (Platycerium) needs hands-on attention. It likes bright, indirect light but not direct sunlight or artificial light and requires moist but not damp soil. However, its large leaves—which earned it the names “antelope ears” and “elkhorn fern”—offer an appealing alternative to the look of other indoor plants.
16. 16. ZZ plants: Also known as the “eternity plant” for its hardiness, the ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) tolerates areas with little light and is drought-resistant. However, its sap can irritate the skin, so wear protective gloves when handling it. Learn more about ZZ plants.

There are several ways to care for indoor plants when there is no sunlight, including:

1. 1. Hanging planters: If space and sunlight are both issues, consider hanging planters for those indoor plants that benefit from their use. Hanging planters give plants access to well-lit areas; use poles suspended from the ceiling for multiple hanging plants.
2. 2. LED lights: Plants that tolerate artificial lighting benefit from LED lights, which produce low heat and use little energy. Flowering plants do best with red LED lights, while greenery benefits from blue LED lights; avoid “plant bulbs,” or tinted incandescent bulbs that produce too much heat and light for plants. Give your indoor plants at least eight to twelve hours of exposure to LED light daily.
3. 3. Mirrors: A mirror makes rooms look larger and more attractive, but it also reflects and redirects light to plants in rooms with minimal light. Place mirrors in corners or at angles that can bounce the light from a window towards your houseplants.

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