Key Takeaways

• Low-light plants like ZZ plants, snake plants, and lucky bamboo can thrive in dark rooms or spaces with only artificial light.
• Pothos and philodendrons are versatile indoor plants that can grow well in both low light and bright, direct light environments.
• Spider plants, ferns, and English ivy are great options for adding color and greenery to a room with low light conditions.

Adding plants to your indoor space is a great way to improve air quality, make you feel happier, and brighten a room. However, most flowering and variegated plants (those with multiple colors) have higher light requirements. When selecting a plant for a dark room, north window, or room with only artificial light, it's important to choose a plant that will thrive in that space.

According to University of Minnesota, low light plants grow well indoors with as little as 50 to 250 foot candles — some can even handle levels as low as 10 foot candles. There are also several plants, like the ZZ plant, snake plant, and lucky bamboo, that grow under solely fluorescent light. That means the office space isn't off the list of places to spruce up. Whatever space you want to liven up, discover the best indoor plants that thrive in low light.

Go Bold With the 'Raven' ZZ Plant

Black plants add a sophisticated and modern style to your decor

Zamioculcas zamiifolia can grow to four feet in height, with shiny, short leaves that look architecturally similar to a palm. ZZ plants, as they are commonly called, are a top contender for thriving in hallways, dark corners, and even office buildings. They prefer indirect light, burning in too much direct sunlight, and can even survive under fluorescent lights.

According to the North Carolina University Extension Gardener, in low-light environments, they require very infrequent watering and may only need monthly watering. Check the soil every seven to 14 days, and only water when the soil is completely dry.

'Raven' is a unique black cultivar particularly tolerant of low light that is a show-stopper for sprucing up an indoor space.

Embrace the Traditional With a Pothos

Let it trail from a bookcase, shelf, or coffee table

Pothos are popular indoor houseplants that send out vines and climb, and can take over entire window sills, walls, or ceilings. While they grow quite well in bright and direct light, especially the variegated varieties, they are also known for growing in low light environments, and even thriving in office buildings with only artificial fluorescent light.

There are several popular varieties of pothos, but cultivars particularly suited to low light include 'golden,' 'jade,' and 'cebu blue,' pothos. The satin pothos, or Scindapsus pictus, despite sharing its name, is a different species with dark, thick leaves, that also grows well in low light conditions.

While pothos are toxic to pets and children if ingested, they make a great hanging plant, which can help to keep them out of reach.

Philodendrons Are a Conversation Piece

There is a wide variation in the leaves between cultivars

Often confused with the pothos, the philodendron also has an array of stunning cultivars, each with unique leaves. 'Heartleaf,' 'dark lord,' and 'little hope,' are varieties that do well in low light.

In lower light environments, their water needs are also lower. Only water philodendrons when the soil is dry as they are susceptible to root rot.

The Go-to for a Dim Space Is the Snake Plant

There are over 70 species of snake plants to choose from

While known to also thrive in direct sunlight, snake plants are ideal for low-light environments (especially the darker green varieties). The pointed leaves can also grow up to four feet in length, making for a dramatic display to spruce up the space.

For a smaller variety, consider the 'bird’s nest,' or 'African spear.' Or go big with the 'whale fin' snake plant for a fun conversation piece.

Lucky Bamboo Grows Under Fluorescents

Make any space lucky, even the dim and windowless office

Lucky Bamboo isn’t bamboo at all, but rather a Dracaena, the same genus of trees and succulent shrubs as the snake plant. Lucky bamboo does well in low-light situations, even fluorescent light, and burns in direct sunlight.

This plant is most often grown in water but also grows well in soil. Lucky bamboo prefers a wet environment, so be sure to either change the water weekly (for water grown) or water your potted plant whenever the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry.

Make the Room Cheery With a Spider Plant

Spider plants are great for cleaning the air and are pet-friendly

Spider plants are one of the best houseplants to add a pop of color to a room, as they look great as a centerpiece or hanging. They are popular plants because they propagate quickly, especially in areas with lots of light. However, spider plants will thrive in a low-light environment — they just won’t grow or propagate as profusely.

There are many varieties of spider plants, including 'bonnie,' 'milky way,' and 'variegatum.' The 'solid green' cultivar, while a bit more uncommon, is ideal for low-light areas.

Bounce Back in Time With a Fern

These ancient plants are over 300 million years old

Ferns are notorious for liking shaded, damp places, surviving with as little as two hours of indirect sunlight a day. Although some ferns prefer more light, too much direct sunlight will burn most fronds. 'Bird’s nest,' 'blue star,' 'Boston fern,' 'button,' 'rabbit's foot,' and the 'holly' fern are a few varieties that do well in low light.

Many of these varieties of ferns, such as 'Boston,' 'button,' and 'rabbit's foot' are non-toxic; however, some varieties, such as 'holly' ferns are toxic, so if that's a concern, always check the variety before bringing a new plant into your home.

Most varieties of ferns like moist soil, so be sure to check the soil every seven days and water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry.

Enjoy English Ivy Indoors

Ivy can handle low light as well as lower temperatures

English ivy is often seen taking over outside of homes but has gained popularity as an indoor vine plant. Despite growing out of control under full light, English ivy (especially non-variegated types) also does well in low light situations, with about eight to 10 hours of indirect sunlight.

Its unique leaf structure is eye-catching and will spruce up a dim corner. For a plant that isn’t toxic to pets, consider grape ivy, which also does well in low light.

Bouquet of Color With Chinese Evergreen

Can survive with only 10 foot candles

According to the University of Missouri, Chinese evergreens can survive with just 10 foot candles of light, but the bright-colored varieties may lose their color over time. For a particularly dim area or one with only artificial light, choose 'emerald beauty,' 'parrot jungle,' or 'queen julienne,' all darker-green varieties.

Chinese evergreens will flower in good light but are primarily grown for their aesthetically pleasing foliage.

Tropical Vibe With a Watermelon Pilea

Pilea's are great small plants for sprucing up an indoor space

Resembling the fruit it’s named after, this pilea's leaves look like the outside of a watermelon. It is also commonly called the aluminum plant, for the silvery splashes on the leaves. This plant grows well in as little as four hours of indirect sunlight a day, making it ideal for a darker corner table or desk.

Thankfully, this plant, named after the juicy fruit, is not toxic.

Go Big With a Broadleaf Lady Palm

This is one of the few palms that thrives in low light

If you want to add a houseplant to your collection to make your indoor space stand out, a broadleaf lady palm is a great choice. This plant prefers indirect light (needing only six hours minimum) and can even survive off of fluorescent light. It also does well with lower humidity levels.

As an added bonus, this large plant, which can grow up to 15 feet in height, is non-toxic.

Cast Iron Plants Brighten the Darkest Corner

Excellent for spaces with low light and cooler temperatures

The cast iron plant is one of the best plants for those dark basements, hallways, and corners. Not only can it thrive with only indirect or artificial light, but it can also handle cooler temperatures (down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit), making it ideal for sprucing up those lower levels. Cultivars include 'milky way,' with white spots, 'Lennon's song,' with a variegated center, and 'China star,' with long speckled leaves.

The cast iron plant also isn't toxic, meaning it's pet and kid-friendly.

Dim the Lights!

These are just a few of the top indoor plants that thrive in low-light environments. While non-variegated plants are often the best in low-light environments, quite a few variegated plants will also do well in a north window or dim room.

If you want to try a flowering plant, consider a peace lily — it is one of the only flowering plants that prefers lower light. To assist your plants with higher light needs, add artificial light, or, in the summer months, bring your plants outside for a few hours a day. Moving low light plants to areas of higher light every so often can help with overall health.

To improve the quality of light your plants receive, wipe down your plants, keep your windows clean, and consider installing mirrors to redirect light.

Are you excited to welcome any of these plants into your home? Be sure to share this article with your family and friends to get their opinion!