If you're a plant lover, you can't deny the appeal of adding some tropical greenery to your home. Not only do plants help to brighten up a room, they're beneficial for the mind and body. But, introducing a touch of tropical flair to your home can be tricky.
Most tropical houseplants require abundant sunlight. Although, it can be difficult to provide the correct environment within the home. Don’t despair! There are plenty of tropical plants that thrive in low-light conditions.
Whether you're looking for a new addition to your home or simply want to learn more about plant care, keep reading for some helpful tips and advice. Below you'll find gorgeous plants designated for the dark corners of your home in need of some TLC.
Mother-In-Law Plants
Image credit: Nadiye Odabaşı via Pexels
Mother-In-law plants, or dumb cane, also known as Dieffenbachia seguine, are tropical plants that flourish in low light and make a beautiful addition to any home. Native to Brazil, these lush green plants feature attractive, white-variegated leaves that can reach up to 10 feet tall outdoors. Indoors, however, they grow much smaller, but they still make a great statement piece for your space.
Not only are Mother-In-law plants aesthetically pleasing, but they’re also incredibly easy to care for. These plants prefer partial to full shade, so you don’t have to worry about placing them in an area that gets too much sun. In fact, direct sunlight can burn their leaves.
When it come to watering, keep the soil slightly damp and wait until it's dry before watering again.
Dumb cane plants contain oxalic acid, a colorless and toxic compound that is poisonous when ingested. In fact, it get the name "dumb cane" from the side effect of speechlessness after chewing a piece of stem. It is toxic to humans, dogs and, cats, so monitor well if you have little ones and pets running around!
Peace Lilies
Image credits: FotoHelin via Shutterstock
Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum cochlearispathum) are a beautiful and easy-to-care-for tropical plant that can bring a relaxing and calming atmosphere to any home. They’re perfect for those who have little natural light, as they thrive in poor-light conditions. Peace lilies will add some greenery and life to your indoor space without requiring lots of sunlight or maintenance.
Peace lilies can survive for long periods of time with little water, making them an a great choice for busy people on the go.
Fun Fact: These plants even help keep your air clean by removing 90 percent of benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene pollutants from your home!
Zebra Plants
Image credits: Omkoi via Shutterstock
Zebra plants (Calathea zebrina and Aphelandra squarrosa) are gorgeous tropical plants that can bring a bit of the jungle indoors! Native to Brazil, these showy beauties have stunning dark green leaves with bright yellow or white stripes -- hence their name. They're easy to care for and will thrive even in areas with little natural light. Plus, they add a unique texture and color to any living space.
This lush tropical houseplant is a low-light-loving plant, so no need to put it near a sunny window or under grow lights. But, if your zebra plant has started to look pale or leggy, it might benefit from some artificial lighting like an LED grow light.
Watering is also important for zebra plants. Since this shade lover doesn't have the sun to dry it out, you'll need to water sparingly. To prevent waterlogging, let the top layer of soil dry out before watering and keep the plant in a pot with drainage holes. You can also frequently mist this plant.
Philodendrons
Image credits: feey via Unsplash
Philodendrons (Philodendron hederaceum) don’t need a lot of attention from their owners and will reward you with lush foliage and the occasional indoor bloom. They come in many varieties, which can grow as houseplants or outdoor garden additions. Featuring shiny heart-shaped leaves and woody stems, you can find these plants in living rooms all around the world!
When it comes to care, Philodendrons are quite forgiving and easy to please. They can adapt to a range of environments but prefer indirect sunlight, so keep them out of direct sun exposure if possible. Too much sun exposure will burn the leaves.
Lastly, place your Philodendron in a well draining pot, and do not overwater it, as this can lead to root rot and other problems.
Anthuriums
Image credit: juan tb via Unsplash
Anthuriums are a popular tropical plant that makes for an eye-catching addition to any home. These plants grow in partly-shaded environments, making them an ideal choice for those looking to spruce up their living spaces with some lush foliage. However, to flower, they do best in indirect light, especially in the winter. With anthuriums, you can add a subtle yet sophisticated touch of green to your home décor with minimal effort and maintenance.
These plants do not require lots of sunlight and with the right care will even flourish in partly shaded areas. When it comes to watering, the soil should be moist but not overly saturated. Allow time between each watering ensures they get just the right amount of nutrients.
Snake Plants
Image credits: Veronica via Pexels
Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law's tongue or Dracaena trifasciata, are incredibly adaptable tropical plants that make them perfect for almost any type of home or office. These tough and hardy houseplants can flourish in low light to full shade and even a few weeks without water! Not only will they look beautiful in your space, but they're also excellent air purifiers, so you can breathe easy knowing you've got some healthy houseplants around.
They also rarely need repotting as they prefer to be snug. Their unique upright leaves make dusting the leaves easy and watering around the foliage simple. Let the soil dry out between watering, but water every couple of weeks in the summer. You can dial the watering back in the winter to once every month.
ZZ Plants
Image credits: Pino Nguyen via unsplash
ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) are a great option for anyone looking to bring a bit of the tropics into their home.
These unique plants have been gaining popularity because of their ability to thrive in poor light conditions. They require full sun but sadly for them they get damaged by the rays. The light they do receive must be dappled or filtered.
Their glossy green leaves provide an attractive addition to any room, while their petite stature makes them ideal for smaller spaces.
Even better, ZZ plants can tolerate occasional periods of drought, so you won't need to worry about overwatering them!
Touch of Paradise
Have you ever wanted to bring a part of the tropics into your home, but been worried about whether your indoor space is bright enough? Worry no more! As you can see, plenty of tropical plants thrive in low-light conditions. These seven tropical plants will bring a splash of the exotic into your home without needing much sun.
So, what are you waiting for? Start browsing plant nurseries near you today and add some tropical flair to your décor. And be sure to share this article with friends who might be interested in doing the same!
Do you have any tips or tricks for growing tropical plants in your home? Leave a comment below!