Low Light Plants

Low Light Houseplants: Overview

Brighten the dimly lit rooms of your home or office with beautiful and adaptable low light houseplants.

Although many plants need bright light to grow, there are plenty of houseplants for low light that are both easy to care for and resilient. With a huge miscellany of foliage types and shapes available, it’s easy to find the best low light houseplants for your home.

Low light plants are the perfect choice for offices and bathrooms with little light. They’re usually low maintenance, too, providing fresh, beautiful greenery and cleansing indoor air of toxins. 

From luxurious hanging plants, like the Pothos Jade, to the elegant, unique Bird’s Nest Fern, there’s a low light plant for every taste and style.

Low Light Indoor Plants: Care & Growing Guide

Knowing how to care for low light plants in indoor settings isn’t that difficult. These plants are usually easy-care but will thrive when given regular attention. Here’s how to get the best out of low light house plants at home:

Watering, Light, Humidity, and Temperature

Plants for low light need less frequent watering as their soil may not dry as quickly. Check that the top few inches of the soil are dry before watering.

Low-light plants grow well in medium to moderate light. However, many can also tolerate brighter light conditions.

Use a humidifier or mist your tropical plants to increase humidity. Avoid misting low-light plants in the afternoons, as water may not evaporate from their leaves until nightfall, causing bacterial or fungal issues.

Most low-light plants grow best at a standard room temperature of 60-75°F. Keep them away from drafts.

Repotting, Soil, and Feeding

Slower growth is normal for large, low-light indoor plants. First, check whether your plant requires repotting by looking at the roots; if any of them are growing through the drainage holes, it’s time to repot. Use a slightly larger pot; too large a pot won’t allow the soil to dry properly, leading to root rot.

It’s best to always plant low light indoor plants in well-draining soil, with added perlite or orchid bark that improves soil aeration. Use pots with drainage holes, and check the soil before watering to avoid waterlogged soil.

Feed your plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Note that low light plants grow more slowly; thus, they require less frequent fertilizing. 

Propagation 

Many of the best indoor plants for low light are easy to propagate. Take cuttings in the spring, or divide a mature plant during repotting.

Pruning, Cleaning, and Common Issues

You may need to prune tall low light indoor plants to keep their shape neat. Remove damaged leaves, and keep the soil clean around your plant. Clean them gently under running water in a shower to remove dust.

The most common issue low light houseplants face is overwatering; plants absorb water more slowly in the absence of bright sunlight. Yellowing leaves or wilting, mushy stems are common signs of overwatering. 

Explore Our Best Indoor Low Light Plants

Find the best houseplants for low light at Hey Rooted to bring green beauty and vitality to all the spaces in your home. Here are some indoor plants for low light that will look great in any room:

ZZ Plant

Description: One of the best large indoor plants for low light, the ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) has magnificent branches with glossy, deep green leaves. Moreover, it’s one of the most low-maintenance plants ever! 

Parlor Palm

Description: While most palms need bright sunlight, the Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is not only one of the best plants for low light, but it’s also relatively compact, making it great for smaller spaces.

Peace Lily

Description: The graceful Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) is easy-care, blooms with fragrant white flowers, and is known for its air-purifying abilities. Peace Lilies are ideal as gifts and are popular low light office plants or bedroom plants that enhance air quality.

Maranta Beauty Kim

Description: The dappled Maranta Beauty Kim (Maranta leuconeura 'Beauty Kim') is another amazing houseplant for low light, prized for its beautiful foliage and soothing stress-relieving properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What plants do well in extremely low light? 

A: Pothos plants, Sansevieria, and some Philodendron varieties tolerate very low light. Still, this will affect their growth rate in comparison to plants that are grown in brighter conditions.

Q: What's the easiest low light plant to grow? 

A: Many low-maintenance houseplants are easy to care for exactly because they can survive in low light. ZZ plants and Cast Iron Plants are hardy varieties that are tolerant of occasional neglect and do well in dimly lit spaces.

Q: What big low light plants are safe for cats? 

A: The Cast Iron Plant is a non-toxic, low-light houseplant that can grow quite big, reaching over 3 feet indoors.

Q: What plants don't need a lot of sunlight or water?

A: Snake plants are famous for withstanding dry conditions and their tolerance to low light.

Q: What low light plants are pet friendly?

A: Spider plant and a variety of ferns are not toxic to pets and tolerate low-light conditions.

Q: What houseplants like full shade?

A: Golden Pothos is one of the best plants for dimly lit indoor spaces and full shade outdoors. 

Enjoy the beauty and easy care of low light house plants!