15 Low-Light Houseplants That Actually Survive Dark Corners (2025)

If you live in a basement apartment or work in a windowless office, you may think finding houseplants for low light is a daunting task. While there are a slew of plants that can survive in dimly-lit spots, there is a nicer distinction between mere survival and flourishing in low-light environments.

Most indoor houseplants that can thrive in low light come from tropical varieties that naturally grow on rainforest floors, which is the environment they were bred to. We’ve compiled 15 of the best houseplants for low-light conditions. The travel-hardy ZZ plant happily endures dark corners, and the elegant peace lily displays bright white blossoms in the dimmest spots. They are also incredibly easy to care for and adaptable; many will flourish under fluorescent lights, so they’re a good pick for new plant parents as well as seasoned gardeners with difficult spaces.

A cozy indoor space with various low-light houseplants, including peace lilies, dracaena, and pothos, thriving in dim lighting.
These beautiful low-light houseplants bring life to dark corners, creating a lush and inviting indoor space.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

One of our favorite low-light houseplants, to-soil, weed, and the party are visited while out the door, snake in the sand are exceptional air-purifiers. NASA researches indicates that they can remove a few toxins, including formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from indoor environments.

A collection of vibrant houseplants, including a snake plant (Sansevieria), pothos, and other greenery, beautifully arranged on a wooden console with decorative elements.
The snake plant (Sansevieria) adds a striking touch to this lush indoor setup, thriving among cascading pothos and stylish décor.

Image Source: Lively Root

Light Requirements for Snake Plants

Snake Plants can thrive in any light condition. These hardy plants require at least 5 hours of sunlight per day. They’re able to photosynthesize even under low light conditions and convert CO2 into oxygen at night, perfect for bedrooms.

Snake Plant Care Tips

In my experience, Snake Plants are so forgiving. They store water in their leaves and require minimal watering. In fact, they prefer being crowded in their pots, and will need repotting every three to five years.

Varieties of Snake Plants for Dark Corners

These striking varieties hold up in deep shade:

Whale Fin (Dracaena masoniana): Fans out striking single leaves

African Spear (Dracaena angolensis): Key Features: Tubular leaves.

Edition Bantel: White vertical stripes

Snake Plants grow well in difficult spots. (They’re great for reducing dry air in your home, and they have been shown to lower the amount of airborne viruses in the room, so they’re a great addition to any room in your home.)

ZZ Plant

If you have indoor pot space with barely any ambient light, the ZZ Plant from Eastern Africa has great crop resilience.

A stylish indoor setting featuring a ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) in a decorative pot, surrounded by other houseplants and modern decor.
The ZZ plant, known for its resilience and low maintenance, adds a touch of greenery to any indoor space. Image Source: Reddit

ZZ Plant Growing Conditions

These plants thrive in medium to bright indirect light, but they do spectacularly well in lower light conditions. ZZ Plants are ideal for most indoor spaces, as they grow in temperatures of 65°F-85°F, and unlike many other tropical plants that require specific moisture levels, ZZ Plants thrive in standard humidity levels that are found in a home.

ZZ Plant Maintenance Guide

ZZ Plants store water in their bulbous, thick stalks and rhizomes so they are very forgiving. They only need to be watered every 2-3 weeks, though this can depend on how much light they get. The ideal soil mix is balanced with perlite or lava rocks to promote healthy growth.

ZZ Plant Problem Solving

Here are the biggest issues and how to address them:

Wilting plant with parched soil: Your plant is thirsty

Yellowing leaves turn mushy: Root rot, or overwatering

Turned leaves: The plant is trying to tell you it needs water

ZZ Plants Still One of the Best Low Light Rooms Their shiny, emerald-green leaves look great even in fluorescent light, although they grow slowly. This makes them ideal for offices and dim areas of your home.

Pothos

A lush display of Pothos plants with trailing vines cascading down from shelves and pots, creating a vibrant indoor greenery setup.
Pothos, a versatile and low-maintenance houseplant, enhances any space with its trailing vines and air-purifying qualities.

Image Source: Reddit

Pothos stands out as one of the most versatile houseplants that thrive in low light conditions. Our years with indoor plants show that Pothos adapts to different lighting situations and makes an excellent choice for challenging spaces.

Pothos Light Needs

Pothos grows best in bright, indirect light. You should place it near an east or west-facing window. The plant needs protection from direct sunlight, so keep it 8-10 feet away from windows to prevent leaf burn.

Pothos Watering Schedule

Pothos needs water every 1-2 weeks. Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil becomes dry. Winter months require less frequent watering, about every 9-14 days.

Best Pothos Varieties for Low Light

These Pothos varieties work best in low light:

  • Jade Pothos: Displays vibrant solid green leaves, ideal for lower light conditions
  • Neon Pothos: Features chartreuse foliage that brightens dark corners
  • Golden Pothos: Shows adaptability in all types of light conditions

Your variegated Pothos might lose its patterns due to insufficient light. Low light conditions can make the leaves appear smaller, but the plant still grows steadily. Fluorescent lighting works well for optimal growth in offices or darker spaces.

Chinese Evergreen

A vibrant Chinese Evergreen plant in a white ceramic pot, featuring lush green and silver variegated leaves, placed in a bright modern kitchen.
The Chinese Evergreen is a stylish and low-maintenance houseplant known for its air-purifying qualities and striking foliage

Image Source: Nouveau Raw

WHAT IT IS: Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) is a lesser- known member of our indoor planthttps://www.tipsclear.com/how-to-choose-the-best-indoor-plants-for-home/ collection but wows us with its array of colors from deep greens to silvery patterns. These tropical perennials are better suited to the dystopian conditions that vex other houseplants in low light rooms.

Chinese Evergreen Light Conditions

Darker green varieties will tolerate almost shade conditions, so they’re handy to use in tough spaces. Variegated forms with lighter colored leaves require a bit more light, although still indirect, to maintain their color patterns.

Chinese Evergreen Care Guide

These plants grow best in a well-draining, slightly acidic potting soil. They grow best in temperatures in the 65-80 degrees F range. We water when the top inch of soil is dry. It thrives perfectly in kitchens or bathrooms where the humidity needs of the plant are satisfied.

Selected Varieties of the Chinese Evergreen

These varieties have performed well in our experience:

Silver Bay: Has silver-colored edges on green leaves

Emerald Bay: Matches dark green with silvery gray-green, works on low light

Red Zircon: Shows green leaves with pink blotchy parts

Maria: Dark green leaves with long silvery stripes, very shade tolerant

Chinese Evergreen is one of our most dependable indoor houseplant varieties you can find in low-light capabilities. Its green look never fades, even when under artificial lighting. This makes it an ideal option for offices or homes, especially those with little natural sunlight.

Peace Lily

Image of Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) – Elegant Air-Purifying Indoor Plant

Image Source: Jaelan Mincey

One of the rare houseplants that will bloom in a low-light environment is the Peace Lily. This refined plant can even grow its signature white flowers in darker areas.

Peace Lily Light Conditions

Peace Lilies prefer bright indirect light but will adapt to low light conditions. You can put them by north or east-facing windows. These resilient plants do well with fluorescent lighting, so they are ideal for offices with little natural light.

Peace Lily Growth Tips

Peace Lily does best at a temperature of 68-85°F. Very low maintenance – just give it a half-strength balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer every 6-8 weeks in spring and summer. The soil should remain wet but never soggy for healthy growth.

Peace Lily Troubleshooting

Based on our experience, we see several common challenges:

Yellowing leaves: Usually a sign of overwatering or too much light

Brown tips on leaves: Caused by overfertilization or lack of water

Drooping leaves: A sign of underwatering

No flowers: Typically with too little light or plants less than a year old

Fortunately, Peace Lilies like to be pot-bound, and grow better when a bit tight for space. Because the filigreed, rocky-textured foliage can bounce back quickly from stress as soon as proper care resumes, they are among the most forgiving houseplants for habitats of low light.

Philodendron

Image of Philodendron (Heartleaf)
Philodendron (Heartleaf) – Charming Air-Purifying Indoor Plant

Image Source: The Spruce

Philodendrons are among the best plants to have indoors due to their impressive versatility. Through decades of indoor cultivation, this tropical beauty has proven to be a stalwart of indoor houseplants that will thrive in low light conditions.

Philodendron Light Needs

Philodendrons thrive in bright indirect light and can tolerate low light conditions. The solid green varieties are more forgiving of dimy conditions. Growth is best around windows, although they require screening from direct sunlight.

Philodendron Care Guide

These hardy, easy to care for plants flourish in low-light rooms at temperatures 65-80ºF. Check the soil moisture regularly, and water only when the top inch of soil feels dry. These plants love to be misted regularly or kept next to a humidifier in the dim light and thrive!

Great Types of Philodendron for the Dark Spaces

These varieties are in our research to show how well they performed in low light:

Heartleaf Philodendron: Has shiny, heart-shaped leaves with a dense look

PHILODENDRON BRASIL: Features lime green variegation that brightens dark corners

Rojo Congo: Features dark foliage that is perfect for low-light bathrooms

Fertilize monthly during the spring and summer for optimal growth in darker areas. These plants take longer to grow in low light, but keep their nice looks with a minimum of effort.

Cast Iron Plant

The Cast Iron Plant lives up to its name as a nearly indestructible indoor houseplant in low light conditions. This resilient plant runs on minimal care and performs best in temperatures between 60-75°F.

Cast Iron Plant Light Requirements

Our tests show these plants excel in shaded areas with minimal light. They adapt remarkably well to conditions from low light to filtered sunshine. Direct sunlight should be avoided because it can bleach and damage the leaves.

Cast Iron Plant Maintenance

The Cast Iron Plant’s growth depends on well-draining soil rich in organic matter. The soil needs to dry completely between waterings. These exceptional houseplants for low light conditions need minimal care and require fertilization only once annually during spring or summer.

Cast Iron Plant Varieties

Our low-light spaces have become home to several stunning varieties:

  • Milky Way: Features cream-colored speckles on dark green leaves
  • Asahi: Displays distinctive white-tipped foliage
  • Okame: Shows elegant white striping patterns

Dark corners become perfect growing spaces when proper drainage exists and moderate humidity levels stay between 40-50%. The Cast Iron Plant’s ability to compete with tree roots makes it an ideal choice for challenging indoor spaces over the last several years of growing easy houseplants.

Spider Plant

Image of Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) – Air-Purifying Indoor Plant

Image Source: Lively Root

Spider Plants are indeed incredible indoor houseplants, capable of multiplying themselves in the wild. These hardy houseplants piqued our interest because they make cute offspring plants, allowing us to expand our plant collection without spending any extra cash.

Spider Plant Light Needs

We place our Spider Plants in bright-to-moderate indirect light. These laid-back plants also adapt to low-light room conditions with just the right amount of water.

How to Take Care of a Spider Plant

A temperature of 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit is the sweet spot. We mist check the top 2 inches of soil and only water if it feels dry. Fluoride and chlorine are the main concerns in the water, so using distilled, or rainwater is the best option.

Spider Plant Propagation

We’ve become adept at propagating new plants naturally in two ways:

Water Propagation:

Cut pups with emerging roots

Place in distilled water

Transplant when roots are 1-2 inches

Soil Propagation:

Select mature plantlets

Direct sow in well-draining soil

Water regularly so soil is moist until established

Spider Plants are one of the best houseplants for low-light areas, fast growth with proper care In a few weeks, one plant can produce multiple babies! The log requires rotation every 2-3 weeks to encourage more even growth of the plants in less illuminated areas.

Dracaena

Image of Dracaena (Janet Craig)
Dracaena (Janet Craig) – Elegant Air-Purifying Indoor Plant

Image Source: The Spruce

With more than 120 species available to a wider audience, a member of the rapidly evolving world of indoor plants, Dracaena is one of the most versatile houseplants working hard in dim light environments. There are so many more options that thrive in inhospitable light that they can’t all be lumped under one unique.”

Dracaena Light Requirements

Most Dracaena varieties adapted very well to bright indirect light, according to the tests. Direct afternoon sun can scorch their leaves, so protection is key. Plants like Dracaena warneckii or Janet Craig Compacta are excellent choices for darker spaces, as they are exceptionally tolerant of low light!

Dracaena Care Guide

Average household humidity provides an ideal environment for plants that grow best in temperatures between 60-80°F. Watering is only necessary when top soil feels dry. They are sensitive to any fluoride and chlorine so distilled water is preferred.

Popular Dracaena Varieties

Many varieties have proven themselves:

Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans): Grows to 6 feet indoors

Janet Craig: Adapts to both shaded and bright conditions

Lucky Bamboo: Can be propagated in soil or water

Song of India: Has bright yellow-gold and green foliage

These plants are especially adept at cleansing the air of dangerous toxins such as xylene and formaldehyde. Turning plants regularly helps them grow evenly when under artificial lights in offices or homes.

Prayer Plant

Image

Image Source: HomeLight

Prayer Plants are among the most captivating houseplants that thrive in low light rooms. The sort of thing I love about them is how their leaves fold up like praying hands at night. These tropical beauties perform this daily ritual by moving their leaves from a horizontal position during daylight to vertical at night.

Prayer Plant Light Conditions

We place our Prayer Plants in medium to bright indirect light, though they adapt well to low-light conditions. Our observations show they grow better in lower light settings since intense direct sunlight can scorch their delicate leaves.

Prayer Plant Care Tips

These plants grow best at temperatures between 68-85°F. They need above-average humidity to thrive in low light conditions. Our experience shows these care practices work best:

  • Water when 25% of soil volume is dry
  • Use filtered or distilled water to prevent leaf browning
  • Feed monthly during spring and summer

Prayer Plant Varieties

Several varieties make excellent indoor houseplants in low light:

  • Red Prayer Plant: Features bold red veins
  • Rabbit’s Tracks: Displays dark splotches on green leaves
  • Black Maranta: Shows silvery blotches with white veins

Everything in these easy-care plants needs consistent moisture without becoming waterlogged. A pebble tray or humidifier helps boost humidity in drier environments.

English Ivy

Among all the indoor houseplants that thrive in low light, English Ivy stands out for its classic touch to any space. After years of development, experts have discovered that these plants adjust wonderfully to indoor conditions if they receive proper care.

English Ivy Light Needs

English Ivy can adapt to both light conditions, although it thrives in bright, indirect light. Variegated cultivars such as ‘Ingrid Liz’, ‘Little Hermann’, and ‘Nena’ perform especially well in darker locations, displaying very good adaptation to low light levels.

English Ivy Maintenance

These low-light houseplants do best in temperatures between 50-70°F and only require that the top inch of soil feel dry to the touch before watering. These are the key elements on which the plant’s growth depends:

Gold Dust: Has cream-variegated leaves.

Baltica — has very dark-green leaves

Glacier: Feature gray-green leaves with cream variation

English Ivy Training Tips

Regular pruning promotes bushier growth while helping to maintain shape. Trained on trellises or wire to form topiary displays, the ivy makes a beautiful scene. A little front-loading with some good drainage and rotating your pots regularly keeps them even-steven.

Humidity: The humidity level should be always between 40-60% for the plant. These low-maintenance plants benefit from a once-a-month feeding during spring and summer.

Boston Fern

Boston ferns are among the most gratifying houseplants for spaces that require high humidity and low light. The right amount of moisture and filtered light keeps these tropical beauties thriving.

Boston Fern Light Conditions

Our Boston ferns are happy near the windows where they receive filtered or dappled sunlight. These great low-light plants survive on just a few hours of bright, indirect light every day. Morning sun, we have learned by experience, is the better option, since afternoon rays can damage the tender fronds.

Boston Fern Care Guide

Ideal humidity lies within 68°F-78°F, while these plants flourish within moist soil without becoming waterlogged. A biannual dusting of fertilizer during growing season and repotting every other year helps keep them in good condition.

Boston Fern Humidity Needs

It requires humidity levels of 60-80% for your Boston fern. Here’s the best way to maintain moisture at the right level:

Mist fronds 2-3 times daily

Put pots on trays covered in pebbles and filled with water

Keep plants at least a few feet away from air vents

“For a consistent level of moisture, use room humidifiers.

Obviously, bathrooms or kitchens have higher humidity levels. Yellow tips on the fronds indicate your plant requires more moisture, meaning extra misting sessions are necessary.

Parlor Palm

The Parlor Palm stands out in our collection of indoor houseplants that just need low light. This classic houseplant brings tropical elegance and we found that there was remarkable adaptability to indoor conditions.

Parlor Palm Light Conditions

We place our Parlor Palms in bright, filtered light, but they adapt well to lower light areas. These best houseplants for low light conditions also thrive under regular fluorescent lighting, which makes them perfect for offices.

Parlor Palm Growth Guide

The optimal growth happens at temperatures between 65-80°F. The plant needs water only when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry. These easy houseplants that grow in low light rooms benefit from regular misting 3-4 times weekly.

Parlor Palm Problems

Our experience has shown these common issues:

  • Yellow leaves: Usually means too much water
  • Brown leaf tips: Shows dry air or temperature changes
  • Spider mites: Happens when humidity is too low

New plants should stay isolated for 2-3 weeks to avoid pest problems. The plant grows best in darker spaces with proper drainage and consistent moisture levels that don’t waterlog the soil.

Maidenhair Fern

Maidenhair ferns test our gardening skills with their specific care requirements as indoor houseplants for low light. These delicate beauties can thrive in challenging conditions once you become skilled at their care.

Maidenhair Fern Light Needs

Our Maidenhair ferns grow best with filtered light and a clear view of the sky. These excellent houseplants for low light thrive in bright, indirect light and perform well near east-facing windows. You can also grow them successfully under fluorescent lights in office spaces.

Maidenhair Fern Care Instructions

These plants thrive in temperatures between 60-75°F. Your indoor houseplants just need consistently moist soil without becoming waterlogged. Daily moisture checks help determine watering needs – add water when the top inch feels dry.

Maidenhair Fern Troubleshooting

Our experience has revealed these common problems:

  • Yellowing leaves: Your plant lacks sufficient light or nutrients
  • Crispy brown fronds: The humidity has dropped below 50%
  • Mushy roots: The soil is too wet
  • Curling leaves: The air lacks moisture

These easy houseplants for low light rooms benefit from nearby humidifiers or bathroom placement where steam naturally increases moisture levels. A balanced houseplant feed works best at quarter strength monthly from March through September.

Calathea

Calathea stands out in our collection of indoor houseplants for low light with its striking foliage patterns and leaf movements that never cease to amaze. Our experience with these tropical beauties has helped us become skilled at their care in challenging light conditions.

Calathea Light Requirements

We found that there was a sweet spot for Calatheas in medium to bright indirect light, yet they adapt well to lower light conditions. The darker-leaved varieties show better tolerance to shade. These plants need protection from direct sunlight to prevent bleaching of their distinctive patterns.

Calathea Care Guide

Our observations show these plants thrive in temperatures between 65-85°F. The best houseplants for low light conditions need humidity levels of 50% or higher. The ideal soil mix consists of:

  • 50% potting soil
  • 20% orchid bark
  • 20% charcoal
  • 10% perlite

Best Calathea Varieties

These low-maintenance varieties work great as houseplants for low light rooms:

  • Calathea lancifolia (Rattlesnake plant)
  • Calathea roseopicta (Medallion)
  • Calathea cocinna (Freddie) – specifically bred for low light
  • Calathea ornata (Beauty star)

These indoor plants need watering every 1-2 weeks. The soil should dry halfway between waterings. Proper care ensures that Calatheas reward their owners with stunning foliage throughout the year.

Comparison Table

Plant Name Light Requirements Temperature Range Key Care Requirements Notable Features/Benefits Recommended Varieties
Snake Plant Min. 5 hours daily Not mentioned Infrequent watering; repot every 3-5 years Purifies air; converts CO2 to oxygen at night Whale Fin, African Spear, Bantel’s Sensation
ZZ Plant Medium to bright indirect, handles low light 65-85°F Water every 2-3 weeks; well-draining mix Stores water in stalks and rhizomes; tough plant Not mentioned
Pothos Bright indirect, 8-10 ft from direct sun Not mentioned Water every 1-2 weeks; less in winter Adapts to many environments Jade Pothos, Neon Pothos, Golden Pothos
Chinese Evergreen Near-shade to indirect light 65-80°F Well-draining, slightly acidic soil; wait until top inch dry Grows under artificial lights Silver Bay, Emerald Bay, Red Zircon, Maria
Peace Lily Bright to low indirect light 68-85°F Quarter-strength fertilizer every 6-8 weeks Blooms in low light Not mentioned
Philodendron Bright indirect, adapts to low light 65-80°F Water when top inch dry; regular misting Adapts easily Heartleaf, Brasil, Rojo Congo
Cast Iron Plant Shaded to filtered light 60-75°F Well-draining soil; dry between waterings Extremely hardy Milky Way, Asahi, Okame
Spider Plant Bright to moderate indirect 65-75°F Sensitive to fluoride/chlorine; use distilled water Makes new plants through plantlets Not mentioned
Dracaena Bright indirect, adapts to low light 60-80°F Sensitive to fluoride/chlorine; average humidity Purifies air Corn Plant, Janet Craig, Lucky Bamboo, Song of India
Prayer Plant Medium to bright indirect 68-85°F Needs high humidity; filtered water Leaves fold at night Red Prayer Plant, Rabbit’s Tracks, Black Maranta
English Ivy Adapts to different light levels 50-70°F Wait until top inch dry; 40-60% humidity Classic climbing vine Gold Dust, Baltica, Glacier
Boston Fern Filtered or dappled light 68-78°F 60-80% humidity; consistent moisture Tolerates high humidity Not mentioned
Parlor Palm Bright filtered, adapts to low light 65-80°F Mist 3-4 times weekly Grows under office lights Not mentioned
Maidenhair Fern Bright indirect, filtered light 60-75°F Consistently moist soil; high humidity Looks delicate and airy Not mentioned
Calathea Medium to bright indirect 65-85°F 50%+ humidity; specific soil mix Moves leaves; shows patterns Rattlesnake, Medallion, Freddie, Beauty Star

Conclusion

Our testing of these 15 low-light houseplants shows that darker spaces won’t limit your indoor gardening success. You can skip the struggle with light-hungry varieties. These proven performers are great options for any indoor space.

Snake Plants and ZZ Plants are all but one of these indestructible choices for beginners. Prayer Plants and Calatheas give experienced gardeners a reward with their leaf movements and striking patterns. Chinese Evergreens and Peace Lilies add beauty to office spaces. They thrive under fluorescent lighting and purify indoor air.

Of course, each plant needs specific care. Most plants just need well-draining soil, proper watering schedules, and moderate humidity levels. You will find success by matching your plant choice to the available conditions in your dim apartment corner or windowless bathroom.

Start with one or two easy varieties like Pothos or Spider Plants to build confidence before trying demanding options. These resilient plants adapt well to indoor environments and teach valuable care lessons.

Authors

  • Satheesh Gounder Expert Content Writer

    Satheesh Gounder is an expert content writer with a passion for creating informative and engaging content. He has a strong understanding of SEO best practices and is skilled at crafting content that ranks well in search engines. Satheesh is also a creative thinker who can develop unique and interesting content ideas.

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  • Thiruvenkatam

    Thiru Venkatam is the Chief Editor and CEO of www.tipsclear.com, with over two decades of experience in digital publishing. A seasoned writer and editor since 2002, they have built a reputation for delivering high-quality, authoritative content across diverse topics. Their commitment to expertise and trustworthiness strengthens the platform’s credibility and authority in the online space.

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