I’ve Been a Master Gardener for 15 Years—8 Plants I Love That Thrive Without Much Light

I’ve been caring for houseplants for almost 15 years, and in that time, I’ve learned which ones can handle low-light conditions and which can’t. I’ve kept indoor plants alive in dimly lit offices and bathrooms with tiny windows, and you can too!

Although there are no houseplants that actually prefer low light, plenty of them can adapt to thrive in low-light conditions or even just artificial light.

In addition to choosing the right plants for a low-light space, it’s important to keep a few tips in mind: Variegated plants may lose their markings and revert to green if conditions are particularly dim.

You’ll also want to avoid watering too frequently, as a plant’s water use directly correlates with how much light it receives. With that, these are my go-to houseplants for lower-light spaces.

Heartleaf Philodendron

This attractive trailing vine is a great starter plant for a lower-light space. It’s perfect for keeping in a hanging basket or placing on a high shelf.

Like other philodendrons, it can tolerate bright indirect light, but it can handle medium or low-light conditions as long as it’s adjusted to its new environment gradually.

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Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia, also known as dumb cane, is another versatile houseplant that can adapt to a lower-light space. These plants are known for their colorful variegation, but you’ll want to keep in mind that variegation can fade without sufficient light.

Dieffenbachia will begin to lean towards the light source over time, so rotate it a quarter-turn every few weeks to keep it growing evenly.

ZZ Plant

If you’re trying to green up a space with no windows and only artificial overhead lights, ZZ plant is your go-to. This highly adaptable plant seems to thrive on neglect—though overwatering, especially in a low-light space, is a common pitfall.

Ensure that your ZZ plant is in a pot with great drainage, water it every couple of months or so, and always dump any excess water out of the plant’s cache pot or drip tray.

Parlor Palm

This classic indoor plant is a beginner-friendly way to add a lush, green vibe to lower-light spaces, such as rooms with only a north-facing window.

With the proper conditions and care, parlor palms can live for 20 years or more, though they’ll grow larger if they get more light. These plants are not toxic to pets, which is a bonus—but in my experience, cats do love chewing on them!

Pothos

Also known as devil’s ivy, pothos is a ubiquitous indoor plant everywhere from homes to offices to restaurants because of its ability to thrive with very little natural light or even just artificial light. It’s important to note that there are many different pothos varieties out there, but not all of them will do well in lower-light spaces.

Golden pothos is highly adaptable, though you may see little to no variation in low-light conditions. However, neon pothos and variegated types like Pearls and Jade typically require more light to thrive.

Snake Plant

Like ZZ plants, snake plants can adapt to low-light conditions and minimal plant care. However, plants in lower-light spaces may lose some of their signature variegation and are very unlikely to bloom. If possible, put the plant close to an east-facing or north-facing window, but it’s possible to grow only with artificial light.

Spider Plant

Another hard-to-kill houseplant is the ubiquitous spider plant, which can handle both low light and infrequent watering thanks to its fleshy white roots that store water.

The more light you can give spider plants, the better they’ll keep their variegation; in overly dim conditions, they may lose their white stripes and revert to green in order to better photosynthesize. Spider plants in low light are less likely to bloom or grow pups that can be propagated into new plants, though.

Peace Lily

Peace lilies are a favorite option for indoor public spaces where light is scarce, and maintenance can be irregular, like lobbies and hallways in office buildings.

Like many other easy-going plants on this list, it prefers drought conditions to overly soggy soil, so always check moisture levels before watering. If possible, put your peace lily in an east-facing window, which will offer a little more light and increase your chances of getting blooms.