We all love the beauty of plants, but keeping them alive and healthy can be quite a challenge. After all, with confined living spaces and limited opportunities to provide the necessary light, water, and nutrients for plants, it can be difficult for even the greenest of thumbs to keep their indoor plants thriving. Fortunately, certain low light indoor plants can still surround your living space with natural beauty — even if you don’t have the best track record with maintaining other houseplants.
What to Look for When Choosing Low Light Indoor Plants
Looking to add life to your home, but slightly lacking in the green thumb department? Then adding one of the many low light indoor plants to your living space could be just the right move. To find the best plants that can thrive in lower light conditions, there are some universal key considerations and characteristics to look out for.
First, choose a plant that can work with the amount of natural light it will receive in its designated spot, like a north or east-facing window. Many low light houseplants prefer a bright room with diffused light, but can also tolerate low light, so deciding where it will be placed in your home is the perfect starting point.
Next, look out for plants that are robust and hardy — your best bet for long term success! Sempervivum (‘Hens & Chicks’) and Aspidistra elatior (Cast Iron Plant) are both standout choices for lower light situations. Additionally, try to find a plant with green or silvery color foliage, as these plants tend to do better in lower light conditions than brightly colored or variegated leaves.
Low Water Requirement is Key
In addition to low light indoor plants, it’s also a great idea to look for plants that require low water. Indoor plants can easily become over watered, so opting for drought tolerant and low water houseplants provides great success.
A judicious watering schedule and mindful soil monitoring can be the key to indoor plant care, but it’s also beneficial to select plants that don’t require a lot of moisture to begin with. These can include plants that store water, like succulents, cacti and sansevieria, as well as air plants.
ast, turn to your local indoor garden specialist who not only knows the types of plants, but also their skill level and growing requirements. They’ll be able to point you to the perfect low light indoor plants, as well as provide advice on handling the plant care and any information on the specific types themselves.
Best Low Light Indoor Plants
When selecting your low light indoor plants, there are many types to choose from, and selecting the perfect variety for your home can be difficult. The following is a list of some of the most popular, best houseplants for low light that you can add to your space for natural and living beauty.
-
Dracaena
Dracaena are a popular houseplant and come in a range of varieties and colors. These plants can thrive in both medium and low indirect light, making them a great choice for those slightly shady sites in your home. -
Zebra Haworthia
Haworthia is a low light succulent that can be an attractive – and easy – addition to your home. With a zebra stripe of green, white and/or translucent leaves arranged atop thick stems, it can be a beautiful accent piece. -
Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese Evergreen plant is perfect for those owners who want a stylish and attractive houseplant, but don’t have the time or the patience to watch over it at all times. This low light houseplant does well even when not meticulously cared for. -
Maidenhair Fern
The maidenhair fern is a stunning addition to any home. It’s a delicate, low light indoor plant that prefers dappled morning sunlight or indirect light and is known for being very sensitive to water. However, it’s also incredibly resilient and with the right amount of humidity, it can thrive indoors. -
Snake Plant
The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is an evergreen plant that requires little water and prefers a shady corner in your home. This robust and rustic plant can be a great addition to any home and is one of the best houseplants for those who want a low light houseplant that can survive and thrive in minimal care.
Ongoing Care Requirements for Low Light Houseplants
It’s important to remember that all plants need light, even the low light variety. Obtaining the right balance of light, water and nutrients is essential to keeping your houseplants healthy and growing, while too much or too little of any of these can cause your plant to suffer.
Too much water can cause root rot, while too little water will lead to wilting leaves and in many cases, the death of your plant. Regular watering is crucial, but don’t forget to check the soil with your finger to make sure it’s sufficiently damp before planting. Additionally, pests and fungi can become issues, so be sure to check your plants on a regular basis and watch for signs of an infestation.
Hooray, your plant survived and is happily thriving! Now, it’s important to remember that your plant may need repotting from time to time. This means checking the soil for compactness and evaluating the overall condition and size of the pot to make sure it can still comfortably hold your plant and allow for some root growth.
Low light houseplants provide an absolute wealth of beauty and natural splendor to any home. Having the right knowledge and understanding of low light houseplants can make all the difference in your success. Knowing what to look for and what plants are suitable for your living space can help to ensure your indoor planting projects are a resounding success and can bring you joy and beauty for years to come.