Gardening Houseplants Types of Houseplants

28 Best Low-Light Indoor Plants for Your Home

No sunlight, no problem—these houseplants can thrive in the shade

Illustration showing the best houseplants for low light

The Spruce

Lighting conditions can be a challenge for the indoor gardener, but luckily there are plenty of low-light-loving indoor plants to choose from if you don't have an abundance of sunny windowsills.

Low-light houseplants will likely do fine in an east- or west-facing room that has a window or two, even if they receive no direct sunshine. But a room with no windows or a single north-facing window will make it difficult for even the most shade-tolerant plants. In that situation, you can help your plants by turning on artificial lights for a few hours each day.

Here are 28 low-light indoor plants that will do well, even if your windows don't provide bright light.

  • 01 of 28

    Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

    a lucky bamboo

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    Grown in either water or soil, lucky bamboo plants are suitable plants for offices and homes. They often have sculptural or braided stalks dotted with little green leaves. An important element of feng shui practice, lucky bamboo plants are said to bring good luck and fortune, especially if the plants were received as gifts. It also helps that they have a well-earned reputation as being nearly indestructible. Lucky bamboo prefers some light but will gladly thrive in nearly full-shade locations. Just make sure they aren't located near drafty areas in your home. Keep them away from pets because they do have toxic properties.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Green
    • Light: Partial shade to full shade
    • Mature Size: 1 to 5 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide (indoors)
    • Difficulty: Low-maintenance
  • 02 of 28

    Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

    a spider plant on a mantel

    The Spruce / Krystal Slagle

    The spider plant is one of the most adaptable and easy-to-grow houseplants. It is so-named because the plant's star-shaped flowers evolve into spider-like green offshoots, or spiderettes, which dangle down from the parent plant's long, slender green leaves like spiders on a web. Spider plants can be grown as hanging or trailing plants in baskets or pots. They will survive for a long time in less-than-ideal light conditions, including artificial light. Make sure to water regularly to prevent the soil from drying out.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Green or variegated foliage
    • Light: Partial shade
    • Mature Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
    • Difficulty: Low-maintenance
  • 03 of 28

    Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

    golden pothos

    The Spruce / Kara Riley 

    Golden pothos can thrive in conditions in which almost no other plants can grow, including very low light and a near-complete lack of water. It is one of the most popular houseplants, thanks to its attractive, durable, and easy-to-grow vines with smooth, leathery, heart-shaped leaves. Some varieties have leaves with distinctive marbling alternating along rope-like green stems. Be sure to loosen and dust the vines every so often to prevent them from becoming a tangled mess. Long stems respond well to trimming to keep them at a manageable length and encourage branching. Keep the plant away from pets because they are toxic.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Green or variegated foliage
    • Light: Partial shade to full shade
    • Mature Size: 20 to 40 feet long, 3 to 6 feet wide
    • Difficulty: Low-maintenance
  • 04 of 28

    Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

    a snake plant against a brick wall

    The Spruce / Alonda Baird

    The Sansevieria species are some of the best low-light indoor plants you can grow and they require very little maintenance. They are striking in appearance because they grow thick sword-like green leaves that can grow up to eight feet tall. The snake plant, also called mother-in-law's tongue, is a very long-lived plant that can thrive for decades. It prefers to grow in partial shade but can tolerate quite shady conditions as well. And make sure not to overwater it, especially if it's not in direct sunlight that dries out the soil. Overwatering can cause root rot and kill the plant. Note that the snake plant is toxic to pets.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Deep green foliage with a striped edge and gray-green markings
    • Light: Partial shade
    • Mature Size: 6 inches to 12 feet tall
    • Difficulty: Low-maintenance

    Watch Now: How to Take Care of a Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law's Tongue)

    Continue to 5 of 28 below
  • 05 of 28

    Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)

    staghorn fern

    The Spruce / Krystal Slagle

    Staghorn ferns are epiphytic, meaning they grow naturally on other plants instead of in soil. Their distinct green leaves can grow large and tend to look like deer antlers. As a houseplant, they can grow mounted on wooden boards, making them beautiful natural art pieces. They prefer shady spots and can burn in direct sunlight. Be sure to allow them to dry out between waterings. 

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Green
    • Light: Full shade
    • Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
    • Difficulty: Expert
  • 06 of 28

    English Ivy (Hedera helix)

    English Ivy

    The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

    English ivy can spread as a ground cover outdoors, but as a low-light indoor plant, it simply offers a beautiful trailing effect of small and dainty green leaves. Indoors, place your English ivy in a location that receives indirect light. Be sure to mist the plant to maintain adequate humidity, and keep it in a cool room at night if possible (ideally around 60 degrees Fahrenheit). Be careful where grow English ivy because it's toxic to humans and pets.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Dark green
    • Light: Partial shade to full shade
    • Mature Size: Climbs and spreads as much as possible
    • Difficulty: Needy (indoors)
  • 07 of 28

    Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

    Castiron plant

    The Spruce / Kara Riley

    Cast iron plants have a well-deserved reputation as being indestructible houseplants. They are handsome plants, though, with large and arching deep green glossy leaves. They can tolerate all kinds of neglect, including a lack of light and water. But ideally, you should water them when you stick your finger in the soil and it feels dry. In terms of light, keep them away from direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves. A north-facing window is ideal.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Dark green
    • Light: Partial shade to full shade
    • Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
    • Difficulty: Low-maintenance
  • 08 of 28

    Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

    Peace lily

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    Peace lilies are popular low-light indoor plants that also can tolerate neglect. They produce large dark green leaves and bloom with a rare elegant white flower or two every so often. What they do need is ample water or else the foliage will wilt. However, watering will usually perk up wilted foliage. These shade-loving plants should be placed somewhere that receives indirect light. Keep the plant away from children and pets because they are toxic.

    • Leaf and Flower Color Varieties: Dark green foliage, white flowers
    • Light: Partial shade to full shade
    • Mature Size: 1 to 4 feet tall and wide (indoors)
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
    Continue to 9 of 28 below
  • 09 of 28

    Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum)

    maidenhair fern

    The Spruce / Anastasia Tretiak

    The maidenhair fern has small, delicate, fan-shaped leaves clustered on dark stems. It’s a popular low-light indoor plant that adds a pop of green to a space. But these ferns do need consistently moist, but not soggy, soil to thrive. They also like a warm, humid environment, along with a location that doesn’t receive direct sunlight. 

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Medium green foliage
    • Light: Partial shade to full shade
    • Mature Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
    • Difficulty: Needy
  • 10 of 28

    ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

    ZZ plant

    The Spruce / Anastasia Tretiak

    The ZZ plant is a low-maintenance houseplant that can technically survive even without natural sunlight. Thus, you’ll find it in many windowless offices. You can't miss it thanks to the plant's shiny, wide, oval-shaped leaves that grow upward. However, the plant does best with bright, indirect light. These plants also can tolerate drought well and should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Keep them away from children and pets because the plants are toxic.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Dark green
    • Light: Partial shade to full shade
    • Mature Size: 2 to 4 feet tall and wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 11 of 28

    Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)

    Philodendron

    The Spruce / Alexandra Shytsman

    Philodendrons are popular houseplants due to their ease of care and ability to add a jungle-like vibe to a space with their long green vines and heart-shaped leaves. Be sure to regularly dust the vines to keep them looking their best. In terms of light, a window that receives bright but indirect sunlight is ideal indoors. These plants can tolerate low-light settings but might experience leggy stem growth with sparse foliage. Keep philodendrons away from children and pets because the plants are toxic.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Green
    • Light: Partial shade
    • Mature Size: 10 to 20 feet tall; 3 to 6 feet spread
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 12 of 28

    Anthurium (Anthurnium spp.)

    Anthurium flowers

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    Anthurium, also called the flamingo flower, is a genus of tropical plants with bright flowers and lush foliage. These plants can be grown indoors in high humidity and consistently moist but not soggy soil. A location that receives bright, indirect light is best. Direct sun can burn the leaves. Keep these plants away from children and pets due to their toxic nature.

    • Flower Color Varieties: Red, pink, or white flowers
    • Light: Partial shade
    • Mature Size: 12 to 18 inches tall, 9 to 12 inches wide
    • Difficulty: Expert
    Continue to 13 of 28 below
  • 13 of 28

    Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)

    Chinese Evergreen

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    The Chinese evergreen features oval, glossy green leaves on short stems. These plants do well in shade, making them excellent low-light indoor plants. Place them out of direct sunlight as it can burn the foliage. If you are growing a variegated variety, it will need bright, indirect light to produce the best color. But all varieties can survive in shady conditions. Keep pets away from this plant because it is toxic.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Dark green to silver foliage
    • Light: Partial shade to full shade
    • Mature Size: 1 to 3 feet tall and wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 14 of 28

    Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa)

    Monstera plant

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    The Swiss cheese plant, also known as the split-leaf philodendron, grows large, leathery, green leaves with notable perforations in its leaves. These plants grow naturally in shady conditions and tend to do well with bright, indirect light indoors. Too much light can burn the foliage. These plants are toxic to pets.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Green
    • Light: Partial shade
    • Mature Size: 3 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet spread
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 15 of 28

    Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

    Prayer plant

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    The prayer plant is a small, low-growing tropical plant with attractive oval or roundish tricolor leaves. It grows well indoors if you provide it with warmth and humidity but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. These plants are quite tolerant to low-light conditions, and direct sunlight can burn their foliage. A window that provides bright, indirect light is ideal.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Deep green leaves with yellow and red markings
    • Light: Partial shade to full shade
    • Mature Size: 6 to 12 inches tall and wide
    • Difficulty: Moderate maintenance
  • 16 of 28

    Silver Pothos (Scindapsus pictus)

    Satin pothos

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    Silver pothos, also known as satin pothos, is quite similar to golden pothos except its matte green leaves are speckled with silver. These plants thrive in indoor conditions, including locations that don’t receive a lot of light. Bright, indirect light is ideal for the best leaf color, but the plant will survive in dimmer locations. It’s ideal to regularly mist your pothos or place them on pebble tray filled with water because these plants like humidity. But keep them away from pets because they are toxic.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Green and silver
    • Light: Partial shade to full shade
    • Mature Size: 4 to 10 feet long
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
    Continue to 17 of 28 below
  • 17 of 28

    Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)

    Dracaena marginata

    The Spruce / Krystal Slagle

    The dragon tree is a member of the Dracaena genus and can tolerate shady conditions to grow its sword-like, red-edged green upright leaves. It’s also quite easy to care for and is very hardy. Indoors, the tree doesn’t typically reach more than six feet tall, and it only needs repotting every two to three years. A window that receives bright, indirect light is best. It will survive in lower-light conditions but its leaves might grow smaller than usual. This plant is toxic to pets.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Green
    • Light: Partial shade
    • Mature Size: 15 to 20 feet tall, 3 to 10 feet wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 18 of 28

    Wax Begonia (Begonia semperflorens)

    wax begonias

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    Wax begonias are fun little plants with glossy bronze, green, or maroon leaves and colorful blooms and they can be lovely low-maintenance additions to your houseplant collection. They appreciate some shade both indoors and outdoors because direct sunlight can stress them. A bright, indirect window is best for optimal flowering, but they also can survive in lower-light locations. They are toxic to pets, so keep them out of reach.

    • Flower Color Varieties: Red, pink, or white flowers
    • Light: Partial shade
    • Mature Size: 6 to 18 inches high; 6 to 12 inches wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 19 of 28

    Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)

    Corn plant

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    Also of the Dracaena genus, corn plants produce thick canes, or stems, from which long, narrow upright leaves grow. They are popular houseplants and can reach about six feet tall indoors. These plants shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight, which can wilt and burn the leaves. Bright, indirect light is best, though they will survive a fairly shady spot. Keep pets away from these plants because they are toxic.

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Green
    • Light: Partial shade
    • Mature Size: 6 feet tall (indoors)
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 20 of 28

    Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

    polka dot plant

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    Polka dot plants are grown for their eye-catching foliage. They commonly feature leaves with pink or white spots, though there are other color varieties as well. These plants prefer some shade both indoors and outdoors. Too much sun can fade the foliage colors. An east- or west-facing window is ideal indoors. 

    • Leaf Color Varieties: Spotted leaves in pink, green, purple, red, white
    • Light: Partial shade
    • Mature Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
    Continue to 21 of 28 below
  • 21 of 28

    Guzmania (Bromeliad Guzmania)

    guzmania bromeliad

    ​The Spruce / Kara Riley 

    Though something so colorful gives a tropical feel and might seem like it needs plenty of sun, this striking variety (like many bromeliads) does best with less direct light. When growing in the wild, these bright plants grow directly from trees, with roots that never reach the ground or require soil. In your home, guzmanias are easy to care for and do best in an orchid-mix soil, with a heavy pot, because the plant can become top heavy over time. A daily mist and moist soil will keep these tropical stunners healthy and happy if direct sun is avoided.

    • Leaf color varieties: Green, multicolored
    • Light: Low light, indirect
    • Mature size: Up to 2 feet tall and wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 22 of 28

    Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

    Parlor palm in gold pot with small green fronds on shelf next to decor items

    The Spruce / Krystal Slagle

    Versatile in its lighting needs, this bright and cheerful plant can thrive in both bright, indirect light, as well as adapting to lower light spaces—making it a great option for climates that experience low light seasons or homes with varying light conditions throughout the day. Typically grown in small clumps in a single pot to give the mini-palm look, parlor palms like a well-drained peaty soil-based mix.

    • Leaf color varieties: Green
    • Light: Bright, indirect light or low light
    • Mature size: 2 to 6 feet tall
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 23 of 28

    Yucca Cane (Yucca elephantipes)

    yucca cane

    Photographer / Getty Images

    Hardy and adaptable, yucca canes are a relative of the aloe plant, with similar care requirements. They can handle wild variations in temperature, making them great on patios and balconies, as well as being suitable for bright spots and low light corners alike. Take care not to overwater yucca canes; while they can handle periods of drought and should only be watered when their soil is entirely dry, excess water will kill your plant.

    • Leaf color varieties: Green
    • Light: Bright, indirect light or low light
    • Mature size: Up to 15 feet indoors
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 24 of 28

    Nerve Plant (Fittonia spp.)

    Nerve plant with striking white veins on deep green leaves in black pot

    The Spruce / Alonda Baird

    This evergreen perennial, available with veined leaves in a range of colors, is a popular slow-growing houseplant. Sometimes grown as a creeping groundcover or planted in a hanging planter, it can trail up to 18 inches. A bit more high maintenance in its care, nerve plants grow best in low light, humid, and moist environments. They can't tolerate any direct sun and will quickly experience leaf burn.

    • Leaf color varieties: Green, silvery-white, pink, red
    • Light: Partial to low light
    • Mature size: 3-6 inches tall, up to 18 inch spread
    • Difficulty: Needy
    Continue to 25 of 28 below
  • 25 of 28

    Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa)

    wax plant

    Photographer / Getty Images

    Flexible to a range of conditions, wax plants feature thick, leathery leaves—and if healthy, will produce incredibly detailed clusters of star-shaped blooms. Direct sun can scorch the leaves of these plants, so bright, indirect light is preferred, but they're highly versatile and will tolerate low light, as well as bouncing back from periods without water.

    • Leaf color varieties: Green
    • Light: Bright indirect to low light
    • Mature size: 12 inches tall
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 26 of 28

    Diffenbachia Plant (Dumb cane)

    dumb cane plant

    The Spruce / Krystal Slagle

    Commonly known as a dumb cane, diffenbachia is a genus of plants featuring several varieties prized as houseplants. Fast-growing and lush when healthy, these plants do best with filtered, indirect light—as opposed to bright and direct or entirely low light. Light streaming through curtains works well, and high humidity will help them thrive. This plant is highly toxic to humans, cats, and dogs.

    • Leaf color varieties: Green, white, cream, and mixed
    • Light: Filtered, indirect light
    • Mature size: Up to 3-5 feet indoors
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 27 of 28

    Radiator Plant (Peperomia)

    Watermelon peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) in a small pot on a white table.

    The Spruce / Autumn Wood

    Easygoing and hardy, peperomia (also called radiator plants) are a popular houseplant perfect for filling a small gap in your space. Easy to grow, they love warm, humid spaces and adapt well to a range of light levels, though moderate indirect light is preferable. There are a wide variety of looks and styles of peperomia available, offering lots of diversity for colors and leaf shape to add to your collection.

    • Leaf color varieties: Assorted
    • Light: Bright, indirect preferred
    • Mature size: up to 10 inches high
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 28 of 28

    Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podophyllum)

    arrowhead

    Photographer / Getty Images

    A lovely option for those looking for a hanging houseplant that trails, the arrowhead vine is easygoing, with an arrowhead shape on mature leaves. Best if left mostly alone, this plant is an easy option for houseplant novices and experts alike. Bright, direct light can burn and damage this plant easily, so it does best in lower, indirect light. Deeper green varieties will be best adapted to shade.

    • Leaf color varieties: Light green, dark green, white, pink
    • Light: Bright, indirect to shade
    • Mature size: 3-6 feet tall
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance

More Information on Low-Light Indoor Plants

When growing plants in low-light conditions, keep these pointers in mind.

  • Few plants can survive in total darkness. Even low-light plants still need some light.
  • If you move low-light plants to different locations in your home, they should not be placed near very bright windows or in direct sunlight because the direct sun can scorch leaves or kill the plant. 
  • Take into consideration that even low-light plants that typically do well in outdoor shade need some light when grown indoors.
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Dragon Tree. Pet Poison Helpline.

  2. Golden Pothos. Animal Poison Control Center.

  3. Sansevieria. Pet Poison Helpline.

  4. English Ivy. ASPCA.

  5. Peace lily. ASPCA.

  6. The zz plant | horticulture and home pest news. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

  7. Dieffenbachia and PhilodendronPoison Control.

  8. Heartleaf Philodendron. ASPCA.

  9. Anthurium. North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

  10. Flamingo Flower. ASPCA.

  11. Aglaonema commutatum. North Carolina State University Extension.

  12. Swiss cheese plant. ASPCA.

  13. Golden Pothos. ASPCA.

  14. Dragon Tree. Pet Poison Helpline.

  15. Begonia. ASPCA.

  16. Dracaena. ASPCA.

  17. Getting to Know the Guzmania Bromeliad, Bromeliads
  18. How to Grow and Care for Parlor Palm, The Spruce
  19. Yucca Cane Plant Profile and Care Guide, The Contented Plant
  20. How to Grow and Care for Nerve Plant (Fittonia), The Spruce
  21. How to Grow and Care for Dieffenbachia, The Spruce
  22. Peperomia, Our Houseplants