Realise that most plants recommended for low light TOLERATE low light, not thrive in it, and this does include some Snake Plants (Sansevieria). Another plant that does better than most and is often overlooked: Aspidistra. Answer from phytomanic on reddit.com
Proven Winners
provenwinners.com › learn › houseplants › low-light
14 Low-Light Houseplants That Thrive in Dim Indoor Spaces
The easiest solution is to grow low-light indoor plants that will thrive in darker environments. Many of these plants grow natively under the dense understory of tropical rainforests where little light penetrates the tree canopy. These tropical plants don’t need sunlight and will thrive in ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/botany › discussion: what are some actually low light plants?
r/botany on Reddit: Discussion: What are some ACTUALLY low light plants?
August 24, 2022 -
Tired of seeing snake plants being listed as low light plants. What are some plants that prefer or thrive in strikingly low light? E.g. Selaginella Uncinata (bonus points if it's viable as a house plant, but not by any means a requirement)
Top answer 1 of 21
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Realise that most plants recommended for low light TOLERATE low light, not thrive in it, and this does include some Snake Plants (Sansevieria). Another plant that does better than most and is often overlooked: Aspidistra.
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You can easily determine this by thinking about the plants ecologically. The only plants that are adapted to low light conditions are those that occur primarily on the forest floor during times when that area is shaded by leaves. So for example many people consider spring ephemerals such as trilliums, Virginia bluebells, and columbine shade adapted because they only occur in forests, but their entire life history is to do almost all their growing early in the spring before forest leaves overhead shade them out. This ends up meaning that they actually prefer sunlight and only occur in forests because they are outcompeted in open areas. If you're talking about houseplants, you need to go further still because most temperate plants are inherently seasonal; they require a cold dormant period to stay healthy and being inside does not provide that. This is the reason why most house plants are tropical plants: things like monsterras and diffenbachias are all native to the forest floors of tropical regions where there is constant shade and relatively consistent temperatures. Lastly, as many others have said, even plants adapted to low light environments often perform better with more light and simply tolerate low light. It's why many leafy tropical plants can be grown as houseplants, but will rarely, if ever flower when grown as such.
Videos
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The Fernseed
thefernseed.com › collections › low-light-plants
Low Light Tolerant Plants | The Fernseed
While no plants "require" low light, some plants are more tolerant of low light conditions than others. We specialize in stocking plants that are tolerant of low light conditions, especially during the fall and winter months in the Pacific Northwest, when indoor growing conditions are not ideal!
Reddit
reddit.com › r/indoorgarden › low light indoor plants that are not tropical?
r/IndoorGarden on Reddit: Low light indoor plants that are NOT tropical?
April 25, 2024 -
I have extremely low light in my bedroom. There’s a soft glow of light coming through one window.
I’m not opposed to using a grow light when I’m gone from home, but what beautiful plants work in these conditions?
I googled already and the search results are repetitive.
I love Mediterranean plants (but I know they love full sun). I had a potted shrub next to the window that held on for some time, but recently withered. I love bonsai, flowers, and am looking for something that appears graceful. I’m not a fan of orchids.
Any ideas?
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Biggest problem with many non-tropicals (mediterranean, temperate etc) isn't amount of light although it's one factor to be considered. Instead, they tend to need winter rest period (dormancy) in cool/cold temps to grow healthily. Obviously it's usually impossible or uncomfortable for humans to lower indoor temps enough to allow those plants to "hibernate". So, you need to look for tropical or subtropical plants as their needs suit indoor environment better. Plants like Chamaedorea elegans, Howea forsteriana, Rhapis excelsa, Goeppertia kegeljanii, Dracaena fragrans, Aspidistra elatior and Cissus alata all tolerate low-light environments. With some grow lights you can also use Ficus species like F. benjamina, F. maclellandii, F. elastica and F. cyathistipula and other plants like Begonia 'Luzerna', Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Euphorbia leuconeura, Heptapleurum arboricola, H. actinophyllum and Yucca gigantea.
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Almost nothing is going to thrive in that condition. Most plants, even zz plants or snake plants, will just slowly die without light. The plant I have that does best without a ton of light is golden pothos. But you will have to be VERY careful not to overwater it.
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What are some novice tropical plants that are low light?
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House Beautiful
housebeautiful.com › lifestyle › gardening › 38 low-light indoor plants that will keep thriving all winter long
38 Low-Light Indoor Plants for Your Home in 2025
December 2, 2025 - Most low-light indoor plants originate from tropical rainforests or dense woodlands, where they've adapted to survive under tree canopies and in dappled light. That makes them perfect for areas with limited sunlight, like north-facing windows ...
Tropical Plants of Florida
tropicalplantsofflorida.com › home › houseplants › 5 tropical low-light houseplants
5 Tropical Low-Light Houseplants | Tropical Plants Flor
December 21, 2023 - ZZ Plant, which is the common nickname of Zamia zamifolia, is a vibrant green, true low-light tropical favorite. It grows super slowly and prefers indirect light. It’ll be just fine with artificial light from a lamp, or with indirect light from a north-facing window.
REWILD
rewilddc.com › home › low light plants
Low Light Plants
These plants will survive in darker spots than most other house plants. This does not mean they will live in a dark closet. Plants need some light so do your best to give them a bit of sun!
Garden Therapy
gardentherapy.ca › indoor-plants
Gorgeous Indoor Plants that LOVE the Dark
November 8, 2025 - Spider plants love low light and do not require much attention other than occasional watering when the soil feels dry. They send out long spindly green foliage and small white flowers that will cascade down the edge of their container, making them a great choice for an indoor hanging basket. These low-maintenance houseplants look like small tropical palms, so they will bring a ray of sunshine to that dim, drab area you’ve been meaning to spruce up.
Wayfair
wayfair.ca › sca › ideas-and-advice › guides › 11-low-light-indoor-plants-for-your-home-T11426
11 Low-Light Indoor Plants for Your Home - Wayfair Canada
The Pothos or Devil's Ivy is a staple low-light indoor plant that requires very little water. These vining houseplants add a tropical flair to your space. Their trailing stems have the capacity to grow up to 30 feet if not cut back – though ...
Plantsome
plantsome.ca › collections › all-plants
All Tropical Indoor House Plants – Plantsome
Discover a diverse selection of over 200 indoor tropical house plants at Plantsome, Canada's largest online plant shop. Looking for a low light tolerant plant or a pet friendly companion? Use filters on the left side of the page or our plant finder to effortlessly find the perfect plant for ...
House Beautiful
housebeautiful.com › lifestyle › gardening › for a "lush-looking" house, designers say to use these tropical houseplants
For a "Lush-Looking" House, Designers Say to Use These Tropical Houseplants
August 18, 2025 - Kentia palm plants are usually pricey since they're not easy to propagate, but we think the slow but steady growth is worth the investment. This tropical plant can grow to be up to 12 feet tall indoors and even larger outside! The good news? This spiky plant doesn't require a lot of care—it's fine in low light and with low water.
Logee's Plants
logees.com › blogs › plant-lists › best-low-light-plants
Best Low-Light Plants ~ 15 Amazing Houseplants for Low Light! – Logee's Plants
July 18, 2025 - Its resilience in low light makes it a staple for both beginners and seasoned plant lovers. Large, bold, and architectural, Anthurium magnificum is grown for its oversized leaves. Mature foliage develops a leathery texture, dark green coloring, and strong white veining that stands out against the surface. Native to Colombia’s humid rainforests, it does best in warm, moist conditions. This striking aroid also contributes to cleaner indoor air, making it both a statement plant and a functional one.
Gatheraus
gatheraus.com › house-home › 14-low-light-houseplants
16 HOUSE PLANTS THAT CRAVE DARK CORNERS - Indoor Plants That Don’t Need Sun. — Gatheraus
June 25, 2023 - Channeling the tropical plants' good looks with their stunning colors, distinct shapes, and varying sizes, bromeliads always steal the show when in bloom. Right at home in low light rooms with very little light, this durable plant does best when kept out of the afternoon sun to avoid scorching the leaves.
HGTV
hgtv.com › outdoors › flowers-and-plants › houseplants › 14-indoor-plants-for-low-light-pictures
Best Low Light Indoor Plants for Home or Office | HGTV
September 19, 2025 - Dieffenbachia will grow best in bright, filtered light but can tolerate low light, including flourescent light such as those found in offices. Ths native to Central and South America comes in a variety of heights and shapes — some feature bushy growth while others grow more upright. Grow It ... Monstera, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, is a show stopper. This plant is perfect for adding a big, bold, tropical feel to your home.
Hunker
hunker.com › 2046332 › tropical-indoor-plants-low-sun-light-lisa-cane-kentia-palm
Two Tropical Indoor Plants That Will Happily Grow In Low-Light Conditions - Hunker
1 month ago - Two of these indoor tropical gems have names that sound like they are already part of the family: the Lisa Cane (Dracaena fragrans) and the Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana). These tree-like plants grow tall without direct sun, and make a striking ...
Chicago Botanic Garden
chicagobotanic.org › plant-information › smart-gardener › denizens-dark-indoor-plants-low-light-spaces
Denizens of the Dark: Indoor Plants for Low-Light Spaces | Chicago Botanic Garden
These include cast-iron plant, mother-in-law’s-tongue, and radiator plant. Some of these beauties originated in tropical understories where little light reaches the ground. Although far removed from their original habitats, they can thrive indoors and brighten the sometimes bleak winter months. Here are some workhorses for low-light settings.
House Digest
housedigest.com › 2042089 › indoor-corn-plant-low-light-no-windows
The Indoor Plant That Thrives Even In Windowless Rooms - House Digest
December 6, 2025 - Corn plants are leafy tropical houseplants that thrive with low light and little care. Grow one in a windowless home office or dim living room corner.
Plantsome
plantsome.ca › collections › low-light-plants
Low Light Plants – Plantsome
Wanting to add some lush tropical plants to your space, but worried they won't be happy due to a lack of natural light? Enter: our low light plant collection! These shade-tolerant houseplants are perfect for those dark corners and dimly lit rooms. Remember that all plants need some light, but these amigos will treat yo
Easyplant
easyplant.com › blog › home design › 8 best low light indoor plants to spruce up your home
8 Low-Light Houseplants For Your Home | easyplant
Their long, spoon-shaped green fronds come from a central rosette, growing up to 2 feet indoors. One of the easiest plants that grow in dim light, they prefer to be kept out of direct sunlight. It prefers to be kept moist but not waterlogged, so water when the top inch of soil is dry. A temperate environment with high humidity is best for this plant. ... Like the Pothos, the Philodendron adds a tropical vibe to any space with its bright green, heart-shaped leaves on long green vines.