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. Answer from Available-Sun6124 on reddit.com
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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 low-light conditions.
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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!
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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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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.
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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
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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.
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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!
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Gardenia
gardenia.net › home › guides › 30 top low-light indoor plants for easy care and beauty
30 Top Low-Light Indoor Plants for Easy Care and Beauty
March 2, 2025 - Chamaedorea elegans, known as the Parlor Palm, is a popular indoor plant cherished for its elegant, arching green fronds. Thriving in low-light conditions, it’s ideal for adding a touch of tropical beauty to homes and offices.
Find elsewhere
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House Plant Shop
houseplantshop.com › collections › tropical indoor plants
Tropical Indoor Plants — House Plant Shop
Botanical Name: Peperomia obtusifolia Common Names: Peperomia, Radiator Plant Description: The Peperomia is a perennial epiphyte native to the... View full details ... Botanical Name: Asplenium nidus Common Name(s): Bird's-Nest Nidus Description: Native to the tropical regions of Asia and east Africa, A...
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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
3 weeks 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 ...
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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
1 month ago - 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 ...
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House Digest
housedigest.com › 2042089 › indoor-corn-plant-low-light-no-windows
The Indoor Plant That Thrives Even In Windowless Rooms - House Digest
1 month ago - 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.
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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.
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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.
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Garden Therapy
gardentherapy.ca › indoor-plants
Gorgeous Indoor Plants that LOVE the Dark
November 8, 2025 - A handful of tropical, broad-leaf plants are primed for low-light conditions through basic biology: large leaves that soak up as much light as possible. Some also have a waxy outer layer that helps to retain moisture and makes them double-duty ...
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BackyardBoss
backyardboss.net › home › gardening › 7 tropical plants that thrive in low light
7 Tropical Plants That Thrive in Low Light
November 29, 2022 - Zebra plants (Calathea zebrina and Aphelandra squarrosa) are gorgeous tropical plants that can bring a bit of the jungle indoors! Native to Brazil, these showy beauties have stunning dark green leaves with bright yellow or white stripes -- hence their name. They're easy to care for and will thrive even in areas with little natural light. Plus, they add a unique texture and color to any living space. This lush tropical houseplant is a low-light-loving plant, so no need to put it near a sunny window or under grow lights.
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The Sill
thesill.com › collections › low-light-plants
Low-Light Houseplants | Indoor Plants & Potted Plants, Delivered | The Sill
ZZ plant, pothos plant, and more—these are the best houseplants for low-light, perfect for brightening up a dark spot. We ship nationwide. 30-day return policy.
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Brite Labs
brite-labs.com › blogs › articles › 16-low-light-plants-you-can-grow-almost-anywhere
16 Low-Light Plants You Can Grow (Almost) Anywhere – Brite Labs
June 25, 2021 - Here are just a few of the best low-light plants you can grow indoors: Pothos are a variety of lush, hardy vines native to Polynesia. Also known as Devil’s Ivy, Pothos are some of the best low-light houseplants for beginner gardeners due to their ability to survive in almost any environment. Pothos feature heart-shaped leaves and often boast unique variegated patterns. The most popular Pothos cultivars include Golden, Silver, Neon, and Marble Queen. Bromeliads are a unique family of flowering tropical plants that grow in the canopies of tropical rainforests.
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The Spruce
thespruce.com › best-indoor-tropical-plants-1902919
20 Tropical Indoor Plants You Can Actually Grow Indoors to Bring Summer to Your Home
February 13, 2025 - While it is a vigorous, rapidly growing indoor plant, keep it moist, fertilized regularly, and pot-bound. Birds of paradise need three to five years of growth before they flower. The bird of paradise flower is toxic to cats and dogs. ... Mature Size: 3.5-6 ft. tall, 3-4 ft. wide ... The prayer plant has a unique habit of folding its leaves at night, making this one of the more unique tropical house plants to add to your collection. It tolerates low light conditions, but bright to medium indirect light is best.
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Plant Perfect
plantperfect.com › home › houseplants › 5 low-light tropical houseplants that are hard to kill
The Best Low-Light Tropical Houseplants | Plant Perfect
May 1, 2022 - The lush Jade Pothos is another gorgeous tropical houseplant we love, which is often confused with Philodendron. There are a few varieties of Pothos, but we recommend Jade Pothos as the variegated and golden varieties tend to revert to green in truly low-light conditions. Native to the French Polynesian Islands, Jade Pothos have waxy, heart-shaped, brilliant green leaves that look brilliant when cascading from plant hangers or trailing off shelves.