Live in a Cave? We’ve Got the Best Low-Light Plants for You 🪴

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From bedrooms to living rooms, plants add instant style and warmth to any space. They’re good for our mental and emotional health, too: Ongoing research has shown plants can boost mood, relieve stress, improve sleep, and help concentration. Not too bad for a little green plant!

But what if your home isn’t filled with bright sunny windowsills where you can display your houseplant collection? Not to worry—many houseplants are tropical in origin, where they grow under the shelter of large trees, so they actually prefer more filtered-light conditions. That means many different types of houseplants will do just fine in dark rooms or spots with low light levels such as bedrooms and living rooms or even desktops in your office or WFH space.

But just what does low light really mean? “Generally, low light means there’s just enough light to read comfortably without needing to turn on a light,” says Justin Hancock, horticulturist with Costa Farms. “However, light is cumulative for plants, so if a plant gets enough light over the course of the entire day, it should be fine.”

In general, east-, west-, and south-facing windows offer the most light for plants, while north-facing windows, especially in the Northeast and Midwest in winter, offer low-light levels. Windows with no windows likely require an LED grow light for your plant to survive because no plant can live with zero light. Ahead, our favorite picks for low-light houseplants, with recommendations from Costa Farms and Bloomscape’s Grow-How Team.

ZZ Plant

Zamioculcus zamiiofolia, or ZZ plant, is at the top of our list for its handsome glossy leaves and super-easy care requirements. “It has a strong architectural form, so it’s a great statement plant,” says Costa’s Hancock. It even tolerates neglect, and it only needs watering every couple of weeks.

Money Tree

Money tree is one of Bloomscape’s top sellers, with good reason. It not only adapts to a variety of environments, including low light levels, but it is purported to bring good luck (and we all could use more of that!). Water every week or two when the soil feels mostly dry.

Peace Lily

Bring some zen to your space with a peace lily, which tolerates low light levels just fine. With glossy leaves and interesting white spoon-shaped flowers, this plant is a low-key addition to any room. One caveat: It does not bloom well in low-light conditions but still makes a handsome houseplant.

Golden Pothos

It honestly doesn’t get any easier than this plant. With heart-shaped leaves covered in golden splashes and a handsome vining form, golden pothos is a must-have, even if you’ve never grown a single houseplant. Water only when the top inch or two of soil feels dry because overwatering is a sure way to kill this plant, says Hancock.

Baltic Blue Pothos

Baltic blue pothos is incredibly easy to grow. It has a lovely trailing form and a blueish cast that makes it quite eye-catching. It also grows quickly, even in low light. Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry.

Dieffenbachia Crocodile

This brand-new dieffenbachia, discovered only a few years ago and just now commercially available, has unusual foliage speckled with pale green and white. It’s super low maintenance, too, like other varieties of this plant, says Hancock. Water when the top half of the pot feels dry.

Blue Star Fern

Blue star fern has a gorgeous blue-green color, and unlike most ferns, it’s completely accepting of lower light levels, according to Bloomscape’s Grow-How Team. Keep the soil slightly moist.

Whale Fin Snake Plant

This plant makes a huge impact, showing off with just one leaf! Like other snake plants, it’s incredibly low maintenance. Water sparingly every few weeks.

Variegated Schefflera

Creamy yellow and green patterns make this a fun variety of schefflera to add to your home. Water when it’s mostly dry.

Parlor Palm

Parlor palm is one of the least fussy palms, so it’s a great choice for adding a tropical vibe to any room. It will grow faster in bright indirect light but adapts fine to low light, too, says Bloomscape’s Grow-How Team. Water when the top several inches of soil feel dry to the touch.

Dracaena Warneckii

The green and white leaves atop sturdy canes make this dracaena a bright spot for dark corners. Its striking presence is sure to be a conversation starter. Water when mostly dry.

Ponytail Palm

Despite its name, the ponytail palm is neither a palm nor a tree. It’s actually a succulent that stores water in its bulbous base. And, yes, it looks just like a messy ponytail! Give it water only when it feels almost completely dry (the pot will feel light when you lift it).

Dieffenbachia

Creamy white markings make this variety of dieffenbachia a welcome addition for brightening low-light corners of any room. Water sparingly, about once a week.

Dracaena Golden Heart

Dracaenas in general are tolerant of low light levels. This one, with handsome golden streaks, looks especially striking in that environment. Water when it feels mostly dry.

Red Prayer Plant

Called prayer plant because it folds up at night as if its hands are in prayer, this handsome houseplant has striking veining and leaf colors. It adds a splash of color to any low-light room. Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry.

Snake Plant

Snake plants are almost impossible to kill! And their upright swordlike foliage is a style statement. This is a great plant for novice plant parents. Water every week or 10 days when the soil feels mostly dry.

Silver Pothos

Not really a pothos at all, this plant actually is a Scindapsus. But like pothos, it’s easy-care and needs watering only when the top few inches of soil are dry. It maintains its best color in medium light but will tolerate low light levels, too.

Corn Plant

This is yet another type of dracaena that will tolerate low light levels. The large canes are topped with handsome strappy foliage. It prefers medium or bright indirect light but can take low light levels. Water when mostly dry.

Heartleaf Philodendron

The heartleaf philodendron is an easy, fast-growing vining plant. This one looks amazing draping over end tables or shelves. Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry.

Polka Dot Plant

This cute little polka dot plant may have red, white, or pink speckles. It stays fairly small, so it’s a great tabletop plant for adding color and will do fine with light from a lamp on your end table. Keep the soil slightly moist.

Raven ZZ Plant

This ZZ variety has gorgeous green-black foliage, making it a real eye-catcher. Like the more traditional green ZZ plant, this one is easy-care and great for beginning plant parents. It doesn’t mind low light at all and requires watering only every 10 days or so.

Bird's Nest Fern

The bird’s nest fern prefers moderate light, but it will do well in low light levels. Water every week or so to keep it very slightly moist, though it tolerates drying out because it retains moisture better than some other types of ferns due to its thick, waxy fronds.

Neon Prayer Plant

Like its sister, red prayer plant, this plant is easy-care. But the neon prayer plant has a lemon-lime-like glow you’ll love for low-light rooms. Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry.

Snake Plants, set of 3

Need a collection of cute little snake plants? This adorable set of three different varieties will work well on a small end table or even a low-light, north-facing windowsill. Water when mostly dry.

Cast-Iron Plant

Long, slender dark green leaves make this a handsome plant for dark spaces. Aptly named because it’s as tough as cast iron, you’ll love this plant for its low-maintenance needs. It’s great for beginners. Water only when it feels mostly dry.

Spathonema Aglaonema

Yet another easy-care Aglaonema, this one has beautiful pale green variegation to make it extra special. Water only when it’s almost dry.

Dracaena Gold Star

This show-stopping dracaena variety looks spectacular in the corner of a room. Water when it’s mostly dry because this plant doesn’t like to stay wet.

Hurricane Fern

This newly introduced fern has fronds that swirl madly in a circle as each one develops. The thick foliage stands up to dry indoor environments better than many types of ferns, says Hancock. Though it prefers medium or bright indirect light, it will adapt to lower light levels. Water when the surface of the soil feels dry.

Aglaonema

This handsome plant has pink splashes that brighten up dark corners. Like all Aglaonemas, it’s nearly impossible to kill because it doesn’t mind low light and tolerates neglect—yes, even if you forget to water for several weeks!

Philodendron Brasil

Chartreuse splashes on its heart-shaped leaves make this easy-care philodendron a winner! It is especially pretty cascading off of an end table or shelf. Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry.

Lemon Meringue Pothos

Bright green leaves with golden edges make this newly introduced variety a must-have. It prefers bright, indirect light, where it will show its best color but will adapt to lower light levels. Like all pothos plants, it likes to dry out slightly before watering.

Jade Pothos

This solid-colored pothos is just as sturdy and forgiving as other varieties when it comes to low light. Just make sure to water only when the top inch or two of soil feels dry.

Spider Plant

With long, arching leaves, the spider plant looks best in a hanging basket or on a shelf. It adapts well to low light levels. Bonus: When your plant makes babies, called plantlets, you can pinch them off and place them in soil to make new baby plants. Water when it’s slightly dry.

Silver Bay Aglaonema

This Aglaonema is just as easy to care for as the pink-splashed variety. But it has silvery streaks instead, making it a pretty accent plant for dark corners of the room.

Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo actually isn’t bamboo at all: It’s a type of dracaena with the lower leaves stripped off. It’s very hardy and may be grown in soil or water. Water every week or so if grown in soil, or change the water weekly if grown in water.

Global Green Pothos

This brand-new pothos sports irregularly mottled leaves of light and dark green. It prefers moderate light but will do just fine on an end table with a regular table lamp that’s used frequently. Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry.

Monstera Deliciosa

Often known by its common name, Swiss cheese plant, this beautiful houseplant develops slashes, or fenestrations, as it matures. Surprisingly, Monstera deliciosa is tolerant of low light levels, so it can be a great addition to your houseplant collection. Water it when the top inch or two of soil feels dry.

Snake Plant Cylindrica

This type of snake plant has cylindrical spikes instead of flat swordlike foliage, so it’s quite striking. Like all snake plants, it doesn’t mind low light. It needs watering only every few weeks.

Burgundy Rubber Tree

Rubber trees are known for their thick, glossy leaves that are so pristine, they almost look artificial. Though this species does love bright sunlight, it can adapt to low light levels.

Spider Plant Bonnie

This variety of spider plant has curly foliage so it’s extra cute. Like other spider plant varieties, it will adapt just fine to low-light conditions. Let the soil dry out a little between waterings.

Alocasia Polly

With dark, pointed leaves and a silver veining, the Alocasia Polly is a lovely addition to your low-light plant collection. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings.

Crocodile Fern

The interesting scale pattern and bright green color on this unique fern makes it a standout. Its waxy leaves retain moisture better than many other types of ferns. Water frequently to keep it slightly moist.

Fernwood Mikado Snake Plant

This smaller version of a snake plant has interesting markings and color. It makes a great tabletop plant, and like all snake plants, it can take low light. Water when mostly dry.

White Arrowhead Plant

The arrowhead plant has pretty pale green foliage that’s shaped just as the name indicates. Water regularly to keep it evenly moist.

Calathea Rattlesnake Plant

The gorgeous markings of this plant make it a delightful addition to any houseplant collection. Although it prefers bright, indirect light, it will do okay in low light levels. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings.

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