The Best Low-Light Indoor Plants (And How To Care for Them)

Unlike other essential elements for growth, the lighting in your space is highly variable. So, when you’re looking for low-light indoor plants, it’s important to distinguish between those that can merely survive and those that can genuinely grow well in dim conditions. No plant can live indefinitely without light, so a grow light is essential for such spaces. With that in mind, here are five of the best plants for low-light environments.

Dracaena spp.

There are nearly 200 Dracaena species, though not all are well suited for growing indoors. You may know some of them by other names, including snake plant (D. trifasciata), lucky bamboo (D. sanderiana), corn plant (D. fragrans), and varieties such as Janet Craig.

They all have lush foliage, usually in dark green, though many varieties are variegated with bold yellow-green or red elements. Dracaena species are tolerant of low-light conditions, bringing drama to rooms with dim lighting, but most prefer medium to bright indirect light for optimal growth and to maintain their variegation.

Aside from light, care is minimal. If you want them to grow large, repot them every two to three years to give the roots more room to expand. Most varieties prefer to have their soil dry out slightly between waterings. Some species are more tolerant of low-light conditions than others, so compare varieties and their specific needs before you buy.

Pothos spp.

Pothos is an ivy-like vining plant (some call it “Devil’s Ivy”) that’s famously hard to kill even when badly neglected. Because of its hardiness and forgiving nature, it’s a great beginner’s plant. Not only is it easy to care for, but it grows surprisingly well even in very low light. Pothos will grow best when given four to six hours of bright, indirect light each day. While it can tolerate less, expect slower growth and minimal variegation.

Pothos foliage comes in a wide range of colors, from deep glossy green to bright yellow-green and even dappled variegation, so you have lots of options to create the look you want. The plant needs so little help that “pothos care” is almost a contradiction in terms. Don’t overwater it, opt for a well-draining potting mix, and feed it monthly during the spring and summer.

Aspidistra elatior (“Cast-Iron Plant”)

Cast-iron cookware is a byword for durability; if you care for it well, you can expect it to last for generations. So when a houseplant earns this kind of nickname, you know it’s a good choice. It has a well-deserved reputation for being all but indestructible, and it’s also one of the best plants for low light.

Cast-iron plants grow a couple of feet tall, featuring large, dramatic leaves that sprout individually from the soil. They’re available in plain or variegated versions, as well as a range of named cultivars that can be dappled, striped, or color-changing. All of the aspidistras are pretty durable, though A. elatior is the most commonly available and well known for its toughness.

They tolerate minimal light, though they can handle more if it’s dappled, so you can put them in the shade of larger plants. However, they are prone to sun damage if they get too much. They also tolerate drafts better than many plants, which is handy if you live in an older house and experience cold winters. Cast-iron plants are OK with low humidity, too. Water them lightly but consistently, keeping the soil slightly moist rather than damp, and they’ll grow nicely for you.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (“ZZ Plant”)

This plant’s scientific name, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, gives a quick explanation for its common nickname, ZZ plant. However, another frequent nickname, the “eternity plant,” better explains why it’s so popular with struggling plant parents. It will grow quite happily in almost complete shade, though it will be happier if you can find it at least some bright, indirect light.

Many of the plants we’ve covered so far have big leaves, which help them maximize what light they do get. The ZZ plant is different, with relatively small, glossy, oval leaves that grow in pairs along woody stems. It creates a good visual contrast with the larger leaves of dracaena or aspidistra plants, for example. It grows to be 2 to 4 feet high and about as wide, making it a convenient midsize option.

Any light it gets should be indirect or heavily filtered through other plants, as direct sunshine will scald the leaves. Allow the soil to dry out thoroughly between waterings, then water deeply. The ZZ plant is very drought-tolerant because of its water-storing underground rhizomes, so it’s always better to under-water than to overwater.

Chamaedorea elegans (“Parlor Palm”)

The parlor palm is an elegant little piece of greenery, as the name suggests. Forget the palms you see lining streets in warm climates — this is a dwarf variety native to the dim forest floors of Central American rainforests. Depending on the size of the pot, you will typically find them planted in a cluster of three to five stems, each of those being a separate plant.

Parlor palms appreciate at least a modest amount of indirect light, but keep them away from direct sun. That’s not something they experience in their native habitat, and it will cause the fronds to brown. Unlike some other plants on this list, they’re not keen on their soil drying out completely. While you can treat a ZZ plant like the succulent that it is, parlor palms prefer their soil to stay moist. Let the surface dry out between waterings, but keep the soil moist underneath. They will tolerate dry soil for short periods, though, so don’t panic if you need to go away for a week.

Choose a relatively rich potting soil, steering clear of fast-draining mixes. Fertilize it occasionally in summer, but not in winter when the plant is dormant.