Lots of homes don’t get much sunlight, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have houseplants! Seriously, even windowless rooms or those gloomy north-facing corners can be greened up if you pick the right plants.
Plenty of houseplants are perfectly happy in low-light conditions, needing little or no direct sun to keep on growing and looking good.
This list runs through twenty tried-and-true indoor plants that don’t need direct sun. You’ll find tough picks like snake plants and ZZ plants, plus showier ones like prayer plants and peacock plants – enough to liven up even your darkest spots!
1) Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Snake plants are pretty much legendary for tolerating low light. They’ll survive in spaces with barely any natural light, even if it’s just a corner with a lamp or a spot most other plants would give up on.
They don’t mind being ignored for a while and don’t need frequent watering. Sure, they’ll grow slower without more light, but they’ll keep chugging along just fine.
2) ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ Plant is one of those nearly indestructible houseplants that shrugs off low light better than most. It’s from Eastern Africa and has glossy, deep green leaves along thick stems.
It’s fine in corners or offices where nothing else seems to last. Watering is rare since it stores water in its rhizomes, and it’s slow-growing, so you don’t need to fuss over it much. Perfect if you’re not a plant expert (or just forgetful).
3) Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants out there. It’ll put up with low light and even less-than-ideal conditions.
The trailing, heart-shaped leaves make it great for hanging baskets or letting it climb. Minimal care is needed, and it forgives a missed watering or two. If you’re new to plants, this one’s almost foolproof.
4) Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are surprisingly chill about low light, so they’re a solid pick for rooms with not much sun. They’d prefer bright indirect light, but they’re not fussy and will do fine under artificial lights too.
Their arching, striped leaves look lively, and those little “spiderettes” that dangle down are fun to propagate into new plants. Not much effort required here.
5) Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies don’t mind low light at all and can perk up a dark corner or office. Their glossy green leaves and white blooms are a nice touch, and they even help clean indoor air.
Just water when the soil’s dry. They’ll droop a bit when thirsty, so they’re good at letting you know. They’ll forgive the occasional forgetful owner, too.
6) Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
With a name like Cast Iron Plant, you know it’s tough. It pretty much thrives on neglect and will grow where most other plants wouldn’t even try, including dim rooms or spots far from windows.
Stick it in a north-facing room or anywhere away from direct sun. Just water when the soil dries out and don’t overthink it. It’s about as low-maintenance as you can get.
7) Philodendron Brasil
Philodendron Brasil is another flexible houseplant that doesn’t need much sun. Its heart-shaped leaves with green and yellow variegation stay colorful even in shadier spots.
If you want the brightest colors, give it some indirect light, but it’ll manage in dim spaces too. Water every week or so, or when the top inch of soil’s dry. Not a demanding plant at all.
8) Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese Evergreen is a classic for low light. It’s happy in rooms with only artificial or indirect light.
The patterned leaves come in all sorts of shades, such as green, silver, even pink. It doesn’t need much attention and can handle the occasional missed watering.
It grows faster in medium to bright indirect light, but it’s content in the shade, too.
9) Dracaena Marginata
The Dracaena Marginata, or Dragon Tree, sports long, skinny leaves with red edges on upright stems. It’s from Madagascar and adapts well to low light, though don’t expect it to grow super fast in dim spots.
It’s fine in offices or north-facing rooms. Just let the soil dry out before watering, and it’ll be happy enough. Not a lot of fuss here.
10) Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Parlor Palm is an old favorite for low light rooms. It comes from the rainforests of Southern Mexico and Guatemala, so it brings a bit of the tropics indoors.
Water it every couple of weeks, or when the topsoil feels dry. It likes normal room temperatures and moderate humidity.
This low maintenance palm grows slowly and looks good with its feathery fronds. Plus, it helps clean the air a bit, which is always a bonus.
11) Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
The Bird’s Nest Fern is a good pick for lower light, especially if you want something a little different. Its bright green, wavy fronds grow in a tight rosette.
Keep the soil moist and the humidity up if you can. Warm spots like bathrooms work great for this one.
12) Heartleaf Philodendron
The Heartleaf Philodendron is a superstar for dim corners. Its trailing, heart-shaped leaves add some life to shelves or hanging baskets.
It doesn’t need a window seat, just put it several feet from a window and it’ll adapt. Not much maintenance required, and it’s fine with artificial lighting too.
13) English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy is another easy option for low light. The evergreen foliage trails nicely from shelves or climbs if you give it support.
It does best with some indirect light, but it’ll hang on in shadier spots. Keep the soil a bit moist and don’t let things get too dry.
14) Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Lucky bamboo is often seen in offices and dim rooms. Despite the name, it’s not really bamboo, it’s a Dracaena!
It’ll grow in water or soil, but water’s more common. Avoid direct sun, which can burn the leaves. Supposedly, it brings good luck according to feng shui, and you can even shape the stalks into spirals or braids.
15) Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)
Maidenhair Fern has delicate, lacy fronds and does well in low light, though it prefers bright, indirect light. It’s a bit picky about moisture and humidity, so keep it in a bathroom or kitchen if you can.
It likes temps between 68 and 77°F. Don’t let it dry out, and it’ll reward you with elegant, feathery growth.
16) Peacock Plant (Calathea makoyana)
The Peacock Plant stands out with its oval leaves covered in wild green patterns that look just like peacock feathers. This tropical houseplant prefers bright, indirect light, but it’ll tolerate lower light, too.
Keep it away from direct sunlight, or the leaves might scorch. It likes things warm (65–75°F) and humid, so misting helps. Plus, it’s safe for pets, which is always nice.
17) Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)
Corn Plant is another undemanding choice for low light rooms. Its long, arching leaves have yellow stripes, kind of like actual corn.
Put it in indirect or filtered light. It’s fine with average room temps and doesn’t need much attention. Water when the top inch of soil dries out, and you’re set. It’ll help with air quality, too.
18) Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Prayer plants are cool for their leaf patterns and the way they fold up at night. They handle low light pretty well, though not total darkness.
Native to Brazil, they do best in indirect light. You can put them in spots where other plants might struggle, and they’re pet-friendly too. The colorful foliage and daily leaf movements make them a fun pick.
19) Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston ferns do well in anything from low to bright indirect light. The feathery fronds add texture and help purify the air.
Keep the soil damp and the humidity up, ideally between 60 and 70 percent. Bathrooms or kitchens are great spots, or just mist it often. A monthly feed during the growing season keeps it happy.
20) Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia’s got those eye-catching, variegated leaves that instantly brighten up low light corners. You really don’t have to fuss over it much, just keep it away from harsh sunlight and it’ll do fine in indirect light or even deep shade.
It’s pretty low-maintenance, plus, it’s not just sitting there looking pretty; Dieffenbachia actually helps clean the air in your home by filtering out some pollutants. A win-win!
