18 of the Best Low-Light Indoor Plants for Your Space

We know how it goes: You step into a nursery, explore a cute plant shop, or do a little virtual browsing on one of the many amazing online plant stores, and suddenly, you feel inspired (re: compelled) to purchase every single last pot. Unfortunately, what that often means too, is that after bringing your new plant babies home, you’re at a loss for how to care for them. We get it, and in the past, we’ve totally been there. However, by setting yourself up with a little insanely-helpful knowledge, you too can create the jungle of your dreams. That’s why we reached out to a few of our favorite people in the plant world to get their recommendations for the best indoor low-light plants, plus everything you need to know to keep them healthy and thriving, day after day, year after year.

The experts in question? We spoke with Erin Marino, previously the editorial lead at The Sill, and the team at Bloomscape to garner their thoughts on the best indoor low-light plants for any space. But before we share the definitive list, let’s set ourselves up for success with a few primers and info. We tapped Marino for her thoughts.

Featured image by Michelle Nash.

In this article

What is low light?
How do indoor light conditions impact plants differently from the natural light outside?
What makes a plant suited to low-light environments?
What are some key things to remember when caring for low-light indoor plants?
What are common ways people kill low-light indoor plants?
The Best Low-Light Indoor Plants for Beginners and Green Thumbs Alike

nursery best low-light indoor plants — *Image by Michelle Nash*

What is low light?

Ah, the ever-important and always-elusive question. How many of us can say we know what “low light” actually means upon reading that term in our plant’s care instructions? This writer will, without shame, admit that she does not.

According to Marino, “low light” defines the light requirements of a plant that can handle the lower natural light conditions that are most common indoors. “The plant can tolerate and grow farther away from your windows (its natural source of light) or, if you use supplemental lighting, placed further away from a grow light,” she says. It’s important to note too, that while these types of plants can survive and grow in these conditions, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to thrive.

modern living room best low-light indoor plants — *Image by Michelle Nash*

How do indoor light conditions impact plants differently from the natural light outside?

While we’re mainly speaking about the care of indoor plants, it’s important to have a little context for how low-light-tolerant plants behave outdoors. “Outside, these plants are often referred to as shade-tolerant plants,” Marino notes. “Generally speaking, they are tolerant of their natural light source being obstructed. Some plants might prefer this and thrive in a shady environment, especially outside where the sun is stronger, while others are only tolerant of the shade.” Because the sun is generally not as strong indoors, most plants will prefer bright to medium indirect light, but there are some that can handle low light.

Typically too, it makes sense that the sunlight isn’t as strong indoors as it would be outdoors because of how it’s impacted by windows’ diffusion and reflection. The result? The natural light’s intensity is turned way down. “It also usually enters a room from a maximum of one or two directions, instead of outside where it surrounds the plants,” says Marino.

She also offers this warning: “That being said, the sun indoors can still be strong enough to burn some plants if they’re placed directly in front of your window. Be sure to keep an eye out!”

meditation space — *Image by Michelle Nash*

What makes a plant suited to low-light environments?

Just as we need sustenance to survive (all the plant-based provisions, please) plants need their light. If memories of middle school science bring the term “photosynthesis” to mind, you’re on the right track. Here’s Marino’s take: “Plants make their food from a process called photosynthesis, and light plays the most crucial role. With that in mind, it’s not surprising to hear that most common houseplants prefer bright to medium light when in your home.”

And while she notes that there aren’t many houseplants that thrive in low-light conditions, it’s certainly possible for some of them to make the most of it and survive.

“Light tolerance is complex and there are nuances,” Marino notes. “But generally speaking, the tolerance usually stems from one of two scenarios (or a combination of both).” Science class again: a lot of it comes down to plants’ ability to adapt to their natural environment over time. Or as Marino puts it, “adaptation over time through cultivation in a controlled environment like a greenhouse.”

white living room best low-light indoor plants — *Image by Matti Gresham*

What are some key things to remember when caring for low-light indoor plants?

Time to get down to the nitty-gritty nuances of taking care of any and all low-light indoor plants. Here’s Marino with the breakdown:

The more sunlight your plant receives, the more thirsty it will be over time. This applies to most plants unless they are water-storing succulents. This happens for a few reasons. The biggest is that plants utilize water during a process called transpiration, and the rate of transpiration is dependent on, and increases with, the amount of sunlight the plant receives.
Seasonality can impact your plants. It’s important to remember the natural light your space receives is not stagnant. It ebbs and flows as the seasons do. Maybe during the winter months, your low-light-tolerant plant would be happier closer to the window to capture what little light the shorter days provide, while during the summer months, that same plant may need to be relocated.

white airy bedroom best low-light indoor plants — *Image by Michelle Nash*

What are common ways people kill low-light indoor plants?

It’s a funny paradox that while we might think that under-watering is the number one killer of most houseplants, the opposite is actually true. Marino encourages patience: “When watering your plant, always make sure the potting mix is dry. If it’s not dry, wait until it is before watering your plant again.”

Again, always take light conditions into consideration “Keep in mind that because your plant is in lower light, it might not need to be watered as often as another plant that’s in brighter light.” There are a few visual cues like leaf wrinkles, leaves curling at the edges, or wilting stems that’ll tell you your plant is thirsty.

A lack of light is the other most common way that people kill their low-light plants. Marino has a few low-light plant words of wisdom to live by, “Low-light-tolerant does not mean no-light tolerant. Make sure your plant is still in a space with a window that brings in natural light, or in a space that has grow lights.”

Justina Blakeney kitchen best low-light indoor plants — *Image courtesy of Justina Blakeney*

The Best Low-Light Indoor Plants for Beginners and Green Thumbs Alike

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Snake Plant

The Snake Plant is the low-maintenance houseplant every novice plant parent needs. Not only does it claim a top spot in NASA’s Clean Air Study, but the Snake Plant is also a succulent plant that tolerates low light.

Light Requirements: Bright indirect to low light

Watering Needs: Water every 2–3 weeks, when soil is completely dry

Snake Plant Laurentii

Are you brand new to taking care of plants? With the Snake Plant, you can forget to water it and put it almost anywhere in your home. – Erin