Plants That Do Well in Low Light

Plants that do well in low light 

When you live in an apartment it is sometimes difficult to grow plants, the lack of sunlight is notable.

But don’t worry, in this article I’m going to show you a series of plants that can grow perfectly in low light.

Plants that do well in low light

Begonias

They are one of the easiest flowering plants to maintain and there is a great variety of species, so you can choose from many different ones in terms of size and color.

They are characterized normally by small flowers grouped in clusters, making it’s flowering very dense, making it a beautiful ornamental plant.

We recommend begonia as one of the plants for dark or lightless environments because it can be outdoors and indoors but, and without being attached to a window it thrives perfectly.

Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)

It is a genus of ferns of the Adiantáceas family characterized by the presence of basal leaves (leaves that come out in the lower part of the plant near the ground), petiolate, glabrous, and divided into flabelled pinnae.

An explosion of feathery foliage is what you get with this majestic fern. 

Ideal in hanging baskets or near windows.

To provide it with the correct care, you should put it in a partially shaded location and water it regularly.

Heart leaf philodendron

This Philodendron is native to tropical areas of America. Away from tropical climates, it is popularly used as a houseplant.

 It is extremely easy to care for, its leaves are heart-shaped, pointed, at the beginning of its growth they are bronze in color that quickly change to green.

Its leaves grow on both sides of the stems, they can be five to ten centimeters long.

Its stems can measure up to one meter twenty centimeters.

African Violet

Another houseplant that needs little light and has a flower that you will surely like to have at home is African Violet or Saintpaulia.

It is a really beautiful plant for its contrast of dark green and the intense violet color of its flowers, as well as because it reminds of authentic wild violet, which usually does not survive at home.

As it is native to hot areas, it is grateful to be indoors and does not need much watering, it can also flower several times a year.

Adam Rib

This is one of the most fashionable indoor plants since its color is very intense and its leaves are large and unique, achieving a perfect decorative touch.

The Adam’s rib or Monstera Deliciosa needs little light since it comes from areas of very dense jungle, which also indicates that it needs moisture, it also tolerates dry environments, in general, it is very resistant.

However, every direct exposure to sunlight or for long hours easily causes its leaves to burn, appearing yellow and brown spots on them. Therefore, it is ideal to have inside the house.

Tape or malamadre

This plant is known by various names like spider plant, lasso plant, love lasso, malamadre or ribbons and its scientific name is Chlorophytum comosum.

It can be outdoors perfectly, but the direct sun can easily burn it, so it’s a better idea to place it in a shady area outside or indoors, not too close to a window, so it can be indoors in low light.

If you decide to have it indoors, you will like to know that it is one of the most durable indoor plants it does not need that much care and grows very easily.

From the end of each leaves flowers come out, and can form a new plant, so you can cut and plant them.

Bromelia

It is a tropical American genus from the Bromeliaceae family, although plants of other genera of the same family are commonly called by the same name. 

Its flowers have a very deep calyx.

Despite coming from sunny, tropical climates, this vibrant plant flourishes in the shade and can even grow in artificial light.

Its leaves, thorny-toothed on the margins and bordered, are green with whitish transverse bands. 

The flowers are pink before opening, then turn white and finally blue at the apex.

They are protected by long pink bracts and appear in the spring. The cultivation of bromeliads is very slow and can take up to five years to flower.

Lily of peace

The peace lily belongs to the class of the Liliopsida, order Alismatales, and, therefore, to the Araceae family.

It has green leaves and can develop to a height of one meter. The leaves are lanceolate in shape and tip from the center outward. Its flowers are white. 

 They are born and grow from the stems.

Being attracted to a peace lily is inevitable. Its delicate and plump flowers attract the attention of anyone, but do not be fooled by its delicacy, as it is a very resistant plant that will continue to thrive even if you ever forget to water it.

Calatea

 It is a genus of plants in the Marantaceae family. Native to tropical America, mainly from Brazil and Peru.

They are herbaceous, rhizomatous plants, which in their spontaneous state can reach a meter in height, while if they are cultivated they do not exceed 50 to 60 cm.

It has very beautiful leaves, with extraordinary coloring in alternation of greens, pinks and purples, in various shades.

This plant will delight you with its beautiful variegated and colorful foliage. To thrive it need specific conditions, away from direct sunlight, and with the soil permanently moistened, which implies frequent watering.

It doesn’t like being too cold either so it’s best not to place it in drafty places.

Mint

It may surprise you but mint is one of the small houseplants that need little light. 

It’s easy to care for and grows a lot doesn’t require a certain dose of natural light, it is a plant very resistant to low light areas, in fact, the very direct sun can easily damage it.

Zamioculcas Zamifolia (Plant ZZ)

This plant is known as ZZ, not because it looks like the mushrooms we eat in our homes. 

It is called that because its botanical name has two “z”, Zamioculcas Zamifolia.

This is a practically a prehistoric plant and it knows how to live well inside the house and in dim light. 

The pot where you place it most have drainage gaps.

Chamaedorea Elegans (Living Room Palm)

Chamaedorea Elegans is one of the best indoor plants in need of low light and excellent plant to eliminate odors such as tobacco.

It is one of the most common palm trees in homes, as it can easily live in dimly lit corners with natural light. 

It is native to Guatemala and Mexico and is very resistant, it can withstand low light conditions, but it does need a somewhat humid environment, so it is advisable to spray its leaves with water apart from watering it.

It is a small palm tree that grows up to 2 m in height with thin stems like sugar cane.

Its flowers emerge from the trunk as lateral buds and open in the form of bunches of small balls, without petals or a special color.

Sansevieria trifasciata (Tiger’s tongue or mother-in-law’s tongue)

This plant with such a curious name is another one of the dark indoor plants and it is quite well-known.

It is a plant with broad, long and sharp leaves and survives certain extreme environmental conditions, so its care is not very difficult.

To make it grow easily following the shape it has, it is best to place it in a small or somewhat narrow pot.

You can choose between various varieties, but most are green, others with an intense green tone but the yellow border, others green with light lines, etc.

Dracaena marginata

The Dracena is very easy to maintain and you just have to be careful not to puddle it. 

It does not need much space since it grows upwards, being able to reach two meters in height.

It has a rather slow growth rate, but that, more than a drawback is a reason for joy since it means that its development can be better controlled.

Peperomia

It is a genus of plants that includes more than 1,000 species and is increasingly seen in homes around the world.

They have a delicate appearance, so much so that we might think that they are very fragile. 

But the truth is that, although they are a little more demanding than conventional indoor plants, their care is suitable for everyone, regardless of their experience in plant maintenance.

These are very resistant plants that can live in interior areas with little light.

Peperomia are plants that need spaced and watering, that is, only when the soil is completely dry and, it mustn’t be puddle, they must have good drainage.

Ficus pumila

They are plants that can have large or small leaves but are always shaped like a tree. This plant is a creeper type.

Although it is a climbing plant, it can be indoors if you offer it a suitable structure so that it can develop, or you can prune it regularly by giving it shape to keep its growth more controlled.

 It is a good option to make a vertical garden indoors.

 It does not need large doses of sun, so you can have it in the shade or indoors.

This plant does need a bit more frequent watering than the previous ones, but it also does not need to have waterlogged soil.

Aglaonema commutatum

Aglaonema is a type of herbaceous and perennial plant that comes from the humid tropical forest areas, mainly in Asia.

Depending on the type, they can grow between 20 cm and 150 cm. 

In addition, its leaves are large, as they measure between 10 cm and 45 cm long, being of different green tones.

Its flowers contrast with the green of its leaves, it can have a greenish-white tone, being less prominent among the leaves.

To take care of it indoors, it is not necessary to have a window in front of or under, since it lives well with indirect natural light.

During the hot months, it is advisable to water it often, between 2 and 3 times a week, whenever the soil is dry and avoid watering it. To locate it, avoid areas with drafts.

Aspidistra

This species is another of the indoor plants that need little light. 

In addition, it is easy to care for, because not only does it grow well with indirect light, but to be healthy it does not need more than 2 irrigations a week, avoiding waterlogging, fertilizing every two or three months, and transplanting it more or less every two years.

The aspidistra or pilistra is native to the forests of East Asia (especially China, Himalayas, and Japan).

Its leaves are wide, long (about 40 cm), and green in different shades. 

Its flowers are strange because they are small flowers of violet, bluish colors and with ivory parts and they come out at the base, at ground level.

Red anthuriu

Anthurium in addition to being one of the most used flowers in bouquets and flower centers that are made today is one of the most resistant indoor plants, easy to maintain.

It blooms practically all year round and is always beautiful. To do this, it requires indirect light, keeping the soil moist (not puddled), and spraying water on the leaves so they don’t dry out.

Epipremnum aureum (Potus)

The potus is one of the most grateful houseplants that exist. 

Not only does it require almost no care, but it can even survive on water alone.

Put a stem with one end inside a container with water and you will see how, little by little, it develops roots and grows like nothing. 

And it can survive like this for months and months.

Spathiphyllum (Espatifilo)

The espatifilos this plant with bright green leaves and white flowers that resemble coves or water lilies, withstand a bombardment and also clean the air.

Its bright dark green leaves and that white inflorescence make it one of the most demanded by all those who seek to enjoy a plant that is easy enough to care.

They like indirect light and lime-free water.

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoes are one of the most famous succulent plants in the world, as there are more than one hundred species, some of these are very beneficial.

Like all succulents, they are prepared to survive conditions of water scarcity, as well as heat, and also to live well both if they get a lot of sun or if they get little light because with a minimum amount they can survive.

There are species with dark green, light green, and even gray leaves, as well as with many or few flowers.

Euphorbia milii (Thorn of Christ)

Native to Madagascar, which develops abundantly in ravines, slopes and terraces in half shade and mainly in full sun.

Its stem is just under 1 cm thick with large spines 1-1.5 cm long, between which the leaves are formed (light green and round)

The Crown of Thorns blooms from February to June, giving tiny yellow and grouped flowers, but with very showy red bracts.

They are very good as a houseplant, as it resists heating but needs a sunny place without drafts.

Jade Tree

Crassula ovata is known as a jade tree for its fleshy green leaves. 

It is a crass plant that requires zero care and can live both indoors and outdoors, in pots or on the ground.

It is a succulent native to South Asia and belongs to the Crassulaceae family. It is shaped like a tree with a brown trunk and very branched.

The foliage is made up of oval, fleshy leaves of bright green color. 

Sometimes the edge of the same can present a reddish coloration.

Dracaena fragrans (Brazilian stem)

Commonly called just a dracena or Brazil trunk, it is very common in homes. 

Its leaves are long and in different shades of green, but in areas with less light, it tends to have dark green leaves.

Like any plant, natural light suits the plant, but in this case, you need it indirectly, so it can grow very well indoors.

You only have to water it when you notice the dry substrate and you should always avoid waterlogging.

Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus)

The schlumbergera is known as Christmas cactus or Santa Teresita and is highly prized for the beautiful flowers that grow at the tips of the stems around Christmas, although it can flower almost all year round.

The most common color of flowers is pink, but there are also red and white flower varieties. 

If it doesn’t flower, maybe it’s because it’s not getting enough light. 

Place it next to a sunny window.

Trunk of Brazil

It is a tropical shrub belonging to the family of the asparagáceas, previously included in the ruscáceas.

A slow-growing shrub, the leaves, which can reach up to 1 m long by 10 cm wide, form bright green rosettes, similar to mint color, with light green and yellow striped bands in the center.

It likes a well-lit environment, but better with indirect sun. And you only have to water it when the soil is dry and without watering it.

Its leaves are long and in different shades of green, but in areas with less light it tends to have dark green leaves. White flowers and very fragrant.

Chamaedorea elegans (Living Palm)

It is a small palm tree so easy to maintain that it has earned a prominent place on the podium of hardy houseplants.

In addition, due to its small size, it allows you to have a palm tree indoors without needing much space. 

Originally from Latin America, mostly from Mexico. It grows to a height of two meters, with a very thin stem, less than 5cm thick. 

It blooms in early summer, but its little flowers, without petals, are not attractive, and some people choose to remove them.

It requires moderate irrigation, as well as letting the surface layer of soil dry between irrigations.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is one of the most popular healing plants in the world, used to heal wounds, deflate, and many other things.

This plant is also known as aloe, aloe, Barbados aloe or Curacao aloe and it is common to find it in parts of Africa, Asia and also in Spain.

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that belongs to the Asphodeloideae subfamily. 

With thick and powerful leaves, it is a short-stemmed shrub that remains covered in leaves.

You can grow aloe vera both in a garden and on a terrace or balcony as it is a very adaptable plant that grows in pots without problems.

Calathea

It is characterized by its wingspan, up to one meter in height, its long and thin stems, and its leaves also elongated with the shape of a spear,dark green on top and a purple-green on the bottom.

They can bloom and the flowers appear at the base of the stem as if it emerged from the ground.