Low-Light Tolerant Houseplant section at the Great Swamp Greenhouses in Gillette, NJ.
Low light does not mean no light. Plants still need some natural light or grow lights to grow optimally. The plants below tolerate low light better than their counterparts, but most will grow well in or prefer bright, indirect light.
Bright, indirect light means plenty of natural light without strong sunlight shining directly on the plant’s leaves. Think of a bright room near a window, but outside the path of direct sun.
Some plants with higher variegation may lose some of that variegation in lower-light spaces. Variegation refers to the lighter-colored stripes, spots, or patches on a plant’s leaves. Because these lighter areas contain less chlorophyll, more highly variegated plants generally need brighter light to maintain their coloring.
Low-Light Tolerant Houseplants
Snake Plants (Sansevieria)
ZZ Plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Aglaonema (‘Silver Bay’, ‘Red’, ‘Maria’)
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Philodendron cordatum
Dieffenbachia ‘Camille’
Parlor/Neanthe Bella Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’ and D. ‘Hawaiian Sunshine’
Ferns (many varieties)
Not Sure What Will Work in Your Space?
We carry a wide variety of low-light-tolerant houseplants. Stop in and bring some photos of what you’re working with. Our houseplant staff can help you find a plant that fits the light in your home, whether you have a sunny window or a spot that’s a little harder to fill.