Best Low-Light House Plants for Beginners

By Plant Care Team 6 min read
beginnerlow-lightplant-selectionindoor-plants

Best Low-Light House Plants for Beginners

Not every room in your home is blessed with bright, natural light. Fortunately, many beautiful and resilient house plants thrive in low-light conditions. Whether you’re dealing with north-facing windows, interior rooms, or basement apartments, these plants will bring life to your darker spaces.

Understanding Low Light

Before we dive into specific plants, let’s clarify what “low light” means:

What Qualifies as Low Light?

Low Light Conditions:

  • North-facing windows
  • Rooms with small or no windows
  • Areas 6+ feet from windows
  • Spaces that receive no direct sunlight
  • Consistently dimly lit rooms

Important Note:

  • Low light ≠ No light
  • All plants need some light to survive
  • Most low-light plants tolerate rather than prefer low light
  • They’ll grow better with more light (but not direct sun)

Signs You Have True Low Light

  • Can’t read comfortably without artificial light during daytime
  • Shadows are not well-defined
  • Can’t see colors vividly
  • Rooms feel dim even at midday

Top Low-Light Plants for Beginners

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria / Dracaena trifasciata)

Why It’s Perfect:

  • Nearly indestructible
  • Tolerates neglect
  • Requires minimal watering
  • Air-purifying qualities
  • Vertical growth saves space

Light Needs:

  • Tolerates low to bright indirect light
  • One of the most adaptable plants

Watering:

  • Every 2-3 weeks (less in winter)
  • Allow soil to dry completely between waterings
  • More tolerant of underwatering than overwatering

Special Care:

  • Avoid overwatering (causes rot)
  • Wipe leaves to remove dust
  • Very slow-growing in low light

Varieties to Try:

  • ‘Black Gold’ - dark green with yellow edges
  • ‘Moonshine’ - silvery-green leaves
  • ‘Cylindrica’ - cylindrical leaves

2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Why It’s Perfect:

  • Extremely forgiving
  • Fast-growing even in low light
  • Trails beautifully
  • Easy to propagate
  • Tolerates inconsistent watering

Light Needs:

  • Low to bright indirect light
  • Variegation may fade in very low light

Watering:

  • When top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Typically every 1-2 weeks
  • Leaves droop when thirsty (then perk up after watering)

Special Care:

  • Trim to encourage bushiness
  • Can grow in water indefinitely
  • Mildly toxic to pets

Varieties to Try:

  • ‘Golden Pothos’ - classic yellow variegation
  • ‘Marble Queen’ - white and green
  • ‘Neon’ - bright chartreuse

3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Why It’s Perfect:

  • Drought-tolerant
  • Glossy, attractive foliage
  • Extremely low-maintenance
  • Tolerates neglect
  • Modern, architectural look

Light Needs:

  • Thrives in low to bright indirect light
  • One of the best for very low light

Watering:

  • Every 2-3 weeks
  • Allow soil to dry out completely
  • Has rhizomes that store water

Special Care:

  • Overwatering is the only real danger
  • Wipe leaves for shine
  • Very slow-growing
  • All parts toxic if ingested

Varieties to Try:

  • Standard ZZ - deep green
  • ‘Raven’ - near-black foliage
  • ‘Zamicro’ - dwarf variety

4. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Why It’s Perfect:

  • Named for its toughness
  • Tolerates neglect, low light, and temperature fluctuations
  • Large, elegant leaves
  • Long-lived

Light Needs:

  • Low to medium indirect light
  • One of the few that truly prefers low light

Watering:

  • When top inch of soil is dry
  • Every 1-2 weeks
  • Drought-tolerant

Special Care:

  • Very slow-growing (be patient)
  • Wipe leaves to prevent dust buildup
  • Can go outdoors in summer shade

Varieties to Try:

  • Standard green
  • ‘Variegata’ - white stripes
  • ‘Asahi’ - white-tipped leaves

5. Philodendron (Various species)

Why It’s Perfect:

  • Wide variety of shapes and sizes
  • Very adaptable
  • Easy to grow
  • Forgiving of mistakes
  • Many are trailing varieties

Light Needs:

  • Low to bright indirect light
  • Tolerant of various conditions

Watering:

  • When top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Every 1-2 weeks
  • Forgiving of occasional neglect

Special Care:

  • Toxic to pets
  • Benefits from occasional trimming
  • Easy to propagate

Varieties to Try:

  • Heartleaf Philodendron - classic trailing
  • ‘Brasil’ - yellow variegation
  • ‘Micans’ - velvety leaves

6. Dracaena (Various species)

Why It’s Perfect:

  • Tree-like structure
  • Air-purifying
  • Slow-growing and low-maintenance
  • Dramatic, architectural form
  • Long-lived

Light Needs:

  • Low to medium indirect light
  • Tolerates shade well

Watering:

  • When top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Every 1-2 weeks
  • Sensitive to fluoride (use filtered water)

Special Care:

  • Remove brown tips as they appear
  • Prefers higher humidity but adapts
  • Toxic to pets

Varieties to Try:

  • ‘Janet Craig’ - solid dark green
  • ‘Lemon Lime’ - chartreuse and green stripes
  • ‘Compacta’ - slower-growing, compact

7. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Why It’s Perfect:

  • Beautiful white flowers
  • Tells you when it’s thirsty (droops dramatically)
  • Air-purifying
  • Thrives in low light
  • Elegant appearance

Light Needs:

  • Low to bright indirect light
  • Flowers more with brighter light

Watering:

  • Prefers consistently moist soil
  • Typically weekly
  • Droops when thirsty, perks up quickly after watering

Special Care:

  • Appreciates humidity
  • Remove spent flowers
  • Wipe leaves occasionally
  • Toxic to pets

Varieties to Try:

  • ‘Sensation’ - large leaves
  • ‘Domino’ - variegated
  • ‘Petite’ - compact variety

8. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Why It’s Perfect:

  • Stunning foliage patterns
  • Very tolerant of neglect
  • Compact growth
  • Air-purifying
  • Wide variety of colors

Light Needs:

  • Low to medium indirect light
  • Darker varieties tolerate lowest light

Watering:

  • When top inch of soil is dry
  • Every 1-2 weeks
  • Prefers evenly moist soil

Special Care:

  • Appreciates humidity
  • Wipe leaves to show off patterns
  • Toxic to pets

Varieties to Try:

  • ‘Silver Bay’ - silvery-green
  • ‘Red Valentine’ - pink and green
  • ‘Emerald Beauty’ - deep green with silver

9. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Why It’s Perfect:

  • Extremely easy to care for
  • Produces baby plants (spiderettes)
  • Arching, graceful foliage
  • Air-purifying
  • Fast-growing

Light Needs:

  • Low to bright indirect light
  • Tolerates various conditions

Watering:

  • When top inch of soil is dry
  • Weekly to every 10 days
  • Tolerates occasional neglect

Special Care:

  • Brown tips from fluoride (use filtered water)
  • Easy to propagate from babies
  • Non-toxic to pets

Varieties to Try:

  • ‘Variegatum’ - white stripes
  • ‘Vittatum’ - central white stripe
  • Solid green varieties

10. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Why It’s Perfect:

  • True palm that tolerates low light
  • Adds tropical feel
  • Compact size
  • Air-purifying
  • Relatively pest-resistant

Light Needs:

  • Low to bright indirect light
  • Native to forest understory

Watering:

  • Keep evenly moist (not soggy)
  • When top inch of soil is dry
  • Weekly to every 10 days

Special Care:

  • Appreciates humidity
  • Mist occasionally
  • Slow-growing
  • Non-toxic to pets

Care Tips for Low-Light Plants

Watering Adjustments

Water Less Frequently:

  • Low light = slower growth = less water needed
  • Soil dries more slowly
  • Check soil before watering
  • Overwatering is more dangerous in low light

How to Tell When to Water:

  • Stick finger 1-2 inches into soil
  • If dry, it’s time to water
  • If moist, wait a few days
  • Some plants (like peace lily) give visual cues

Dealing with Dust

In low-light areas, dust accumulates on leaves:

  • Blocks light absorption
  • Harbors pests
  • Makes plants look dull

Solution:

  • Wipe leaves monthly with damp cloth
  • Or shower plants occasionally
  • Keeps leaves functional and attractive

Fertilizing

Reduce Frequency:

  • Low-light plants grow slower
  • Need less fertilizer
  • Feed every 6-8 weeks during growing season
  • Or use half-strength more frequently
  • Skip winter feeding

Rotating Plants

Why Rotate:

  • Ensures even light exposure
  • Prevents lopsided growth
  • All sides develop evenly

How Often:

  • Quarter turn weekly or monthly
  • Especially important for plants near windows

Pruning and Maintenance

Keep Plants Tidy:

  • Remove yellow or dead leaves
  • Trim brown tips
  • Prune leggy growth
  • Encourages bushier, healthier plants

Avoid Common Mistakes

1. Overwatering:

  • Number one killer of low-light plants
  • Soil stays wet longer
  • Check before watering

2. Assuming “Low Light” Means “No Light”:

  • All plants need some light
  • Place within view of a window if possible
  • Supplement with grow lights if needed

3. Fertilizing Too Much:

  • Slow growth = fewer nutrients needed
  • Can cause salt buildup and damage

4. Ignoring Them:

  • Still need regular care
  • Check weekly for water needs
  • Monitor for pests

Where to Place Low-Light Plants

Best Locations

Bathrooms:

  • Usually low light
  • Higher humidity (many low-light plants love this)
  • Perfect for ferns, pothos, peace lilies

Offices and Bedrooms:

  • Often limited natural light
  • Snake plants, ZZ plants, pothos work well
  • Add life without demanding bright windows

Hallways and Entryways:

  • Typically dim
  • Make good use of awkward spaces
  • Dracaena, cast iron plant for floor space

Corners and Interior Walls:

  • Far from windows
  • Can still support plant life
  • Use largest-leafed varieties (better light capture)

Enhancing Low Light

Maximize Available Light:

  • Keep windows clean
  • Use mirrors to reflect light
  • Paint walls lighter colors
  • Remove obstructions

Supplement with Grow Lights:

  • Affordable option for zero-light spaces
  • LED grow lights efficient and effective
  • Even low-light plants appreciate boost

Troubleshooting Low-Light Plants

Yellowing Leaves

Possible Causes:

  • Overwatering (most common in low light)
  • Natural aging
  • Nutrient deficiency (rare)

Solutions:

  • Check soil moisture
  • Reduce watering frequency
  • Remove yellow leaves

Leggy, Stretching Growth

Cause:

  • Reaching for light
  • Even low-light plants have limits

Solutions:

  • Move to brighter location
  • Add grow light
  • Prune back and provide more light

Brown Leaf Tips

Possible Causes:

  • Underwatering
  • Fluoride in water (common)
  • Low humidity
  • Fertilizer buildup

Solutions:

  • Use filtered or distilled water
  • Increase watering slightly
  • Trim brown tips
  • Flush soil to remove salts

Slow or No Growth

Cause:

  • Normal in low light
  • Low-light plants naturally grow slowly

Not a Problem If:

  • Plant looks healthy
  • No yellowing or browning
  • Just be patient

Conclusion

Low-light conditions don’t mean you have to give up on house plants. These resilient, beautiful varieties prove that you can green up even the darkest corners of your home.

Key Takeaways:

  • Start with truly low-light tolerant plants
  • Adjust watering for slower growth
  • Keep leaves clean for better light absorption
  • Be patient—growth will be slower
  • Supplement with grow lights if needed

Choose one or two from this list to start, learn their preferences, and gradually expand your low-light plant collection. You’ll be amazed at how these shade-loving plants can transform your space!

Happy growing!