10 Best Plants for Dark Low Light Rooms
These 10 best plants for dark, low-light rooms will survive where most plants will not. The majority of the plants will become leggy or etiolated when grown in places with low light. This makes it hard to successfully keep plants in some rooms in the house.
Best Plants for Dark Low Light Rooms
These indoor house plants will brighten up a corridor 5 meters from your doorway and brighten it up throughout the year. You can also keep them in dark bedrooms, bathrooms, and living rooms.
Low-light plants can typically be known as plants that can thrive in areas that are 4 to 5 meters from a bright window.
Or a location with just enough light to read by, but where artificial lighting used during the day would make a big difference.
Cast Iron Plant
The cast iron plant, more commonly known as the Aspidistra, has long been used as an ideal house plant even for beginners. It has also been described as one of the toughest, tolerant, and most adaptable house plants.
The leaves are long and slender, in multiples of three to five, and are dark green or variegated dark green and white. They can grow to 75 cm tall and 15 cm wide.
In general, it is a low maintenance plant that is hard to kill. This plant thrives on very low light, average temperatures and humidity, and just occasional watering.
You can choose to buy your Aspidistra from your local garden center nursery. You can also buy the plants online from the many suppliers that stock them.
Aglaonema
Aglaonemas are also known as Chinese Evergreens. In addition to requiring only moderate light, they also adapt well to low light.
The plants have large oval dark green leaves with tapering edges that are very appealing. There are different varieties of Chinese Evergreens to choose from depending on the owner’s preferences.
Dracaena
Dracaena deremensis is also referred to as Happy Plants or Fortune Plants. They produce beautiful slender leaves that also have white variegation.
The Dracaena family produces plants with canes. Caring for these plants is not complicated and you can get them to grow and thrive easily.
Holly Fern
Holly ferns adapt quite well to low light conditions. Another type of fern to consider is the Boston fern.
They are widely available in nurseries and stores. These types can stay in low light areas for extended periods. However, they still need a period of brighter light to rejuvenate. You can alternate them between low and bright light for years and they will thrive.
Parlor Palm
The Parlor Palm is more suitable for low-light conditions than many other palms. The palm produces beautiful leaves and is a great home decor plant.
The parlor palm thrives in bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low-light conditions, which makes it ideal for living rooms and offices.
Keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy, allowing the top inch to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
This palm prefers average room temperatures and benefits from occasional misting to mimic its natural humid environment. With minimal care, the parlor palm adds a lush, tropical feel to indoor spaces while also helping improve air quality.
Sanseveria
Sansevieria is also commonly referred to as Mother-In-Laws Tongue. It is one of the plants that can grow well in both low to very bright light.
The leaves are waxy and upright and usually cream-colored with an unusual banding of grey/green in the middle.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant is one of the most resilient indoor plants, making it ideal for dark rooms and busy lifestyles.
It thrives in low light and can tolerate long periods without watering thanks to its thick rhizomes that store moisture. Its glossy, dark green leaves add a sleek, modern look to any space, and it requires very little maintenance to stay healthy.
Pothos
Pothos is a versatile trailing plant that adapts easily to low-light conditions, though it may grow more slowly in darker rooms.
Its heart-shaped leaves, often variegated with green and yellow, bring a lively touch to shelves and hanging baskets. It’s also forgiving if you forget to water occasionally, making it a popular choice for beginners.
Philodendron (Heartleaf variety)
The heartleaf philodendron is a classic indoor plant known for its soft, trailing vines and deep green, heart-shaped leaves.
It thrives in low light and is very easy to care for, needing only occasional watering when the soil dries out. Its elegant, cascading growth makes it perfect for adding greenery to dim corners.
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo is a unique indoor plant often grown in water rather than soil, making it both decorative and easy to maintain.
It tolerates low light well and is commonly used in homes and offices for its simple, sculptural appearance. With minimal care, just clean water and indirect light, it can thrive while adding a calm, minimalist aesthetic to any room.
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My Final Thoughts
It can sometimes be difficult to get plants to thrive in a dark area of the house. Although most of these plants have been proven to the best plants for dark low light rooms, you have to find which ones work for your particular situation.
I like experimenting until I find what works well. The Cast Iron Plant does well for me and is my go-to when I need a plant that will grow well where other plants especially the succulents are becoming leggy.
I hope this post on the best plants for dark low light rooms was helpful. Please share it and also follow me on Multigardening Pinterest for more houseplant posts.
