Best House Plants for Low Light: A Horticultural Analysis
In botanical terms, best house plants for low light are those with high chlorophyll density or specialized rhizomes for water and nutrient storage. For areas like north-facing rooms or hallways, selecting best indoor house plants for low light requires balancing luminosity with irrigation management, as lower light levels significantly slow a plant’s metabolism.
In this article
Efficiency King: Best House Plants for Low Light and Low Maintenance
For busy environments, the best house plants for low light and low maintenance are those that thrive on neglect.
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Often cited as the best house plant for very low light. Its glossy leaves reflect light, and it can survive for weeks without water due to its underground rhizomes.
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria): A quintessential indoor best house plant for low light. It is virtually indestructible and handles low maintenance protocols with ease.
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): A versatile small house plant for low light that can trail from shelves or be trained up a totem.
Best House Plants for Bathroom with Low Light
Bathrooms present a unique challenge: best house plant for damp low light rooms must handle high humidity without succumbing to fungal issues.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): Highly recommended as a best recommended house plant for low light in bathrooms. It thrives in high humidity and flags its water needs by drooping its leaves.
- Lucky Bamboo: Can grow in water alone, making it an excellent best indoor house plant for low light for windowsills with frosted glass.
- Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior): Extremely hardy and handles the fluctuating temperatures and moisture levels of a bathroom perfectly.
Best Large and Tall House Plant for Low Light
To fill an empty corner, you need the best tall house plant for low light that maintains its structure without “reaching” (etiolation).
- Dracaena Lisa: Often considered the best tall house plants for low light due to its dark green foliage and upright habit.
- Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans): A classic best large house plant for low light that adds a tropical feel without requiring direct sun.
- Monstera Deliciosa: While it prefers brighter light, it can adapt as a best house plant for low light rooms, though leaf fenestration (holes) may be less pronounced.
Best House Plant for Air Quality Low Light
Scientific studies have identified certain best house plant for air quality low light species that actively remove VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) even in shaded conditions.
- Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema): Noted for filtering formaldehyde while being one of the best house plants for low light areas.
- Spider Plant: Excellent for removing carbon monoxide and xylene, and highly effective as a best house plant for air quality low light in offices.
FAQs About Low Light Indoor Plants
What are the best low-light indoor plants?
The Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, and Cast Iron Plant are the most resilient options for truly dim spaces.
What indoor plants can survive with no light?
Technically, no living plant can survive in no light forever. However, “no-light” tolerant plants like the ZZ Plant can live for long periods under standard fluorescent office lights, which mimic partial sunlight.
How do I know if my plant is getting too little light?
Common signs include “legginess” (long gaps between leaves), yellowing bottom leaves, or a total lack of new growth. If this happens, move the plant closer to a light source or supplement with an LED grow light.
Summary
Selecting the the best house plants for low light involves matching the species to the specific constraints of your low light rooms. Whether you need best tall house plants for low light for a living room or a best small house plant for low light for a desk, prioritizing the Snake Plant or ZZ Plant will ensure long-term success with minimal effort.