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10 Houseplants That Don’t Need Sunlight

November 28, 2016 by Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID 90 Comments

These Low-Light Houseplants Can Survive Even the Darkest Corner

1

These indoor varieties are perfect for gardening beginners. Our top ten low-light houseplants thrive in unexpected conditions and are super easy to grow.

Peacock Plant (Calathea)

calathea-makoyana-peacock-plant-growing-in-white-ceramic-pot-73740648-57c5b5993df78cc16ead55a4Its patterned and colorful leaves makes this plant a lovely addition to any room – it grows well in medium to low light and requires consistent moisture for best performance.

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)

dumb cane dieffenbachia Houseplants Leedy Interiors NJ Interior Designer NJ

The Dumb Cane plant is a fan favorite – happy with standard potting soil, average home temperatures, and average humidity. This plant’s leaves are variegated in greens and cream colors and can reach a height of up to 5 feet.

Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)

dragon-tree Dracaena marginata Houseplants Leedy Interiors NJ Interior Designer NJ

The Dragon Tree is another plant that is near impossible to kill. Direct sunlight and over-watering is not something the Dracaena Marginata takes well to.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

spider plant Chlorophytum comosum Houseplants Leedy Interiors NJ Interior Designer NJ

Hands down, this is one of the most popular house plants and is extremely easy to grow. It actually can stand up to a lot of neglect, and will thrive in indirect sunlight.

Heart-Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens)

heart-leaf-philodendron Philodendron scandens Houseplants Leedy Interiors NJ Interior Designer NJ

This sweetheart of a plant can thrive indoors year-round without complaint, but they do enjoy an occasional stay outdoors in a shady spot when the weather permits.

Bromeliads

bromeliads Houseplants Leedy Interiors NJ Interior Designer NJ

This tropical houseplant can actually survive on fluorescent light alone and thrives in humid conditions like bathrooms. A small Bromeliad on a vanity can add life to any bathroom!

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

peace-lily Spathiphyllum Houseplants Leedy Interiors NJ Interior Designer NJ

This popular, shade-loving house plant is SUPER low-maintenance and actually needs to dry out between waterings. It re-blooms several times a year and is extremely easy to grow.

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema)

chinese evergreen Aglaonema Houseplants Leedy Interiors NJ Interior Designer NJ

The Chinese Evergreen can make even the novice “indoor gardener” look like an expert. This tropical foliage plant is one of the most durable houseplants you can grow, tolerating poor light, dry air, and drought.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

snake plant Sansevieria trifasciata Houseplants Leedy Interiors NJ Interior Designer NJ

Caring for the Snake Plant is very straightforward. These plants can be neglected for weeks at a time; yet, with their stripy leaves and architectural shape, they still look fresh. Additionally, they can survive low light levels, drought and have few insect problems. Now, that’s our kind of plant!

Cast-Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

cast-iron plant Aspidistra elatior Houseplants Leedy Interiors NJ Interior Designer NJ

The Cast Iron plant is one of the easiest house plants to care for. While this species does prefer bright light, it survives well in shaded spots and rooms lacking natural light. Really, the only way to harm this guy is by over-watering or re-potting too often.

Happy Planting!

For more inspiration, follow our Happy House Plants Pinterest board!

 

More to read:
Target Home Decor: Our Top Picks from Target’s Fall Collection
Color Schemes: Color Theory Basics Every Design Enthusiast Should Know!
How to Arrange Flowers Like a Pro
 
 

About Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID

Principal Designer at Leedy Interiors

Honesty, integrity, and down-to-earth approach… Learn more about Sarah by visiting her profile.

Comments

  1. Yvette says

    March 20, 2017 at 3:47 am

    Thank you for these great ideas! Where are those big beautiful pots from with the wooden stand? So lovely!

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      September 3, 2017 at 12:12 pm

      I was looking for them too! Found the original pic here that linked sources. The pots are from West Elm.

      https://www.suburban-bees.com/one-room-challenge-back-black-dining-room-reveal/

      Reply
    • Sandra says

      January 1, 2018 at 3:19 pm

      I have the pits on the stands got them at Target..

      Reply
    • Stella says

      March 22, 2018 at 1:21 pm

      Fantastic. Thank you

      Reply
    • Deb says

      April 19, 2018 at 10:05 am

      Cost Plus carries the pots as well.

      Reply
    • Kim says

      February 28, 2019 at 8:52 am

      I saw those pots with wooden stands at TJMaxx recently.

      Reply
  2. Rosy Porter says

    April 9, 2017 at 6:30 am

    Is the snake plant commonly known as mothering laws tongue

    Reply
    • Stephanie Alegre, Allied ASID says

      April 10, 2017 at 2:25 pm

      Yes, it is!

      Reply
      • Dawn says

        May 19, 2017 at 5:03 pm

        Mother-in-law’s tongue

        Reply
      • Janet says

        July 4, 2017 at 11:14 pm

        I thought it was mother-in-law! Haha

        Reply
      • Julie williams says

        July 20, 2017 at 8:00 am

        I think that plant is a noxious weed here in Qld?

        Reply
        • kate says

          August 11, 2018 at 4:55 pm

          No, it’s not a noxious weed anywhere!

          Reply
    • Andrea says

      May 6, 2017 at 1:39 am

      It’s actually “mother-in-laws tongue”

      Reply
      • Bj says

        October 30, 2018 at 4:44 pm

        Actually the term is Mothers in law.

        Reply
        • AG says

          March 31, 2019 at 1:50 am

          Its Mother In Law’s Tongue.

          Reply
    • Denise says

      May 20, 2017 at 3:36 am

      I know it as mother-in-law’s tongue. Whoever named it that was obviously thinking in derogatory terms (tongue in cheek though, hopefully).

      Reply
    • Lynda says

      May 21, 2017 at 2:12 am

      Mother-in-laws toungue I always knew it by!

      Reply
    • Judy Kahn says

      May 22, 2017 at 9:31 pm

      Yes, but I believe that’s actually “mother-in-law’s tongue,” probably named because of its sharp shape.

      Reply
    • Stacy says

      June 7, 2017 at 2:02 am

      Yes

      Reply
    • Sandra says

      July 21, 2017 at 9:16 pm

      Mother-in-Laws Tongue

      Reply
    • aussiebushgirl says

      October 13, 2017 at 9:56 pm

      It’s also referred to in some parts of the world as Hen & Chicken!

      Reply
    • Yvonne says

      February 1, 2018 at 11:11 pm

      Sanseveria is the Latin name for it. In the states referred to as snake plant in Great Britain referred to as mother in law tongue.

      Reply
    • Lorraine Griffiths says

      February 8, 2018 at 3:40 pm

      Yes it is!

      Reply
  3. Sue says

    April 18, 2017 at 3:08 am

    Why do the leaves on my Peace Lilly turn black? Even the new leaves turn black. What’s wrong with them?

    Reply
    • Lic florists says

      January 13, 2018 at 9:17 am

      Too much or not enough water , try turning the pot every time you water

      Reply
  4. Connie Kostelac says

    April 22, 2017 at 11:11 pm

    My peace lily blooms in small leaves and the dies

    Reply
  5. Roberta says

    April 23, 2017 at 6:49 pm

    How often do you water the Snake Plant indoors?

    Reply
  6. Annie says

    April 29, 2017 at 6:11 am

    My neighbor lavender plant gets real big mines don’t and I don’t smell it help

    Reply
  7. Heather says

    May 9, 2017 at 2:36 am

    Are these your pics? If so, could you post the sources of the awesome pots? Especially The snake plant and the dumb cane!!!

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      February 14, 2018 at 10:26 pm

      Wayfair. The pots are at wayfair

      Reply
  8. Pawandeep Bhandari says

    May 27, 2017 at 2:36 pm

    Thanks for sending posts of plants with their Botanical names

    Reply
    • Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID says

      August 11, 2017 at 3:04 pm

      You’re welcome!

      Reply
  9. Robert M. Streeter D.P.M. says

    June 24, 2017 at 12:11 am

    Hello, where can I get seeds for theses plants. Thank You. Robert

    Reply
  10. Lourdes says

    June 30, 2017 at 11:31 am

    I have a snake plant that I have 4 a long time. It’s dieing from the bottom down. I had 2 pull 1 out. What do I need 2 do 4 the other snake plants won’t die? Thank u!

    Reply
    • Lic florists says

      January 13, 2018 at 9:18 am

      Try re potting in a bigger pot also try a clay pot

      Reply
      • Beth says

        March 6, 2018 at 9:58 pm

        Why a clay pot?

        Reply
        • Sarah says

          August 28, 2018 at 12:03 am

          I’m not sure if this is the reason she suggested it, but I’ve read that unglazed clay pots offer more drainage because they absorb some of the water. If your plants are rotting from the bottom up, it might be because they’re sitting in too much moisture.

          Reply
  11. Carol says

    July 3, 2017 at 2:14 am

    I have a very small powder room with no windows, barely any light, none when the door is closed & electric lights off.
    Is there any plant, especially a hanging one, that could survive in these conditions?

    Reply
    • Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID says

      August 11, 2017 at 3:03 pm

      Hi Carol! We would suggest maybe trying succulents or air plants!

      Reply
      • Nataliya Kolesnik says

        December 21, 2017 at 12:05 pm

        Succulents need lots of sunlight. Snake plant would be the only choice, the darker leaves the better.

        Reply
        • Vickie says

          February 9, 2018 at 3:23 am

          Definately do not use succulents unless they are fake. Succulents need very bright light. Try a snake plant or dragon tree. Both of those do well in low light.

          Reply
  12. Margie Downes says

    July 25, 2017 at 11:31 pm

    Are any of these plants dangerous to pets?

    Reply
    • Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID says

      August 11, 2017 at 3:02 pm

      Many plants and flowers can be dangerous to pets. We would advise doing more research on your end.

      Reply
      • Margie Downes says

        August 11, 2017 at 3:26 pm

        That is why I asked the question.

        Reply
        • Carly says

          August 13, 2017 at 5:43 pm

          Peace lilies are highly toxic to pets as well as several on this list.

          Reply
          • Claire says

            September 2, 2017 at 12:16 pm

            really?! That stinks because I wanted a peace lily so bad! Just got a new puppy. Thanks for letting us know.

          • Barbara says

            September 11, 2017 at 4:15 am

            I have many toxic plants, which most indoor plants are. My dog isn’t interested in any of them. I believe animals are smarter than we are when it comes to what they will put in their mouth.

        • Maddie says

          August 28, 2017 at 10:57 pm

          https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/cats-plant-list

          This is a good link to find if things are poisonous for your pets.

          Reply
          • Margie Downes says

            September 11, 2017 at 1:56 pm

            The above link is for cats and from there, I found the dogs. Thanks, Maddie!

            For the dogs:

            https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/dogs-plant-list

  13. Lisa Eldred Steinkopf says

    August 25, 2017 at 1:02 am

    Great pictures! The first plant is a Stromanthe ‘Triostar’ though, not a peacock plant, Calathea.

    Reply
    • Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID says

      August 28, 2017 at 1:22 pm

      Hi Lisa! Thanks for the heads up!

      Reply
    • Tori says

      February 28, 2018 at 10:02 am

      Actually that is a peacock plant, triostar stromanthe have a completely different pattern.

      I own 3 peacock plants!

      Included a link about triostar stromanthe.

      Reply
  14. James D says

    September 2, 2017 at 3:11 pm

    Excellent. I’ve geen looking fir such a list for a year. I moved last year and I’ve only got a northern exposure. There’s a half-hour direct sunlight shortly after dawn and that’s it for the day.

    Reply
    • Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID says

      September 13, 2017 at 3:16 pm

      Hi James, glad we could help! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Alissa says

    September 27, 2017 at 1:02 am

    Off to get a snake plant

    Reply
    • Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID says

      October 11, 2017 at 10:24 am

      Great News !!

      Reply
      • Linda F Best says

        January 3, 2018 at 11:34 am

        How about a prayer plant which has small round pink blooms ? My grew real large outside this summer and I am trying to keep it large and pretty

        Reply
        • Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID says

          January 11, 2018 at 11:11 am

          Prayer plants are becoming increasingly popular! The prayer plant does require high humidity to thrive, since it is a tropical, but does not need direct sunlight. Thanks for reading Linda!

          Reply
          • Phyllis Thisius says

            September 16, 2018 at 5:42 am

            I have a Prayer Plant in my bathroom. My bathroom window is shaded, so not a lot of light. The plant does very well.

          • Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID says

            September 17, 2018 at 11:37 am

            Awesome to hear Phyllis!

  16. Barbara says

    February 8, 2018 at 6:11 pm

    I have a Chinese Evergreen still in it’s original pot, growing, but bottom leaves keep dying. Should I repot it to bigger pot?

    Reply
    • Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID says

      February 12, 2018 at 12:06 pm

      Hi Barbara. Yes, many plants will benefit definitely from being moved into pots about 10 to 20 percent larger than their current homes, every two years or so.

      Reply
  17. Cindy says

    February 17, 2018 at 5:21 pm

    Love this website, I worked for a plant company and loved it until my back& hip got bad, I had to quick the job I loved. That was 18 years ago. It’s ok God is faithful.

    Reply
    • Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID says

      February 20, 2018 at 9:22 am

      Thanks for reading Cindy! Glad you are doing well !

      Reply
  18. Jen moore says

    February 21, 2018 at 8:04 am

    I’ve successfully killed all of these except the peace lily… so far. 😩

    Reply
    • Cindy who says

      April 4, 2018 at 2:34 pm

      Plant of Steel is a very good one!

      Reply
  19. Tin says

    March 27, 2018 at 1:16 am

    Great post! Thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID says

      April 2, 2018 at 9:28 am

      Thanks so much for reading Tin! Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  20. send flower arrangements says

    September 27, 2018 at 10:14 pm

    Gresat article! That is the kind of information that are meant to be shared
    around the web. Shame on Google for no loner positioning this put up higher!

    Come on over and visit my site . Thanks =)

    Reply
    • Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID says

      October 1, 2018 at 1:53 pm

      Thanks so much for reading!!

      Reply
  21. Susan Lazzaro says

    August 7, 2020 at 10:53 am

    Are any of those plants dangerous to cats if they nibble on them?

    Reply
    • Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID says

      August 11, 2020 at 1:19 pm

      Yes, some of these plants can have negative affects on cats/dogs. When looking for a plant be sure to do your research before purchasing, there are tons of non-toxic plants out there!

      Reply
  22. where is world says

    September 15, 2020 at 6:42 pm

    Very nice write-up. I absolutely appreciate this website.
    Continue the good work!

    Reply

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