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Does your apartment get low light, and would you like to create a green space? Grow these 9 plants that will thrive with limited sunlight.
If your home does not receive bright sunlight and you are worried about how to add greenery to your space, you are in the right place. You can add some houseplants that thrive in low light and are easy to care for.
Low-Light Indoor Plants For Apartments
Let’s start by clearing up a common misconception: most people think that “Low light ” means “darkness”. When people talk about “low light” for houseplants, they don’t mean a room with no light at all.
Low light refers to areas that receive little or no direct sunlight and only a small amount of indirect natural light during the day. If you want to find out if the light in your apartment is enough for your plants, then use this method. If you can comfortably read a book in the area during the day without turning on a lamp, that’s enough light for many low-light houseplants.
Here is a list of houseplants that tolerate low light and grow the best. But before you dive into gardening, it is best to have your essentials ready. Check out this gardening kit on Amazon and gear up to create your green space.
1. Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
If you are a beginner and starting your gardening journey in your apartment, then the best pick for you is a snake plant. Or if you are a busy bee, then the snake plant (also called mother-in-law’s tongue) is one of those plants that almost prefers neglect. The good news is that its tolerant nature also makes it an air purifier.
Tips: Over-watering kills this plant; follow the “less is more” theory when it comes to watering. Use a well‑draining mix of potting soil, sand, and perlite. Avoid peat‑heavy soils that stay wet.
A quality indoor plant potting mix provides good drainage while helping roots get the moisture and nutrients they need. Add this soil mix to your cart to start right.
2. Pothos
Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
A plant that is forgiving in a way that feels almost personal. Low light? Fine. Forgot to water for two weeks? It is not an issue. Put it on a shelf nowhere near a window? It’ll still grow. Pothos is considered the perfect pick for people without a green thumb. Add this to your plant collection and see how it thrives.
They grow best in high humidity, but adapt to low-humidity conditions. You can increase humidity around the plant by keeping it in a typically humid area of the home or adding a humidifier.
3. ZZ Plant
Botanical Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
A tropical perennial plant that has become increasingly popular among indoor plant enthusiasts. With its unique appearance and easy-to-care-for nature, the ZZ plant has become a staple in homes and offices around the world.
The ZZ plant is highly adaptable and can thrive in a wide range of conditions. It prefers bright, indirect sunlight but can also tolerate low light conditions, making it an ideal plant for indoor cultivation.
ZZ plants are generally easy to maintain, but they do require well-draining soil and a planter. Check out a self-watering pot to help your ZZ plant grow without risking root rot.
4. Monstera
Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa
When you think of a houseplant, there’s a good chance a Monstera comes to mind. Monstera deliciosa, also known as the split-leaf philodendron, is a beautiful climbing evergreen popular both indoors and outdoors. These easy-going plants are simple to care for and will still give you new growth in low-light situations.
Monstera plant is toxic to pets. If you have pets around, you might want to check the plant stand and keep your plants out of reach.
5. Rubber Plant
Botanical Name: Ficus elastica
If you want to add a modern look to your regular green space, look no further. Add a rubber plant to your collection; it is both easy to care for and fits perfectly with your low-light apartment conditions. All you need to do is repot it when you see roots growing out of the holes at the bottom of your pot. An artistic and modern touch to your space.
6. Cast Iron Plant
Botanical Name: Aspidistra elatior
Cast Iron Plants are hardy, low-maintenance plants that thrive in low light. The Cast Iron plant is eye-catching with tall, upright stems reaching up to 24 inches. Their long, glossy, dark green lance-shaped leaves look fresh, healthy, and naturally beautiful. The rich green color makes the plant stand out and adds a calm, stylish feel to any place.
7. Peace Lily
Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum
When it comes to caring for your peace lily in low-light conditions, the first and most crucial consideration is the plant’s lighting needs. While peace lilies can tolerate low-light environments, they do require some level of illumination to maintain their health and vitality.
To overcome this condition, you can explore some of the best grow lights that you can use when you feel that your peace lily needs a little light.
8. Parlor Palm
Botanical Name: Chamaedorea elegans
The Parlor Palm is a popular choice among the gardening community for low-light areas because it tolerates shade. Its delicate, feathery fronds can add a tropical vibe to your space while thriving in indirect light. Water this plant when the top layer of the soil feels dry.
Regularly wiping the leaves clean will also help them stay healthy and vibrant. Rotate your plants occasionally to ensure even growth, especially in low-light conditions where sunlight may be limited.
Caution: Low-light plants typically require less water. Ensure the soil is allowed to dry slightly between watering sessions to prevent root rot.
9. Spider Plant
Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum
An excellent air purifier, the spider plant, an adaptable, pet-friendly houseplant with arching, striped leaves, thrives in various light conditions, including low light. The spider plant is so named because of its spider-like offsets, or spiderettes, which dangle down from the mother plant like spiders on a web once blooming is finished.
Keep the soil moist, watering about once a week throughout spring and summer. To check soil moisture, grab a soil moisture meter from Amazon before it goes out of stock.
A Few Things To Keep In Mind
Just because a plant is low-light tolerant doesn’t mean it wants to live in a windowless room forever. Most of these plants will do better near a window — just not in direct, harsh sunlight. A spot that gets some gentle light, even if it’s indirect, will keep them happier and growing more actively.
Also, low light usually means less frequent watering. The soil stays damp longer when there’s not much light to dry it out, so overwatering is the most common mistake people make with these plants. When in doubt, wait another few days before watering.
Starting with one or two of these plants is genuinely one of the easiest ways to make your apartment feel more alive. You don’t need a green thumb, you don’t need great light, and you definitely don’t need to spend a lot of money. Just pick something forgiving, put it somewhere you’ll actually see it, and let it settle in.
Try including these in your collection and let us know in the comments how they came along.
