10 Best Low-Light Houseplants
Got a dark apartment or a north-facing room? 10 houseplants that university extension services rate for low or medium light, and how to keep them healthy away from bright windows.
“Low light” is the most misunderstood phrase in houseplant care. No plant grows in darkness. The University of Illinois Extension gives a practical definition: low light (about 75 foot-candles) is what you get a few feet from a north window, 3-10 feet from an east or west window, or 15-20 feet from a south window. Medium light is right in front of a north window, a few feet from an east or west window, or 3-10 feet from a south window.
If a room is so dark you need a lamp on at midday, even these plants will struggle, and a grow light is the answer. For the typical dim hallway, north-facing room or shaded corner, the plants below are good choices. Each is rated by the University of Illinois, Clemson University or NC State Extension.
At a glance
| # | Plant | Light rating | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ZZ plant | Low light, anywhere but full sun | Clemson |
| 2 | Snake plant | Low | University of Illinois |
| 3 | Cast iron plant | Partial to full shade | NC State |
| 4 | Heartleaf philodendron | Low | University of Illinois |
| 5 | Chinese evergreen | Low | University of Illinois |
| 6 | Peace lily | Low | University of Illinois |
| 7 | Parlour palm | Low | University of Illinois |
| 8 | Boston fern | Low | University of Illinois |
| 9 | Pothos | Medium | University of Illinois |
| 10 | Spider plant | Medium | University of Illinois |
#1: ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
→ Shop live ZZ Plant plants on Amazon Clemson University’s Home & Garden Information Center says the ZZ plant tolerates various light conditions and can be grown easily in darker rooms; it survives low light, though bright indirect light speeds up its very slow growth. Place it anywhere except full sun. Its bulbous rhizomes store water, and it is drought resistant.
Care: Clemson suggests watering once or twice a month, only after the potting mix has completely dried, and never letting it stand in water.
#2: Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
→ Shop live Snake Plant plants on Amazon The University of Illinois rates the snake plant (mother-in-law’s tongue) for low light and says it grows in almost any environment.
Care: Clemson notes the snake plant is prone to rotting if overwatered, so let the mix dry well between waterings.
#3: Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)
→ Shop live Cast Iron Plant plants on Amazon NC State Extension’s plant toolbox says the cast iron plant prefers partial to full shade, does not tolerate direct sun, and suits low-light areas, including indoors in pots.
Care: NC State suggests regular watering from spring to autumn and sparing watering in winter; it is drought tolerant once established.
#4: Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
→ Shop live Heartleaf Philodendron plants on Amazon The University of Illinois rates the heartleaf philodendron for low light, making it the trailing plant to choose for the dimmest spots on this list.
#5: Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema)
→ Shop live Chinese Evergreen plants on Amazon The University of Illinois rates the Chinese evergreen for low light.
#6: Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
→ Shop live Peace Lily plants on Amazon The University of Illinois lists the peace lily (white flag, Spathiphyllum) for low light.
#7: Parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
→ Shop live Parlour Palm plants on Amazon The University of Illinois rates the parlour palm (Neanthe bella palm) for low light, bringing a soft, feathery look to a dim room.
#8: Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
→ Shop live Boston Fern plants on Amazon The University of Illinois also rates the Boston fern for low light. Like most ferns it appreciates humidity; the University of Illinois notes most homes have less than 30 percent humidity in winter, and suggests grouping plants, a pebble tray or a humidifier.
#9: Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
→ Shop live Pothos plants on Amazon The University of Illinois rates pothos for medium light, so give it a spot right in front of a north window or a few feet from an east or west one.
#10: Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
→ Shop live Spider Plant plants on Amazon The University of Illinois rates the spider plant for medium light too, so it belongs near the brightest window of a dim room.
How to help any plant cope with low light
- Move it closer to the window. The University of Maryland Extension suggests moving plants closer to a light source, or adding artificial light, when light is too low.
- Clean the leaves. The University of Illinois suggests washing foliage with plain room-temperature water or a soft damp cloth, though not on hairy-leaved plants.
- Water less. The mix dries more slowly in a dim room; the University of Maryland calls overwatering the number one reason indoor plants fail.
- Feed little. The University of Illinois notes too much fertiliser can damage plants whose growth is slowed by dim light.
When you need a grow light
Signs of too little light, according to the University of Maryland, are spindly, lanky growth as the plant stretches towards the light, and few or no flowers. Our light-level checker helps you judge a borderline spot. For plants in low light, the University of Illinois notes that a longer day of 14-16 hours of light helps, but not more than 16 hours, because plants need a rest period too.
Frequently asked questions
Can houseplants survive with no natural light at all?
No plant grows in darkness. In a windowless room you need artificial light; the plants here tolerate dim rooms, not zero light.
What is the best plant for a north-facing window?
The University of Illinois counts the area a few feet from a north window as low light and right in front of it as medium light, so low-light plants such as the snake plant, Chinese evergreen or peace lily suit it, with pothos or a spider plant right at the glass.
Why is my low-light plant getting leggy?
Spindly, stretched growth means the plant is reaching for light (University of Maryland). Move it closer to a window or add a grow light.
Do low-light plants need less water?
Usually yes: the mix dries more slowly in a dim room, and overwatering is the most common reason indoor plants fail (University of Maryland).
Sources
- University of Illinois Extension, houseplants: lighting, care, mother-in-law’s tongue. Read 28 October 2026.
- Clemson University Home & Garden Information Center, ZZ Plant and Indoor Plants: Watering. Read 28 October 2026.
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Aspidistra elatior. Read 28 October 2026.
- University of Maryland Extension, Low Light and Yellowing Leaves on Indoor Plants. Read 28 October 2026.
Recommended Gear on Amazon
- ZZ plant (live) - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
- Cast iron plant (live) - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
- Pothos (live) - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
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