Low-Light Houseplants That Actually Survive Indoors

No plant thrives in perpetual darkness. For healthy growth, you need at least 8 hours of light bright enough to cast a distinct hand shadow. If your space is dimmer, supplement with fluorescent or LED grow lights for 14 hours daily.

True Low-Light Tolerant Plants

• Arrowhead plant (Syngonium)
• Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)
• Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema)
• Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana')
• Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
• Peperomia species
• Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
• Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Medium-Light Favorites

• Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei)
• Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri')
• Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
• Bromeliads
• Dieffenbachia cultivars
• Grape ivy (Cissus rhombifolia)
• Lady's-slipper orchid (Paphiopedilum)
• Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis)
• Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
• Polka-dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
• Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)
• Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
• Schefflera (Schefflera actinophylla)
• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
• Swedish ivy (Plectranthus australis)

Match the plant to your actual light levels, and you'll stop the yellowing-and-leggy cycle.