Everyone knows that plants need light. So should we give up on having plants if the rooms in our apartment are dark and lack light?
Don’t panic! There are plants that thrive in the shade or in the dark. And they thrive there. They’re also called shade-loving plants.
These plants don’t need a lot of light. They just need indirect exposure or low light.
So, how do you know if you have enough indirect light in your home? It’s very simple.
If you can read a book in a room with natural light, then there is enough indirect light for these plants.
To make your life easier, we’ve selected 17 indoor plants that thrive without light. Take a look:
1. Dracaena
Here’s a beautiful houseplant you can grow at home, even without light: the dracaena. There are many species, all of which are easy to care for. It’s ideal for beautifying a building lobby or hallway.
2. Bromeliad
Yes, there are tropical plants that require little light! This beautiful, colorful tropical plant is one of the easiest to grow. Its exotic beauty thrives in the shade. It’s the perfect indoor flowering plant that will add some pep to your decor! This small green plant also has its place on a desk.
3. Adiantum fragrans
Ferns love shade, humidity, and cool air. Adiantum fragrans is no exception. Its beautiful, light green foliage requires only one thing to thrive: regular watering. This plant, nicknamed “Maiden’s hair,” will be perfect in a windowless bathroom or toilet!
4. Mountain palm
Another beautiful shade-loving plant: the mountain palm. Nothing scares this magnificent palm, not even dark, unlit rooms! It’s not demanding to thrive: it only needs indirect light and a little water, especially in summer. With little maintenance, it brings a touch of exoticism to any room in the house.
5. Cyperus with alternate leaves
Looking for a large, easy-to-maintain, low-light indoor plant? Then choose this Cyperus alternantis with its beautiful evergreen foliage. This plant, with its umbrella-like leaves, is also called papyrus alternantis. It thrives in a living room, office, den, or entryway without direct light.
6. Mother-in-law’s tongue
A classic! Sansevieria is indestructible. It adapts perfectly to a dark, dimly lit environment and thrives very well in indirect light. It is very hardy and requires little care. It is also considered to be depolluting. You can place it in a bedroom. You can sleep with it without any risk to your health.
7. Ficus pumila
Fucus pumila, also known as the creeping fig, is a very hardy climbing plant. Its dense, delicate foliage can also droop elegantly. It’s a pretty houseplant that also has a reputation for purifying indoor air. It doesn’t like direct sunlight or extreme heat. It’s perfect for decorating a bathroom with low sunlight!
8. Philodendron
A member of the same family as vines, the philodendron is a trailing perennial houseplant that doesn’t require much sunlight. Its broad leaves grow in a trailing vine, making it a highly decorative plant, even in low light. Perfect for dark offices!
9. Calathea
Calathea ornata is a beautiful indoor plant thanks to its large leaves adorned with contrasting patterns. It thrives in the shade, but is sensitive to the cold. It requires a minimum temperature of 13°C. It can therefore be placed near a radiator and is well-suited for an office or professional space.
10. Maranta leuconeura
It’s beautiful, isn’t it? This tropical indoor plant can’t stand direct light! It needs subdued light. Exposed to direct sunlight, its beautiful leaves with their colorful and contrasting patterns will dry out. You can easily place it in a small room or a dark place like a bathroom.
11. Sword fern
This pretty, fern-like, trailing green plant doesn’t like direct sunlight. A dark room is perfect for it. However, it does need humidity. The soil in its pot should be slightly damp and acidic. It appreciates a little misting from time to time. Why not place it in a bathroom with low light to provide it with a humid environment?
12. Peperomias
Peperomias are a pretty decorative plant with large leaves that come in varying shades of green. They thrive in soft light. Their delicate leaves do not like direct sunlight. If you place them near a window, you’ll need a curtain.
13. Epipremnum aureum
It is also called devil’s ivy or indoor ivy. It is a very popular houseplant because it is hardy and easy to care for. It can live with very little light and requires little care. Just a little water when the soil in its pot is dry! It can even be kept indoors and still thrive.
14. Japanese sedge
This perennial plant thrives in partial shade. Its soft leaves will thrive in a shady area and form a beautiful, decorative clump.
15. Hairy Chlorophyton
Its nickname? The spider plant! It’s true that with its long, thin, flexible, drooping leaves, it looks like a graceful spider. This hardy plant is very easy to care for. Ideal for beginner gardeners! Just find it a small spot in the shade or partial shade, away from direct light.
16. Moonflower
Here’s a flowering plant that loves shade. With its elegant white flowers, it looks like a calla lily! This exotic, easy-care plant thrives indoors. It should be placed out of direct sunlight to allow its dense foliage and flowers to develop. Be careful, these flowering plants don’t tolerate direct sunlight, but they still need a bright space to thrive.