Maybe your living room doesn't have the amount of natural light that you want. Or maybe you need something green for your office. But the closest thing to the sun is a flickering fluorescent light. But that doesn't mean you can't plant lots of cute houseplants. There are lots of great options for amazingly realistic fake plants as well as beautiful real indoor plants that don't require sunlight (all real plants need at least a little sunlight, but these are the ones that most (can survive on less sunlight). To find the best low-light houseplants for these tricky spaces in your home, we spoke to plant expert Phoebe Poole of Weatherlow Florals. She shares her selection of houseplants that are perfect for dark rooms.
snake factory
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Snake plants, which are incredibly tolerant of being ignored, are well tucked into awkward corners far from windows. Cool, modern, pointed leaves with variegated hues look beautiful in small pots or large planters. “Water when the top layer of soil is completely dry, which usually takes about two to three weeks,” explains Poole.
spider plant
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You've probably seen the green or green-and-white variegated leaves of this low-light hanging plant in many office environments. “Spider plants grow like weeds if you keep them from rotting,” she says. To avoid this, place a saucer under a well-drained pot.
It is also a good idea to remove dead parts and leaves from the pot. “It's better to cut off dying leaves and vines, because then the plant will put more energy into new growth instead of trying to keep the leaves alive.”
pothos
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If you try to take care of your pothos (or any of the several pothos varieties) and do too much, you can actually kill it. “They're going to starve a little bit, so let them dry out completely between waterings. One of the reasons they do so well in an office environment is when humans forget about watering!” says Poole . To check, stick your finger in the soil to see if it's dry, or lift the pot and check its weight. Plants that require water will feel very light.
If you need to trim your pothos, you can create a new, smaller plant by placing the cutting in a cup of water on a windowsill until new roots grow.
ginkgo fern
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Ferns are beautiful but complex plants to care for and are always a bit of a hassle. “The tricky thing here is that you don't overwater or underwater. These plants don't really want moisture, they want moisture,” says Poole. says. “Put it in a clay pot (so it has good ventilation) and don't water it from above. Instead, place pebbles in a saucer under the pot. Place the stones so that the water hits the saucer directly.” Create your own humidity dome around the plant at the bottom. ” It is also safe to keep ferns in humid rooms, such as bathrooms.
ivy
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Popular for outdoor gardens and building sides, ivy makes a great indoor plant in low-light conditions. There are many types of ivy. Some are pure green, while others are variegated with white and green. It grows leaves in a cascading wave pattern and is very resistant to neglect, so you only need to water it once it is completely dry. You never want it to get waterlogged.
“No need to trim, but if you want something bushier, you can cut it back.'' This is also a plant that can easily be taken from cuttings to grow new plants. in water, and roots will form,” says Poole.
bird of paradise
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Can I introduce you to a future replacement for your fiddle leaf fig? Low-maintenance than the aforementioned green spaces, Bird of Paradise has a tropical look but doesn't require much care. The soil should be moist, but never soggy. So make sure there is proper drainage. Water when the surface soil becomes dry.
This low-light indoor plant takes more than five years to bloom, but in the meantime, its oversized leaves will add a tropical touch to your space.
cast iron factory
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If you're looking for an indoor plant that doesn't require a lot of sun (or a lot of TLC), this aptly named plant can tolerate most black thumbs. (Actually, you should keep it out of direct sunlight.) It can tolerate some neglect, but you just need to keep the plant's soil moist to keep it growing.
prayer plant
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Prayer plants are tropical plants that require moisture and warmth, but low light to thrive (making them great plants to live in your bathroom). This plant must be watered weekly to keep it healthy.
parlor palm
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If you want a palm tree in a place that doesn't get much sunlight, you're in luck. This sweet palm tree grows well in low-light conditions and is known for its ability to purify the air (in addition to looking pretty).
lucky bamboo
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This easy-to-grow plant is thought to bring good luck to your home as it grows well in low light conditions. Lucky bamboo can be grown in soil or directly in water, but if grown in soil, it must be watered regularly.
Note: If you are a pet parent, please make sure the Lucky Bamboo is out of reach of cats and dogs.
ZZ plant
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ZZ plants don't need much sunlight. There is no problem in placing it in a room without natural light. If you're the type to ignore plants, ZZ plants can live (and thrive) without water.
monstera
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It's no wonder that one of the most trending plants these days is one that is relatively easy to care for. In the wild, they are used to receiving minimal light as they grow in the shade of large tropical plants. They also like warm, humid environments, which makes them great in bathrooms and other cozy areas of the house.
peace lily
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This popular perennial houseplant thrives in low light and neglect. You only need to water it every few weeks, so it's basically foolproof.
Caution: Toxic to dogs and cats, keep out of reach of pets.
dragon tree
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This spiky tree can handle dark conditions and minimal watering, making it essentially tolerant of black thumb.
wax plant
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Also known as Hoya, this wax plant is regularly touted as a great low-maintenance plant. You can go weeks without watering during the holidays (or just forget!). Thick, waxy leaves can retain water even during dry periods.
watermelon peperomia
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This cute little plant grows just fine in low light (or even artificial light) and remains petite even when you're short on space.
Stag fern
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Staghorn ferns don't require much light or even soil to grow. If you don't have enough shelf space for all your plants, you can mount them on the wall.
ponytail palm
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A fun and funky addition to your plant collection, the ponytail palm proves that even palm trees can grow in the dark.
Money tree
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Money trees are believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the place where you place them. Since it's a tropical plant, it needs to be kept moist (but don't leave it submerged in too much water). It can grow up to 8 feet tall.
heart leaf philodendron
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Philodendrons are very popular and you don't have to miss this trend if you work with low light. Heartleaf Philodendron is one of the varieties that can grow in low light conditions.