Best Low Light Plants for Your Home

The best low light plants are ZZ plant, snake plant, pothos, cast iron plant, Chinese evergreen, heartleaf philodendron, parlor palm and peace lily. They tolerate dim rooms far better than most houseplants, but none of them can live in no light at all. Think of "low light" as a spot several feet from a window or in a room with a north-facing window, not a windowless bathroom or a dark hallway.

What "low light" really means

Plant tags use "low light" loosely, and it causes a lot of disappointment. In practice, low light means the plant can still see the sky through a window, just not much of it: a room with a north-facing window, a spot several feet back from a brighter window, or a corner that gets indirect light all day but never a sunbeam.

A simple test: during the day, can you comfortably read a book in that spot without turning on a lamp? If yes, a low light plant can likely survive there. If the space needs a lamp on all day, the plant will slowly starve.

Also, "tolerates low light" is not the same as "prefers low light." Every plant on this list grows faster and looks better with more light. In a dim spot they hold steady and grow slowly, which is often what people want from a shelf plant.

If you have a room with no window at all, use a grow light. A basic LED grow light on a timer for 10 to 12 hours a day can keep any of these plants going.

Low light care: the key adjustment

The biggest mistake with low light plants is watering them like plants in a bright window. Less light means slower growth, and slower growth means the plant uses much less water. The soil stays wet longer, which leads to root rot.

• Water only when the soil has dried to the right depth for that plant, which in low light might be every two to four weeks.
• Use pots with drainage holes and a well-draining mix.
• Fertilize lightly, or not at all, in dim spots and in winter.
• Dust the leaves now and then, since dust blocks what little light they get.
• Rotate the pot every few weeks so it doesn't lean toward the window.

When in doubt, wait a few more days. A slightly thirsty low light plant recovers quickly; a waterlogged one often doesn't.

The best low light houseplants

ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Glossy, upright stems grow from thick underground rhizomes that store water, so the ZZ is one of the most drought-tolerant houseplants. In low light, water only when the soil is fully dry. Overwatering is the main way people kill it. Pet safety: listed by the ASPCA among plants containing insoluble calcium oxalates, so it's not pet-safe.

Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria)

Stiff, upright leaves, extreme drought tolerance, and a reputation for being nearly impossible to kill, as long as you don't overwater. Let the soil dry out fully between waterings. Our guide on how often to water a snake plant covers timing by season and light. Pet safety: toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA, usually causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

The classic trailing plant. Pothos handles lower light well, though growth gets leggy and variegated types turn greener. Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Pet safety: toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA.

Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Named for how tough it is. Dark green, upright leaves handle deep shade, temperature swings and occasional neglect. It's a slow grower, so buy one at the size you want. Let the top couple of inches of soil dry between waterings. Pet safety: listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats by the ASPCA, which makes it one of the best low light choices for pet owners.

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema)

Patterned leaves in green, silver, pink or red. The darker green varieties are the most tolerant of low light; the brightly colored ones prefer more. Keep it away from cold drafts. Water when the top inch or two dries out. Pet safety: toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA.

Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

Very similar to pothos in care, with softer, thinner heart-shaped leaves. It trails or climbs and tolerates medium to low light. Pet safety: toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA.

Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

A small, graceful palm that has been a low light houseplant for generations. It likes evenly moist but not soggy soil and appreciates some humidity. Pet safety: listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats by the ASPCA.

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)

Dark green leaves and white flowers. It tolerates low light, though it blooms much more in medium to bright indirect light. It droops dramatically when thirsty, which makes watering easy to time. Pet safety: toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA, as an oxalate irritant. It is not a true lily, so it doesn't carry the kidney risk true lilies pose to cats.

Low light plants that are safe for pets

If you have cats or dogs, the low light options narrow, but you still have good choices. The cast iron plant and parlor palm are the standouts. Calatheas and prayer plants are also listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA and handle medium to lower light, though they're fussier about humidity and water quality. See our full list of plants safe for cats and dogs for more.

Not sure how much light you have?

Light changes with the season, the direction a window faces, and things like trees or buildings outside. If you're trying to match a plant to a dim room, Planted can identify a plant from a photo, help diagnose what's wrong if it's struggling, and set up a care schedule that fits your home.

Common questions

Can any plant live with no natural light?

Not without help. All plants need light to photosynthesize. In a windowless room, a grow light on a timer can keep low light plants healthy. Without one, even a ZZ or snake plant will slowly decline.

What's the hardest low light plant to kill?

ZZ plant, snake plant and cast iron plant are the most forgiving. ZZ and snake plants store water and handle long stretches without it. The most common way to kill all three is overwatering, so err on the dry side in low light.

How often should I water plants in low light?

Less often than you'd expect, often every two to four weeks depending on the plant, pot and season. Check the soil instead of following a schedule, and only water when it has dried to the right depth for that plant.

Are low light plants good for bathrooms?

They can be, if the bathroom has a window. Humidity-loving plants like parlor palms and pothos enjoy the moisture. A bathroom with no window needs a grow light, or the plant should rotate out to a brighter spot regularly.