You already know all the good reasons for growing indoor plants, but choosing the best plant is challenging if your office or living space lacks a sunny window. The good news is that not all plants are afraid of the dark and many do just fine in low-light environments.
Look at it this way: if the room is light enough to read a newspaper in the middle of the day, you have enough light to grow several types of beautiful, healthy houseplants.
Below are some good choices:
Snake plant (Sanseviera)
Thrives in very low light, and some fans claim it will grow in a closet. This tall, narrow plant is slim enough to fit into small spaces, and newer varieties are available in a surprising array of colors. Look for varieties with leaves of emerald green, gray and white, or even green with subtle pink edges.
English ivy (Hedera helix)
A cinch to grow, and this graceful, trailing plant brightens up a dark room in nothing flat. If the vine gets too long, simply rein it in with a pair of scissors.
Arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum)
Starts out as a compact plant and eventually develops vines that wrap around a totem or other support. Arrowhead vine thrives in a range of low to mid-light conditions.
Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Isn’t really a palm; it’s a unique plant with lush, arching leaves and a fat base that gives the plant its nickname: elephant foot palm. This tough plant grows nearly anywhere. It needs water infrequently because it stores moisture in its plump “feet.”
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
A lovely choice for mid to low light. Although it isn’t a true lily, it displays glossy leaves and sends up elegant, lily-like spathes. Water whenever the deep green foliage wilts, as peace lily appreciates water more than most shade plants.
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema)
Appreciated for its big, patterned leaves and its ability to survive in very dark rooms. This slow-growing plant tolerates dry soil but not cold temps.
Monstera, also known as Swiss cheese plant
A bright green plant with thick stems and large, deeply cut leaves. Monstera tolerates most light levels, but not bright, direct sunlight.
Cast iron plant (Aspidistra Elatior)
So tough that it thrives on neglect and can temporarily withstand a variety of rugged conditions, including heat, cold and drought.
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
is a familiar indoor plant appropriately named for the baby plants that grow on runners. Also known as airplane plant, spider plant is fun to propagate and very happy in relatively low light.
Parlor palm or table palm (Neanthe bella)
A classy looking plant with delicate-looking fronds. It won’t tolerate extreme dark, but does just fine in dim light.
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Doesn’t appreciate being fussed over. This slow-growing plant, appreciated for its attractive, oval leaves, doesn’t need a lot of sunlight; however, a darker room means slower growth.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
An elegant, trailing plant available in various colors, including variegated green, white and silver. Pothos, which is often confused for philodendron, tolerates nearly any level of light except for bright, direct sunlight.
