42 Best Low Light Indoor Plants: A Comprehensive Guide

Low-light indoor plants are perfect for brightening up dim corners of your home or office. These resilient plants thrive in areas with minimal natural light, making them ideal for spaces with few windows or north-facing rooms.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 42 of the best low-light indoor plants, detailing their foliage patterns, light requirements, watering needs, size, growth rate, and maintenance difficulty.

✅ Remember that while these plants can tolerate low light conditions, most will thrive and show their best colors and patterns when given slightly brighter, indirect light.

👉 Read our guide on The Ultimate Indoor Plant Lighting Guide

1. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The ZZ Plant boasts glossy, dark green leaves arranged in a feather-like pattern along thick stems. Its foliage is waxy and smooth, giving it a polished appearance.

Light: Tolerates low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings
Size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Easy

2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Snake Plants feature tall, upright leaves with striking patterns of green and yellow. The leaves are stiff and sword-like, growing in a rosette pattern.

Light: Tolerates low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow soil to dry completely between waterings
Size: 6 inches to 8 feet tall, depending on variety
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Very easy

3. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Chinese Evergreens have large, oval leaves with beautiful patterns of green, silver, and sometimes pink or red. The foliage is dense and bushy, creating a lush appearance.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep soil lightly moist
Size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Maintenance: Easy

4. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos plants have heart-shaped leaves that can be solid green or variegated with white, yellow, or cream. The vines can grow long and trailing or be trained to climb.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Size: Vines can grow up to 30 feet long
Growth Rate: Fast
Maintenance: Easy

5. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

The Cast Iron Plant has long, broad leaves that grow upright from the base. The dark green foliage is leathery and glossy, giving it a hardy appearance.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings
Size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Very slow
Maintenance: Very easy

6. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace Lilies have large, glossy, oval leaves that are deep green in color. They produce white, hood-like flowers that rise above the foliage.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 1-4 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Easy

7. Philodendron (various species)

Philodendrons come in various forms, from vining to upright. Their leaves are typically heart-shaped or lobed, with some varieties featuring interesting patterns or colors.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Size: Varies by species, from small vines to large shrubs
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Maintenance: Easy

8. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

Lucky Bamboo has slender, upright stems with narrow, grass-like leaves growing from the top. It’s often arranged in decorative patterns or shapes.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep roots submerged in water or moist soil
Size: 1-3 feet tall
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Easy

9. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider Plants have long, narrow, arching leaves that are often variegated with white stripes. They produce small plantlets on long stems, giving them a spider-like appearance.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings
Size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Fast
Maintenance: Easy

10. Dracaena (various species)

Dracaenas have long, strap-like leaves that grow in rosettes atop slender stems. Leaf colors and patterns vary by species, often featuring stripes or edges in different colors.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Size: Varies by species, from 2-10 feet tall
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Maintenance: Easy

11. Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachias have large, broad leaves with striking patterns of green and white or cream. The foliage is dense and bushy, creating a tropical appearance.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 3-6 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Moderate

12. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Parlor Palms have delicate, feather-like fronds that grow in clusters from slender stems. The foliage is light green and creates a soft, tropical appearance.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Size: 2-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Easy

13. Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)

Corn Plants have long, broad leaves that resemble corn stalks, growing in rosettes atop thick stems. The leaves are often variegated with yellow or white stripes.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Size: 4-6 feet tall indoors
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Easy

14. Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)

Arrowhead Plants have arrow-shaped leaves that start compact and become more lobed as they mature. Leaf colors can range from solid green to variegated patterns.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Maintenance: Easy

15. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

Prayer Plants have oval leaves with intricate patterns of green, red, and cream. The leaves fold up at night, resembling praying hands.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 6-12 inches tall and 6-12 inches wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Moderate

16. Calathea

Calatheas have large, patterned leaves with intricate designs in various shades of green, pink, and purple. The leaves move throughout the day in response to light.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Moderate to difficult

17. Peperomia

Peperomias come in various forms, with leaves ranging from small and heart-shaped to larger and rippled. Foliage can be solid green or variegated.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings
Size: 6-12 inches tall and wide
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Easy

18. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English Ivy has lobed, dark green leaves that grow on trailing vines. The foliage can be variegated with white or yellow in some varieties.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings
Size: Vines can grow up to 50 feet long
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Maintenance: Easy

19. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)

Maidenhair Ferns have delicate, fan-shaped fronds with small, bright green leaflets. The foliage is soft and lacy, creating a delicate appearance.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Moderate to difficult

20. Nerve Plant (Fittonia)

Nerve Plants have small, oval leaves with striking vein patterns in white, pink, or red against a dark green background. The foliage is low-growing and compact.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 3-6 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Moderate

21. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)

Bird’s Nest Ferns have large, wavy fronds that grow in a rosette pattern. The leaves are bright green and have a smooth, glossy texture.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Easy

22. Monstera deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa has large, glossy leaves with distinctive splits and holes. As the plant matures, the leaves become more dramatically perforated.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Size: 10-15 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide indoors
Growth Rate: Fast
Maintenance: Easy

23. Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa)

Wax Plants have thick, waxy leaves that are typically oval-shaped and dark green. Some varieties feature variegated foliage with white or pink markings.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings
Size: Vines can grow up to 20 feet long
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Easy

24. Anthurium

Anthuriums have large, heart-shaped leaves that are glossy and dark green. They produce colorful, waxy flowers that can last for weeks.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Maintenance: Moderate

25. Spiderwort (Tradescantia zebrina)

Spiderworts have elongated, striped leaves in shades of purple, green, and silver. The foliage grows on trailing stems, creating a cascading effect.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 6-9 inches tall and 1-2 feet wide
Growth Rate: Fast
Maintenance: Easy

26. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

Ponytail Palms have a bulbous base with long, thin leaves that cascade down like a ponytail. The foliage is green and grass-like.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow soil to dry completely between waterings
Size: 3-8 feet tall indoors
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Easy

27. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium)

Staghorn Ferns have unique, antler-shaped fronds that grow from a central base. The fronds are green and have a fuzzy texture.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Mist frequently and soak occasionally
Size: Fronds can grow up to 3 feet long
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Moderate

28. Yucca Cane (Yucca elephantipes)

Yucca Canes have long, sword-like leaves that grow in a rosette pattern atop thick stems. The foliage is typically green or variegated with yellow.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings
Size: 5-7 feet tall indoors
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Easy

29. Wax Begonia (Begonia semperflorens)

Wax Begonias have small, rounded leaves that can be green, bronze, or variegated. They produce small flowers in shades of pink, red, or white.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 6-12 inches tall and wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Easy

30. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

Polka Dot Plants have small, oval leaves covered in colorful spots. The foliage can be pink, red, or white with green edges.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Fast
Maintenance: Easy

31. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)

Dragon Trees have long, narrow leaves that grow in clusters atop slender stems. The foliage is typically green with red edges.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Size: 6-15 feet tall indoors
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Easy

32. Dwarf Umbrella Tree (Schefflera arboricola)

Dwarf Umbrella Trees have glossy, oval leaflets arranged in a circular pattern resembling an umbrella. The foliage can be solid green or variegated.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Size: 4-8 feet tall indoors
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Easy

33. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

Money Trees have palmate leaves with 5-7 leaflets arranged in a circular pattern. The foliage is bright green and glossy.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Size: 6-8 feet tall indoors
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Easy

34. Guzmania (Bromeliad Guzmania)

Guzmanias have long, strap-like leaves that form a rosette. They produce colorful, long-lasting flower bracts in shades of red, orange, or yellow.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep water in the central cup of the plant
Size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Easy

35. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae, Strelitzia nicolai)

Bird of Paradise plants have large, banana-like leaves that grow in a fan shape. The foliage is deep green and glossy.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Size: 5-6 feet tall indoors
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Moderate

36. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Rubber Plants have large, oval leaves that are thick and glossy. The foliage can be dark green, burgundy, or variegated.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Size: 6-10 feet tall indoors
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Easy

37. Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

Weeping Figs have small, oval leaves that grow on gracefully arching branches. The foliage can be solid green or variegated.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Size: 6-10 feet tall indoors
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Moderate

38. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Boston Ferns have long, arching fronds with small, feather-like leaflets. The foliage is bright green and creates a lush, cascading effect.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Moderate

39. Rex Begonia

Rex Begonias have large, colorful leaves with intricate patterns and textures. The foliage can feature shades of green, pink, red, silver, and purple in various combinations.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Keep soil lightly moist
Size: 12-18 inches tall and wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Moderate

40. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has thick, fleshy leaves that grow in a rosette pattern. The leaves are typically gray-green with white speckles and serrated edges.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow soil to dry completely between waterings
Size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Easy

41. Haworthia

Haworthias are small succulents with rosettes of fleshy leaves. The leaves often have interesting patterns, stripes, or translucent “windows” at the tips.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow soil to dry completely between waterings
Size: 3-5 inches tall and wide
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Easy

42. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)

Staghorn Ferns have two types of fronds: shield fronds that are flat and round, and antler fronds that are long and forked. The fronds are green and have a unique, textured appearance.

Light: Low to moderate indirect light
Water: Mist frequently and soak occasionally
Size: Fronds can grow up to 3 feet long
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Moderate

This comprehensive list of 42 low-light indoor plants offers a wide variety of options for those looking to green up their homes or offices with minimal natural light.

From the easy-care ZZ Plant to the more challenging Calathea, there’s a plant for every skill level and preference.

Always research the specific care requirements for each plant to ensure its long-term health and beauty in your space.