10 best plants for low-light spaces

 

Got a corner in your home or office that barely sees any sunlight? Don’t worry — you’re not alone, and it’s definitely not a dealbreaker. I’ve been into low-light plants for a while now, and honestly, they’re total lifesavers.

Whether your apartment is shaded by nearby buildings or your workspace mostly glows from artificial lighting, these tough little plants don’t just survive — they actually thrive in the shadows. Plus, they help freshen up the air, boost your mood, and add a little slice of nature to even the gloomiest spots.

Curious about which plants are perfect for low-light zones, easy to care for, and just downright awesome? Let’s dive in and I’ll share some of the best ones!

Air-Purifying Low-Light Plants

• Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to enjoy snake plant benefits in low-light spaces. This hardy plant tolerates dim areas but prefers indirect sunlight to truly thrive. When it comes to snake plant care, it’s pretty simple—just let the soil dry out completely between waterings. While the snake plant flower isn’t very showy, this plant is best known for its ability to improve air quality, especially since it releases oxygen at night, making it perfect for bedrooms.
  
  
  

Light: Tolerates low light but thrives in indirect sunlight.

Water: Allow soil to dry completely between waterings.

Care Tip: Known as the “bedroom plant” because it releases oxygen at night, making it perfect for improving air quality while you sleep.

• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) is a popular choice thanks to its elegant peace lily flower and easy-going nature. When it comes to peace lily care, these plants prefer low to medium indirect light and like their soil to stay moist without becoming soggy. If you notice peace lily yellow leaves, it might be a sign of overwatering or too much direct sun, so adjusting care can help keep your peace lily plant healthy. Overall, peace lily plant care is simple, and these beauties also help purify the air while brightening up any room.
  
  
  

Light: Prefers low to medium indirect light.

Water: Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Fun Fact: Peace lilies are known for their striking white blooms and ability to remove toxins like formaldehyde and benzene.

• Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is a stylish addition to any indoor space, thriving in low to medium light while keeping care simple. If you’re wondering about bamboo palm vs areca palm, the bamboo palm is known for being a bit more compact but equally effective at improving air quality. This plant prefers soil that stays slightly moist—just avoid waterlogging to keep it happy. Thinking about placing it outside? While the bamboo palm outdoors can do well in mild climates, it’s mostly loved as a houseplant. You can find bamboo palm for sale at many garden centers, including places like Bunnings. Also, its bamboo palm height usually stays manageable, making it perfect for apartments or offices.
  
  
  

Light: Thrives in low to medium light.

Water: Keep the soil slightly moist but avoid waterlogging.

Interesting Fact: This elegant palm is a natural humidifier, making it great for dry environments.

• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is one of the most popular houseplants thanks to its adaptability and ease of care. When it comes to pothos plant care, this plant thrives in a variety of lighting conditions, including low light, making it perfect for almost any spot in your home. If you notice pothos yellow leaves, it’s usually a sign of overwatering or too much direct sun, so adjusting your care routine helps keep it healthy. One of the best things about pothos is how easy pothos propagation is — simply take cuttings, and you can quickly grow new plants. Plus, there are many pothos types to choose from, each with its own unique leaf patterns and colors.
  
  
  

Light: Thrives in a variety of lighting conditions, including low light.

Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Care Tip: Easy to propagate from cuttings, making it an affordable option to expand your indoor garden.

• Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a classic favorite for adding lush greenery indoors. When it comes to Boston fern care, these ferns prefer low to medium indirect light and soil that stays consistently moist—don’t forget to mist regularly to keep them happy. Wondering about Boston fern sun or shade? They do best in shady spots away from direct sunlight. If you’re searching for Boston fern near me or thinking about buying one, many places like Bunnings usually have them in stock. Boston ferns are also great at cleaning indoor air, making them a beautiful and functional addition to your home.
  
  
  

Light: Low to medium indirect light.

Water: Keep the soil consistently moist, and mist regularly.

Fun Fact: Ferns are among the best plants for removing airborne pollutants.

Low-Maintenance Plants for Beginners

• ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is the ultimate low-maintenance houseplant — seriously, if you forget to water it, it probably won’t even notice. When it comes to ZZ plant care, less is more. It thrives in low light and only needs occasional watering, thanks to its drought-tolerant nature. If you’re seeing ZZ plant yellow leaves, it’s often due to overwatering or poor drainage, so choosing the right ZZ plant soil (well-draining and light) is key. Although the ZZ plant flower is rare indoors, the glossy leaves more than make up for it. ZZ plant benefits go beyond looks too — it’s great for improving indoor air quality. And if you want more of them, ZZ plant propagation from leaf or stem cuttings is surprisingly easy. Whether you’re new to plants or just want something you can’t kill, the ZZ plant has your back!
  
  
  

Light: Adapts well to low light.

Water: Water sparingly; it’s drought-tolerant.

Fun Fact: The ZZ plant is virtually indestructible, ideal for those with a “black thumb.”

• Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) lives up to its name — it’s one of the toughest indoor plants out there. If you’ve got a neglected corner or a space that barely sees the sun, this plant is a lifesaver. Cast iron plant care is minimal: it can survive in low light and likes its soil to dry out between waterings. Whether you’re looking for a cast iron plant for sale, searching “cast iron plant near me,” or spotting one at Bunnings, it’s a great pick for beginners. Although the cast iron plant flower is rare indoors, the dark green, elegant leaves make a bold statement. It also works well outdoors in shaded gardens, and yes — it’s safe for cats, making it a pet-friendly option. Pair it with stylish cast iron planters or a cast iron plant stand to elevate its look even more.
  
  
  

Light: Can survive in dim corners with very little light.

Water: Allow soil to dry out between waterings.

Care Tip: Named for its hardiness, this plant is perfect for neglected spots in your home.

• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a cheerful, easy-going houseplant that works well just about anywhere. It handles everything from low to bright indirect light, making it super flexible. When it comes to spider plant care, just water it when the top inch of soil feels dry — that’s it! One of the biggest spider plant benefits is its ability to clean the air and produce adorable spider plant babies, also known as “pups,” which you can easily propagate into new plants. If you’re searching for a spider plant near me, chances are you’ll find one at most plant shops. It’s also great for pet owners — spider plant cats searches are common because they’re generally considered non-toxic (though curious cats might still chew the leaves!). This low-maintenance beauty is a perfect choice for both beginners and seasoned plant lovers.
  
  
  

Light: Tolerates low to bright indirect light.

Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.

Fun Fact: Produces baby spider plants, or “pups,” that can be easily propagated

• Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is a low-maintenance trailing plant that thrives in low to medium light. Heartleaf philodendron care is easy — just water when the soil feels dry. It’s often compared to pothos (heartleaf philodendron vs pothos), but has softer, heart-shaped leaves. Watch out for yellow leaves, which may signal overwatering. Use well-draining heartleaf philodendron soil for best results. Though beautiful, it’s toxic to cats, so keep it out of reach. Some variegated types are also available, and one of the biggest benefits is how effortlessly it adds greenery to any space.
  
  
  

Light: Performs well in low to medium indirect light.

Water: Water when the soil feels dry to the touch.

Interesting Fact: Its trailing vines make it an excellent choice for hanging baskets.

• Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) is a beautiful, low-light houseplant known for its striking foliage. Chinese evergreen plant care is simple — water when the topsoil dries out. While the Chinese evergreen flower is rare indoors, its patterned leaves steal the show. This plant is easy to grow and great for beginners. Just a heads-up: it’s toxic to cats, so keep it out of their reach. There are many Chinese evergreen varieties, each with unique colors, and it’s also popular for its air-purifying benefits. Curious about its symbolism? The Chinese evergreen meaning is often tied to good luck and positivity.
  
  
  

Light: Thrives in low light.

Water: Water when the topsoil dries out.

Care Tip: Known for its patterned leaves, it adds visual interest to any room.