Ever stared at that dark corner of your apartment and wished you could add some greenery? You’re not alone.
In this article, I’ll share 31 indoor plants that don’t need direct sunlight to survive and even thrive. These plants are perfect for apartments with limited windows, offices without natural light, or those north-facing rooms that never see the sun.
I’ve tested each plant in my own light-challenged home for at least six months before adding it to this list. No more buying plants only to watch them slowly die!
Whether you’re a beginner or someone who’s killed every plant you’ve touched, these options will work for you. Each plant comes with simple care instructions and photos showing how they look in real homes, not just in perfect greenhouse conditions.
Let’s turn those dark spaces into green havens!
Understanding Low-Light Conditions
What does “no sunlight” actually mean? It’s not about living in a cave!
When I say “no sunlight,” I’m talking about spots that never get direct sun rays hitting your plants. These areas still get some light, just not the bright, direct kind that many plants need.
Your plant might be getting:
- Indirect light: Brightness without direct sun beams
- Filtered light: Sun that passes through curtains or blinds
- Ambient light: The general brightness in a room from distant windows
- Artificial light: Lamps, overhead lights, or grow lights
I’ve found the perfect spots for low-light plants in my own home.
Look for:
- Corners away from windows
- North-facing windowsills
- Hallways with no windows
- Bathrooms with small or frosted windows
- Office desks far from natural light
Can’t find even decent indirect light? Don’t worry!
You can use grow lights or even regular fluorescent bulbs to help your plants. I keep a small desk lamp with a grow bulb near my darkest corner plants. They’ve never been happier.
Remember: Even “no sunlight” plants need some light to live. The plants on this list just need much less than others.
Benefits of Low-Light Indoor Plants
Your dark corners deserve some life too. Plants that thrive in low light bring more to your home than just greenery.
I’ve noticed my own mood improves when I’m surrounded by plants. Science backs this up! Studies show indoor plants can lower stress and boost your focus when working from home.
Many low-light plants are natural air purifiers. They quietly work to:
- Remove toxins from the air
- Add moisture to dry rooms
- Reduce dust levels
- Improve overall air quality
My snake plant beside my bed helps me sleep better by releasing oxygen at night.
Decorating with plants changes everything. Low-light varieties add texture and depth to boring spaces without needing to rearrange furniture or paint walls.
These plants fit your busy life too. Most need watering just once every 1-2 weeks. No daily care required! I often forget about my ZZ plant for weeks, and it forgives me every time.
The best part? When friends visit, they’ll wonder how you keep plants alive in those dark spots. Your place will feel more welcoming and put-together without much effort on your part.
Indoor Plants That Survive Without Sunlight
1. Popular Favorites
Snake Plant (Sansevieria): Almost impossible to kill! I’ve kept mine in a dark bathroom for years with minimal care. Their tall, striped leaves stand upright, adding height to any space.
ZZ Plant: The toughest plant I own. Its shiny, dark green leaves look plastic (but they’re real!). Can survive months of neglect and still look perfect.
Pothos: My go-to for hanging plants in dark corners. The vines grow long and can be trained up walls or around furniture. Comes in green, golden, or marble patterns.
Peace Lily: One of the few plants that will flower in low light. The white blooms appear several times a year if you’re lucky. Let the soil dry between waterings.
Cast Iron Plant: Lives up to its name – tough as iron! Wide, leathery leaves stay green even in the darkest spots. Grows slowly, so it won’t outgrow its space.
2. Lush & Leafy
Philodendron: Adaptable and forgiving. The heart-shaped leaves create a full, lush look. I’ve had mine for 5 years in a spot that gets zero direct light.
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia): Warning,keep away from pets! Creates a tropical feel with its speckled, broad leaves. Can grow quite tall even in poor light.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema): My favorite for colorful options that don’t need sun. Comes in silver, pink, and red varieties that brighten dark corners.
Calathea: Shows off intricate leaf patterns. Moves its leaves up at night and down during day – fascinating to watch! Likes humidity.
Spider Plant: Grows babies you can snip off and give to friends. Looks great in hanging baskets. The variegated types stay colorful even in low light.
3. Compact and Cute
Peperomia: Perfect for small spaces! These compact plants come in many varieties with thick, waxy leaves. I keep mine on a bookshelf far from windows.
Nerve Plant (Fittonia): Shows off amazing vein patterns in white, pink, or red. Stays small and works well in terrariums. Likes moisture but not soggy soil.
Prayer Plant: Folds its leaves at night like hands in prayer. The red-veined leaves add color to dark spots. One of the more interactive plants to watch.
English Ivy: Classic trailing plant that grows well in low light. I’ve used it to create living wall art in my hallway that barely gets any light.
Ferns (Boston, Maidenhair): Feathery and delicate-looking but surprisingly tough. Boston ferns are easier; Maidenhair needs more humidity. Both create a woodland feel.
4. Tropical Vibes
Parlor Palm: Brings jungle vibes to dark corners. Grows slowly and stays compact for years. One of the few palms that truly tolerates low light.
Areca Palm: More feathery than the Parlor Palm. Creates a light, airy look. Needs a bit more care but worth it for the tropical feel.
Bamboo Palm: Don’t confuse with Lucky Bamboo! Has multiple stems and soft, fine leaves. Grows taller than other low-light palms – up to 4-5 feet.
Dracaena: Comes in many varieties. The corn plant type has long, striped leaves while others have more compact growth. All tolerate dark spots well.
Anthurium: Known for bright red, heart-shaped flowers that last for months. Surprisingly happy in low light though flowers may be less frequent.
5. Blooms in the Dark
Orchid: Yes, really! Phalaenopsis orchids can bloom in low light. I keep mine on my desk where it gets only office lighting and it reblooms yearly.
Bromeliad: Colorful, exotic-looking flowers last for months. The plant will eventually die after flowering but produces baby plants first.
Lipstick Plant: Trailing plant with bright red flowers that look like tubes of lipstick. Flowers even in minimal light conditions.
Flamingo Flower: Similar to Anthurium with glossy leaves and colorful blooms. Flowers in various shades from white to deep red. Likes consistent moisture.
African Violet: Classic flowering houseplant with fuzzy leaves. Blooms repeatedly in purple, pink, or white even under fluorescent lights.
6. Unique Texture & Style
Monstera: The “Swiss cheese plant” with iconic hole-filled leaves. Slower growing in low light but still develops its distinctive leaf pattern.
Rubber Plant: Bold, large leaves in deep green or burgundy. Creates an instant statement in dark corners. Wipe leaves occasionally to keep them shiny.
Arrowhead Plant: Changes shape as it grows! Young leaves are arrow-shaped; older ones become more divided. Can climb or trail as it matures.
Staghorn Fern: Unusual fern that can be mounted on wood like wall art. The antler-shaped fronds create a conversation piece. Mist occasionally.
Heartleaf Philodendron: Classic trailing plant with, you guessed it, heart-shaped leaves. One of the most adaptable plants I own. Can grow in water or soil.
Lucky Bamboo: Not actually bamboo! Can grow in just water with pebbles. Arrange stalks for good feng shui. A perfect plant for windowless offices.
Plant Care Tips for Low-Light Environments
Watering less often is key. This might be the biggest mistake I see new plant parents make with low-light plants.
In darker spots, plants grow slower and use less water. Your soil stays wet longer without light and heat to dry it out. I’ve learned this the hard way!
For most low-light plants, I follow this watering schedule:
- Winter: Once every 2-3 weeks
- Summer: Once every 1-2 weeks
- Always: Check soil moisture first by sticking my finger 1-2 inches deep
Root rot happens fast in dark corners. The #1 killer of indoor plants isn’t too little water, it’s too much!
To prevent soggy roots:
- Use pots with drainage holes
- Add pebbles at the bottom of decorative pots
- Mix perlite into regular potting soil for better drainage
- Never let plants sit in standing water
Light tricks I use in my darkest rooms:
- Place mirrors opposite windows to bounce light deeper into rooms
- Paint walls white or light colors to reflect more light
- Clean windows regularly (dirty glass blocks surprising amounts of light)
- Use shiny objects like metal planters to create mini reflectors
I rotate my plants every few weeks. This helps them grow evenly instead of leaning toward what little light they get. Some plants, like Pothos, will show you when they need rotating, their leaves will all point in one direction!
During winter, I move plants a bit closer to windows. In summer, I sometimes move them further away to prevent sunburn from stronger seasonal light.
Trust your plants to tell you what they need. Yellow leaves often mean too much water. Brown leaf tips usually signal too little.
Styling Tips & Decor Ideas
Plants transform boring spaces into something special. I’ve turned the darkest corner of my apartment into my favorite spot using these simple tricks.
1. Using Plant Stands and Shelves
Height creates drama! I use:
- Tall plant stands to lift floor plants off the ground
- Wall-mounted shelves in staggered patterns
- Hanging planters at different levels
- Stacked crates for a casual, industrial look
Try grouping plants in odd numbers (3 or 5) rather than pairs. This looks more natural and creates visual interest.
My favorite hack? Use an old ladder as a plant stand. Each step becomes a display spot for a different plant.
2. Pairing with Minimalist Decor
Less is more when styling with plants in dark spaces.
I keep the background simple with:
- Neutral wall colors
- Clean-lined furniture
- Limited accessories
This lets the plants be the stars of the show. Even in low light, green leaves pop against white or gray walls.
Textures work better than patterns in low-light areas. Try adding:
- Woven baskets
- Natural wood elements
- Soft textiles like linen or wool
3. Choosing Decorative Pots
The right pot can transform a basic plant into a statement piece.
For dark corners, I use:
- Bright ceramic pots in white, yellow, or turquoise
- Metallic finishes that reflect what little light there is
- Clear glass for plants growing in water
Mix and match pot styles rather than using all the same kind. Just keep a common element like color or material to tie them together.
Don’t forget about pot size! The pot should be about 1-2 inches larger than the plant’s root ball. Too big, and you risk root rot in low-light conditions.
My favorite styling trick? Group plants with similar care needs together. This not only looks intentional but makes watering day much easier!
Conclusion
You don’t need a sunny window to enjoy indoor plants. As you’ve seen, plenty of beautiful options thrive in low-light conditions.
Start with just one or two plants from this list. The Snake Plant and Pothos are perfect first choices if you’re nervous about your plant-keeping skills.
Remember the basics: water less in dark spots, use well-draining soil, and rotate occasionally. Your plants will tell you what they need if you pay attention.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Each home has unique light conditions, and plants can surprise you with their adaptability.
The joy of bringing life to those forgotten corners of your home is worth the small effort these plants require.
Now go green up those dark spots and enjoy the cleaner air, better mood, and beautiful spaces these hardy plants create!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can plants really survive with no natural light at all?
Most plants need at least some light to survive, even if it’s minimal. What these plants can do is thrive in very low light conditions like north-facing windows, hallways with distant light sources, or rooms with only artificial lighting. For completely dark rooms, consider rotating plants between brighter areas and dark spots every few weeks.
How often should I fertilize low-light plants?
Less often than plants in bright light! I fertilize my low-light plants at half the recommended strength, only during spring and summer months (March-August). Plants grow more slowly in low light and need fewer nutrients. Over-fertilizing can damage their roots.
Why are the leaves on my low-light plant turning yellow?
Yellow leaves usually indicate overwatering, which is the most common problem with low-light plants. The soil stays wet longer in dim conditions, so cut back on watering. Only water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry to the touch. If only the bottom leaves are yellowing, this could be normal aging.
Can I use regular LED bulbs instead of grow lights?
Yes, but with limitations. Regular LED bulbs provide some usable light for plants, especially if they’re “daylight” rated (5000-6500K). They won’t be as effective as proper grow lights, but they’re better than nothing! Place them 12-24 inches from your plants and leave them on for 12-14 hours daily.
Will these plants ever outgrow their low-light conditions?
Most plants on this list will grow more slowly in low light but remain healthy for years. They may become “leggy” (stretched out) as they reach for light sources. Regular rotation helps prevent this. Some plants, like Pothos and Philodendron, might have smaller leaves in low light but will continue to grow new ones.
