Best Low-Light Houseplants for Beginners - Plant Care Guide

Finding the right houseplant for your home can be tricky, especially if your space doesn’t get a lot of natural light. Fortunately, many beautiful plants thrive in low-light environments. If you’re new to gardening, starting with low-light houseplants is a smart move. They’re easy to care for, resilient, and can brighten up even the darkest corners of your home.

Let’s dive into some of the best low-light houseplants for beginners and how you can keep them healthy without too much hassle.

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

The snake plant is one of the most popular houseplants for beginners, and it’s not hard to see why. This plant is nearly indestructible and thrives in low-light environments. Its upright, sword-like leaves can grow in a variety of lighting conditions, making it an excellent choice for dimly lit rooms.

Watering a snake plant is simple. It can go weeks without water, and overwatering is actually more of a threat than neglecting it. Just let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and it will be happy.

Get your own snake plant (available for $10–$30) to enhance your living space.

Care Tips:

• Light: Tolerates low light but grows faster in bright, indirect light.
• Water: Water sparingly, allowing soil to dry completely between waterings.
• Temperature: Prefers temperatures between 60-75°F.

2. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The ZZ plant is another houseplant known for being incredibly easy to care for. Its waxy, glossy leaves reflect light, adding a bright touch to your home even in low-light areas. The ZZ plant can survive with minimal light and doesn’t need frequent watering, making it a perfect choice for beginners.

It’s also an excellent plant for those who travel or tend to forget to water their plants. The ZZ plant stores water in its thick roots, so it can go for weeks without attention.

Order a ZZ plant (available for $15–$35) to add a splash of green to your low-light rooms.

Care Tips:

• Light: Thrives in low to moderate light; avoid direct sunlight.
• Water: Water every 2-3 weeks, letting the soil dry out in between.
• Temperature: Keep it between 65-75°F.

3. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

If you’re looking for a fast-growing, low-maintenance plant, the pothos is a fantastic option. Often called “devil’s ivy,” this plant is known for its ability to thrive in various lighting conditions, from low light to bright indirect light. Its heart-shaped, trailing leaves make it perfect for hanging baskets or placing on shelves where it can cascade down.

A pothos plant will still grow even in low-light areas, though the vibrant variegation on the leaves may fade slightly. It’s a great plant for beginners due to its adaptability and forgiving nature.

Find a pothos plant (available for $12–$25) to bring life to your space.

Care Tips:

• Light: Low to bright indirect light.
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
• Temperature: Does best in temperatures between 60-80°F.

4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

The peace lily is a beautiful flowering plant that is not only easy to grow but also thrives in low-light conditions. Its dark green leaves and stunning white blooms make it a favorite for brightening up shaded areas. The peace lily is also known for its air-purifying qualities, helping to remove toxins from your home.

Unlike many other plants, the peace lily prefers to be watered regularly, though it’s still forgiving if you miss a watering or two. If it gets too dry, the plant will droop, giving you a visual reminder that it needs water.

Add a peace lily (available for $15–$30) to your collection for both beauty and air-purification.

Care Tips:

• Light: Thrives in low to medium indirect light.
• Water: Water weekly and keep soil moist.
• Temperature: Best kept at 65-80°F.

5. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

As its name suggests, the cast iron plant is incredibly tough and can survive in conditions that many other plants can’t tolerate. It’s perfect for beginners who want a hardy plant that requires minimal care. This plant tolerates low light, low humidity, and irregular watering, making it ideal for those with busy schedules.

The cast iron plant has dark green, long leaves that add a touch of elegance to any room. It’s also a slow grower, so you won’t need to worry about repotting it too often.

Choose a cast iron plant (available for $20–$40) for a durable and low-maintenance addition to your home.

Care Tips:

• Light: Grows well in low to moderate indirect light.
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
• Temperature: Ideal temperatures are between 60-75°F.

6. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

The spider plant is a classic favorite for beginners due to its ability to adapt to various environments, including low-light conditions. It has long, arching leaves that are usually green with white stripes, giving it a striking appearance. The spider plant also produces little “pups” or plantlets, which can be easily propagated into new plants.

In addition to being low-maintenance, the spider plant is also known for its air-purifying abilities, making it a great choice for bedrooms or offices.

Get a spider plant (available for $10–$25) to improve air quality in your home.

Care Tips:

• Light: Tolerates low to bright indirect light.
• Water: Water when the top half of the soil is dry.
• Temperature: Best at temperatures between 55-80°F.

7. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

The Chinese evergreen is one of the best low-light houseplants for beginners, thanks to its tolerance for neglect and ability to thrive in low-light spaces. It has striking leaves with patterns of green, silver, or red, depending on the variety. This plant is slow-growing, so you won’t need to worry about repotting it frequently.

A Chinese evergreen prefers slightly moist soil but can handle occasional drought. It’s also known for improving indoor air quality by filtering toxins from the air.

Order a Chinese evergreen (available for $15–$35) for a low-maintenance and decorative plant.

Care Tips:

• Light: Thrives in low to medium indirect light.
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
• Temperature: Prefers temperatures between 65-80°F.

8. Dracaena

Dracaena is another easy-to-care-for houseplant that does well in low-light conditions. With its long, arching leaves and often colorful foliage, it adds an exotic touch to any indoor space. This plant is also forgiving of irregular watering and doesn’t mind being in darker corners of your home.

One of the best things about dracaena is its air-purifying properties, helping to remove harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene from the air.

Choose a dracaena (available for $15–$40) to enhance the look and air quality of your home.

Care Tips:

• Light: Grows well in low to moderate indirect light.
• Water: Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out before watering.
• Temperature: Prefers temperatures between 65-80°F.

9. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

If you’re looking for a plant that brings a tropical vibe to your space but doesn’t require bright light, the parlor palm is a great option. It’s one of the few palm plants that can thrive in low-light environments. The parlor palm has delicate, feathery fronds that give it an elegant look, making it perfect for living rooms or offices.

In addition to being a low-maintenance plant, the parlor palm can help purify the air, making it a beautiful and functional choice for your home.

Find a parlor palm (available for $12–$35) to bring a touch of the tropics to your space.

Care Tips:

• Light: Tolerates low light; avoid direct sunlight.
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
• Temperature: Ideal temperatures are between 65-75°F.

10. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

The heartleaf philodendron is another easy-to-care-for plant that thrives in low-light environments. Its heart-shaped leaves make it an attractive addition to any room, and it can grow as a trailing or climbing plant. The heartleaf philodendron is forgiving of neglect, making it perfect for beginners who are still learning the ropes of plant care.

This plant prefers to dry out between waterings and can handle periods of drought, so it’s an excellent choice for those who may forget to water occasionally.

Order a heartleaf philodendron (available for $10–$30) for a hardy and stylish plant.

Care Tips:

• Light: Low to bright indirect light.
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
• Temperature: Best in temperatures between 65-80°F.

11. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)

The dumb cane is an easy-going plant with striking leaves that are usually variegated with green, white, or yellow patterns. It’s one of the best low-light houseplants for beginners because it can adapt to different light levels, including low light. Dumb cane prefers moist soil, but it can bounce back from periods of drought as well.

This plant is ideal for brightening up darker corners of your home with its bold, colorful foliage.

Choose a dumb cane (available for $15–$40) to add a splash of color to your low-light space.

Care Tips:

• Light: Low to medium indirect light.
• Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
• Temperature: Prefers temperatures between 65-80°F.

12. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

The Boston fern is a lush, green plant that thrives in indirect light, making it a great addition to low-light areas. Its feathery fronds add a soft, elegant touch to any room. While Boston ferns prefer higher humidity, they are still manageable for beginners with occasional misting and regular watering.

This plant is perfect for hanging baskets or placing on shelves, where its fronds can cascade beautifully.

Get a Boston fern (available for $10–$25) to add some classic greenery to your home.

Care Tips:

• Light: Tolerates low to medium indirect light.
• Water: Keep soil moist and mist the plant occasionally.
• Temperature: Ideal temperatures are between 60-75°F.