Thankfully, our tiny bungalow has an abundance of beautiful, bright natural light. That was all but a prerequisite when I was house hunting! Our bathroom however… it is quite a cave. There isn’t a single window in there. But a bathroom is the perfect place for plants thanks to the humidity. So I’ve been hunting for low light house plants that can survive in there. Here’s a bit of what I found during my research + links to buy cuttings or entire plants!
Live In a Cave? Try These 5 Low Light House Plants:
ZZ Plant
This house plant can go by different names like Zanzibar Gem, Welcome Plant, and Zamioculcas zamifolia (the botanic name). No matter what you call it, it’s sort of silly how easy it is to care for a ZZ plant! They are extremely low light tolerant, needs infrequent watering, and has really pretty foliage. While the ZZ plant prefers bright light, it will still grow in low light conditions… just at a slower pace.
Begonias
Typically, begonias are found under trees in the shade, which makes them perfect for dark homes. If anything, they prefer to be shielded from direct sun. There are so many varieties of begonia to look for, too. The Watermelon Begonia has beautifully striped leaves, while a Rex Begonia can flourish without any actual direct sunlight! There are tons of options, too, each with gorgeously hued leaves.
Snake Plant
My love for the snake plant is REAL, you guys. As I write this post, I’m next to one that I’ve had for at least 5 years. It’s real name is sansevieria or mother-in-law’s tongue. Not only is it great for improving air quality, but it is one of the hardiest house plants!
Nerve Plant
When it comes to shopping for low light house plants, I am always drawn to anything with interesting leaves and foliage. The nerve plant is a great example. I love the skinny white lines on the leaves and how lush and full it is! Sometimes referred to as fittonia, this small leaf plant comes in tons of colors including pink. Just be aware that the leaves might by a little less colorful in low light settings.
Monstera
Oh, monstera plants… they are a perennial favorite of interior designers! If you’re looking for a house plant that is lush, tropical, and larger, look no further than monstera deliciosa. The leaves alone can grow up to 2 feet wide! Some monstera varieties have holes in their leaves and are referred to as a Swiss cheese plant or split leaf philodendron.
Want more recommendations for low light plants? Try these:
- rattlesnake plant
- maidenhair fern
- Chinese money plant
- elephant’s ear
- bear’s paw fern
- devil’s ivy
- plantain lily or hostas
- peace lily
And lastly… a few things to keep in mind with low light house plants:
- These house plants will still need natural light, so don’t be disappointed if you put them in a closet and they don’t flourish.
- A good rule of thumb for ‘low light’ is that you should still be able to read in the room.
- Don’t forget that growth can be slower in low light settings.
