Low-light houseplants

Got a north-facing room, a dim hallway, or a desk away from the window? These houseplants tolerate low light and still thrive. Each links to a full care guide.

7 curated plants

No houseplant grows in true darkness, but these tolerate low and indirect light far better than most, perfect for rooms several meters from a window. They grow more slowly in dim light, so water less and don’t feed in winter.

Watering (summer)

Common questions

What houseplants grow in low light?

The snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos, peace lily, and parlor palm are the classic low-light champions: they tolerate spots several meters from a window. All are on this list.

Can houseplants survive with no natural light?

Not for long. Every plant needs some light to photosynthesise. In a windowless room, a low-light plant can cope for a while but does best with a few hours under a grow light or by being rotated to a brighter spot weekly.

Do low-light plants need less water?

Yes. In dim light a plant grows slowly and uses less water, so it’s very easy to overwater. Let the soil dry out more between waterings than you would for a plant in bright light.

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05