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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)

Snake plantSansevieria trifasciataevery 11 to 17 daysToxic to pets Golden pothosEpipremnum aureumevery 6 to 8 daysToxic to pets ZZ plantZamioculcas zamiifoliaevery 17 to 25 daysToxic to pets Peace lilySpathiphyllum wallisiievery 6 to 8 daysToxic to pets Parlor palmChamaedorea elegansevery 6 to 8 daysPet-safe Lucky bambooDracaena sanderianaevery 6 to 8 daysToxic to pets Chinese evergreenAglaonema commutatumevery 6 to 8 daysToxic to pets

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