Does your home have limited sunlight? Do you notice your plants growing skinny, weak stems or looking sickly, but you really want a plant in that particular spot? You may need a low light or shade-tolerant plant. This means plants that are less likely to show issues in poorer light conditions.

Here are some great low light plants you can try.

The Low Light Plants

Here are the plants shown in the video, if you prefer reading instead.

1. Stromanthe Triostar

This plant has a gorgeous fuchsia, paint-like texture on the underside, and white-green patterns on top. Keep it moist and don’t allow it to dry out, as it will get brown crispy leaves. Consider filtered/distilled or rainwater, as they have been known to be sensitive to minerals in the water.

2. Maranta Leuconeura

This is another form of prayer plant. Striking, beautiful green patterns and red veins. Similar in care to Stromanthe, keep it moist to avoid brown crispy leaves and consider filtered/distilled or rainwater. Beautiful, challenging and rewarding as well.

3. Philodendron Silver Sword

A plant with lovely silvery-green, fleshy leaves. It handles drying out well and dislikes overwatering. When overwatered, you may see some marks and blisters develop. I water mine thoroughly once a week and they are potted in a well-draining aroid mix*. Philodendron are great plants for beginners, or if you’re looking for stress-free plant keeping.

4. Philodendron Micans

Similar in care to Silver Sword, we have Philodendron Micans. It features deep green leaves with red stems, and can develop a red rim around its leaves when given more light.

5. Sansevieria Trifasciata

Also known as the Snake Plant, Sansevieria store water in their fleshy leaves and rhizomes and prefer to be kept on the dry side. Keep it in well-draining mix with plenty of grit. You’ll hardly have to water*. Think of it as a cactus or succulent, but unlike cacti and succulents, snake plants are great in low light. One of the easiest plants I’ve ever kept*. Great if you want an almost zero maintenance plant.

6. Dischidia Ovata

Epiphytic and tolerant of low light, Dischidia prefers to dry out between waterings. Personally, I keep it in a well-draining mix, and water only once a week*. I have seen this growing on plain wood like an orchid. Today, our example is Dischidia Ovata. Another easy plant, mine blooms throughout the year with tiny clusters of waxy flowers. This Dischidia’s flowers don’t have a noticeable scent, but it depends on which species you get. Great plant if you like the lush look with minimal maintenance.

7. Epipremnum Marble Queen

Also known as the classic Pothos or Devil’s Ivy. It naturally grows beneath the canopy and is tolerant of low light conditions. You can grow them in soil or in a vase of water. Today, we’re looking at the Marble Queen variety. Marble queens turn more white in brighter light, or more green in lower light. If you like other varieties of Pothos, a similar principle applies – you’ll see more variegation in brighter light, and more green in lower light. I keep mine in well-draining mix and water thoroughly only once a week*.

8. Ray Fern

Ferns are often found nestled up in the trees as epiphytes, or on the ground for terrestrial species. They have a good tolerance for low light, and like to be kept moist. Today, we have a Ray Fern (Actiniopteris radiata). I find ferns need water 1-3 times a week depending on the type of fern, its potting mix and environment*. They prefer mixes with less grit, so it retains moisture for longer. They are thirsty and good if you like watering more often.

9. Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera can be found naturally climbing up trees, below their canopies and is tolerant of low light conditions. Not fussy about watering, I water mine once a week and keep it in a well-draining aroid mix*. Good for filling in larger spaces and easy to care for.

Conclusion

That rounds up our list! Remember, plants still need light to photosynthesise and low light doesn’t mean no light. While these are shade tolerant, for their health in the long term, they should be placed where they can see the sun or receive artificial light.

I hope this will help you find the right plant for your space. What are your favourite low light plants? Feel free to share in the comments.

Thanks for reading and happy planting!

*Disclaimer: While we talked about difficulty levels and care schedules, this is based on my general experience and the experience of people I know who have these plants. Yours may vary depending on your environment and plant care habits.