The Best Low-Light Houseplants to Enhance Your Home Decor
Did you know that you can still bring lush, green plants into your home, even in low-light conditions? Houseplants have been adorning stylish homes since the Victorian era, adding a touch of greenery to even the darkest corners. They not only enhance your decor but also offer benefits like reducing stress levels and improving air quality.
Recent studies have shown that spending time around green spaces helps alleviate anxiety and support healthy cognitive functioning. So, if you have dimly lit areas in your home that could use a touch of green, keep reading to discover 25 low-light houseplants that are perfect for your space.
25 Houseplant Options for Low-Light Areas
- Aluminum Plant
- Arrowhead Plant
- Artillery Plant
- Broadleaf Lady Palm
- Calathea Zebra Plant
- Cast-Iron Plant
- Chinese Evergreen
- Dracaena
- Dumb Cane
- English Ivy
- False Aralia
- Fiddle-Leaf Fig
- Fishtail Palm
- Grape Ivy
- Parlor Palm
- Peace Lily
- Peperomia
- Philodendron
- Pothos
- Snake Plant
- Spider Plant
- Swedish Ivy
- Swiss Cheese Plant
- Wandering Dude
- ZZ Plant
When it comes to low-light houseplants, it’s important to choose varieties that thrive in minimal sunlight. These plants can add a touch of green to your space without requiring direct sunlight. But how do you know which houseplants are best suited for low-light conditions?
Don Janssen, an extension educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, defines low-light areas as spaces that “receive enough light to read by during the day and are typically found within a few feet of a window.” These areas are perfect for growing attractive foliage that enhances your decor without the need for bright sunlight.
Common Traits of Low-Light Houseplants:
– The darkest green varieties perform best in low-light conditions.
– Watering needs are greatest during the growing season and lower in winter.
– Fruits and flowers seldom appear with indoor cultivation under low-light conditions.
– These plants are not prone to pests and diseases if properly cared for.
– Propagation is easy through division or stem cuttings.
For each entry below, we’ll note whether the plant is toxic or nontoxic, as per the ASPCA, to ensure the safety of both pets and people in your home.
Now, let’s dive into the world of low-light houseplants and discover how you can transform your home with these green beauties.
Aluminum Plant
The silvery accents on the green leaves of the aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei) can add a touch of metallic sophistication to your interior spaces. This compact plant thrives in low-light conditions and can be a perfect addition to your home decor.
Key Care Tips:
– Use a soil-based potting mixture to ensure proper drainage.
– Maintain moderate humidity levels by misting the plant occasionally.
– Feed monthly during the spring and summer with an all-purpose liquid or slow-release granular product.
You can find aluminum plants available from Hirt’s Gardens on Amazon in 2.5-inch pots. Remember, aluminum plants are nontoxic to pets, making them a safe choice for homes with furry friends.
Arrowhead Plant
The arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum) offers a variety of sizes and colors, making it a versatile choice for your home decor. Depending on your space, you can choose from dwarf 12-inch varieties or full-sized behemoths that reach up to six feet tall.
Key Care Tips:
– Provide a porous potting mixture to allow for proper drainage.
– Maintain humidity by misting the plant frequently or using a bed of moist stones.
– Choose species with broad leaves in pale green with darker green edges for added visual interest.
You can find popular cultivars like ‘White Butterfly’ available in four-inch pots from Home Depot. Keep in mind that arrowhead plants are toxic to pets, so be cautious if you have animals at home.
Artillery Plant
Despite its powerful name, the artillery plant (Pilea microphylla) is a charming addition to any home. With its tiny green leaves and compact size, it can soften the look of hard surfaces and add texture to your decor.
Key Care Tips:
– Fertilize sparingly with liquid or granular houseplant food during the growing season.
– Maintain even moisture to prevent both under- and overwatering.
– Artillery plants are nontoxic to pets, making them a safe choice for homes with animals.
You can find artillery plants available in three-inch pots from retailers like Walmart. Consider adding this petite plant to your home to enhance your overall decor.
Broadleaf Lady Palm
For a showstopping addition to your home, consider the broadleaf lady palm (Rhapis excelsa). With its graceful fronds and spiky leaf patterns, this plant can add a touch of elegance to any room.
Key Care Tips:
– Ensure moderate humidity and organically-rich potting medium for optimal growth.
– Water evenly during the growing season and reduce watering in winter.
– Watch out for pests like aphids, leaf spot, and scale, and treat them promptly.
You can find broadleaf lady palms available from Fast Growing Trees in three-gallon pots. Remember, these plants are nontoxic to pets, making them a safe choice for pet owners.
Calathea Zebra Plant
The bold and contrasting shades of the calathea zebra plant (Calathea zebrina) make it a striking focal point in any low-light space. Known as a prayer plant, its unique foliage adds visual interest to your home decor.
Key Care Tips:
– Pot in organically-rich soil and maintain humidity by misting the leaves.
– Keep the plant evenly moist during the growing season and reduce watering in winter.
– Propagate new plants by dividing the root system or rooting stem cuttings.
You can find calathea zebra plants available in four-inch pots via Amazon. Keep in mind that these plants are nontoxic to pets, making them a safe choice for homes with animals.
Conclusion
Bringing the beauty of nature into your home has never been easier with these 25 low-light houseplant options. From compact tabletop varieties to towering palm trees, there’s a plant for every space and style.
Whether you’re looking for a subtle touch of greenery or a bold accent piece, these plants offer a wide range of colors, textures, and shapes to suit your home decor needs. Remember to consider factors like care tips, toxicity, and propagation methods before selecting the perfect plant for your space.
Now it’s your turn to transform your home with these green beauties and create a relaxing oasis in even the dimmest areas of your space. Enjoy the process of caring for your plants and watching them thrive in their new environment.
Share your indoor plant decor photos with us in the comments below and let us know how these low-light houseplants have enhanced your home. Happy planting!
If you enjoyed this article, you may also like our other guides on houseplants, such as basic care tips, durable plant options, and potting soil selections. Remember to have fun exploring the world of indoor gardening and watch your home come to life with vibrant greenery.
