16 Best Houseplants That Don’t Need Direct Sunlight | Caring & Tips

We all know that houseplants need light to grow and flourish and without it, they will die. But what plants are suitable for spaces that have little light or are lit only with artificial light?! Follow TooPlant in this article to learn about houseplants that don’t need sun and plants that adapt to low light.

Introduction of 16 houseplants that don’t need much light

It is lovely to have your home bathed in bright sunlight. What light is more pleasant than sunlight? But, there are parts of the house that are never exposed to sunlight or your house may not be bright at all. In this case, if you intend to maintain houseplants, you will face restrictions. In such a situation, you should go for shade-loving and low-light resistant plants. These plants do not need much light and will continue to live in dimly lit houses.

Scientifically, receiving light in plants leads to photosynthesis and follicle production. It means the same process that brings the greenness of the plant. So we mean plants that don’t need much light, those plants that can grow in low, indirect or artificial light.

The important thing is not to water the plants that don’t need a lot of light. Because surface evaporation and their growth are low due to the low light required. For this reason, the water remains in their pot for a longer period of time. Excessive watering will only damage their roots.

Before starting the introduction of houseplants that don’t need sun and much light, remember that an environment with low light does not mean a shadow environment, but an environment that has less light than near the windows. So, basically, when we talk about shade-loving and low-light-resistant plants, we mean plants that survive in less light environments than near the window and can continue their lives.

Aspidistra (Cast-Iron Plant)

Aspidistra has a high resistance to different environmental conditions, which is why it is known as a Cast-Iron plant! If you don’t have much time to take care of plants, but you like to benefit from their greenness and freshness, this plant is a very good choice for you.

Aspidistra is one of the low-light resistant plants that need very little light to grow and grows almost anywhere in your home! All you have to do is keep it out of direct sunlight so the leaves don’t get damaged and turn brown.

Cast-Iron plant grows well in dim indoor spaces and is not sensitive to regular watering. Although it grows slowly, the plant is reliable and lasts for years. In the best case, its growth reaches about 60 cm. Aspidistra tolerates harsh conditions, but it is a good idea to provide it with more water during dry (summer) days. This plant is not easily damaged in hot and dry summers and in cold winters and rarely suffers from pests.

If you want your Aspidistra (Cast-Iron plant) to always be lively and fresh, it is enough to clean its leaves once a week with a damp cloth so that there is no dust on them; This will help the leaves of the plant to absorb light better.

Pothos

Pothos, among low-light tolerant plants, are attractive and easy to care for.

Is it the first time you decided to take care of a houseplant, but you don’t know which is the best choice? If the answer is yes, we recommend Pothos; A harmless and long-lasting houseplant, among the plants resistant to low light and almost shade-loving.

Pothos is one of the climbing plants and its long and beautiful leaves make it a choice to beautify the walls, desk or dining table.

Kalanchoe

When you see this beautiful houseplant, you can’t help falling in love with it. A plant with attractive flowers and leaves that have a special appearance. The flowers of this houseplant can be pink, red, yellow or white.

Kalanchoe needs bright, natural light. A place with moderate or high light is ideal for this plant as long as it is not exposed to too much direct sunlight.

Kalanchoe is also very easy to maintain. This plant is one of the houseplants resistant to low light and needs little watering. Therefore, it can continue to grow in environments that receive little light or are often shaded. (If you want to know all the tips you need to care for Kalanchoe, click here).

Lucky bamboo

Lucky bamboo, among the plants that don’t need direct sunlight and popular houseplants in feng shui

You can find this plant in abundance around you. Lucky Bamboo is popular both in offices and at home. At, this houseplant is one of the basic components of Feng Shui culture. This plant is a sign of good luck and prosperity especially if received as a gift.

Lucky bamboo is fine with low light but prefers to live in full shade to stay fresher.

In other words, it is a full-fledged shade-loving houseplant. Another advantage of buying lucky bamboo is that it does not need soil and can be placed directly in water and remain green. You just have to be careful that this houseplant is not placed near the cold. It is also better to keep it out of the reach of pets because if it is eaten by animals, it will poison them.

Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

If you are looking for a plant with attractive and colorful leaves, the polka dot plant is the right choice for you. This houseplant usually has leaves with a pink background decorated with green dots. Of course, you can find other color combinations from this houseplant. (Click to know other important and useful tips for care for Polka Dot Plant).

Whether it lives indoors or outdoors, the polka dot plant prefers to be in the shade and is one of the shade-loving and low-light resistant houseplants. Too much light causes the leaves of the plant to become discolored. To maintain the polka dot plant, the east or south window is the best place for it to live.

Dracaena

Dracaena is one of the houseplants that adapts to low light and has very beautiful leather-like leaves. There are more than 50 different types of Dracaena and all of them are easy to maintain. (Finish reading: How to Care for Dracaena?)

Pruning at the right time and regular watering are very important for the health of this plant. Keep Dracaena away from direct light and avoid excessive watering.

Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea Elegans)

Parlor Palm is the most popular type of apartment palm and has high adaptability to different conditions. Parlor Palm is one of the indoor plants adapted to low light and grows even in very low-light corners.

Parlor Palm requires very little care. Water this plant only when the soil is dry or you will kill it.

Snake plant (Dracaena Trifasciata)

Snake plants can be introduced as apartment plants without light. This plant is very popular and its ability to adapt to low-light environments is great. (See here for complete information on care for snake plants).

Snake plant has a high power in purifying the air in the room, and this feature and its easy maintenance conditions have made this plant a popular plant for the interior of the apartment.

Calathea Orbifolia

Calathea Orbifolia is one of the most beautiful plants that you should grow in your home. This plant grows well in light shade and strong light burns its beautiful leaves. (Read any more: The Best Tips For Caring For A Calathea Orbifolia).

The minimum temperature that this plant tolerates is 13 degrees Celsius, which must be taken into account.

This plant needs regular and frequent watering, which depends on the amount of light and temperature conditions. Calathea Orbifolia needs a lot of moisture and its soil should be slightly moist.

Calathea Zebra Plant (Calathea Zebrina)

Calathea Zebra Plant has easy maintenance conditions and grows well in limited and moderate light without direct access to sunlight. If this plant is kept in a lot of light, its leaves will be swayed and flattened. (If you want to know all the tips you need to care for Calathea Zebra Plant, click here).

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) is one of the most beautiful indoor plants without light and doubles the beauty of the house with its beautiful white flowers.

This plant is very easy to maintain and grow and blooms in shady places and also cleans polluted air well. (Continue to read: How to Care for Peace Lily Indoors?).

ZZ Plant (Zanzibar Gem)

ZZ Plant (Zanzibar Gem) is one of the most resistant plants available, which lasts well in low light and requires little maintenance. (The best light, temperature, and fertilizer For Zanzibar Gem can be found in “How to care for ZZ Plant”article).

This houseplant does not need a lot of watering and gives a different and luxurious look to the house. Be careful of overwatering, which will cause the death of this houseplant.

Peperomia Plant (Radiator Plant)

Peperomia Plant (Radiator Plant) is a small and beautiful houseplant with spoon-like leaves and different colors. This plant likes slightly moist soil and moisture.

Spraying water on the leaves of this plant is effective for maintaining moisture. Peperomia Plant also grows in limited and low light and is a suitable option for desks of companies and dimly lit offices.

Monstera Deliciosa (Split Leaf Philodendron)

Monstera Deliciosa (Split Leaf Philodendron) easily adapts to a low-light environment and needs almost moist (not wet) soil.

Monstera Deliciosa has easy maintenance conditions and grows easily in low light, but cuts on the leaves may be removed or reduced due to receiving low light. It is better that the soil is almost dry between two waterings. (Go on reading: How to Care for Monstera Deliciosa?)

Vriesea (Flaming Sword Plant)

Vriesea is one of the low-light houseplants and is very suitable for keeping indoors. Most of the different types of this plant grow easily inside the pot and in the shade.

Although this plant is native to tropical regions, it is quickly grown everywhere and indoors.

Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron Scandens)

Philodendrons are a large family with a similar shape and appearance with little difference in height. All of them need very little light to grow and develop.

The Heartleaf Philodendron that is in most of our apartments should even be protected from direct sunlight. Next to the window or on the table is usually the best place to keep this common plant. (Have a look: How to Care for Heartleaf Philodendron?)

In The End

In this article, we tried to provide you with the necessary information about indoor plants that don’t need much light.

However, if you have any questions regarding this indoor plant or you need to get advice from our houseplant experts, please share your questions with us through the comments section below.