Unless you have a great number of windows, many areas of your home are probably considered low light areas. Generally this is defined as being eight feet or more away from a large window, with no direct light. Many areas of the typical home do not reeive enough natural light. However, you can still grow beautiful houseplants in these areas! There are many plants which will acclimate to low light conditions. They do not require high levels of care, although you should spray them with water occasionally to wash accumulated dust off their leaves. Here are some of the best low-light plants for your home: Cast Iron Plant, or Aspidistra elatior, is a foliage plant with long, dark green glossy leaves. It has a reputation for growing under even the worst light conditions, and is not particular about temperature or water conditions, either. Watch for mealybugs, mites, and scales, which are known for attacking this plant. You should divide and repot this plant in the spring, when its roots have outgrown the pot. Zebra Haworthia, another choice for low-light planting, is a succulent plant with white spotted leaves. These thick leaves form rosettes and tube-like flowers that hang on long stalks. It is a small plant, making it an ideal choice for container gardens or small spaces. It should be watered thoroughly, and night temperatures should be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. It should be repotted when it has outgrown the existing pot, in a well-drained porous soil mixture. Chinese evergreen is another good low-light houseplant. They can even be grown in water, with no soil. There are many varieties with interesting color patterns, which can add variety to your plant selection. The temperature should not fall below 60 Fahrenheit at night. When the plant becomes root-bound, you should repot it. Snake plant, or Sansevieria trifasciata, is an African plant with thick leaves banded with yellow or dark green. Older plants sometimes grow spikes of yellow or white flowers in greater light conditions. The soil should be sandy with some peat moss, and the plant should be fertilized every 3 to 4 months. You should water this plant thoroughly when the soil is dry to the touch. Split leaf Philodendron is a climbing plant with large leathery leaves. It requires support, such as a pole or lattice, but can easily be cut back to keep it within the space you have. Soil should be kept damp, and this plant prefers humid conditions and temperatures above 60 degrees. Peace Lily is a plant which comes in many varieties available at garden centers or nurseries. The size of this plant varies greatly, meaning there is likely one to fit your needs. In higher light conditions, it will produce long-lasting, creamy white flowers. Soil should be slightly moist at all times, and temperatures should not drop below 55 or 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Pothos, or Devil's Ivy, is a popular hanging foliage plants, and it can also be trained to grow upright on poles. You should keep the temperature warm, and the soil slightly moist at all times. English Ivy comes in many varieties and grows well in low light conditions. Varieties come with different leaf shapes, colors, and sizes. Ivy can tolerate temperatures as low as 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Screw Pine, or Pandanus veitchii, is a shrub with white-striped, swordlike leaves. This plant prefers humidity, as well as temperatures above 60 degrees. You should allow soil to dry out between waterings, and repot only when rootbound. The plant propagates through suckers that grow out from the base of the plant. Grape Ivy usually comes in hanging basket or table plant forms. This vine has small, glossy green pointed leaflets and tendrils. Guides on care of Grape Ivy say that this peace lily cultivar enjoys high humidity, and new growth is usually covered with a strange white felt-like substance, which will disappear as the new growth reaches maturity.
Even if you have a lot of lamps or lighting in your home, most areas away from windows are still considered low light. Technically, anything farther than eight feet away from a large window with no direct light is defined as low light. Examples of these areas are hallways, foyers, stairs, basements, and rooms with dark walls or rooms with large draperies over the window.
Luckily, not all plants thrive in strong lighting conditions. The houseplants described below have evolved to survive in low light conditions. These plants will not likely grow quickly, but they will still be healthy.
The following house plants are just some of the many varieties you have for growing plants in low light.
Aspidistra - Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra elator is a traditional foliage plant with long, dark green glossy leaves. It grows in the worst light conditions, where most other plants would fail to survive. It also is tolerant to a variety of temperatures, and it doesn't need constant waterings. Basically, this plant is great if you are just starting with gardening or if your schedule may not allow you to provide constant care.
One thing that you should keep in mind, however, is that the leaves tend to collect dust. Simply rinse them with water to get rid of the dust. Possible problems and pests include mealybugs, mites, and scales. Propagation: division of roots in spring.
Chinese Evergreen - Aglaonema
The Aglaonema species is also great choice for low-light areas. They don't even need soil, actually. They can be grown directly in a rock. You can typically find these plants in homes, offices, or shopping centers, either on tables or in floor planters. The plant does not do well in temperatures below 60 degrees F.
They do best in rich, loamy soil that is allowed to dry out between waterings. It's leaves can also attract dust, so rinsing them off when needed is recommended. Problems and pests include mealybugs and scales. Propagation: cane layering, terminal and sectional cuttings, air layering.
Zebra Haworthia
Haworthia fasciata is a succulent with thick, white spotted leaves. The leaves form rosettes and tube, similar to flowers that hang on long stalks. It is a small plant, and it grows will in low light dish gardens. After watering, you should allow the soil to dry out before watering again. The Haworthia needs cool temperatures at night (55 degrees F). Problems and pest are not a problem with this plant. Propagation: seeds, offsets, cuttings.
Snake Plant - Mother in Law's Tongue
Sansevieria trifurcate, more commonly known as the Snake Plant, is an African plant with thick, upright leaves that are striped or banded with yellow or light green. The plant should be potbound, and in needs morel light once it is older.
The soil should consist of sterile soil, sand or vermiculite, and peat moss, in equal amounts. It should be fertilized, but only every 3-4 months. The snake plant is easy to grow, and it can tolerate a wide variety of conditions. It needs watered thoroughly, but only when the soil is dry. You should not allow the plant to be in a drafty area. There are no major problems or pests to worry about.
Peace Lily - Spathiphyllum
Spathiphyllum sp., or the Peace Lily, is a wonderful plant to use indoors as a houseplant. There are plenty of different varieties of Peace Lilies for you to choose from, in difference sizes to fit your specific needs. Most varieties have glossy green leaves with white flowers.
Peace Lilies do best in medium light, although it can survive in low light if needed. The soil should never completely dry out. It should be moist at all times. It needs temperatures above 55 degrees F. Rinse off the leaves to get rid of dust. The only potential pest problem are mealybugs. Propagation: division, cloning, seed
Depending on the variety, most have glossy green leaves with long-lasting, spathe-like, creamy white flowers. The tolerates low light, although it will flower more profusely in medium light. Keep soil slightly moist at all times. A quick grooming tip: its leaves can be dust attractors; give plants a quick shower to wash away dust. Do not allow temperatures to drop below 55-60F. Don't be too hasty to repot, it enjoys being potbound.
Some other house plants that thrive in low light include the Split leaf Philodendron, the Screw Pine, Pothos or Devil's Ivy, and English Ivy Hedera helix.
Both Thomas Fryd & Kent Higgins are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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