One of our most asked questions, especially being a New York City based shop, is “what plants do well in low light”? While plants can only truly thrive in fairly bright conditions, there are a few varieties known to be able to survive under low or artificial lighting conditions. These plants also have the added benefit of being drought tolerant making them even easier to care for if you’re new to the world of houseplants.
A general rule of thumb is to try to give your plants 8-12 hours of light, even if it’s just turning on the lights in your room or office. Otherwise they may start to grow poorly and lose the color in their leaves. As always we recommend doing some research on the plants you want to bring home and observing them closely once they’re in your environment as plants can be just as unique as people!
Zamioculcas zamiifolia popularly known as the ‘ZZ’ plant is known for its lustrous green leaves accompanied by thick stems. Incredibly drought tolerant, this plant is known to ‘thrive on neglect’, requiring completely dry soil before it gets watered. While it may not grow quickly or at all, this plant is one of the most likely to stay alive in low lighting conditions.
We find this variety to be an under-appreciated yet very hardy low light indoor plant. Considered lucky in some parts and preferring medium to low light conditions the Aglaonema is a perfect foliage piece for bedrooms and dim hallways. It’s bushy, leafy growth comes in a wide array of colors and patterns including white, dark green, and even pink and feature names such as Cutlass, Emerald Beauty, Silver Bay, & Osaka.
A classic in any collection, Sansevieria plants are probably the most durable and enduring plants on the market. They grow stiff leaves ranging from a green so dark they’re almost black to lighter varieties appearing more silver. The plant can tolerate any light conditions but will put out new growth and ‘pups’ in direct sunlight and warm temperatures. Varieties of Sansevieria offered at Ed’s include Balck Coral, Laurentii, Zeylnaica, Robusta, Metallica, and more.
We often recommend Pothos for beginners because they are a plant that communicates quite clearly when they need a drink. You’ll notice the leaves wilt quite dramatically once they’re dry, which tends to take a week or more between waterings. Pothos are one of the easiest indoor plants to grow, with the varieties containing more green being the best for low light conditions. While species like Marble Queen are beautiful, they lose their variegation in low light conditions and begin to develop awkward, ‘leggy’ growth. Stick to Jade Pothos for the best results in a dark room!
Also known as Sweetheart Vine or Heart Leaf Philodendron, this plant has heart-shaped leaves with long stems and short internodes. This plant thrives in high humidity and enjoys average room temperatures. Like the Pothos it comes in several different varieties with the greenest ones being the easiest to grow in low light. These trailing low light houseplants are wonderful to grow along a shelf or windowsill!
Knowing your plants well and helping them grow is a continuous learning process. We are here to help you every step of the way so feel free to reach out via Instagram or send us an email! We believe that everyone is able to successfully care for plants, it’s simply a matter of finding the species for your space!
“Plants want to grow; they are on your side as long as you are reasonably sensible.” - Anne Wareham
