Which houseplants really need very little light
Not every apartment has large south-facing windows. Many period apartments in Vienna have dark hallways, north-facing rooms, and courtyard windows. Even so, you can still keep plants there — if you choose the right ones.
Honestly: no plant grows completely without light. But there are houseplants that manage with surprisingly little light — a north-facing window, indirect light from the next room, or a few hours of morning sun are enough for them.
The biggest risk in low light is not that the plant dies right away. It grows more slowly, the leaves become paler, and it will not flower. But it survives — and in a dark room, that is already a success.
The best plants for low light
- Sansevieria (snake plant) - Tolerates almost any light condition, from full sun to partial shade. It grows more slowly in low light, but survives without any problem.
- Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) - One of the few plants that will even flower in low light. White flowers, air-purifying, and resilient.
- Pothos (Epipremnum) - Grows trailing or climbing and handles shade well. In low light, the leaves turn solid green (the variegation disappears).
- Zamioculcas (ZZ plant) - Extremely low-maintenance. Tolerates drought and shade equally well. Grows slowly, but always looks neat.
- Aspidistra (cast iron plant) - The name says it all: it used to grow in the dark workshops of cobblers. Practically indestructible.
- Calathea - Decorative leaf patterns, loves partial shade and high humidity. Direct sun scorches the leaves.
- Fern (various species) - Forest plants that are used to shade. But they need high humidity — mist them regularly in winter.
- Dragon tree (Dracaena) - Handles darker spots better than most other houseplants. Brown tips? Usually caused by water, not light.
Hands off in low light: Cacti, succulents, bird of paradise plants, small citrus trees, and most flowering plants need plenty of direct sunlight. In a dark room, they will die off — slowly but surely.
Tips for dark rooms
Use a mirror: A mirror opposite the window reflects light and practically doubles the brightness in the room.
Plant lamp: An LED plant lamp for 10 to 20 euros can make dark corners suitable for plants. Four to six hours a day is enough.
Water less: Plants in low light grow more slowly and need less water. The most common cause of death in dark rooms is overwatering.
Keep leaves clean: Dust on the leaves reduces light absorption. Wipe them regularly with a damp cloth.
How much light counts as "low light"?
A rough guide:
- Full shade: No direct sunlight, hardly any indirect light. Only Sansevieria, Zamioculcas, and Aspidistra survive here.
- Partial shade: Indirect light, a north-facing window, or a spot 2 to 3 meters away from the window. Most shade-loving plants are happy here.
- Bright shade: A bright room without direct sun. Almost anything grows here except cacti and succulents.
Shade-loving plants at MoBlumen Vienna
Peace lily, Sansevieria, pothos and more - delivery in Vienna.
Frequently asked questions about plants in low light
Only with artificial light. An LED grow light with at least 1000 lux for six to eight hours a day is enough for shade-loving plants. Without any light at all, every plant will die - in that case, artificial plants are the more honest choice.
In dark rooms, the most common cause is overwatering. In low light, the plant needs less water. The second most common cause: actually too little light. The plant tries to shed leaves it can no longer support.
The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) also blooms in low light with white flowers. African violets can bloom under artificial light. But most flowering plants need significantly more light than foliage plants.
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