Low-Light Houseplants Overview
Low-light houseplants are a great way to enjoy foliage and flowers without having to give them direct sunlight. For healthy, vibrant growth, place these plants in bright, indirect light close to a north, east or west exposure window, or grow them in a light garden. Another advantage of low-light plants is the watering requirements. They aren’t stressed by high heat demands and therefore, transpire less and require less water. If you’ve always wanted to grow plants but weren’t quite sure if you had enough light, then try one of the low-light houseplants below to enliven your living or office space. You can't go wrong with any of these popular low-light houseplants below, many of which are customer favorites here at Logee's. Be sure to also see our full selection of shade plants for other specimens that do well in low light.
Popular Low-Light or Shade Plants
Calathea ‘Stella’
Calathea ‘Stella’ is one of the newest Calathea introductions, marked by elongated leaves streaked with light green and white against a dark green backdrop. Flip them over, and you’ll find a deep purple underside. While it resembles the well-known ‘White Fusion,’ this variety is a bit taller, grows more quickly, and adjusts better to typical household light. Place it near a window with dappled light, and it will brighten the room while naturally helping to refresh the air.
Golden Jewel Orchid (Anoectochilus chapaensis)
This jewel orchid is treasured more for its foliage than its flowers. The velvety leaves are deep green with burgundy tones, etched with golden veins that shimmer in the light. In late winter and early spring, yellow blossoms rise above the rosette on tall, slender stems, often producing 18 or more flowers per spike. It thrives in lower light with steady moisture, especially when grown in sphagnum moss.
Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Beloved for its playful coin-like leaves, the Chinese Money Plant has become a favorite windowsill companion. Over time, its round, glossy foliage forms a clustered, mounded shape, almost like a pile of stacked green discs. Native to China’s Yunnan Province, this plant spent decades as a curiosity before being more widely identified and grown. It stays compact, tolerates low light, and even blooms with tiny winter flowers in cooler conditions.
Orange Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus × splendidus)
Just when the darker days of winter feel long, the Orange Lipstick Plant lights up with its vivid blooms. Bright orange flowers appear in clusters and keep coming well into summer. Its trailing green foliage makes it an excellent hanging basket choice, with stems that spill over the edge in a cascade. Hardy to common indoor conditions, it tolerates medium light and average humidity levels.
Creeping Peperomia (Peperomia prostrata)
Also nicknamed “String of Turtles,” this compact vine forms a mat of small, round leaves patterned with veins that shift from purple in youth to silvery white with age. It’s especially eye-catching when grown in hanging planters, where the trailing foliage can be appreciated up close. Because of its preference for humidity, it’s also an excellent fit for terrariums and other contained displays.
Rattlesnake Calathea (Calathea lancifolia)
With tall, upright leaves marked in wavy green patterns above and bold purple underneath, the Rattlesnake Plant is one of the most dramatic Calatheas available. Reaching up to 30 inches, it creates an impressive indoor display. Unlike many of its cousins, this variety rarely develops browning edges, making it easier to maintain. Consistent moisture and a well-draining soil keep it looking its best.
Cape Primrose ‘Joy’ (Streptocarpus hybrid)
Streptocarpus‘Joy’ lives up to its name with flowers that show a lively mix of colors. Pale yellow lower petals are edged in deeper tones, while the top petals range in shades from magenta to purple. Each bloom is slightly different, creating variety on the same plant. The flowers hover above a base of velvety green leaves and appear intermittently throughout the year, adding a cheerful splash whenever they arrive.
Neon Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Few plants are as forgiving as the Pothos, and the Neon variety brings a bright twist with its glowing chartreuse foliage. Young leaves emerge in striking yellow-green, while mature ones deepen slightly in tone. Given a structure to climb, the plant will scale upward endlessly, but it also grows beautifully as a trailing vine. Its resilience in low light makes it a staple for both beginners and seasoned plant lovers.
Anthurium magnificum
Large, bold, and architectural, Anthurium magnificum is grown for its oversized leaves. Mature foliage develops a leathery texture, dark green coloring, and strong white veining that stands out against the surface. Native to Colombia’s humid rainforests, it does best in warm, moist conditions. This striking aroid also contributes to cleaner indoor air, making it both a statement plant and a functional one.
Eyelash Fern (Actiniopteris australis)
Compact and unusual, the Eyelash Fern resembles a miniature palm with its fan-shaped fronds. Its delicate form only reaches 6 to 8 inches tall, so it’s perfect for smaller spaces or terrariums. Because it favors warmth and humidity, it thrives in a bright bathroom or other microclimate with consistent moisture.
Velvet Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron micans)
The soft, shimmering texture of the Velvet Leaf Philodendron's leaves sets it apart. Heart-shaped foliage shifts between shades of bronze, green, and even hints of pink or purple on new growth. It adapts well to both filtered and lower light environments, trailing gracefully over the edge of its container. Cuttings root easily in water, making it simple to share with friends or propagate for yourself.
Syngonium ‘Mojito’ (Syngonium podophyllum)
The rare Syngonium 'Mojito' shows off mottled leaves speckled with creamy white and green, reminiscent of its namesake cocktail. Its arrow-shaped foliage elongates as the plant matures, and given support, it will climb into a vigorous vine. Like others in its family, it thrives in indirect light and appreciates consistently moist soil.
Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera adansonii)
Monstera adansonii, better known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, has gained popularity for its dramatic fenestrated leaves. Each leaf develops oval-shaped openings, which in the wild help light filter through to lower foliage and withstand heavy winds. Indoors, it can be trained to climb for larger leaves or left to trail gracefully in a hanging basket. Provide bright, indirect light and a quick-draining soil for best results.
Begonia ferox
With spiny-looking, raised cones across its foliage, Begonia ferox has one of the most unique leaf textures of any begonia. These bullae appear as the leaves mature, giving the plant a fierce but touchable look. Native to limestone-rich rainforests of China, it enjoys high humidity and adapts especially well to enclosed terrarium setups.
Hoya ‘Iris Marie’
This vigorous hybrid produces clusters of star-shaped white blooms, each with a contrasting purple center. Lightly fragrant, the flowers appear on and off throughout the year once the plant has matured. Like many hoyas, ‘Iris Marie’ grows on vining stems lined with waxy green leaves, making it equally valuable as a foliage plant and a bloomer. Partial sunlight and patience will be rewarded with recurring displays of flowers.
