22 Low Light Small Indoor Plants that Don't Need Sunlight

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Small Indoor Plants for low light spaces are perfect for spots that don't receive sunlight as they are small enough to fit these places and still continue to grow.

However, it is important to note that, though some plants can tolerate low light conditions, no plant can thrive in absolute darkness.

The reason for this is because every plant requires light for photosynthesis to make food that is needed for growth and development of the plant.

Therefore, plants can only last for short periods in a dark space after which they begin to deteriorate. It is of outmost importance to ensure that plants receive some amount of light at least three times a week.

The small houseplants can be grown on a table-top, on a plant shelf, on a pedestal, on a windowsill, in a hanging basket or any other dark place where space is limited.

22 Best Small Houseplants that Don't Need Sunlight

Our best selection of 22 small houseplants that don't need sunlight which include; ZZ Plant, Nerve Plants, Pothos, Heartleaf Philodendron, Spider Plant, Chinese Evergreens, English Ivy, Asparagus Fern, Parlour Palm, Swiss Cheese Vine among many others. Keep reading to get the full list.

1. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

ZZ Plant also called Zanzibar Gem, Zuzu Plant, Aroid Palm or Emerald Palm is a highly tolerant plant with attractive glossy foliage and is ideal for small spaces.

Zanzibar Gem is highly tolerant to low light, dry conditions but does not like direct sunlight. The plant is considered to be amongst the hard to kill plants.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia thrives in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth and moderately moist, fertile, free-draining soil.

2. Pothos (Scindapsus aureus)

Pothos also called Devil's Ivy, Devil's Vine or Money Plant are popular colourful plants with air purifying properties and are easy to grow even for the beginner.

Pothos can be treated as a trailer in a hanging basket or as a climber on a moss-stick, a trellis or a wall or as a table-top plant.

Scindapsus aureus will thrive in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, moderately warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Pothos

3. Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema)

Chinese Evergreens are easy-care, air-cleaning plants that easily adapt to varying light amounts; they will even thrive in the poorly lit spots.

Chinese Evergreens are small-sized plants with a minimum outward spread and are ideal for limited spaces. With their colorful sword-shaped leaves borne on short stems they will add a splash of color in indoor spaces.

Aglaonema thrive in medium to bright light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, well-drained soils.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Chinese Evergreens

4. Nerve Plants (Fittonia)

Nerve plants also called Net Plant, Lace leaf or Snakeskin are low growing plants with a minimal outward spread and are perfect for a humid bathroom, a bottle garden or a terrarium.

Net Plants are easily recognisable from their network of white, pink or red veins. Popular Fittonia varieties include Fittonia argyronuera, Fittonia argyronuera nana (Dwarf Snakeskin Plant), Fittonia vershaffeltii (Painted Net Leaf) among other varieties.

Fittonia requires medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil to thrive.

5. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens)

Heartleaf Philodendron also called Sweetheart Plant is a climbing plant that is ideal for a hanging basket, a pedestal, a trellis, a moss-pole, a shelf or a table-top.

Sweetheart Plant is an easy-care, air-cleaning plant with a high tolerance to neglect and poor growing conditions and easily adapts to the indoors.

Philodendron scandens will grow in medium to bright indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soils.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Heartleaf Philodendron

6. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider Plant also called Airplane Plant, Spider Ivy or Ribbon Plant is a fast-growing, small plant with air-cleaning properties and is ideal for a hanging basket, a shelf or a table-top.

Airplane Plant are readily adaptable to a wide range of indoor growing conditions and will grow in hot or cool rooms, in sun or shade and will withstand dry air.

Chlorophytum comosum will thrive in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil.

7. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus plumosus)

Asparagus fern also called Asparagus Grass or Lace Fern is ideal for a hanging basket or a table-top where the beautiful, feathery, needle-like branches can gracefully droop downwards.

Lace Fern adapts easily to a wide variation in light, heat and frequency of watering. It is a hardy plant that can tolerate some level of neglect.

Asparagus plumosus thrives in medium to bright, indirect light, cool to average warmth and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soils.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Asparagus Fern

8. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English Ivy also called Common Ivy or European Ivy is a climbing plant ideal for a hanging basket, a trellis, a pedestal, a table top, a shelf and other limited spaces.

European Ivy is a hardy plant that will withstand a wide range of growing conditions and will not die from a few days neglect.

Hedera helix thrives in bright light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soils.

Learn more on how to grow and care for English Ivy

9. Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Parlour Palm is a slow-growing plant which bears dense, deep-green, feathery foliage on arching branches with a minimal outward growth which makes it perfect for the limited spaces.

Parlour Palm is also ideal for a bottle garden or a terrarium. It has a high tolerance to low light conditions and is also a good indoor air cleaner.

Chamaedorea elegans will grow in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Parlour Palm

10. Adanson's Monstera (Monstera adansonii)

Adanson's Monstera also called Swiss Cheese Vine or Monkey Mask Plant is a vining plant which bears glossy, long, ovate, green-colored, perforated leaves.

Swiss Cheese Vine can grow to about 13 ft long. It can be grown as a climber or in a hanging basket where the stems can hang down beautifully.

Monstera adansonii thrives in bright to medium, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

11. Aluminium Plant (Pilea cadierei)

Aluminium Plant or Watermelon Pilea is an evergreen plant which bears dark-green oval leaves, each bearing raised silvery patches and hence the common names.

Watermelon Pilea is a low growing plant which grows to a height of 1 ft only and 18 in. wide which makes it perfect for the limited spaces.

Pilea cadierei thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Aluminium Plant

12. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis')

Boston Fern bears gracefully arching fronds and leaves which are highly compound whose edges appear slightly serrate.

Boston Fern can grow to a height of to 2-3 ft and upto 3 ft wide and can be displayed on a pedestal, in a hanging basket or as a part of a grouping.

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis' thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

13. Brown Spiderwort (Siderasis fuscata)

Brown Spiderwort or Bear Ears Plant is a small plant whose short bronze-colored leaves form a rosette and is a moisture-loving plant ideal for a terrarium or a bathroom.

Bear Ears Plant can grow to a height of 1-1.5 ft and the leaves are only about 6-8 in. long. The compact size of this plant makes ideal for the small spaces.

Siderasis fuscata grows best in medium, indirect light away from direct sunshine, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, well-drained soil.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Brown Spiderwort

14. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

Chinese Money Plant also called Missionary Plant, Pancake Plant or UFO Plant is a low growing plant with a minimal outward spread which makes it ideal for limited spaces..

Missionary Plant is low-maintenance plant ideal for a table-top, a shelf or a windowsill. It is also easy to propagate making it easy to share with friends and hence the name, 'Friendship Plant'.

Pilea peperomioides thrives in bright light away from direct sunlight, warm and moderately humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Chinese Money Plant

15. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Cast Iron Plant is one of the highly tolerant plants, almost an indestructible plant that easily adapts to varying indoor growing conditions. The plant is very tolerant to shade and can withstand some level of neglect.

The Cast Iron Plant grows to a height of about 1.5 ft to 2.5 ft where the glossy, dark-green leaves, about 12-20 in. long are grouped in small tufts of 2-4.

Aspidistra elatior grows best in bright light away from direct sunlight, average warmth and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

16. Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue')

Cebu Blue Pothos is a low maintenance vine which is popular for its spectacular lance shaped leaves and climbing and trailing growth habit.

Cebu Blue can be grown in a hanging basket where the stems and leaves can cascade downwards beautifully or it can be provided with a climbing structure like a moss pole or a trellis.

Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue' requires medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Cebu Blue Pothos

17. Emerald Ripple Peperomia (Peperomia caperata)

Emerald Ripple Peperomia is a compact perennial plant that is easy to grow and adapts well to indoor growing conditions which bears small, heart-shaped, deeply ridged leaves.

Emerald Ripple Peperomia is a slow growing plant which grows to a maximum height of 1 ft and is ideal for the small spaces.

Peperomia caperata thrives in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm, humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, free-draining soil.

18. Maranta Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

Maranta are low growing plants with long leaves known for their curious habit of folding and raising at night and hence their common name, 'Prayer Plants'.

Maranta Plants rarely exceed the height of 8 in. The leaves are about 6 in. long. These characteristics make them perfect for growing in limited spaces.

Marantas thrive in partial light away from direct sunlight, a warm and humid enviroment and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Maranta Plants

19. Furry Feather Calathea (Calathea rufibarba)

Furry Feather Calathea or Velvet Calathea bears red stems and deep blue-green, elongated leaves with a dark-purple underside and tiny hairs that cover the waxy leaves and stems.

Velvet Calathea is a fast-growing plant which can grow to a height of about 3 ft, in small clusters of slender leaves. It requires repotting only when it becomes pot-bound.

Calathea rufibarba thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

20. Rhaphidophora tetrasperma

Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, often mislabelled as Mini Monstera, is an evergreen vine which bears leaves with split lobes and easily adapts to indoor growing conditions.

Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is a climbing plant which can grow to a height of 12 ft when provided with a sturdy support like a moss pole or a trellis.

Rhaphidophora tetrasperma thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, well drained soil that is rich in organic matter.

21. Silver Vine (Scindapsus pictus)

Silver Vine also called Silver Pothos, Satin Pothos or Silver Philodendron are evergreen climbing plants which bear matte green leaves covered in silver blotches with a satin sheen.

Silver Vine can be treated as a trailer or climber, reaching up to 10 ft or the stems can be allowed to trail from a hanging basket or wall display.

Scindapsus pictus thrives in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, moderately warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Silver Vine

22. Watermelon Dischidia (Dischidia ovata)

Watermelon Dischidia is a fast growing, vining plant which bears oval shaped leaves with markings which resemble the rind of the watermelon fruit and hence the common name.

The trailing stems in Watermelon Dischidia cascade beautifully down the sides of a pot, a hanging basket or a pedestal. It is perfect for a table-top, a shelf or a window sill.

Dischidia ovata thrives in bright light away from direct sunlight, average warmth and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil.