22 Low Light Small Houseplants that Don't Need Sunlight
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Small Indoor Plants for low light spaces are perfect for spots that don't receive sunlight as they are compact enough to fit in these dark 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.
These low-maintenance 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. Below is a list of 22 small plants for dark rooms.
22 Best Small Houseplants that Don't Need Sunlight
Small plants that don't need sunlight are ZZ Plant, Pothos, Heartleaf Philodendron, Spider Plant, Chinese Evergreens, Cobweb Spiderwort, English Ivy, Asparagus Fern, Parlour Palm, Silver Monstera among others.
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. ZZ Plant is a popular houseplant and is considered to be amongst popular plants for the home.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia thrives in medium to bright indirect light, average warmth, modeate humidity and moderately moist, fertile, well-draining succulents soil. Learn how to grow and care for ZZ Plant.
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 varieties 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, moderately warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil. Learn more on how to grow and care for Scindapsus aureus 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.
Many Aglaonema varieties 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 indirect light, warmth of 18-270C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter coupled with feeding every 3-4 months in the growing season.
4. Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana)
Cobweb Spiderwort also called White Velvet Plant or White Gossamer Plant is among the compact, upright Tradescantia varieties which bears highly branched hairy stems and oblong-lanceolate leaves in the shape of a boat's keel and may have a purple tone.
The flowers in White Velvet Plant are borne at the end of the stems and are a deep pink color. The entire plant is covered by white hairs and hence the common names. It grows to a height of about 1 foot.
Tradescantia sillamontana blossoms in bright indirect light, warmth of 16-270C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, free-draining succulents mix coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Cobweb Spiderwort.
5. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens)
Heartleaf Philodendron also called Sweetheart Plant is one of the Vining Philodendrons with air-cleaning abilities and features beautiful heart-shaped leaves which appear bronze and quickly turn green as the plant grows.
Sweetheart Plant is an easy-care plant with a high tolerance to neglect and poor growing conditions and easily adapts to the indoors. It is ideal for a hanging basket, pedestal, trellis, moss-pole, shelf, table-top or windowsill.
Philodendron scandens will grow in medium to bright indirect light (dappled light), warmth of 18-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
6. Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podophyllum)
Arrowhead Vine also called Goosefoot Vine, Arrowhead Plant, African Evergreen, Arrowhead Philodendron, American Evergreen or Nephthytis are compact, fast-growing plants with arrow-shaped leaves which dramatically change in shape as the plant ages.
There are many Syngonium varieties with the main difference being in the position and extent of the cream or white markings. Some leaves are almost entirely white, pink, red or yellow.
Syngonium podophyllum flourishes in bright indirect light, warmth of 15-280C, humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Arrowhead Vines.
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 is one of the popular ornamental Asparagus ferns that 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, warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with weekly feeding during the growing season. Learn 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 with air cleaning properties and will withstand a wide range of growing conditions and will not die from a few days neglect. It is among the air-purifying plants and gets rid of formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toulene, trichloroethlyene and air-suspended dust partcicles from indoor air.
Hedera helix thrives in bright indirect light, warmth of 16-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for English Ivy.
9. Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)
Pygmy Date Palm also called Dwarf Date Palm is among popular indoor palms on account of its beautiful foliage and tolerance to drought and shade conditions.
Dwarf Date Palm like Sentry Palm (Howea belmoreana) is a small-sized plant, ideal for the limited spaces in the home, office and other places.
Phoenix roebelenii prospers in bright indirect light, warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 50-60% and moderately moist, fertile, well drained soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing period. Learn more on how to grow and care for Pygmy Date Palm.
10. Adanson's Monstera (Monstera adansonii)
Adanson's Monstera also called Swiss Cheese Vine or Monkey Mask Plant is among popular Monstera varieties and features glossy, long, ovate, green-colored, perforated leaves. In the juvenille stage the stems exhibit a creeping habit, have short internodes while the leaves may be entire or perforated when only 5-10 cm long.
As it grows, Swiss Cheese Vine begins to exhibit climbing habits as the internodes increase in length. When provided with a moss pole, the plant grows faster with larger leaves. It is perfect for the low-light, limited spaces.
Monstera adansonii thrives in bright to medium indirect light, warmth of 17-290C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Adanson's Monstera.
11. Anthurium vittariifolium
Anthurium vittariifolium is among popular Anthurium varieties and features short stems and long, strappy leaves which are clustered at or near the apex of the stem.
Anthurium vittariifolium like its relative Anthurium pallidiflorum are Strap Leaf Anthuriums bearing long, pendulous leaves making them perfect for a hanging basket, pedestal, desktop, tabletop or shelf.
Anthurium vittariifolium grows best in bright indirect light (dappled light), warmth of 16-270C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Anthurium vittariifolium.
12. Lemon Button Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii')
Lemon Button Fern also called Button Sword Fern, Fishbone Fern or Little-leaved Sword Fern is among popular fern plants with gracefully, drooping stems and small, round, button-like leaves which release a lemony aroma when crushed, hence the common name 'Lemon Button Fern'.
Button Sword Fern is a compact fern which grows to a height of about 1 ft and 1 ft wide which like its cousin Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis') are perfect for limited spaces where they can be displayed in a hanging basket, on a tabletop, desktop or plant shelf.
Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii' thrives in bright indirect light, warmth of 15-250C, humidity of 70-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Lemon Button Fern.
13. Brown Spiderwort (Siderasis fuscata)
Brown Spiderwort also called Bear Ears Plant is a beatutiful, small indoor plant with a rosette of short, bronze-colored leaves which gives this plant its common name, 'Brown Spiderwort'.
Bear Ears Plant can grow to a height of 1-1.5 feet and the leaves are only about 6-8 inches long. The compact size of this plant makes it ideal for the small spaces.
Siderasis fuscata grows best in medium indirect light, warmth of 18-270C, humidity of 70-80% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. 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 places it among favored plants for limited spaces.
Missionary Plant is a low-maintenance, succulent 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 indirect light, warmth of 18-280C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile succulents potting mix coupled with quarterly feeding during the growing season.
15. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Cast Iron Plant is one of the hard to kill plants, an almost 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 feet to 2.5 feet where the glossy, dark-green leaves, about 12-20 inches long are grouped in small tufts of 2-4.
Aspidistra elatior grows best bright indirect light, warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
16. Dragon Tail Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum)
Dragon Tail Pothos also called Dragon Tail Plant or Centipede Tongavine is a fast-growing climber and is part of the popular Pothos varieties. Its ease of care and forgiving nature making it perfect for beginners.
Dragon Tail Plant and its relatives Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue' (Cebu Blue Pothos) and Epipremnum pinnatum 'Baltic Blue' (Baltic Blue Pothos) exhibit climbing and trailing growth habits making them some of the best plants for hanging.
Epipremnum pinnatum flourishes in medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 15-280C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer. Learn how to grow and care for Dragon Tail Pothos.
17. Variegated Cupid Peperomia (Peperomia scandens 'Variegata')
Variegated Cupid Peperomia Plant also called False Philodendron is one of the trailing Peperomia varieties and features fleshy, green, heart-shaped leaves with cream-colored, golden, yellow or off-white markings.
The trailing, pink colored, semi-succulent stems place False Philodendron among the best plants for limited spaces like a hanging baskets, shelf, pedestal, windowsill, tabletop, study desk and other small rooms.
Variegated Cupid Peperomia thrives in medium to bright indirect light (filtered light), warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 55-65% and moderately moist, rich soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Peperomia scandens 'Variegata'.
18. German Ivy (Senecio mikanioides)
German Ivy also called Cape Ivy or Parlour Ivy is among evergreen, climbing Senecio varieties and bears fleshy, glossy, lobed leaves and clusters of bright yellow daisy-like flowers.
Cape Ivy stems and those of its relatives, Senecio angulatus (Scrambling Groundsel) and Senecio rowleyanus (String of Pearls Plant) can be allowed to hang downwards in a hanging basket or trained up a moss pole or a trellis.
German Ivy flourishes in medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 18-270C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained succulents potting mixes coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for German Ivy.
19. Calathea bachemiana (Goeppertia bachemiana)
Calathea bachemiana also called Goeppertia bachemiana is one of the hardier Calathea varieties and bears long, blue-green leaves with dark-green stripes which are slightly thicker than in most Calatheas.
Goeppertia bachemiana is a compact plant growing in clumps to a height of 1-2 feet and along with its cousin Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata) are some of the best low-light plants for limited spaces.
Calathea bachemiana thrives in medium indirect light (dappled light), warmth of 16-260C, humidity of 50-60% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained potting mix coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Calathea bachemiana.
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 often mistaken for Monstera deliciosa or Epipremnum pinnatum is a climbing plant which can grow to a height of 12 feet when provided with a sturdy support like a moss pole or a trellis.
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma thrives in bright indirect light, warmth of 16-270C, humidity of 50-60% and moderately moist, fertile, well drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
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 Pothos like other Scindapsus pictus Pothos can be treated as a trailer or climber, reaching up to 10 feet or the stems can be allowed to trail from a hanging basket or wall display.
Scindapsus pictus thrives in medium to bright indirect light, 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.
Dischidia ovata like Dischidia nummularia and Dischidia ruscifolia bears trailing stems which 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 with 4-6 hours of morning sunshine, warmth of 18-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with two feedings during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Watermelon Dischidia.
