20 Best Low Light Indoor Plants for Office Without Sunlight


Even if you do not have sunlight or windows in your office space, these low light office plants will continue to grow under flourescent lights.

Do not let yourself be surrounded by dull pale walls, bring some green inside your office space with these amazing low light indoor plants.

It has been shown that plants in the office improve productivity and well-being. Live plants give a natural feel to every business environment.

Office Houseplants collage

The presence of plants in the office space allows us to break the monotony of the dull grey and tan tones of the office and liven up the office with color.

An office that is properly appointed with plants can increase employee productivity, decrease stress levels and increase levels of oxygen in the air.

Plants naturally process carbon dioxide and keep the office fresh making it more pleasant for the inhabitants and visitors.

We have herebelow outlined for you 20 office plants that don't need sun and are perfect for an office with no windows. Keep reading to get the complete list.

20 Best Indoor Office Plants for Low Light

The best low light indoor plants for an office with no sunlight are Pothos, Chinese Evergreens, Monstera, Philodendrons, Banana Leaf Fig, Parallel Peperomia, Areca Palm, Corn Palm among others.

1. Pothos (Scindapsus aureus)

Pothos, Devil's Ivy, Scindapsus aureus

The colourful Pothos are ideal for adding a splash of color in an low light office as well as freshen the air to keep you productive through out.

You can have Pothos growing on a desktop, a shelf, a hanging basket or climbing on a trellis or a moss-stick.

Scindapsus aureus requires average warmth and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil to flourish.

Read more on how to grow and care for Pothos (Scindapsus aureus)

2. Philodendron ilsemanii Variegata

Philodendron ilsemanii Variegata

Philodendron ilsemanii Variegata also called Mottled Ilsemanii is among the rare, evergreen, climbing Philodendron plants varieties and bears large, slender, pointed leaves with green and white variegation which emerge in deep-green and develop the variegation as they continue to grow. The variegation varies from leaf to leaf.

Philodendron ilsemanii Variegata like Spadeleaf Philodendron (Philodendron domesticum), Finger-leaf Philodendron (Philodendron elegans), Blushing Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens) and Silver Sword Philodendron (Philodendron hastatum) can be grown as a climber on a trellis or moss pole where it can beautifully display its variegated leaves.

Philodendron ilsemanii Variegata flourishes in indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth of 20-280C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting mixes coupled with regular feeding during the growing season.

Read more on how to grow and care for Philodendron ilsemanii 'Variegata'

3. Five Holes Plant (Monstera standleyana)

Five Holes Plant, Monstera standleyana

Five Holes Plant is one of the popular Monstera varieties with upright, oval, dark-green leaves which are striped with white and silvery speckles.

Monstera standleyana can grow to a height of 12-15 feet. Like its relative Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant), it can be grown as a climber on a moss pole or on a trellis which makes these plants ideal for the office space.

Monstera standleyana flourishes in bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 18-280C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, Monstera potting soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Learn how to grow and care for Five Holes Plant (Monstera standleyana)

4. Banana Leaf Fig (Ficus maclellandii 'Alii')

Ficus Alii,  Banana Leaf Fig, Ficus maclellandii 'Alii'

Ficus maclellandii 'Alii' commonly called Ficus Alii, Banana Leaf Fig, Banana Leaf Ficus, Long Leafed Fig or Narrow Leafed Fig is an evergreen, perennial plant with glossy, long, slender, willow-like, medium-green leaves which hang downwards.

The new leaves in Banana Leaf Fig are reddish-bronze and change to medium-green as they mature. The plant has two type of leaves where leaves on lower leaves are narrower than the leaves on higher branches. It is a spectacular plant for the office space.

Ficus maclellandii 'Alii' blossoms in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-250C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Banana Leaf Fig (Ficus maclellandii 'Alii')

5. Corn Palm (Dracaena fragrans)

Corn Palm, Dracaena fragrans

Corn Palm or Corn Plant is a colorful, low light, indoor plant which will add vibrancy in your windowless office.

Dracaena Corn Plant and Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) are reknown indoor air cleaners which will promote well-being and reduce stress for the office occupants.

Dracaena fragrans can be grown as a stand alone plant to provide a bold and attractive focal point in the office space.

Learn how to grow and care for Corn Palm (Dracaena fragrans)

6. Parallel Peperomia (Peperomia puteolata)

Parallel Peperomia, Peperomia puteolata

Parallel Peperomia is among the popular trailing Peperomia varieties and produces cascading stems with attractive patterns similar to the stripes found on watermelon rinds.

On account of their attractive foliage, Peperomia puteolata and its relatives Peperomia argyreia (Watermelon Peperomia), Peperomia obtusifolia (Pepper Face Plant), Peperomia graveolens (Ruby Glow Peperomia), Peperomia columella (Pearly Peperomia) and Peperomia verticillata (Red Log Plant) are some of the best plants for an office space where they can be a great conversation starter.

Peperomia puteolata blossoms in medium to bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 55-65% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Parallel Peperomia (Peperomia puteolata)

7. Sentry Palm (Howea belmoreana)

Sentry Palm, Howea belmoreana

Sentry Palm also called Curly Palm is one of the popular palms with soft, drooping leaflets ideal for adding an exotic feel in any space.

Curly Palm like Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana), Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) and Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) easily adapts to a wide range of growing conditions. These palms are perfect for a low-light office where they will act as bold statement plants.

Howea belmoreana blossoms in bright indirect light, average warmth of 16-270C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Read more on how to grow and care for Sentry Palm (Howea belmoreana)

8. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)

Peace Lily, Spathiphyllum wallisii

The large white flowers of Peace Lily against a dark green background of its glossy leaves makes a good choice for a showy plant in an office with no sunlight.

The small size of Peace Lily makes it a good choice for a tabletop plant, desktop or for a plant shelf.

Spathiphyllum wallisii easily tolerates low light conditions and is also reknown for its indoor air cleaning properties.

Learn how to grow and care for Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)

9. Eternal Flame Plant (Calathea crocata)

Calathea crocata, Eternal Flame Plant

Calathea crocata also called Saffron-coloured Calathea is among the popular purple-leafed plants with magnificent, slightly wrinkled, metallic, dark-green leaves with purple to brown tones on the undersides and erect orange-red flowers which come in summer and can last for 2-3 months.

Calathea crocata like Calathea veitchiana (Calathea Medallion), Goeppertia insignis (Rattlesnake Calathea), Calathea warscewiczii (Calathea Jungle Velvet) and Calathea bachemiana (Goeppertia bachemiana) are some of the magnificent plants for the office.

Calathea crocata blooms in bright indirect light with 4 to 6 hours of sunlight, average warmth of 18-260C, humidity of 70-80% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Eternal Flame Plant (Calathea crocata)

10. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

ZZ Plant, Zamioculcas zamiifolia

ZZ Plant also called Zanzibar Gem, Zuzu Plant, Aroid Palm or Emerald Palm is a low light plant with attractive glossy foliage perfect for a dark office.

Zanzibar Gem is a good indoor air cleaner and gets rid of benzene, toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene from indoor air, thereby promoting productivity and wellbeing..

Zamioculcas zamiifolia is highly tolerant to low light conditions and this makes it excellent for an office with no windows.

Learn how to grow and care for ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

11. Flamingo Flower (Anthurium scherzerianum)

Flamingo Flower, Anthurium scherzerianum

also called Pigtail Plant is one of the popular Anthurium varieties with shiny, lance-shaped leaves and glossy red, heart-spaded blooms which can last for weeks.

Pigtail Plant and Anthurium andraeanum (Laceleaf Anthurium) are among the popular flowering plants which have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit as ornamental plants.

Anthurium scherzerianum flourishes in bright indirect light (dappled light), average warmth of 15-270C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, aroids soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.

Learn how to grow and care for Anthurium scherzerianum (Flamingo Flower)

12. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

Snake plant, Mother in-law's Tongue, Dracaena trifasciata

Snake Plant also called Mother in-law's Tongue is outstanding in a low light office on account of its ability to withstand a wide range of growing conditions.

The long beautifully colored foliage in Mother in-law's Tongue Plant matches very well with architectural features present in most offices.

Dracaena trifasciata is also a good air cleaner in addition to increasing oxygen concentration in the office.

Learn how to grow and care for Snake Plants (Dracaena trifasciata)

13. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Chinese Evergreen, Aglaonema

The all-green, Aglaonema is perfect for the poorly lit spots like an office with no sunlight as it grows well under flourescent lights.

This Chinese Evergreen is also known to be a good air cleaner and will therefore increase concentration and productivity for the office occupants.

The Aglaonema will thrive in medium, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter.

Read more on how to grow and care for Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema)

14. Emerald Fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri')

Emerald Fern, Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri', Sprenger's Asparagus

Emerald Fern also called Sprenger's Asparagus is a striking, evergreen, fern-like plant whose arching, trailing stems are sparsely covered with clusters of soft, needle-like, bright-green 'leaves' making it perfect for the office space.

Sprenger's Asparagus and its cousins Smilax Asparagus Fern (Asparagus asparagoides), Foxtail Fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Meyeri'), Sicklethorn Fern (Asparagus falcatus) and Asparagus Fern (Asparagus plumosus) are low maintenace plants that easily adapt to wide variations in light, heat and watering frequency.

Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri' blossoms in semi-shade to bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 18-280C, moderate humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soils coupled with weekly feeding during the growing season.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Emerald Fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri')

15. Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata)

Calathea fasciata

Calathea fasciata is one of the popular Calathea varieties which bears deep-green leaves with lime-green, rib variegation and purple undersides and is a striking plant for an office with no windows.

Goeppertia fasciata is a low light plant with spectacular, glossy, orb-shaped leaves radiating from the center of the plant.

Goeppertia fasciata will do well in medium indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Read more on how to grow and care for Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata)

16. Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana)

Virginia Spiderwort, Spider Lily, Common Spiderwort

Virginia Spiderwort also called Spider Lily or Common Spiderwort is one of the popular Tradescantia plants varieties with alternate, simple leaves, on tubular stems and blue, purple, magenta, or white flowers in summer.

The Spider Lily is a prolific bloomer with each flower lasting only a day. It spreads by means of underground stolons forming clumps and grows 2-3 feet tall by 1 foot wide.

Virginia Spiderwort flourishes in bright, indirect light (dappled light), average warmth of 16-270C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana)

17. Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis)

Rabbit's Foot Fern, Davallia fejeensis

Davallia fejeensis is one of the popular fern plants and is grown for its furry, brown and yellow rhizomes which look like a rabbit's foot, hence the common name.

The rhizomes grow over the edge of the pot while the fronds are finely divided, light to dark-green in color and look like carrot tops. These characteristics place Rabbit's Foot Fern among the best plants for an office space where it will create a great first impression.

Davallia fejeensis flourishes in bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 15-240C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, multi-purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Read more on how to grow and care for Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis)

18. Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus)

Scindapsus pictus, Silver Vine, Satin Pothos

Satin Pothos, Silver Vine, Silver Pothos or Silver Philodendron are excellent for a dark office as they easily adapt to a low light conditions.

Silver Pothos are evergreen climbing plants which bear matte green leaves covered in silver blotches with a satin sheen making them a conversation starter in an office space.

Silver Philodendron can be treated as a trailer or climber where the stems can be allowed to trail from a hanging basket or wall display.

Learn how to grow and care for Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus)

19. Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue'

Cebu Blue Pothos, Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue'

Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue' is a low maintenance vine and among the popular Pothos plants on account of its spectacular lance-shaped leaves, and climbing and trailing growth habit.

Cebu Blue Pothos and its cousins Dragon Tail Plant (Epipremnum pinnatum) and Epipremnum pinnatum 'Baltic Blue' are versatile plants which you can grow in a hanging basket or up a climbing structure like a moss pole or a trellis.

Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue' grows best in medium to bright indirect light, average warmth of 15-280C, above average humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, aroids potting mix coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Read more on how to grow and care for Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue'

20. African Mask (Alocasia X amazonica 'Polly')

Alocasia X amazonica 'Polly', African Mask, Elephant's Ears Plant

Alocasia x amazonica 'Polly' also called Elephant's Ears Plant or African Mask is one of the popular Alocasia varieties and bears erect stems and enormous, arrow-shaped, dark-green leaves with distinctly white-colored veins.

Elephant's Ears Plant, Alocasia reginula (Alocasia 'Black Velvet'), Alocasia wentii (Went's Hardy Alocasia) and Alocasia zebrina (Zebra Alocasia Plant) are some of the best plants for the office space where it can create a great first impression.

Alocasia X amazonica 'Polly' blossoms in bright indirect light, average warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, aroids soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Alocasia X amazonica 'Polly' (African Mask)

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