15 lightless houseplants: ideal for dark rooms

Key points to remember

Looking for lightless houseplants that can survive in a dark apartment or windowless room? Plants with decorative foliage, ferns, palms and flowering plants, here are 15 varieties ideal for greening your interior, even without sunlight.

Not everyone is lucky enough to live in a south-facing house where they can grow a Pilea or a Dracaena. Is your home as dim as a hobbit's cave, but you dream of decorating with plants? Is your collection so extensive that you've resorted to filling dark rooms with them? Here are fifteen houseplants that don't need light to shine.

#1 Calathea: A Houseplant That Doesn't Need Direct Light

Calatheas prefer humidity over sunlight—Photo by Design Strive

Who would believe that such decorative foliage thrives on so little light? Green on top, purple on the underside, Calathea leaves are adorned with patterns that look as if they were sketched by an artist.

Unlike the Monstera variegata, which needs sunlight to bring out its holes and variegation, the Calathea prefers low light to preserve its patterns and colors. However, you'll need to ensure this tropical plant has high humidity and is watered regularly.

#2 The Dracula simia Orchid: A Plant for the Shade

How can something be so cute and so scary at the same time? Photo by Dick Culbert

The Dracula simia orchid likes partial shade or full shade. But if I were you, I wouldn't put mine in a corner that's too dark. The mocking monkey face that peeks out from the center of the purple flower might give you the fright of your life if you came across it in the middle of the night.

The plant doesn't get its name from the scary face visible at its center or its love of darkness. “Dracula” means “little dragon” and refers to the long spikes extending from the petals.

#3 Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): A Plant That Thrives in Partial Shade

When it comes to light or watering, Pothos are easy to care for—Photo by Mokkie

It seems that plants that tolerate darkness have names that send a chill down your spine. Pothos is nicknamed “devil's ivy.” But to grow it in your apartment, you don't need to make a pact with Satan.

Just place it in partial shade. Pothos is one of the few plants that can survive in a windowless room, as long as it has artificial light (a office with fluorescent lights, for example). Whether hung from a string or trained along a stake, it's up to you to decide how you want to showcase its heart-shaped leaves.

#4 Moonflower (Spathiphyllum wallisii): a plant that blooms even in low-light indoor settings

A spot in partial shade and regular care—the Spathiphyllum doesn't ask for the moon—Photo by Nacasma

With a name like that, it's hard not to include moon Flower among the top low-light houseplants. The Spathiphyllum owes its name to its flower, which takes the form of a large white spathe resembling the moon.

In theory, the Spathiphyllum prefers bright light, but not direct sunlight. In practice, the plant tolerates partial shade quite well. If your Moon Flower isn't getting enough light, it'll let you know: the tips of its lance-shaped leaves will turn brown.

#5 Aglaonema commutatum: A Star That Doesn't Like Light

Aglaonema thrives best in partial shade – Photo by Krzysztof Ziarnek

Does Aglaonema commutatum serve as a reminder? It's the plant that Jean Reno carries with him everywhere in *Léon*. While the one in the movie has green foliage, other varieties are variegated with pink, silver, or cream.

In direct sunlight, the leaves of aglaonema commutatum wilt and their tips turn brown. To keep the leaves healthy, find a spot for your plant with some indirect morning light and plenty of humidity. It will thrive in a bathroom or kitchen with a window, even if the rooms face north or east.

#6 The Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens): A Palm That Tolerates Low Light

Light that's too bright can scorch the fronds of your Dypsis lutescens—Photo by NY State Extension Gardener

Few plants evoke the beach and summer quite like palm trees. But with the Dypsis lutescens, you won't need California sunshine to feel like you're by the sea all year round. Unlike other indoor palms, such as the Kentia or Areca, the Areca palm doesn't require much light. It's happy in a shaded or area of partial shade.

But don't overdo it either! If its fronds become misshapen, it means the environment is really too dark for it. Move your Areca palm closer to the light, and it will regain its beautiful foliage.

#7 Saintpaulia: A Flowering Plant for Sunless Interiors

Saintpaulias bloom almost year-round – Photo by Dr. Avishai Teicher

Would you like to add some flowers to your home, but there isn't enough natural light to grow a bird-of-paradise or a Dipladenia? Try saintpaulia (Streptocarpus ionanthus). Though less showy, this small plant with purple, blue, or pink flowers is just as exotic. It comes from Africa and adapts well to the temperatures in our homes and apartments.

The Cape violet thrives with regular watering, a humid environment, and a spot in partial shade without direct sunlight. When well cared for, it blooms year-round.

#8 Mother-in-Law's Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata): An indestructible plant, even in a lightless room

The snake plant is a plant that's almost impossible to kill—Thanluanphotography

Laurentii, Moonshine, Golden Hahnii… There are dozens of varieties of Mother-in-law's language. While their size, growth habit, leaf shape, and colors vary, all these plants have the same requirements: low light and indirect sunlight.

Even a clueless plant killer living in a cave can keep a mother-in-law's tongue alive. But to help you avoid adding another victim to your list, we still recommend downloading the Monstera app. Thanks to our watering reminders, your plant will be safe and sound. With our tips, you might even be able to take cuttings.

#9 Aspidistra elatior: A vintage plant that thrives in low-light rooms

Aspidistra elatior adds a vintage touch to any room—Photo by James Petts

We've already mentioned Aspidistra elatior in our article on the ten low-care houseplants. This tall herbaceous plant thrives in low-light conditions. It grows just as well in a sunny living room as it does in a north-facing office. My building superintendent's Aspidistra elatior is living its best life in a ground-floor lobby with a view of a gloomy courtyard.

Very popular in the 1960s, this plant native to Taiwan is making a strong comeback. Its dark green , lance-shaped foliage gives our interiors a vintage feel. Feel free to pair it with other varieties that were once considered old-fashioned but are now back in style!

#10 Helxine (Helixine): A Plant for a Low-Light Bathroom or Kitchen

Helxine can also be grown indoors—Photo by David J. Stang

Outdoors, helxine (Latin: Soleirolia soleirolii) is a groundcover plant that thrives in high humidity and low light. A star of Japanese gardens, it can also be grown in pots and indoors. This lush green carpet will brighten up a bathroom with a window or a north-facing kitchen.

The plant blooms with pink flowers during the summer, even indoors. If you're looking for even more color, opt for the Soleirolia soleirolii Aurea variety with its golden leaves or the Soleirolia soleirolii Variegata cultivar with its white-variegated foliage.

#11 The Mountain Palm (Chamaedorea elegans): A Palm for Shady Indoor Spaces

This palm doesn't like sunny beaches. It prefers mountain woodlands—Photo by David J. Stang

Is your home not only low-light but also tiny? Then you need a mountain palm. True, when fully grown, Chamaedorea elegans reaches two meters, but you can find young plants in stores that are about ten centimeters tall. By the time yours finishes growing, we hope you'll have moved!

Saw Palmetto grows in the shade of large trees in the forests of Mexico and Guatemala. At home, it thrives in a spot with partial shade—away from a window or facing north—and with regular watering.

#12 The ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): An Easy Plant for a Low-Light Home

The ZZ Plant can survive in the harshest conditions, including dark interiors—Photo by Maja Dumat

Another plant that requires very little care. Plant ZZ is virtually indestructible. As long as there's an opening that lets in a little light, it'll thrive.

Planning to place it in a somewhat dark corner and worried you might forget about it? No problem for the Zamioculcas. It likes to be left alone and forgives missed waterings. Its stems act as a water reserve, allowing it to survive for several weeks without care.

#13 Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus): A Plant for Low-Light Interiors

In a slightly dim room, the bright green fronds of the bird's nest fern bring light—Photo by David J. Stang

Bird's nest fern, Asplenium nidus by its Latin name, can thrive almost anywhere. In their natural habitat, these plants grow in rock crevices or on tree trunks. So your cave-like home won't scare them off! A shady spot, out of direct sunlight, and a little care are all they need to thrive!

The ideal spot? A bathroom with a window. The bird's-nest fern loves humidity. By placing it next to your shower, you won't even have to perform misting or use the clay-ball bed trick. All you need to do is water it once a week to keep its foliage green.

#14 Pteris: An Indoor Fern Suited for Dark Rooms

Like all ferns, Pteris ferns thrive in humidity—Photo by Leonora Enking

Pteris ferns have an upright, trailing, or spreading growth habit and have lobed fronds. Most species have low hardiness and must be grown indoors.

Once protected from the cold, Pteris ferns are undemanding. They thrive with just a little indirect light and high humidity. Place yours in your bathroom or kitchen so it can benefit from the ambient moisture.

#15 Dwarf Fig (Ficus pumila): An Indoor Climbing Plant for Low-Light Conditions

With proper care, your dwarf fig tree can grow up to one meter tall—Photo by NY State Gardener Extension

In Asia, ficus pumila protects itself from direct light by growing in the shade of other trees. Indoors, it will thrive in a shaded or area of partial shade.

In addition to being low-maintenance, Ficus pumila and its heart-shaped leaves lend themselves to all your decorating ideas. You can grow it as a hanging plant or train it to climb along a support. As a fast-growing plant, it can also help you create a living wall. Finally, if the air in your home is dry, feel free to plant it in a terrarium to provide the humidity it needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plants and Lightless Interiors

Can you keep a plant in a room without a window?

Generally speaking, no. Plants need light to survive, even varieties that can tolerate shade. However, it is possible to grow a plant in a windowless room (such as a bathroom or hallway). You'll need to set up a horticultural lamp or grow light and leave it on for several hours a day. However, a regular light bulb or LED, like the ones we use for lighting, cannot replace sunlight.

Can plants grow using only artificial light?

Yes. Plants can survive under artificial light, provided you use the right bulbs (horticultural LEDs, fluorescent lights). This ensures the minimum amount of light needed for photosynthesis, especially in windowless or poorly lit rooms.

What are some recommended plants for a dark or low-light indoor space?

For your dark or low-light interior, choose plants that require shade exposure, such as:

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum);
The ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia);
Calathea;
Spathiphyllum wallisii.

Should you water a plant placed in a dark room more often?

No, in fact, the opposite is true. Plants placed in the shade consume less water because they grow more slowly. The substrate also takes longer to dry out. It's best to water less often but regularly, and always check the substrate's moisture level first.