Windowless rooms can feel bleak, but you don’t need natural sunlight to enjoy lush greenery. These 23 tough, low-light–loving plants will flourish in even the gloomiest corners of your home.
Arrange them in colorful pots, hanging baskets, or decorative terrariums to bring life and texture to any space—no windows required.
1. Snake Plant
- Soil: Sandy and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: Around 2 ft tall
Snake plants are almost indestructible. They tolerate bright light down to deep shade, and you can even grow them in water.
Learn how to propagate snake plants here.
2. Pothos
- Soil: Fertile and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 20–40 ft long
Pothos vines drape elegantly from hanging baskets or climb a trellis. Trim back long tendrils to keep them neat, or let them tumble freely.
If you ever end up overwatering or underwatering your pothos, learn to troubleshoot it here.
3. ZZ Plant
- Soil: Light and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 2–4 ft tall
ZZ plants store water in their thick rhizomes, so they shrug off drought and neglect. Their glossy, dark green leaves reflect any available light, bringing a polished look to desks or side tables.
For more easy-care houseplants, see our post on 31 Gorgeous Houseplants You Won’t Struggle to Keep Alive.
4. Peace Lily
- Soil: Moist and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 2–3 ft tall
Peace lilies produce graceful white blooms even under fluorescent lights. They thrive in low to medium light and will droop dramatically when thirsty—an unmistakable visual cue to water.
Trouble with green blooms? Check out why peace lily flowers turn green.
5. Philodendron
- Soil: Fertile and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: Trailing stems up to 8 ft
Philodendrons come in countless shapes and colors, from heart-shaped leaves to striking variegation. They appreciate indirect light and regular misting, but will adapt to dimmer spots.
For a stunning pink variety, explore our Philodendron Pastazanum care guide.
6. Spider Plant
- Soil: Moist, nutrient-rich, and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 1–2 ft tall, 1–3 ft wide
Spider plants send out cascading “babies” that you can snip off and replant. They flourish in moderate to low light and only need occasional watering. Their arching green-and-white striped leaves make them a classic, easy-care choice.
Spider plants even feature in our article on 22 Houseplants That Seem to Wither at a Mere Glance.
7. Cast Iron Plant
- Soil: Humus-rich and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 2–3 ft tall, 1–2 ft wide
True to its name, the cast iron plant endures neglect, low light, and fluctuating temperatures. Slow-growing and long-lived, its broad dark leaves hold up even when conditions aren’t ideal.
A variegated form adds a splash of cream to shady corners.
8. Monstera
- Soil: Moist, nutrient-rich, and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: Up to 10 ft
Monsteras tolerate lower light than most big-leaf tropicals. Their iconic split leaves add drama to any room. Prune to control size or let juvenile forms trail.
For more container gardening ideas, see our guide to 20 Fruit Trees You Can Easily Grow in a Pot.
9. Aglaonema
- Soil: Loose and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 1–3 ft tall
Aglaonemas come in shades of green, silver, pink, and red. They handle low light and infrequent watering with ease.
Their compact, bushy form makes them ideal for tabletops or grouped displays, brightening even the darkest room with colorful foliage.
10. English Ivy
- Soil: Loamy and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: Vines up to 20–30 ft
English ivy adapts to almost any soil and light level. Train it up a support or let vines spill from a hanging basket.
It even grows in water alone. Its glossy, lobed leaves lend a classic, elegant feel to entryways or staircases.
11. Dieffenbachia
- Soil: Light and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 1–3 ft tall
Dieffenbachias offer bold, patterned foliage in creams, yellows, and greens. They prefer moderate light but will tolerate low-light spots.
Keep soil evenly moist but never soggy. Handle with care—its sap can irritate skin and eyes.
12. Boston Fern
- Soil: Rich, moist, and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 1–3 ft tall, 2–3 ft wide
The fluffy fronds of Boston ferns soften hard lines in modern decor. They like humidity and regular watering, but low light is no problem.
Pair them with other purifiers featured in 18 Houseplants That Naturally Purify Your Air.
13. Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium)
- Soil: Loose, nutrient-rich, and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 3–6 ft tall, 1–2 ft wide
Syngoniums offer arrow-shaped leaves in pink, cream, and green. Trim to shape a bush, train up a pole, or let it cascade.
They adapt to low light but show their best colors in bright indirect light.
14. Peperomia
- Soil: Light, loose, and aerated
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 2–36 in tall, 4–18 in wide
Peperomias boast thick, succulent-like leaves in endless shapes and patterns. Their compact size fits windowsills or desks, and they need infrequent watering.
They thrive in bright to low light and rarely outgrow their pots.
15. Prayer Plant
- Soil: Rich, loamy, and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 1 ft tall and wide
Prayer plants fold their strikingly patterned leaves upward at night. They enjoy low to medium light and consistent moisture.
Their colorful veins and contrasting leaf tops make them a conversation starter.
16. Anthurium
- Soil: Nutrient-rich and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 12–18 in tall, 10–12 in wide
Anthuriums bloom in red, pink, white, and purple—even in lower light. Their glossy heart-shaped leaves add tropical flair year-round.
Provide bright indirect light to encourage more flowers, but they’ll still grow in shadier spots.
17. Begonias
- Soil: Rich, loamy, and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: Up to 1 ft tall
Begonias offer ornamental leaves in jewel tones and delicate blooms. In low light, they focus on foliage, which still delivers stunning texture.
Water sparingly and avoid direct sun to keep leaves crisp and vibrant.
18. Gloxinia
- Soil: Moist and well-draining
- Water: When the soil is dry
- Size: Up to 1 ft tall
Gloxinias produce velvety, trumpet-shaped flowers in vivid colors. They prefer bright indirect light but will flower under strong grow lights when natural light is lacking.
Keep soil lightly moist for the showiest blooms.
19. Air Plant
- Soil: No soil needed
- Water: When its leaves curl inward
- Size: 2 in–7 ft tall, 1 in–4 ft wide
Air plants absorb moisture from the air, making them perfect for terrariums or mounted displays. They thrive in low light with weekly misting or soaking.
20. Christmas Cactus
- Soil: Fertile and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 6–12 in tall, 12–24 in wide
Christmas cacti bloom in winter, brightening dark months with pink, red, or white flowers. They tolerate low light and only need moderate watering.
Periods of darkness encourage more blooms, making them ideal seasonal decor.
21. Nerve Plant
- Soil: Rich and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: 3–6 in tall, 12–18 in trailing
Nerve plants feature intricate leaf venation in reds, purples, and greens. They thrive in low light and high humidity.
Perfect for terrariums or tabletop planters, they’re slow growers that stay neatly contained.
22. Palm Trees
- Soil: Fertile and well-draining
- Water: When the top is dry
- Size: Varies by variety
Parlor palms and ponytail palms adapt well to indoor low light. Parlor palms reach about 4 ft, while ponytails store water in their swollen bases for drought tolerance.
Both add tropical height to hallways or corners without windows.
23. Spineless Yucca
- Soil: Sandy and well-draining
- Water: When the soil is dry
- Size: About 5 ft tall
Spineless yuccas bring bold, lance-shaped leaves to any space. They dislike overwatering and tolerate shade by slowing growth.
Their architectural form makes a dramatic accent in entryways or dark alcoves.
Even windowless rooms can burst with greenery when you choose the right plants. From undemanding snake plants to dramatic monsteras and flowering cacti, these varieties will thrive without sunshine, transforming dull corners into vibrant living spaces.
Want more inspiration? Explore our roundup of 39 of the Best Plants for a Year-Round Thriving Garden or discover 16 Plants That Turn Your Backyard into a Butterfly Paradise.