Skip to Content

27 Indoor Plants That Don’t Need Sunlight

This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

Many people think that to have plants in their home, they need to have a lot of sunlight.

But this is not always the case! Many plants don’t need direct sunlight and thrive in areas with little natural light. There are even some plants that prefer shade over bright light.

Dracaena Marginata Houseplant

So if you’re someone who lives in an apartment or other area where there is limited sunlight, don’t worry – you can still enjoy the benefits of having indoor plants in your home!

Indoor Plants That Don’t Need Sunlight

Read on to learn more about 27 indoor plants that don’t need sunlight.

1. Boston Fern

A Boston Fern is a type of fern that does not need direct sunlight but prefer medium to bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. This makes it an excellent plant for those of you who live in areas with limited sunlight.

Boston Fern

These plants love moisture and will be more likely to thrive if they have access to misting or humidifiers. 

2. English Ivy

The English Ivy is a popular type of vine for its ability to grow quickly and cover a large area. It also can adapt to many lighting conditions, from medium to low light, making it the perfect choice for indoor plants

This plant is very versatile and can thrive in various environments, making it the perfect choice for those who live in apartments or other areas where there is little to no natural light.

English Ivy

However, these plants can also survive in areas with high levels of indirect sunlight, though they may not grow as quickly in these areas. If you’re looking for a plant that will thrive in low light conditions, English ivy is a great option.

3. Dracaena

The Dracaena plant, also known as a dragon tree, is a tropical, evergreen perennial that is often used as a houseplant. It has broad, dark green leaves that grow in clusters from the stem. The flowers are small and inconspicuous and are usually white or pink.

Dracaena

The dragon tree is a good houseplant because it is easy to care for and  

does well in indirect sunlight or fluorescent light. Ensure the plant gets at least four hours of indirect sunlight each day, or place it near a fluorescent light bulb. 

If the plant does not receive enough light, it will become leggy and will not produce as many leaves.

4. Maidenhair Fern

The maidenhair fern is a type of plant that is found all over the world. It is a delicate, feathery fern that has a graceful appearance. Because of this, it has become popular for use in homes.

Maidenhair ferns are a good choice for indoor plants because they are easy to care for, do not need a lot of sunlight, can survive in low humidity environments.

Maidenhair Fern

They are ideal for office desks and living rooms. Maidenhair ferns do best in indirect sunlight or low-light environments because direct sunlight can cause the plant to wilt quickly. 

They also need to be kept moist at all times but not submerged in water. When water is added, it should be done so through misting.

Overwatering the plant can cause root rot, which will kill the plant. Maidenhair ferns are also very sensitive to fluoride, so using non-fluoridated water is highly recommended.

5. Philodendron

The Philodendrons are tropical plants that are a member of the Araceae family. It is native to the rainforest and can be found in Central America and South America. 

The Philodendron is an evergreen plant that has large, green leaves. It is a popular houseplant because it does well in low light conditions.

Philodendron

It is another houseplant that does much better in humid conditions than dry ones is the Philodendron – therefore, this plant is perfect for those living in areas with high humidity levels! 

6. Aluminum Plant

This plant is another one that does well in dark areas, so if you’ve got an area of your home without any windows or with very few windows, the Aluminum Plant will be perfect for growing there.

Aluminum Plant

This low light indoor plant also thrives in humid conditions – so if you want to grow it outdoors, put it somewhere where it can get plenty of water. If you want to grow it indoors, try to provide it with as much humidity as possible.

7. Swedish Ivy

The Swedish Ivy prefers bright indirect light, but not direct sun for too long as this can burn its leaves. Making it an excellent plant for those who live in apartments or other places with little sunlight. 

Swedish Ivy

It prefers cooler temperatures like 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), so it’s not recommended to live in hotter areas. This plant can help maintain humidity levels, fight formaldehyde, and filter out trichloroethylene, benzene, and xylene from the air around you.

8. Peace Lily

Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are a type of tropical plant that is a very popular indoor plant. They are known for their large, spade-shaped leaves and delicate white flowers.

Peace Lily

Peace lilies are hardy plants that can tolerate low light levels and dry air.

The best lighting conditions for the Peace lily plant to grow in is low light or indirect sunlight. They should not be placed in direct sunlight, as it can cause the leaves to turn yellow and the flowers to wilt.

They are a good choice for homes that do not get too much light.

9. Areca Palm

The Areca palm plant is a tropical plant that is best suited for areas that have a lot of humidity.

Areca Palm

If you’re looking for a plant that’s easy to maintain while also filtering out benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde, you can’t go wrong with the Areca Palm.

The Areca palm likes indirect light but can also tolerate some shade. This plant will do well with a little water and misting daily.

11. Bromeliad

A bromeliad is a tropical plant that grows in a rosette form. It has long, straplike leaves and a spike of flowers in the center. Bromeliads get their water from the soil and the air, so they don’t need to be watered often.

Bromeliad

Bromeliads are a good houseplant because they don’t need a lot of sunlight. The best lighting conditions for Bromeliad plants to grow in are bright, indirect light but also does well in the shade.

Bromeliad plants can also thrive in artificial lights. They may prefer to grow in artificial light because it is more consistent than natural light.

12. Cast Iron Plant

Cast Iron is a reliable and durable indoor plant that can thrive with very little sunlight. This forgiving houseplant can adapt to a wide variety of growing conditions, making it an excellent option for those living in apartments or other areas with little natural light.

Cast Iron Plant

Cast Iron plants are easy to care for – just water it regularly and keep the soil moist. The Cast Iron plant can grow in artificial light. If you don’t have a sunny window, you can place the cast iron plant near a fluorescent light or another artificial light source.

13. Chinese Evergreen

The Chinese evergreen plants (Aglaonema commutatum) are tropical perennials popular for their glossy, green leaves.

It grows well in low-light conditions and is a perfect houseplant as they are easy to care for and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance.

Chinese-Evergreen-Plants

15. Rubber Plant

The Rubber plant, Ficus Elastica, is a fig species native to Southeast Asia. It is a popular ornamental plant due to its large, dark green leaves and ease of care.

Why Are Leaves Falling Off Rubber Plant?

Rubber plants can thrive in a variety of conditions. They like bright indirect light for growth. However, they are also tolerant of lower light levels for a ficus.

16. Pothos

A Pothos plant is a trailing vine that is often grown as a houseplant. It has green leaves with yellow or white markings.

Watering Pothos

A Pothos is a good houseplant because it does not need direct sunlight to grow. It can thrive in low light or indirect light conditions.

17. Snake Plant (also known as the Sansevieria Trifasciata)

A Snake Plant is a succulent perennial plant. It originates from tropical West Africa but is now popular as a houseplant worldwide.

Snake plants are the easiest plants to care for, as they tolerate low light and are drought resistant. Sansevieria trifasciata will grow in medium to low light but prefers bright light.

Snake Plant GOOGLE WEB STORIES COVER TEMPLATE

18. Jade Plant

The Jade plant, Crassula ovata, is a succulent plant native to South Africa. It is the perfect indoor plant due to its low maintenance requirements and easy care.

The best lighting conditions for a jade plant to grow in are medium to bright light. 

IsJadePlantsPoisonoustoCats

19. Dumb Cane

Dumb Cane plant is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae. It’s a popular houseplant due to its low maintenance for indoor plant beginners.

 Dumb Cane does well in bright, indirect sunlight or partial shade.

Dumb Cane

20. Spider Plant

The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a hardy plant and can tolerate lower light conditions, however, they prefer bright indirect light to grow. They are one of the most popular plants for indoor use.

Spider Plant

21. Parlour Palm

The parlour palm is a tropical plant native to Central America and the Caribbean regions.

Parlour palm plants need medium to high light levels to grow in. They can tolerate low light levels, but they will not grow their best in these conditions. They are typically low-maintenance, making them great houseplants.

Parlour Palm

22. ZZ Plant

ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) are a type of succulent that is native to Africa. They have thick, dark green leaves and tolerate low light levels and drought.

OverwateringisaCommonCauseofZZPlantStalksFallingOver

ZZ plants are great houseplants because they are low maintenance. They also don’t need to be watered often, making them a perfect plant for those who often forget to water their plants.

23. Prayer Plant

The prayer plant is indigenous to the tropical regions of South America. The plant is very unique because it appears to be praying with its leaves. 

The leaves are green, slim, and approximately 6-8 inches long. Prayer plants like bright light but can also thrive in indirect sunlight.

24. Peperomia

Peperomia is a genus of about 500 species of flowering plants in the family Piperaceae. They are found throughout the tropics and subtropics. Peperomia is a great houseplant because it is easy to care for.

Peperomia

The best lighting conditions for Peperomia plants to grow in is medium to bright, indirect light. However, it can also grow under fluorescent lights.

26. Peacock Plant

The peacock plant is a flowering plant native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. As an aquatic plant, it is often found near the ponds and swamps of the Atlantic region of North America. 

These plants are considered aggressive growers that can quickly take over an area in which they are growing if not kept in check by human intervention.

The peacock plant has long, pointed leaves with veins that fan out across each. The peacock plant is a good indoor plant because it requires moderate, indirect sunlight. It will do well in a shady spot in your house. 

Additionally, the peacock plant is an aggressive grower, so it will quickly take over any space that it is given. This means that you do not need to worry about the peacock plant dying of neglect.

If you want your peacock plant to grow to its full potential, make sure that it is in a space with the correct light levels and moisture concentration. Peacock plants can grow up to 18 inches high. 

27. Lucky bamboo

Lucky bamboo is a type of plant that is native to the tropics. It is popular as a houseplant because it is easy to care for and does not require a lot of sunlight. It is also known as a good luck plant.

IsBambooBadforCats

Lucky bamboo can grow in a variety of lighting conditions, but it does best when it is kept in a place with bright, indirect sunlight. But can survive in low light or shade.

Wrap Up

Nearly all plants require some form of light to grow, but a select few will do well in low-light environments. If you’re looking for an easy way to liven up your home’s décor without spending loads of time on care and maintenance, the indoor plants we’ve highlighted should be perfect for you.

These houseplants can thrive without any direct sunlight at all! This means that if you forget them or they get neglected from lack of watering, it won’t have as big of an impact on their health as other types might experience.

Additionally, these plant varieties also don’t need high humidity levels, making caring for them even more manageable.