36 Houseplants That Shockingly DON’T Need Tons of Sunlight

Water: Once or twice a week when the soil feels dry

In shades of white, pink, and green, this colorful specimen has large, variegated leaves. We love this low-light houseplant for its minimal water and light requirements, which make it the ideal choice for houseplant beginners. Plant in a container slightly larger than its nursery pot to allow the roots to spread out.

Water: Every seven to 10 days

This type of philodendron has leaves that mimic the colors of a stunning sunset, and as it ages, they'll slowly transform into a rich green or copper hue. Best for indirect light or north-facing windowsills, you'll know if this low-light houseplant needs more sun if new leaves are growing without colorful pigmentation.

Water: Every one to three days

Tester Kate McGregor opted for a Boston Fern because she knew it had a chance at surviving in her north-facing apartment that gets no direct light. So far, so good: “As long as I remember to mist it to add humidity, this low-light indoor plant does great in my low-light space,” she says. “I prune every few months to keep the fronds from getting unruly.”

Water: Every one to two weeks

Maranta red prayer plants prefer brighter light, but they can handle low light just as well. The only downside to receiving minimal light is lackluster leaves, which isn’t indicative of any issues; it’s just a side effect of low-light conditions. These plants are a bit on the temperamental side because they require a lot of humidity to thrive. However, they're safe to have around cats and dogs.

Water: Every one to two weeks

Whereas most houseplants require ample sunlight to thrive, this Hoya variety prefers high humidity instead. Group it with your other houseplants or place it on a tray filled with water and pebbles to keep it moist. Use plant food or fertilizer once a month to encourage strong new leaves.

Water: Every five to 10 days

This quick-growing tree adds life to any room in the house. Place it in a deep planter filled with well-draining soil, and give it a big drink when the top several inches of soil are dry. It does well in indirect light, so instead of placing it by a window, opt for a corner that gets plenty of diffuse light. The ficus tree is toxic to cats and dogs.

Water: Every one to two weeks

Staghorn ferns thrive in high-humidity environments with indirect light. They’re not quite as low-maintenance as some of their tropical cousins on this list, but they’re still worth the investment. To keep yours healthy, be sure to offer good air circulation, warm temperatures, lots of humidity, and consistent moisture. Not only are they pretty, but they can also purify the air, so they’re ideal for bedrooms and bathrooms.

Water: Every one to two weeks

This cute low-light indoor plant boasts thick, spoon-shaped leaves and is both pet-friendly and shade-loving. In fact, too much intense sunlight can hurt the waxy leaves. Speaking of the leaves: Dust will show immediately on the dark green, shiny surface, so you'll want to wipe this plant down once a week or so.

Water: Every 10 days or when the soil is dry

Named for its angular leaves with white centers, the arrowhead plant is relatively low-maintenance. It thrives best in indirect light with plenty of moisture, and we recommend misting this plant once a day in addition to watering to keep it happy and healthy.

Water: When the soil is dry, or about once a week

A Begonia rex plant is an unexpected way to bring color into your indoor garden scheme. This low-light indoor plant loves bright, indirect sunlight, but know that direct sunlight will scald the leaves. It thrives in room-temperature conditions (around 70 degrees) and prefers humid environments, especially in the cooler months.

Water: Every two to three days

If you’re looking for a dash of color in your home, a red anthurium is the perfect choice! The flamingo flower, as this low-light houseplant is sometimes called, has blooms that can last up to eight weeks.

Water: Once every seven to 10 days

Since this is one of the most durable indoor plants out there—it does well in low light and needs to be fertilized only once or twice a year—it’s ideal for beginner gardeners. In fact, these plants don’t even need natural light to grow; they’ll survive just as well under artificial light. They also do best in dry air, so this is one plant you may not want to display in your bathroom. Sadly, the aglaonema is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, so keep it away from your pets.

Water: When the soil is dry, or about once a week

This low-light indoor plant can actually survive on fluorescent light alone and thrives in humid locations, like bathrooms. That’s not why we love bromeliads, though. They can grow on the ground, on rocks, or on other plants and trees. How cool is that? They’re also nontoxic to cats and dogs, making them one of our favorite plants around.

Water: Once a week

Ideal for bathrooms and other high-humidity environments, English ivy is a low-maintenance plant that doesn't require bright sunlight to thrive. Because this plant grows wild and fast, we recommend placing it in a hanging planter or using vine supports to help guide the new growth.

Water: Once or twice a week

With stunning variegated leaves and trailing vines, this pothos variety is a great way to break up the many shades of green in your houseplant collection. Provide this low-light indoor plant with indirect sunlight and hang it up high to let the vines really show off.

Water: Every two to three weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings

House Beautiful associate editor Jessica Cherner got a snake plant back in July 2020, and it's still thriving. “I got a plant because I wanted to add a little bit of color and life to my apartment, but I didn’t want to spend more than a few minutes here and there taking care of it,” she says. “I literally water it every six to eight weeks, and that’s more than enough.”

Water: Every two weeks or when the top quarter of soil is dry

Available in a variety of sizes, the prayer plant is named for its leaves that open and close as the sun rises and sets. While the changing leaves may seem finicky, this resilient, low-light houseplant is surprisingly easy to care for. Plus, it acts as a natural air purifier.

Water: Every one to two weeks

This low-light houseplant, also known as the Victorian parlor palm, is famously resilient. Plus, who wouldn’t love those pretty, feathery leaves that liven up any bland corner of your home? It does well in medium light but can survive in lower light areas as well. Though this palm likes humidity and extra moisture, you can water it sparingly. It’s also nontoxic for your cats and dogs.