If you are a gardener, chances are you have wondered whether you can grow plants in your home despite low lighting. I have been in the same position before, and I was frustrated by the lack of reliable information available to me.
There are some plants that will require minimal lighting and maintenance, and I’ve compiled a list of the best indoor shade plants to help you avoid the same struggle.
Here’s some information to help you determine the type of light you have in your home:
- An open space with lots of windows and that faces south has a lot of light.
- The “medium light” is found in rooms that face east or west.
- Finally, rooms facing north, or those that do not have any windows, are considered “low light”.
If you do decide that you do want to grow shade plants indoors, place them in a room that has no windows. there are two choices: either you leave the lights on in the room for 12 hours a day, or you rotate the plants, placing them in the room without windows for a couple of weeks, then moving them back to the natural lightroom.
It’s time to talk about the good stuff:
1. Lucky Bamboo
Bamboo is not only decorative, it’s also ideal for homes with little light. Keeping it alive is relatively straightforward since it just needs shade, low temperatures, and free of fluoride water. Avoiding direct sunlight is essential because it can damage the leaves and make them yellow. It is best to keep this indoor shade plant in a dimly lit corner and give it the occasional small amount of indirect sunlight. Water it frequently with ordinary tap water.
If the leaves turn yellow or brown, it means the plant has been exposed to too much sunlight, fluoride, or the roots are growing rapidly. If you want to have some even more fun, you can also play around with the direction that the light is hitting the stem of the plant, as this can cause it to change shape.
2. Pothos and Crotons
Various plants or flower shops sell Crotons, which is not the same as Croutons. Plants such as these are known for being beautiful with their colorful leaves and flowers and require little sunlight to bloom. The minute you start using one, you’ll notice it will begin to shed its colorful leaves. You shouldn’t worry, though, as new leaves will start to appear in a few days.
Pothos, although related to Crotons, are much larger in leaves and have yellow stripes rather than the green stripes common in Crotons. However, just like Crotons, they will continue to thrive when kept inside your home. when kept inside your home will continue to thrive and bloom.
3. Kalanchoe Plants
kalanchoes have bright colors and uniquely shaped leaves that you can’t help but love. Plus, if you’re like me and love variety, this plant is a great choice because it comes in many colors, including pink, yellow, and white.
Getting Kalanchoes started is easy, and you simply need raw soil, sprinkle some fertilizer and cut back the blooms once they’ve finished blooming. If you don’t mind putting in some extra effort, just make sure you provide full sunlight and water the plants.
4. White Orchids
A white orchid is one of the most beautiful indoor shade plants available, but when buying one, it is important to make sure it has at least 12-14 buds. If the leaves look healthy, shiny, and are free of blemishes, then you can plant them in a wide pot. Once a couple of days have passed, then add some mulch to the soil.
My love for white orchids is also rooted in the fact that it thrives in both sunlight and shade. Dark green leaves change into light green when a plant is in direct sunlight, but dark green leaves change into light green when it is in a brightly lit room. If you don’t like the shade of green you can always experiment with the lights to get your perfect shade.
5. Areca Palm
If you choose a full size areca palm, it will run you a surprisingly high price. Getting a table top version may be your best bet if you are on a budget. If you do not have the space for the tree to grow, you can choose another plant for your home. It can grow 4-6 inches per year, and it matures to 6-7 feet, if not more.
But on the bright side, they tend to grow longer than other succulents, so you can trim them without risking harming them. A good companion for years to come, this house plant enjoys a shaded setting. But to keep it healthy, make sure to give it the right amount of light. It is advisable to place the plants near a window that is orientated south or west and make sure the light is bright but indirect. Direct light will make leaves turn yellow, and that is not desirable.
6. Spider Plants
You might not like spiders but this plant will surely put a smile on your face. With a wide range of outdoor and indoor climates and conditions, the spider plant is one of the easiest indoor plants to maintain. The plant gets its name from its little spiderettes, which hang from the top of the plant and look like spiders making webs.
These varieties come in a variety of colors and most commonly begin as white flowers. If you don’t have a particular green thumb, or you just want a low-maintenance plant, then you’ll love this indoor shade plant. They are not easy to kill (or at the very least, killing them will be difficult).
Let them dry out before watering them again. It’s that simple. Have good soil and water, and you’re set. Just remember not to overwater them or the roots will rot.
7. Peace Lily
There are many reasons why peace lilies are favored by many people, and you can spot them in offices and homes every day. These plants are known for having white flowers and dark green leaves. One of the reasons why they’re so popular indoor plants nowadays is that they’re easy to care for, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t susceptible to the conditions in their surroundings.
As you might expect, peace lilies do best in low light. Can you see a pattern starting to emerge here? How much light you give your peace lily is entirely dependent on what you want it to look like. If you give them a lot of light, they will flower constantly and appear “flowery”. If viewed in a lower light setting, however, they look more like a traditional foliage plant. You can decide which vibe you prefer.
9. Chinese Evergreen
It is pretty common for people to grow the Chinese evergreen because there are so many different varieties. Each plant has a different, intricate pattern on its leaves, which makes them quite beautiful.
The vines rarely grow higher than 1′, making them great for people who want something small and manageable for the office or home. During the summer months, be sure to keep a close eye on them, as they will sprout lovely green foliage.
10. Snake Plant
As snake plants are known to improve air quality, they are an incredibly unique type of indoor shade plant. I promise you’ll love the sword-shaped leaves as well as the easy care they need. Keep them away from moisture, however, as they are also incredibly easy to care for. One lesson I learned first-hand, and it was not a pleasant one.
11. Dumb Cane
You shouldn’t let the name fool you – this plant is actually pretty cool. Dumb canes usually grow up to 5 to 6 feet tall, so they’re perfect if you’re looking for something that will stay alive longer than the average house plant. You should be very careful with poisonous dumb canes around pets and small children. When eaten, they can make you very sick.
12. Prayer Plant
The prayer plant is quite large, and it usually ranges between 12 and 18 inches in height. The leaves are usually about 5 inches long. Yet, despite all of this abuse, it is still doing well.
My favorite part of the plant is that the leaves roll up at night, giving it the look of a praying plant. I’ve found mine tends to be a late riser and won’t unroll its leaves until late morning. Neat, right?
13. Wandering Jew
A wandering Jew is a great plant for someone who seeks indoor shade plants that are aesthetically pleasing. It features exquisite leaves that are green, silver, and purple, making it the perfect plant for any interior garden. It’s common to hang the leaves in baskets since they have lovely leaves that fall to the sides. They’re also the perfect size, ranging anywhere from one to three feet.
14. Peacock Plant
The other day, I walked out with a pretty peacock plant after stopping by Home Depot for a few things. The reason it’s kept small for some reason, but I’ve heard some go as tall as 4 feet. It’s consistently loaded with gorgeous white blossoms, even when it’s an indoor shade plant.
I want to offer you a final word of wisdom before you run out and buy all of this book.
- Indoor shade plants generally require less watering than plants in the open, so don’t overwater them.
- Do not over water your plants. Just because they thrive in a shaded area does not mean they like being cold.
- Every two weeks, you should fertilize them.
There you have it- the best indoor shade plants. Hopefully you find this list helpful, and feel free to tell me which plant you prefer the most.
The plants on this list are some of my all-time favourites and I honestly wish I had learned about them sooner.
Feel free to let me know what you thought of the list, or if there’s anything I should have included on the list.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
There are still many recent and interesting articles about Snake Plants..
..as well as other unique information from All Things Gardener..
For further information and other inquiries..
..you can contact us here