While all plants need some light to live, there are certain variants that are able to adapt to low-light conditions, making them the go-to for light-starved homes. Indoor plants for low light are a popular option for those who live in apartments or houses with smaller gardens and few areas offering natural light.
What are low light plants?
Low light plants are plants that are able to flourish in areas of darkness, such as dimly lit rooms, corridors without windows, and garden areas basked in shade. Despite the lack of light, they’re still able to bloom, producing an abundance of flowers and leaves.
How to care for low light plants
Every plant is different and as such, each variant necessitates different growing conditions in order to thrive. Just because a plant requires little light, this doesn’t mean you can neglect to water it, feed it, or use poor soil.
It’s therefore important to do your research before purchasing a low light plant to ensure you’re able to care for it accordingly.
Where to put low light plants
Low light plants can be placed in an array of locations boasting little light, such as indoors in a room with hardly any natural light, in a corridor with few windows, or in a sheltered courtyard. Certain species will require more light than others and may prefer warmer surroundings.
To ensure the plant thrives, place it in the correct environment. If you’re unsure of the plant’s needs, enquire at your local florist or research online for care tips and advice.
Different types of low light plants
If you’re considering inside plants for low light conditions, we listed seven of our favourites that we think you’ll love. All of these plants are readily available online and will add depth and colour to dark spaces, including both indoor and sheltered outdoor areas.
- Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema): This plant has both toughness and handsome foliage. It boasts a graceful appearance, which stems from its elegant oblong leaves, which grow from a central stem. These leaves tend to be a solid green shade or splashed with various shades of gray and green – this is dependent on the variant. In line with its tropical origin, this specie of plant enjoys good light and high humidity, yet is still able to flourish when both are low.
- Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia): This plant is of a generous size and boasts stunning foliage. Asides from its attractive appearance, it’s able to tolerate indoor conditions, including average home temperatures and average humidity.
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Native to the tropics, the spider plant is hugely popular due to its unique growth habit and its ability to flourish in low light. It’s also one of the best plants to invest in if you wish to purify the air.
- ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): This tropical, slow-growing perennial is enjoyed for its upright, glossy foliage. It is able to thrive in standard indoor potting soil and reflected light.
- Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior): As its name implies, this is a sturdy species that requires little maintenance and is classed as one of the best outdoor shade-loving plants.
- Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans): This feathery-leafed palm is among one of the easiest palms to grow inside. It tolerates both crowded roots and low light.
- Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata): This species of plant prefers bright, indirect light and is also able to tolerate extremely dim light, which makes it a great option for indoors and for those who reside in apartments without gardens. For best results, place in a standard potting soil and fertilize regularly during the months of spring and summer.
Where to buy low light plants
Low light plants can be purchased at garden centers and at online florists. Buying online is a great way to save both time and money, as the plants will also be delivered directly to your door. It is however important to have some sort of light as it’s very rare that a plant will thrive in complete darkness.
Do low light plants need co2 and what does low light for plants mean?
Plants require sunlight to undergo photosynthesis. This means taking carbon dioxide from the air, water from the roots, and using sunlight as the energetic source to create sugar. Certain plants are able to survive in very low-light conditions, for example, those that reside in dark, rainforest canopies.
These particular species have undergone evolutionary adaptations to handle these low-light surroundings, which include creating broad, thin leaves to capture as much sunlight as possible.
Start growing some plants. Should you prefer flowers or plants, garden centers, and online florists have an abundance of choice, many of which offer same and next day flower delivery.
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