Best Low-Light Houseplants for Apartments

If your apartment doesn't get much direct sun — small windows, a north-facing room, or a corner that's several feet from any window — you can still keep houseplants successfully. You just need to pick species that evolved to grow under a forest canopy rather than in open sun. Here are the most reliable options, plus how to tell if your space actually qualifies as "low light."


First: what "low light" actually means


Low light doesn't mean no light. If you can comfortably read a book in the room without turning on a lamp during the day, that's generally enough for the plants below. Rooms with genuinely no natural light at all (windowless bathrooms, interior hallways) usually need a plant grow light rather than relying on natural light alone, no matter which plant you choose.


1. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)


Often considered the single best plant for dark apartments. It stores water in underground rhizomes, so it's extremely drought-tolerant and only needs watering every 2–4 weeks. Its glossy, dark leaves also make it look good even when you're not paying it much attention.


Watering: Every 2–4 weeks, only when soil is fully dry.


2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)


Nearly indestructible and one of the most forgiving plants for beginners. It tolerates low light, irregular watering, and general neglect better than almost any other common houseplant.


Watering: Every 2–3 weeks, letting soil dry out completely between waterings.


3. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)


A trailing vine with heart-shaped leaves that tolerates low light and irregular watering well. Good for shelves, hanging planters, or letting it trail down a bookcase. Note that in lower light, the leaf variegation (the light/dark patterning) may become less pronounced — that's normal, not a sign of a problem.


Watering: When the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry.


4. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)


Exactly as tough as its name suggests. Dark, leathery leaves and extreme tolerance for dim corners, inconsistent watering, and general neglect. A great pick for a spot you know you'll forget about.


Watering: Every 1–2 weeks; let it dry out between waterings.


5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)


One of the few flowering houseplants that tolerates lower light. Worth knowing: while the foliage handles dim rooms well, it will flower less often without brighter indirect light. If flowers matter to you, place it as close to a light source as your space allows.


Watering: Peace lilies like consistently moist (not soggy) soil, and will droop noticeably when thirsty — which is actually useful, since it gives you a clear visual cue to water.


6. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)


A compact, feathery-leaved palm that's been a popular indoor plant for over a century. Adapts well to lower light and doesn't demand constant watering, making it a solid low-maintenance option if you want something with a softer, more tropical look than the plants above.


Watering: When the top inch of soil is dry.


7. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)


Thin, arching leaves that give a tropical, sculptural look. Tolerates low light well, though it does best near a window with indirect light rather than in a truly dark corner.


Watering: Every 1–2 weeks, allowing soil to dry between waterings.


Quick picks by situation


Want the most forgiving option possible? ZZ Plant or Snake Plant. Want a trailing plant for a shelf? Pothos. Want something flowering? Peace Lily (place it in the brightest spot you have). Want a plant with a softer, tropical look? Parlor Palm.


General tips for low-light apartments


Position plants as close to whatever natural light you do have as possible — even low-light plants do better with some usable brightness than with none. Water less frequently than you would in bright light — low-light plants grow more slowly and use water more slowly too, so overwatering is the more common risk in dim spaces. Rotate plants occasionally so all sides get even light exposure and growth doesn't become lopsided. If a room truly has no natural light, a basic LED grow light for a few hours a day makes a bigger difference than picking a "tougher" plant.

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