We learned as a kid that plants make their food from water and sunlight. And some of us have still been living in the shade that our plants’ growth is directly proportional to the amount of water and light we provide them. If that’s the case with you, it’s time to burst the bubble. Different species of plants, just like animals, have different body types, and thus, their survival needs differ.
Some plants proliferate in bright direct sunlight, while others prefer staying in cooler shades. That’s why you can find tons of indoor plants that can survive the dark conditions. These plants require little care and significantly enhance your decor. Believe it or not, some plants do grow better in the shade.
So, if you are looking for houseplants for the darker corners of your room, you have come to the right place. Here are 11 houseplants that don’t care about the already crowded space on your windows. Moreover, you’ll fond very vivid options here that will enlighten any dull corners in your home or office.
11 Houseplants That Can Survive In The Darkest Corners Of Your House
1. Soleirolia
Commonly known as Baby’s Tears Plant, the Soleirolia plant is one of the fastest-growing evergreens. So it’s for those who hate to wait as their plant takes months to grow a few inches. It gets its amusing name from its little round leaves that stream down its thin stems. The creeper spreads quickly and beautifully, so much that you can see the difference in a day.
But you would need to trim its leaves down a bit at times as it can invade and crowd plants around it. If you have the knack of watering your plants generously, this one is a must-have as it loves moisture.
Care and Maintenance:
Water, water and more water, it can’t tolerate dryness. Since it grows quickly, you should repot it, preferably in the spring season. It will grow gorgeous single flowers typically in the summer season. It’s a great addition to dark spaces like offices as it can live in low, indirect light.
2. Elephant Ears Plant
Do you have a lot of dull, free space in your room? Try filling it up with the gigantic leaves of Elephant Ears Plant. This plant is absolutely enormous, probably the largest you will plant in your house. It is available in a variety of colors, including purple, green, and white, and can add vibrance to your room.
They grow larger when planted outdoors but can easily grow indoors under low light conditions too. The leaves will be a little shorter, but that is rather an advantage as its leaves can grow up to 2 feet outdoors.
Care and Maintenance:
Elephant Ears need indirect light, so you should add a curtain on the windows of its room. It would, though, need you to be a good caretaker as it prefers moist soil. Keep it moist, but don’t make the ground soggy.
3. Silver Queen
If you have an elite taste, Silver Queen will indeed have your gaze fixated. The silvery-green lance-shaped leaves of this Chinese Evergreen plant makes it the perfect decor item for your office desk or bookshelf. You might have previously seen it one of those design schemes; it’s no less than a showpiece.
Moreover, NASA has approved it as an air purifying plant freeing your house from harmful toxins like Benzene and Formaldehyde. The dark-colored versions thrive in low light conditions, although the light green one needs more light.
Care and Maintenance:
The elite demand proper care and Silver Queen is no different. Don’t let it dry and always keep the soil moist. Water in moderation and protect it from direct sunlight, which can scorch its leaves.
4. Earth Star (Cryptanthus)
Cryptsnthus or Earth Plant is from the Bromeliad family of tropical plants usually grown in terrariums. It has an exotic and rare star-like shape due to which some call it the starfish plant.
This plant, with its pretty pink foliage, adds a romantic appeal to your decor. It will be a fine addition to your bedroom or on the dinner table for those unforgettable first dates.
Care and Maintenance:
Despite its unmatched beauty, this plant is quite low maintenance. It requires just a small amount of light, preferably in the early morning or at dawn. Protect it from direct sunlight and water it only when the topsoil becomes dry. Once established, it can endure long spells of drought.
5. Japanese Sago Palm
Museums are for nerds, but it is classy to have a few pieces of ancient history at your home. And what better than having a plant that has its roots from the dinosaur era? Also referred to as living fossils, the Sago Palm has a stunning dark green foliage. It is sturdy needle-like leaves makes it an exciting addition to any room.
Care and Maintenance:
Japanese Sago Palms are perfect for beginners. They prefer bright indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions for long. They require only occasional watering. Perhaps, overwatering can harm it, so you need to put it in well-drained soil. Let it dry out before watering.
6. Begonia Rex
Most plants add a natural, calming influence to any room. But Begonia Rex is not that conventional plant of yours. It’s born to stand out. And with its remarkably vivid and variegated leaves, it will surely stand out among other plants.
You can add a little contrast to the group of plants on your shelf with this one. You can also keep it as a standalone item on your desk and tabletops with a small space as a comparatively short houseplant. Moreover, it is an effortless plant that prefers dryness over moisture, which will play into your procrastinating hands.
Care and Maintenance:
It can sustain low light conditions but will thrive in medium bright lighting. Water it only when the soil is dry. Too much moisture can kill it quickly, so wait for it to dry completely before watering it.
7. Calathea Orbifolia
Large leaves with shades of silver masterfully painted on the green with clean brush strokes; this plant is an art exhibition of finesse. It will attract more than gaze in your meetings and can be a great conversation starter as your guests admire its beauty.
Its oval leaves can grow up to one foot, and it is a good statement of class. But it is a challenge to care for it as it does need a bit of pampering.
Care and Maintenance:
The first signs of dryness can be fatal to your Calathea. Keep it moist, but not too soggy. It will be fine with medium bright light, preferably filtered from a curtain.
8. Spider Plant (Chlorphytum Comosum)
The Spider Plant has serene foliage that blends white stripes with green. The thin leaves protrude out like the feet of a spider and hence its name.
It can grow delicate white blossoms that add a sense of calm. It’s ideal for putting around the place of meditation or in your bedroom. It grows fairly quickly and is quite low maintenance, which makes it suitable for beginners too.
Care and Maintenace:
The undemanding Spider Plant is happy to live in low light conditions but try to show in the morning sun now and then to develop a strong coloring. Protect it from direct sunlight that can burn its leaves.
Be generous while watering it as it proliferates in damp soil. Once established, it has thick roots that can sustain short spells of dryness easily. Spray it regularly if you live in dry climates.
9. Red Prayer Plant
The red-veined prayer plant will add an exotic vibe wherever you put it. The tropical plant from Brazil has small leaves and doesn’t grow too long. It will be perfect in the small spaces on your bookshelf or tabletops.
The name prayer plant comes from its response to light. It likes to pray to the heavens at night by moving its leaves upwards in a praying position. Rationally, it helps it to retain moisture at night.
Care and Maintenance:
It can sustain low light conditions but is a fussy little customer. It needs damp soil to grow correctly, but you need to prevent making it too soggy. It grows best in moderate lighting with warm temperatures of around 25°C. It is not ideal for cold climates as its leaves wither off.
10. Anthurium Plant
Anthurium Plant is one of the most popular houseplants for gifting for a good reason. It’s picture-perfect red; heart-shaped blooms can make anyone fall in love with it. Add it on premium quality, vibrant pot, and it will become an instant heartthrob for your guests.
It’s also known to be a lucky plant that makes relationships and friendships prosper. It’s the happiest when it’s dark green foliage, and red blooms are shiny. The better you care, the more exotic it will be.
Care and Maintenance:
Anthurium requires a good amount of indirect light throughout the day to keep blooming and shining. It will be fine in low light but with a little fewer blooms. Water it generously when you do, but let it dry before watering again.
11. Dragon Tree
A native of Madagascar, the Dragon Tree, is one of the most effortless plants you’ll ever have. You cay leave it unattended for a month, and it will survive(you shouldn’t do that on intention, though).
While it can grow up to 6 feet, it grows very slowly, which is ideal for homes. Its leaves are tender and stiff, which look great in the vacant corners of the room. Interestingly, it oozes a red blood-like liquid if you cut its stem.
Care and Maintenance:
Keep it in a room having moderate indirect light. Protect it from direct sunlight. Water it as and when the soil gets a bit dry. Avoid overwatering and mist the leaves to keep them hydrated and fresh.
While these plants can survive in low light or even dark conditions, you should show them bright indirect light once in a while. Keeping plants in the dark conditions for too long will considerably slow their growth. Water them as and when required and the plants will smile back at you even in the darkest hours.
