10 Small Plants That Don’t Need Sunlight

In an area with poor light, plants are not the best fit. However, several plants do not require sunlight, including ivy, Snake plants, and bromeliads. This list will show you which plants can live in poor light without sacrificing their beauty. You can even grow bromeliads in your home! Bromeliads are a family of plants that come in wide different varieties. Some of these plants have flowers, while others have left and sometimes even fruits.

Zanzibar Gem (ZZ Plant)

This plant is low-maintenance and thrives in various conditions, from office cubicles to low-light homes. ZZ plants also need low moisture levels, which means you won’t have to worry about watering them very often. Because they don’t need too much moisture, the ZZ plant can flourish in any environment without any effort from you.

It can survive with a low light level, so keeping it away from the windows is important. You’ll also want to remember to water the plant only when it’s dry since it doesn’t drink like other tropical plants. It’s also a great choice for a small space.

Ivy

Ivy is among the most versatile indoor plants. It looks stunning in a simple pot, and it will easily climb a trellis, wall, or shelf. Once established, ivy will tolerate a little neglect, making it a great houseplant to gift. You can also propagate it by cuttings.

Ivy can grow long and lush and can survive in low-light areas. It is also a fast climber and can look wonderful cascading over a shelf or hanging pot. While most succulents need bright light, ivy can grow fine in a shady spot. It will grow slowly and can even tolerate a corner. It is popular in Asian countries.

Many plants can thrive in low light conditions, and ivy is one of the most common. It needs very little light, so it’s an ideal choice for those in climates that do not get enough sunlight. It requires less than half the sunlight of other indoor plants and can be grown in any area of your home. 

Bird’s nest fern

A crinkled fern with delicate green leaves, the Bird’s Nest Fern is good for indoor plants. It needs medium light levels and is best placed near a north-facing window. Feeding it at a weaker strength every two or three months will help the plant grow stronger and healthier. You can buy a pot for this fern and keep it in a sunny, warm area. It is safe for humans and pets, so don’t be alarmed if it has a pet cat!

If your Bird’s Nest Fern leaves begin to turn yellow, the plant may be suffering from a lack of water. To treat this, remove the yellow leaves with a sharp garden knife. Or, if you notice the fern’s leaves have turned a pale green color, you should water it daily. You can buy a humidifier for your bird’s nest fern and mist it daily to restore the green color to its leaves.

Snake plant

Despite its name, the snake plant requires no sun, but it can tolerate some shade and drafts. You do not need to report it frequently, and the plant doesn’t get infested with pests. Snake plants release oxygen into the air and add moisture to it. 

Snake plants are a low-maintenance choice for beginners and are relatively hardy. Because of their adaptability, they need very little care and attention. While they prefer bright indirect light, they can also survive in low-light areas, like the basement or a sunny window. 

They also prefer a well-drained environment, so they should only be watered when the soil is dry. Snake plants like low-humidity environments but happily grow in partial sunlight and some temperatures, as long as they get plenty of indirect light.

Maidenhair fern

Maidenhair fern grows best in bright indirect light. It should not receive direct sunlight, but it does benefit from supplemental full-spectrum lights. This plant also needs good drainage, so make sure you have a well-drained area for your fern.

It requires well-drained, moist soil to grow properly. You can make your potting mix by mixing coconut coir and organic matter into the soil. Organic matter helps retain moisture and create a rich humus environment. Peat also releases moisture into the soil to the roots. Loam holds nutrients and allows water to drain easily from the roots. Keep these plants well watered to promote growth.

Monstera

The benefits of owning a Monstera are plentiful. This plant does not require a lot of sunlight. It also doesn’t require much fertilizer. The Monstera only needs fertilizer once or twice a month during its growing period. During its dormant period, it does not require any fertilizer. It helps to prevent root rot and to overwater

The Monstera, or Swiss-cheese plant, is a very popular Instagram plant. This low-maintenance houseplant does not require excessive sunlight or watering. Its large, ‘cut’ leaves are perfect for photos. 

It tolerates light that is slightly shaded but doesn’t like direct sunlight. Regular pruning can help keep the leaves looking healthy and lush. Because Monstera doesn’t need direct sunlight, it can live anywhere in the house and does well in medium to low light.

Cast-iron plant 

This hardy houseplant will thrive with moderate lighting and neglect, but you should avoid total darkness and direct bright sunlight. It likes a moist climate, but it will tolerate drier air, too. The best way to keep it healthy and grow is to follow the care instructions found on the packaging.

Unlike most houseplants, the Cast Iron plant can tolerate low light and humidity. It grows to be half a meter tall and three feet wide, but it’s best to avoid direct sunlight, which can burn it. The cast iron plant only flowers outdoors, so you should keep it out of direct sunlight. But, it’s a slow, steady plant, and its lack of sunlight will reward you.

Climbing fig 

The climbing fig, or ficus pumila, is an evergreen, woody vine with overlapping leaves and stems. They can be grown indoors or outdoors, but they are not hardy enough for winter in many regions of North Carolina. They need wire support to climb, and they can cover an average wall within two to three years. The leaves grow darker and protrude from the vertical branches. You should prune them every year to maintain vibrant foliage.

Japanese sedge 

The genus name of Japanese sedge, Carex oshimensis, means cutter, which refers to its sharp stems and leaves. This ornamental grass grows as low, mounded clumps and produces most of its growth before temperatures exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Its leaves are narrow, variegated, and up to 16 inches long. It does not receive direct sunlight.

The best place for this plant is a shady, partially shady area, though it will tolerate some light. Full sun will bleach the foliage and leave it to look dull, so the best place for it is in a shaded area. It doesn’t require fertilizer, so the best thing to do is to add a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant.

Parlor palms 

Unlike other tropical plants, parlor palms don’t require direct sunlight. Parlor palms can tolerate temperatures as low as 50 degrees. Because of this, parlor palms should be kept indoors, as they will die in the first frost.

Final Words

The plants in this list don’t need sunlight to grow, but they thrive when placed in areas with indirect light. Some of these plants can even be grown indoors if you have the right light conditions. If you live in an area that doesn’t get a lot of sunlight, consider adding one or more of these plants to your garden.