Top 15 Plants That Don’t Need Sunlight

Do you live in a dark apartment with north-facing windows where direct sunlight never reaches? Then grow plants that don’t need direct sunlight: they can thrive even in dim spaces, provided proper care based on Botan tips. In this guide, we will consider the top 15 low-light plants and their main care features. 

Quick Comparison of Low-Light Plants 

Remember that “no sun” doesn’t mean that greenery can thrive in total darkness forever. Such species still rely on photosynthesis, so they need some natural low or filtered light to keep growing.

Use the table below to compare the best 15 plants that don't need sun, namely where to place each plant, what its light tolerance is, and what care details matter most. It can help narrow your choice before reading the greenery descriptions in detail.

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1. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

Snake plant is an ideal option for inexperienced gardeners wondering what plants don't need sunlight. According to the University of Illinois Extension, this tropical evergreen perennial thrives even in neglect and tough growing conditions thanks to its stiff, upright leaves that store moisture. 

It is tolerant of dim rooms, dry air, and irregular watering. Place it in a bedroom, hallway, or office where the window is north-facing, or where direct sunlight falls for 2-6 hours a day. To prevent root rot, make sure that the soil is dry before watering.

2. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

This greenery is one of the plants that survives without sunlight. As the NC State Extension notes, it can grow in bright indirect sunlight, dark bedrooms, and even under fluorescent lamps on the desk. Since the ZZ plant stores water, it is drought-tolerant, like cacti and other succulents. 

In winter, water it once a month, while in summer it requires watering twice monthly. Avoid overwatering. Otherwise, root rot may appear. 

3. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos is a flexible trailing greenery with heart-shaped leaves and long cascading stems that adapts to shelves, bookcases, hanging containers, and office corners, creating a tropical atmosphere. If you are wondering what plants can survive without sunlight, consider Epipremnum aureum for rooms with moderate indirect light or shade. 

However, keep a balance: too much light can lead to yellowing leaves, and lack of light can make leaves pale. Water pothos only when the soil is completely dry. Also trim vines regularly.

4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace lily is valued for its glossy deep green leaves and beautiful white flowers. It grows well in indirect light, deep shade, and even under fluorescent light, which makes it suitable as floor greenery in bedrooms, bathrooms, and dark living rooms. Although this greenery is included in the plants that don't need any light, it will not flower heavily in deep shade. 

Keep the soil lightly moist, not soaked. The soil should dry out between waterings. Be sure to water the Peace Lily from below to avoid splashing drops. 

5. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

The cast iron plant is tough, slow-growing, and forgiving. The Missouri Botanical mention Aspidistra elatior in the list of plants that thrive in low-light conditions. It grows well in places with indirect light and dense shade.

The cast iron plant can grow when the indoor air is dry and care is improper. It’s advisable to place it several feet from a window where direct sun is absent. Otherwise, bright rays can lead to scorching leaves. 

6. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Chinese evergreen is a practical tropical greenery for homes, offices, Asian gardens, and patios. NC Extension describes this herbaceous perennial as an excellent choice for low-light indoor and outdoor warm places. 

Its patterned leaves bring color to dimmer rooms without requiring direct sunlight. Green varieties usually tolerate shade better than heavily pink or red cultivars. Place Chinese evergreen in a warm room where there are no cold drafts.

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7. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Parlor palm is a classic indoor palm that handles lower light better than many other houseplants. This slowly growing greenery thrives in bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, offices, and shaded corners. It can even feel good in areas with artificial light. 

The best place for it is north- or east-facing windows in the room with a low to medium humidity level. Make sure the soil is evenly moist, but don’t let it get soggy. 

8. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

This vine with heart-shaped green leaves and long cascading stems perfectly suits shelves and hanging baskets. It adapts well to rooms with medium and low light.

However, growth may become slower and more spaced out in this case. Heartleaf Philodendron requires medium humidity, slightly moist soil, and trimming long vines. 

9. Dracaena (Dracaena)

Dracaena is commonly grown as a compact houseplant or a tree. Thanks to its upright form and long leaves with colorful stripes, it fits perfectly on shelves, tabletops, and places where it serves as modern floor decor. 

Many Dracaena species tolerate low to medium indirect sunlight. When caring for it, provide a pot with good drainage holes and avoid overwatering.

10. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

Prayer plant is admired for its ovate leaves with red fishbone-patterned veins that fold upward at night like praying hands. Since this greenery spreads horizontally, it fits perfectly into hanging baskets. Prayer plant prefers bright indirect light but can adapt to lower light if humidity is steady. 

It cannot thrive in low temperatures, cold drafts, and low humidity. So, it’s important to place it in a warm, humidified room. 

11. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plant is adaptable to many conditions, easy to propagate, and suitable for hanging containers thanks to its long, arching striped leaves with tiny spider-like offshoots. It tolerates low light but grows more vigorously in medium indirect sunlight. 

In darker rooms with deep shade, its growth may slow, and variegated stripes may become less distinct. For good health, use well-drained soil and water the Chlorophytum comosum when the top layer begins to dry. 

12. Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia seguine)

Dieffenbachia serves as a bright green accent in the room thanks to huge leaves with different patterns of patches or blotches. Illinois Extension notes that it tolerates lower light, although it grows best in brighter indirect conditions. That’s why it is useful to compare it with partial sun plants. 

This makes it suitable for a room with filtered light rather than a dark corner. Place Dieffenbachia in a warm room with low humidity.

13. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

Lucky bamboo is a popular indoor tropical shrub grown in water or soil. It prefers filtered light and can suffer in direct sun. Place it on a desk, bathroom shelf, or bright room away from the window. If it grows in water, refresh it regularly to prevent mosquitoes. 

Species growing in potting mix require good drainage and watering when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry.

14. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Having trailing vines and thick, glossy leaves, this climbing greenery looks perfect in hanging baskets or on shelves. It tolerates indirect light but can also thrive in low-light, cool rooms with good airflow. Direct sunlight, dry air, and hot temperatures may kill it. 

Keep the soil slightly moist and inspect leaves regularly. Spider mites can become a problem when indoor air is too dry.

15. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

Money Tree is a good choice for rooms as a small, bonsai-like indoor plant. It grows well in places with indirect sunlight. However, the best light for Money Tree is bright, filtered light near a window rather than the deep darkness or direct midday sun. 

Plant this greenery in the moist, well-drained potting mix. Check that the soil is dry before watering, as too much moisture can cause root rot.