Names and descriptions of shade-loving and low-maintenance indoor plants (+25 photos)

The assumption that all flowers require a lot of light is incorrect. In fact, there are a large number of shade-loving plants that grow indoors. Among them are species distinguished by lush blooms, beautiful foliage, and even some exotic flowers.

General characteristics of shade-loving plants

Sciophytes are shade-loving plants. Florists also call them heliophobes, meaning they don't tolerate sunlight well. In fact, many gardeners successfully grow these indoor plants in brightly lit areas. However, in the shade, these plants truly blossom.

Sciophytes placed in semi-shaded areas have more colorful inflorescences. The leaves of these flowers are typically much brighter and more vibrant. They lack pigment spots and other signs of sun exposure.

Shade-loving flowers are placed on western and eastern windowsills. Some will require additional lighting on northern windowsills. Sciophytes grow well near windows, under the shade of a curtain. In apartments with south-facing windows, shade-loving plants are placed further away from the windows.

Shade-loving flowers come in a variety of varieties. These include beautiful flowering plants, decorative foliage plants, and large houseplants.

Names of unpretentious shade-loving plants with descriptions

Growing shade-loving flowers usually requires a number of additional steps, as most of these plants are fussy. However, there are also some easy-to-grow flowers, such as chlorophytum, anthurium, peace lily, and pelargonium.

Chlorophytum

Chlorophytum is a herbaceous perennial plant. Chlorophytum is distinguished by its rich species diversity. The most famous species are:

• Crested;
• Curly (Bonnie);
• Cape;
• Orange (Winged, Orchid-star);
• Laxum.

Chlorophytum is distinguished by its long, drooping stems. At the tip of the stem, a tuft of leaves with aerial roots forms. Thanks to these stems, the plant is able to root in a neighboring pot and, over time, displace its occupant.

The leaves are lanceolate, gathered in a basal rosette. The surface is glossy or matte. Some species have a rough feel. The leaf blade color can be a grassy green, bright green, or dark green. Some species have longitudinal white stripes.

Chlorophytum blooms with small white flowers. The flower heads are collected in paniculate inflorescences.

Spathiphyllum

Spathiphyllum is an evergreen perennial plant belonging to the Araceae family. It is popularly known as "women's happiness." The following species are used in indoor gardening:

• Wallis;
• Dominoes;
• Sensation;
• Profusely flowering;
• Mauna Loa;
• Heliconia-leaved.

Spathiphyllum is characterized by a very small root system and the absence of a stem. The rosette of leaves grows directly from the soil.

Leaf blades can be either oval or lanceolate. The central vein and thin cross-veins are clearly visible on the surface. The blade is attached to an elongated petiole. Depending on the species, the leaves can have a matte or glossy surface, a solid green color, or green with whitish streaks.

Spathiphyllum is prized for its beautiful flowers. The inflorescence consists of a spadix and a spathe, which are borne on a long peduncle. The spathe is always pure white. The spathe can be milky, yellow, or pink.

Anthurium

Anthurium is an evergreen perennial plant in the Araceae family. It is known as "male happiness." The flower has a wide variety of species. The most popular are the following:

• Andre;
• Baker;
• Majestic;
• Hooker;
• Climbing;
• Multiple dissections;
• Crystal;
• Scherzer.

Anthurium is distinguished by its thick stem. Typically, the plant's stems are shortened.

Due to the wide variety of species, anthurium leaves can come in a variety of shapes. Leaf blades are always attached to petioles with a geniculum. The surface of the blades can be matte or glossy. The texture ranges from leathery to brittle and papery.

The anthurium flower is a spadix wrapped in a spathe. Unlike the spathiphyllum, the spadix can have a variety of shapes, including a spiral (Anthurium andrae) and a leathery spathe. The flower's color varies.

Pelargonium

Pelargonium is a perennial herbaceous plant, succulent, or shrub in the Geraniaceae family. The following species are used for indoor gardening:

• Fragrant;
• Capitate;
• Fragrant;
• Zonal;
• Cowl;
• Large-flowered;
• Curly;
• Staining;
• Fluffy-leaved;
• Pink;
• Angular;
• Quadrangular;
• Thyroid.

Pelargoniums are characterized by their extensive branching. The stems can grow upright or prostrate. The leaf blades are palmate or palmately dissected. The flowers are collected in umbel-shaped inflorescences. The abundance of flower heads creates the impression of double flowers. The petal colors are varied.

Varieties of decorative foliage indoor shade-loving flowers

Among shade-loving plants, there are a number of flowers belonging to the ornamental foliage group. Their leaves, as can be seen in the photo, are particularly bright and beautiful.

Sansevieria

Sansevieria is a stemless perennial plant belonging to the Asparagus family. Common names for this flower include pike tail, mother-in-law's tongue, and snake skin. The following plant species exist:

• Big;
• Hyacinth;
• Duneri;
• Graceful;
• Pick;
• Liberian;
• Three-lane.

The ornamental value of Sansevieria lies in its leaves. The blades are lanceolate and sword-shaped. The leaf structure is leathery, and the blades are fleshy and large. Leaf coloration depends on the Sansevieria species. Typically, it features various patterns and stripes, often tiger-like, on a dark green background. The exception is the Three-Stripe variety: a dark green, almost black leaf with a light yellowish border.

Fern

The fern is an exotic plant associated with many signs and superstitions. In nature, there are thousands of fern varieties. Only a few are grown indoors:

• Nephrolepis;
• Adiantum (Maidenhair);
• Common Ostrich Fern;
• Bracken;
• Male fern;
• Lady's foot fern.

Fern leaves grow on fronds—arched, elastic stems. In most species, they droop.

Leaves can be wide or narrow. They often have serrated edges. Indoor fern leaves are typically stiff. The surface of the leaves can be smooth or rough, glossy or matte. The color of the leaves ranges from rich green to light green.

Ficus

Ficus is a perennial plant belonging to the Moraceae family. Most ficus are evergreen, but deciduous species also exist. The following ficus are grown indoors:

• Rubber-bearing;
• Benjamin;
• Binnendiyka Ali;
• Microcarpa;
• Dwarf;
• Lyre-shaped;
• Bengal;
• Sacred (religious).

Ficus trees typically grow to quite large sizes, with the exception of dwarf species.

The most distinctive feature of the plant are its leaves. Depending on the species, they can come in a variety of shapes and shades. The surface of the leaves is often glossy. In most species, the leaves are fleshy and leathery.

Shade-loving large trees and palms

Among shade-loving plants, large trees and palms occupy a special place.

Dracaena

Dracaena is a perennial tree or shrub in the Asparagus family. The plant is considered a succulent. The flower is also known as the dragon tree or female dragon. Dracaena is often called the false palm. The following species are distinguished:

• Marginata (Bordered);
• Sander;
• Fragrant;
• Compact;
• Deremskaya;
• Dragon;
• Reflex;
• Godsefa.

The appearance of a dracaena changes as it matures. A young plant resembles a trunk with a dense covering of leaves. As it matures, the trunk becomes bare. Some species retain only the leafy tips, reminiscent of a palm tree. Others arrange sparse leaves along the bare trunk in a spiral or opposite pattern.

The leaves are sword-shaped or lanceolate. The color can be either a solid light or dark green, or variegated. Some species have lemon, white, or light green longitudinal stripes across the entire leaf surface. Dracaena godseffiana is distinguished by its oval, dark green leaves with dense white speckles.

Monstera

Monstera is a large vine in the Araceae family. Several dozen species of this plant are recognized in the wild, but only two are cultivated indoors:

• Monstera Deliciosa (Attractive) – pinnately dissected leaves;
• Monstera Oblique (Unequal-Sided) – perforated leaves.

The flower is a perennial. Even indoors, it grows up to several meters. Monstera is distinguished by its unusual leaves.

The leaf blades reach quite large sizes and are attached to strong petioles. The surface of the blades has holes (perforations) or cross-sections. Perforations are also often present on pinnately dissected leaves.

The color of the leaves depends on the monstera species. The Delicatessen variety has a deep, dark green, while the Kosaya variety has a rich, vibrant green.

Palm

The indoor palm is a truly exotic plant, captivating with its stature and unusual leaves. The following palm species are grown indoors:

• Bamboo palm;
• Neanta;
• Date palm;
• Coconut Nut;
• Weddel's Coconut;
• Fish tail.

The size, color, and shape of leaf blades vary. Indoor palms have a certain characteristic, which, if ignored, can be fatal. Palms do not tolerate the forced loss of leaves well. Therefore, a cut palm leaf can lead to the death of the entire tree.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Sciophytes are a large group of houseplants. They thrive in partial shade. This will delight you with lush blooms and vibrant foliage.