Top 12 Shade-Tolerant Indoor Plants

Shade-tolerant houseplants are plants that can thrive and thrive in low light conditions. They have a number of characteristics that allow them to survive in low-light conditions. They are suitable for low-light spaces such as hallways, stairwells, offices with north-facing windows, and so on. They can also be used to create green areas in homes and apartments with limited natural light.

Their features:

1. Leaves are usually darker in color, which helps them absorb light better.
2. Many have large leaves that create a large surface area for absorbing light.
3. Some may have longer stems or roots to reach the light.
4. They are usually slow growing because they do not require much light to grow.
5. Some can bloom in low light conditions, but their flowers will be less vibrant and larger than those grown in full sun.

Catalog

Aspidistra

Aspidistra is a stemless perennial that easily thrives in low-light conditions. However, its glossy, broadly oval or lanceolate leaves, approximately 0.5 m long and 15 cm wide, with elongated petioles, retain their rich, dark green color in good light, but not in direct sunlight.

A temperature of 13-15°C is sufficient for normal development. The sessile flowers are inconspicuous, brownish-purple in color. The thick, snake-like rhizome stores moisture. Aspidistra has no special soil or humidity requirements, but it does require regular dusting or washing.

Aglaonema

Members of this genus aren't particularly demanding when it comes to light, but this applies more to the green-leaved species. Those with variegated coloring, featuring various pale green spots and stripes, prefer brighter locations. The lanceolate or oblong leaves reach 10-15 cm in length and are borne on short, fleshy stems.

The appearance of an inflorescence (a spadix with small flowers without perianths), on which oval berries (yellow, red, or white) ripen, is considered lucky. These berries are not edible. Incidentally, the plant itself effectively absorbs toxins. It grows slowly. It prefers warmth but reacts negatively to drafts.

Zamioculcas

Zamioculcas is graceful and undemanding. It doesn't require high humidity and tolerates low light, though its growth may slow. However, it's best not to place the pot more than 2 meters from a window. It's best to periodically move it closer to light, away from direct sunlight, but avoid rotating it. Excess moisture in the soil negatively impacts the health of the Zamioculcas.

The plant can be propagated by dividing the thick, tuberous rhizome or by rooting the dark green, pinnate leaves, swollen at the base. It rarely flowers indoors. When it does, a light cream-colored spadix appears. When caring for this indoor plant, be aware that its sap is poisonous.

The plant's fame was further enhanced by its popular nickname, the dollar tree.

Poinsettia

While poinsettias generally thrive in full sun, this shrub blooms in the shortest amount of daylight—in December and February (Christmas season). This characteristic earned the poinsettia its nickname, the "Christmas star," as well as its striking bright red, pink, or whitish bracts (the flowers themselves are small and inconspicuous, greenish-yellow). The shoots are branched and upright. The foliage is often rich green, sometimes with a creamy edge.

Drafts and temperatures below 16°C will damage the Christmas star. Avoid direct sunlight, excessively warm and dry air, sudden temperature fluctuations, and overwatering.

Phalaenopsis

Among orchids, phalaenopsis is the most shade-tolerant. This epiphyte, which naturally grows in humid tropical forests on other plants and is not exposed to the scorching rays of the sun, requires appropriate conditions. Bright light can cause it to lose its decorative appearance and cause sunburn (especially when sprayed).

Moderate light is ideal. A north-facing window is acceptable. Phalaenopsis prefers temperatures between 18-25°C. The plant typically has 4-6 broad, leathery leaves 5-30 cm long and a very short stem. The roots are aerial. Flower stalks with fragrant, butterfly-shaped flowers appear in the leaf axils.

Ficus

Gardeners have long loved this plant. Ficus are relatively easy to grow. Species with dark green leaves are most tolerant of temporary low light. They can be grown near north-facing windows. Variegated foliage loses its color saturation in partial shade.

The most popular indoor plant of its kind is the Ficus benjamina, which has upright stems and oval-oblong, pointed, glossy leaves. The crown is wide. The foliage color varies depending on the variety.

Saintpaulia

These popular houseplants are compact, attractive, and thrive under artificial light. They can be grown in a secluded area of ​​the room or even in a dark hallway. However, they should not be placed near heating elements or drafty areas. They don't like temperature fluctuations; a room temperature of 20-22°C is ideal.

In floriculture, Saintpaulia is commonly known as the African violet. It has short stems and a basal rosette of leaves. The leaves are rounded-heart-shaped, leathery and hairy, green or spotted. The color of the five-petaled flowers is incredibly varied and depends on the cultivar.

Sansevieria

Even those unfamiliar with gardening know the names "mother-in-law's tongue" and "pike tail," which have attached themselves to Sansevieria. After all, this plant is ubiquitous. Indoors, it can be grown in both sun and deep shade. Sansevieria is resistant to drafts and "heavy" air. In turn, it actively absorbs toxic substances, releasing oxygen. Air humidity is not critical.

The pike tail has a creeping rhizome that produces sword-shaped basal leaves, dark green or variegated (depending on the species), up to 1.2 m long and up to 7 cm wide, ending in a harmless point. The racemose inflorescence bears fragrant greenish-white flowers up to 4 cm in size.

Chamaedorea

In the wild, this palm grows under the canopy of tall trees. Therefore, it is shade-tolerant. It adapts to a variety of growing conditions without any problems. Moderate watering is recommended. It prefers temperatures of 12-20ºC. In hot weather, it appreciates ventilation and misting. It grows slowly but can reach 2 m. Numerous slender bamboo-like stems arise directly from the woody rhizome and bear 6-7 pale green pinnate leaves.

Small, yellow, fragrant flowers in panicles are present only on young specimens. Chamaedorea reproduces by seed and vegetatively, and effectively purifies the air in confined spaces. It should be protected from strong sunlight, misted regularly, and rotated periodically to ensure even leaf growth.

Philodendron

Evergreen perennial philodendrons are primarily epiphytes, meaning they are climbing plants that attach to a support with long, aerial roots called suckers. They dislike direct sunlight, dry air, drafts, and sudden temperature changes. They can grow in shade or partial shade, depending on the species. They require moderate watering in winter and generous watering in summer. The optimal temperature is 15-22°C. The soil should be consistently moist and humus-rich.

The plant's stems are fleshy, woody at the base. The alternate, petiolate leaves of different species are oval, sagittate, or pinnately dissected. Their color can also vary, but the top of the plant is always darker. The inflorescence is a spadix, usually white, with a two-colored spathe resembling a hood.

Gardenia

Gardenia jasminoides is a variety suitable for indoor growing. This compact shrub (usually 45-50 cm) is covered with richly dark green, glossy, paired, leathery leaves. During flowering, it produces luxurious, fragrant, rose-like flowers. The flowers are single or gathered in corymbose inflorescences of 4-5, and are double or semi-double.

The plant loves the sun but can also grow in partial shade. It requires frequent misting, moderate watering in autumn and winter, and abundant watering in spring and summer, at temperatures of 16-18°C and 18-27°C, respectively. It dislikes drafts, temperature fluctuations, and hard or cold water.

Syngonium

This ornamental foliage plant is usually grown indoors as a trailing plant. It does not tolerate direct sunlight. Syngonium is shade-tolerant, but can become leggy in low light conditions. It grows quickly. The green and variegated leaves of some species have silver veins and spots. The leaves are heart-shaped or arrow-shaped. The stem, 0.5-2 cm thick, is flexible and generally unbranched (unless damaged).

It has numerous aerial roots, which allow the vine to cling to various supports. In warm seasons, syngonium thrives in temperatures of 20-25°C, and in cooler seasons, at least 18°C. A cold windowsill is not recommended for this plant. It requires high humidity and frequent watering (except in winter) with room-temperature water.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Flower lovers can "populate" their living space with the following green specimens, which are noteworthy for their elegance, diversity, and varied care. Most importantly, they all share the same trait: they easily adapt to low light levels.