Finding the best indoor plants for low light can feel impossible, especially if your home has dim corners, shaded hallways, or those classic north-facing rooms where sunlight barely reaches. But the truth is, many beautiful and easy houseplants don’t just survive in low light – they actually thrive.

In this guide, I’m sharing 8 real low light houseplants that grow beautifully in my own home, even several feet away from a window. If you’ve been searching for plants that grow in low light indoors or simply want easy indoor plants for low light, these proven choices will transform the darkest spots in your space into lush, green oases.

What “Low Light” Really Means (Most People Get This Wrong)

Before we jump into the plant list, it’s important to understand what low light actually is – because low light does not mean no light.

Low light means:

• A room that receives natural light but no direct sun
• The light level where you could still comfortably read during the day
• Spots a few feet away from a north-facing window
• Areas with soft, indirect brightness rather than beams of sun

Low light does not mean:

• Deep corners with no windows
• Rooms that stay dark most of the day
• Bathrooms with zero natural light (this is “no light,” not low light)

If you want a complete explanation of light types – low, medium, bright indirect, and direct – you can read my detailed guide here: Light Requirements for Houseplants: The Secret to Thriving Indoor Plants

Understanding this makes it much easier to choose plants that will truly thrive, not just survive.

Now that you know what low light really means, let’s look at the 8 best indoor plants for low light that truly thrive in north-facing rooms – the exact plants I’ve been growing successfully several feet away from the window.

1. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Golden Pothos is one of the best indoor plants for low light, and it’s the first plant I always recommend for dim rooms or north-facing spaces. This trailing beauty adapts incredibly well to lower light levels – growth may slow a bit, and the leaves may become darker with less variegation, but the plant stays strong, green, and reliably healthy.

Why It Thrives in Low Light

Golden Pothos naturally grows under thick tropical canopies where sunlight is filtered. This makes it perfectly suited for:

• north-facing rooms
• spots 3–10 feet away from a window
• hallways or corners with soft ambient light

In my own home, I have one Golden Pothos growing several feet away from a north-facing window, and it’s thriving with minimal care.

Care Tips

• Light: Low to medium indirect
• Water: Let the top 2 inches of soil dry out
• Growth: Slower in low light, but steady and dependable
• Bonus: Super easy to propagate

🌱 Want to See Real Results in Different Light Conditions?

If you’re curious how Golden Pothos responds to different lighting, I documented a full experiment here:

Click here to watch the video on YouTube

👉 Growing Golden Pothos in Water for 3 Years – Complete Care Guide
In this post, I compare a Pothos growing in a north-facing room with one growing in a west-facing window – and the difference is fascinating.

📌 More Helpful Pothos Guides

• Golden Pothos Care: All You Need To Know (soil, watering, pruning)
• Neon Pothos Care Tips (if you love brighter foliage)

2. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

Heartleaf Philodendron is one of the most dependable low light houseplants you can grow. This vining plant handles shade effortlessly and keeps its deep green, heart-shaped leaves even in rooms where the light is soft and indirect. If you need a plant that stays beautiful without much sunlight, this is it.

Why It Thrives in Low Light

In nature, Heartleaf Philodendrons grow beneath thick tree canopies, receiving only filtered light. That makes them perfectly adapted to:

• north-facing rooms
• bookshelves or plant stands 3–10 feet away from a window
• softly lit corners where other plants fail

Even with lower light, they remain lush, full, and incredibly forgiving.

Care Tips

• Light: Low to medium indirect
• Water: Keep the top 1–2 inches slightly moist, but never soggy
• Growth: Steady, reliable, and fast once it settles
• Tip: Rotate every 1–2 weeks to prevent one-sided growth

More Help for Your Heartleaf Philodendron

If you want to multiply your plant or fix common issues, these guides will help:

👉 How to Propagate Philodendron Heartleaf
👉 Philodendron Heartleaf Problems: 5 Mistakes to Avoid

3. Silver Pothos (Scindapsus pictus)

Silver Pothos, also known as Satin Pothos or Scindapsus pictus – is one of the most elegant low-light plants you can grow. Its velvety green leaves with soft silver splashes stay beautifully patterned even in dim light, making it a standout choice for shaded rooms and north-facing windows.

Why It Thrives in Low Light

In the wild, Scindapsus grows along forest floors and tree trunks where sunlight is filtered. That natural adaptation makes it perfect for:

• softly lit living rooms
• corners 3–10 feet away from a window
• north-facing shelves or plant stands

It won’t lose its charm in low light, though growth will be slower and leaves may become slightly smaller – completely normal.

Care Tips

• Light: Low to medium indirect
• Water: Allow the top 2 inches to dry out
• Humidity: Appreciates moderate humidity but adapts easily
• Tip: Avoid overwatering – Scindapsus roots are sensitive to soggy soil

If you love trailing, easy-care plants, you may also enjoy:
👉 Top 7 Climbing and Hanging Houseplants for Low Light Interiors

4. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The ZZ plant is one of the hardiest and most reliable low light houseplants you can grow. With glossy, deep-green leaves and thick rhizomes that store water, this plant stays healthy even when neglected – making it perfect for dim rooms or busy plant parents.

Why It Thrives in Low Light

ZZ plants are naturally adapted to grow in the shaded understory of tropical forests, which makes them ideal for:

• north-facing rooms
• offices or bedrooms with soft ambient light
• spots 3–10 feet away from a window
• corners where most plants would struggle

Even in very low light, the ZZ plant keeps its rich color and structural beauty. Growth slows, but the plant remains strong and resilient.

Care Tips

• Light: Low to medium indirect
• Water: Every 2–3 weeks; allow soil to dry fully
• Soil: Well-draining mix to prevent root rot
• Tip: Yellowing leaves usually mean overwatering, not lack of light

🌱 More ZZ Plant Help

👉 ZZ Plant Problems: 5 Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
👉 Why Your ZZ Plant Isn’t Growing – 7 Reasons and How to Fix It Fast

5. Dracaena (Corn Plant)

Dracaena, especially the Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans), is a fantastic choice for low light houseplant lovers. Its tall, cane-like structure and arching leaves instantly make a room look greener and more vibrant – without needing bright sunlight. This plant is extremely adaptable and one of the most forgiving options for north-facing spaces.

If your Dracaena gets brown tips, yellow leaves, or slow growth in low light, this video walks you through the most common mistakes and how to fix them quickly.

Click here to watch the video on YouTube

Why It Thrives in Low Light

Dracaenas naturally grow beneath dense canopies in African forests, where sunlight is filtered and gentle. This makes them ideal for:

• north-facing living rooms
• bedrooms with soft morning light
• spots 3–10 feet away from the window
• interior corners where other plants struggle

The Corn Plant keeps its lush green appearance even with limited light, though yellow-striped varieties (like ‘Massangeana’) may show softer variegation in dim rooms – a normal response.

Care Tips

• Light: Low to medium indirect
• Water: Allow soil to dry 50–60% before watering
• Soil: Well-draining potting mix
• Tip: Brown tips often mean fluoride/chlorine sensitivity – use filtered or rested water

🌱 More Dracaena Help

👉 Dracaena Care: Everything You Need to Know
👉 Dracaena Care Problems – 5 Mistakes to Avoid

6. Yucca

Yucca is often recommended for bright, sunny rooms – but mature Yuccas are surprisingly adaptable. In my home, this plant has been growing several feet away from a north-facing window, proving that Yucca can handle lower light as long as it has stable conditions and proper watering.

Why It Can Adapt to Low Light

While Yucca prefers strong light, its thick trunk and tough leaves store energy, allowing it to adjust to:

• softly lit rooms
• spots 3–10 feet away from a window
• north-facing spaces with consistent daylight

You may notice slower growth and slightly smaller leaves, but the plant remains healthy and maintains its strong architectural look. This makes Yucca a great low-maintenance statement plant even in dimmer homes.

Care Tips

• Light: Medium to low indirect (adapts well once established)
• Water: Let soil dry out almost completely between waterings
• Soil: Fast-draining mix; prefers to stay on the dry side
• Tip: Avoid overwatering – Yucca roots rot easily in low light

Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)

Aglaonema is one of the most reliable and beautiful plants for low light, making it a perfect choice for dim corners, bedrooms, offices, and north-facing rooms. With its lush, broad leaves and incredible variety of patterns, Aglaonema adds color and texture even when sunlight is limited.

Why It Thrives in Low Light

Aglaonema naturally grows in shaded forest floors, which means it performs exceptionally well in:

• north-facing rooms
• gentle morning light
• 3–10 feet away from a window
• cozy corners with soft, indirect brightness

Dark-green varieties love low light the most, while highly variegated or red varieties prefer medium light. All of them, however, adapt beautifully.

Care Tips

• Light: Low to medium indirect
• Water: Keep soil lightly moist, but allow the top inch to dry
• Humidity: Appreciates moderate humidity
• Tip: Yellowing leaves usually mean overwatering

🌱 More Care Information

👉 Aglaonema Plant Care – All You Need To Know

Ficus Alii (Ficus maclellandii ‘Alii’)

Ficus Alii is a tall, graceful indoor tree with long, narrow leaves that bring a soft, elegant shape to any room. Many people assume all ficus trees need bright light, but Ficus Alii is far more adaptable than its relatives. In my own home, it has been growing a few feet away from a north-facing window, proving that this plant can adjust beautifully to softer light when conditions are stable.

Why It Thrives in Lower Light

Unlike Ficus elastica or Fiddle Leaf Fig, Ficus Alii handles lower light more gracefully thanks to its thinner leaves and flexible growth habits. It performs well in:

• north-facing living rooms
• softly lit corners
• spaces 3–10 feet from a window
• rooms with consistent, indirect daylight

You may see slightly slower growth and narrower leaves compared to a bright room, but the plant stays healthy, sturdy, and visually stunning.

Care Tips

• Light: Medium to low indirect
• Water: Let the top 2 inches dry out
• Humidity: Average room humidity is enough
• Tip: Avoid cold drafts – Ficus Alii reacts quickly to temperature changes

🌱 More Ficus Alii Help

👉 Ficus Alii Care: A Complete Guide to the Banana Leaf Fig

Conclusion

Choosing the best indoor plants for low light doesn’t have to be difficult – you simply need species that naturally tolerate shade and adapt well to softer light levels. These eight plants are the exact ones I grow successfully in north-facing rooms, several feet away from the window. With the right watering habits and a bit of consistency, each of them can stay healthy, vibrant, and beautiful even in dim spaces where most plants struggle.

If you want to explore more indoor plant care topics or deepen your knowledge, the articles below will help you continue your plant journey.

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• Winter Houseplant Care Mistakes: 5 Things You Should Never Do
• Humidity and Temperature for Houseplants
• Can Plants Feel Vibrations? Understanding Plant Bioacoustics

Click here to watch the video on YouTube