Low light plants for north-facing rooms, hallways, offices and corners a metre or more from the window, chosen because they keep their colour and shape without direct sun. Free tracked delivery across Ireland and 24 more EU countries.
Which indoor plants cope best with low light?
The most dependable low light plants are the Kentia palm, the parlour palm, the ZZ plant and Dracaena, with Calathea and the Bird's Nest fern close behind if you can give them steady moisture. None of them wants darkness: "low light" means bright enough to read comfortably by day, but with no sun falling on the leaves. Growth slows in dimmer spots, so water less often there.
| Plant | Best spot | Watering | Pet-safe? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) | Living room or hallway floor | When the top few cm are dry | Yes (ASPCA non-toxic) |
| Parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans) | Desk, shelf or side table | Keep lightly moist | Yes (ASPCA non-toxic) |
| ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) | Dim corners, offices | Sparingly, every 2–4 weeks | No, keep away from pets |
| Peacock plant (Calathea makoyana) | Bathroom or bedroom, out of sun | Evenly moist, soft water if possible | Yes (ASPCA non-toxic) |
| Bird's Nest fern (Asplenium 'Parvati') | Humid rooms, north windows | Keep moist, never waterlogged | Yes (ASPCA non-toxic) |
| Dracaena (Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon Lime') | Tall floor plant for dim rooms | When the top half dries | No, keep away from pets |
| Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) | High shelves, trailing | When the top few cm are dry | No, keep away from pets |
How to care for plants in a dim room
Less light means less growth, and less growth means the plant uses less water. The most common way to lose a low light plant is overwatering, so check the compost with a finger before you reach for the watering can. Wipe dust off the leaves every month or so, because a dusty leaf catches even less of the light available.
Choosing for pets, size and style
If you share your home with cats or dogs, stick to the palms, Calathea and ferns marked pet-safe above. The ZZ plant, Dracaena, Philodendron and pothos are all toxic if chewed. For a statement piece, a tall Kentia or Dracaena fills an empty corner; for desks and shelves, a young parlour palm or a trailing Philodendron Brasil works well.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best plant for a room with no windows?
No plant lives long without any light at all. In a windowless room, a ZZ plant or pothos will cope under office lighting that stays on for most of the day, but a spot near a window is always better.
Can a Kentia palm live in low light?
Yes. The Kentia palm is one of the most shade-tolerant indoor palms. It grows slowly in dim rooms and should be kept out of direct summer sun, which can scorch its fronds.
Are low light plants safe for cats?
Some are. Kentia and parlour palms, Calathea and Asplenium ferns are listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA. ZZ plants, Dracaena, Philodendron and pothos are not, so keep them out of reach.
Keep exploring: Pet-safe plants · Office plants · Bedroom plants