All plants need light to survive; it’s the energy source they use to feed themselves through photosynthesis.
Some are sustained with just fluorescent lighting, while others prefer a shady spot or filtered light.
The 23 types of plants that don’t need much light to grow.
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Solid-colored leaves tolerate almost full shade while those with variegation like a little more light.
Provide high humidity, warm temperatures and consistently moist soil to keep your Chinese evergreen looking good.
This plant is toxic to people and pets if eaten.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
It’san epiphyteusually grown in pots with a mixture of potting soil and sand or orchid mix.
Add a grow light to encourage bloom.
Be careful to not overwater, allowing the soil to dry out in between.
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Dieffenbachia
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Most varieties ofDieffenbachiawilladapt to grow without much sun.
Large, green, oval leaves feature pointed tips with contrasting margins, stripes, and blotches.
They can grow fairly tall, up to 3 to 5 feet.
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Provide extra humidity and don’t let your plant dry out.
While wintertime shade is well-tolerated, dieffenbachia benefits from a grow light during spring and summer.
This plant is toxic to humans and pets.
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Use room temperature to slightly warm water when the top layer of soil gets dry.
Diffused light is ok, too, but direct sunlight quickly burns foliage.
Dark green leaves taper to a point along vines that can grow to 13 feet.
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Plant this philodendron in a soilless mix of peat moss and vermiculite.
Allow soil to dry out on the surface between waterings.
Philodendrons are toxic for humans and animals to eat.
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This fast-grower also puts out numerous plantlets that drape from the mother plant, adding to its graceful appearance.
Use distilled water or rainwaterif brown spots appear.
Plantlets can beeasily propagated.
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Snake Plant
Extremely easy to care for,snake plant(Dracaenaspp.)
also gets by on fluorescent lighting which makes it a top choice for office environments.
It’s one of the plants most likely to survive with little sun.
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Long, slender, upright leaves distinguish snake plants, often with white or yellow variegation and leaf margins.
Bright sunlight burns the foliage, but plants grow more quickly with some indirect or morning light.
Allow soil to dry out completely, then water deeply.
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Snake plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
It’s drought tolerant and adaptable to various soil and light conditions, which makes it extremely low maintenance.
Sturdy stems grow upright, from 2 to 4 feet tall.
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Dust foliage lightly with a soft clothdon’t use leaf shine.
This plant is toxic to humans and pets.
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo(Dracaena sanderiana) isa component of feng shuiand Chinese tradition.
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Its thick green stalks grow in swirls and are sometimes braided with sets of leaves at the top.
This plant is toxic to people and pets to eat.
A slow grower, it features spiky green leaves with red margins.
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It also thrives under fluorescent light, which makes it a popular plant.
Dragon tree is toxic to pets to eat.
Add orchid mix to potting soil and allow it to dry out completely between waterings.
The Spruce / Anastasiia Tretiak
Leaves are lightly toothed and slightly crinkled giving rise to the name ‘Fancy Leaf begonia’.
Temperature, not light, is where this begonia gets picky.
Rex begonia is toxic to pets to eat.
The Spruce / Anastasia Tretiak
The foliage forms in circular patterns adding to its unique appearance.
Maidenhair ferns grow best in shade to small amounts of indirect light with lots of moisture and well-draining soil.
Feed your plant by working compost or organic matter into the soil.
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), is a delightful houseplant that grows well in dappled and artificial light.
Exposure to sunlight burns the delicate fronds.
Add peat to your potting soil and keep it evenly moist.
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Rhizomes often appear above soil and should be misted regularly to prevent drying out.
Provide warm temperatures and plant in shallow pots to display the hairy “feet.”
It looks good even under just fluorescent lighting although a grow light helps maintain variegation.
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Plant pothos in average soil in a pot with good drainage.
This plant lets you know it needs water when leaves start to droop.
Golden pothos is toxic to people and pets when eaten.
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Peacock plant thrives in full shade, but it will grow more slowly.
Exposure to direct sunlight fades the distinguishing feather pattern on the leaves.
It performs best with dappled light and burns easily if exposed to direct sunlight.
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Choose a pot with good drainage, and mix some sand and peat moss into your potting soil.
Somewhat drought tolerant, water when soil surface dries out.
Sago palm is toxic to humans and pets.
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Peace Lily
Peace lily plants(Spathiphyllumspp.)
are a common houseplant that are most easily found in garden centers around Christmas and Easter holidays.
Dark green, deeply veined leaves and large, fragrant white flowers are its distinguishing features.
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Mostly grown indoors, peace lilies thrive in shady and filtered light conditions.
They do best when kept on the drier side.
Give it distilled water when the top 2 inches of soil get dry.
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Peace lily is toxic to humans and pets when eaten.
Parlor palm adapts to soil punch in and lighting from filtered to fluorescent.
Direct sunlight will burn the delicate foliage.
Parlor palm is sensitive to overwatering, so keep soil evenly moist or on the slightly drier side.
Arrowhead vine likes dappled light to part shade, though the leaves burn in harsh sunlight.
Give arrowhead vine plenty of warm, moist air and a moss pole or support to grow on.
This plant is toxic to people and pets when eaten.
Clumps of upright stems are topped with lance-shaped glossy green fronds that resemble fans.
Provide a pebble tray to raise humidity and choose a pot and potting mix that drain well.
Moth Orchid
Availability and affordability of the popularmoth orchid(Phalaenopsisspp.)
means you don’t have to be an expert to grow this gorgeous flowering plant.
Large, waxy leaves burn easily so keep your orchid out of direct sunlight.
A spot near the floor that receives indirect light is ideal.
Use an orchid potting mix, water weekly, and fertilize during the growing season.
Provide plenty of humidity but avoid wetting the leaves.
Aglaonema commutatum.NC State Extension.
Mintzker, Yishai and Bentur, Yedidia.
[DIEFFENBACHIA POISONING].Harefuah, vol.
10, 2018, pp.
Yard and Garden: Growing Philodendrons.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia.North Carolina State Extension Toolbox.
NC State Extension Toolbox.
NC State Extension Toolbox.
Cycas revoluta.NC State Extension Toolbox.
Are Peace Lilies Poisonous?National Capitol Poison Control.
NC State Extension Toolbox.
