Adding tropical houseplants to a room is pretty much guaranteed to brighten up the vibe. They really bring any space alive, and whether you are new to owning houseplants, or a seasoned green thumb, you can probably appreciate their ability to elevate a room.
Some tropical houseplants can be a little finicky if you try to make them live in low-light. Rooms like bathrooms, or even bedrooms or offices that don’t have a south-facing window can often lack the natural light required for those higher-maintenance houseplants that need a lot of sunshine to thrive. Luckily though, there are plenty of gorgeous low-light tropical houseplants out there! Here are five of the best low-light houseplants to brighten up any space.
Chinese Evergreen
One of the perks of selecting low-light tropical houseplants is that, for some reason, they tend to require less maintenance overall; this is definitely true of Chinese Evergreen. It is one of the most popular tropical houseplants, mainly due to how hard it is to kill! They come in 22 different varieties and are known for bringing their owner’s good luck.
Chinese Evergreens thrive in medium to low-light conditions. They also prefer warm temperatures and higher humidity levels, so they’re perfect for perking up your bathroom with a bit of greenery! One of the only things these tropical houseplants are not super tolerant of is drafts. If you keep them in a drafty area of your home, you will likely see browning on their leaves.
Snake Plant
This tropical houseplant’s expectations when it comes to care are about as low as its light requirements. They are happy to hang out with indirect light from a nearby window, require infrequent watering and minimal feeding. Their quirky, upright variegated foliage makes them ideal for brightening up an empty corner in a bathroom or poorly lit home office or bedroom.
Philodendron
This low-light tropical houseplant will truly never go out of style. Philodendrons come in a gorgeous array of shades, and you can keep them as welcoming, bushy plants or leave them to trail at their leisure.
Philodendrons are versatile because they tolerate low-light conditions, but they will grow a little faster and produce more leaves if they happen to live under medium light conditions. They can be grown in soil or just in water. Your Philodendron will tell you it’s thirsty if its leaves start to wilt and turn brown, but if you see its leaves turning yellow, it means that you have actually been over-watering your heart-leafed friend.
Jade Pothos
The lush Jade Pothos is another gorgeous tropical houseplant we love, which is often confused with Philodendron. There are a few varieties of Pothos, but we recommend Jade Pothos as the variegated and golden varieties tend to revert to green in truly low-light conditions.
Native to the French Polynesian Islands, Jade Pothos have waxy, heart-shaped, brilliant green leaves that look brilliant when cascading from plant hangers or trailing off shelves. Yet again, this tropical low-light houseplant has very minimal care requirements, making them a perfect starter houseplant. Their growth slows slightly in the winter months, and they’re not terribly bothered by a sporadic watering schedule. Keep their soil moist but not soaking, as this can lead to root rot.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are one of the most popular and common houseplants on the market, and for good reasons. They are unbelievably adaptable, particularly when it comes to low light conditions. They are well-known as very adept air-purifying plants and will produce little spider plant babies called ‘plantlets’ (too cute, right?), so you can grow your spider plant family as large as possible. Their soil should be kept moist, and they’re generally happy with a once-a-week watering schedule. If you see your spider plant’s leaves start to brown, it may need more humidity in its life.