A dim room narrows your choices, but it does not rule out plants. The twelve below are the ones extension horticulturists list as tolerating deep shade or low light. “Tolerates” is the key word: most of them grow faster and fuller with more light, and every one of them still needs some.
Start by confirming your spot really is low light, then choose from the table. If pets share the room, check the last column first.
Where low light is
University of Illinois Extension defines low light by distance from a window (Northern Hemisphere directions):
| Window | Low light | Medium light |
|---|---|---|
| North | A few feet away | Directly in front |
| East or west | 1–3 m (3–10 ft) away | A few feet away |
| South | 4.5–6 m (15–20 ft) away | 1–3 m (3–10 ft) away |
University of Missouri Extension puts low-light plants at 50–250 foot-candles (about 540–2,700 lux). It adds that beyond about 3 m (10 ft) from an average window, even low-light plants usually do not get enough light. If your spot is darker than that, see the windowless-room section below.
12 low light houseplants compared
Pet toxicity comes from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center list, or from NC State Extension where the ASPCA has no entry.
| Plant | Botanical name | Low-light tolerance (source) | Size indoors | Cats and dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cast iron plant | Aspidistra elatior | ”One of the best plants where only low light conditions exist” (Missouri) | 30–90 cm (1–3 ft) | Non-toxic (ASPCA) |
| ZZ plant | Zamioculcas zamiifolia | Deep shade to partial shade (NC State) | 60–120 cm (2–4 ft) | Toxic: calcium oxalate (NC State) |
| Chinese evergreen | Aglaonema | Tolerates as little as 10 foot-candles (Missouri) | 30–50 cm (1–1.7 ft) | Toxic: insoluble calcium oxalates (ASPCA) |
| Snake plant | Dracaena trifasciata | Tolerates poor light; best growth in medium to bright (Missouri) | Leaves up to 1.2 m (4 ft) | Toxic: saponins (ASPCA) |
| Heartleaf philodendron | Philodendron hederaceum | ”Can survive for long periods in extremely low light” (NC State) | Trailing to 4 m (13 ft) | Toxic: insoluble calcium oxalates (ASPCA) |
| Pothos | Epipremnum aureum | Survives long periods in low light; ‘Jade’ is “great in low light” (NC State) | Trailing vines | Toxic: insoluble calcium oxalates (ASPCA) |
| Peace lily | Spathiphyllum | Adapts to low light; needs medium light to flower (Missouri) | 30 cm–1.8 m (1–6 ft), by cultivar | Toxic: insoluble calcium oxalates (ASPCA) |
| Parlor palm | Chamaedorea elegans | Tolerates low light; Missouri calls it one of the palms most tolerant of low light | 60 cm–2.3 m (2–7.5 ft) | Non-toxic (ASPCA) |
| Kentia palm | Howea forsteriana | ”Requires little light” (NC State); most tolerant of low light (Missouri) | Slow-growing large palm | Non-toxic (ASPCA) |
| Lady palm | Rhapis excelsa | Withstands deep shade (NC State) | 1.2–3.7 m (4–12 ft) at maturity; slow | Non-toxic (ASPCA) |
| Corn plant | Dracaena fragrans | Tolerates low light; also does well in medium (Missouri) | Up to 4.4 m (14.5 ft); slow | Toxic: saponins (ASPCA) |
| Spider plant | Chlorophytum comosum | Tolerates deep shade; prefers medium light (NC State) | 30–45 cm (1–1.5 ft) | Non-toxic (ASPCA) |
Notes on each plant
Cast iron plant
The most forgiving choice for a dark hallway. NC State notes it is intolerant of direct sun, drought tolerant, and grows slowly in upright clumps. Its common name comes from its ability to withstand neglect. Variegated cultivars such as ‘Asahi’, ‘Milky Way’ and ‘Okame’ exist, but expect variegation to be less vivid in the darkest spots.
ZZ plant
ZZ plant grows from thick underground rhizomes that store water, which NC State says makes it highly drought tolerant. It is slow-growing. In low light it uses water slowly too, so check the potting mix before watering again. For the routine, see our ZZ plant watering guide.
Chinese evergreen
NC State calls aglaonema one of the easiest houseplants to grow in a home or office. Missouri notes some can be held at as little as 10 foot-candles. Heavily silver or pink cultivars, such as ‘Silver Bay’ or ‘Crete’, carry less green leaf area, so give them the brighter end of your options.
Snake plant
Tolerates dim rooms but makes its best growth in medium to bright light, according to Missouri Extension. In low light it needs much less water. NC State advises watering only every one to two months in winter. See our snake plant hub for care and problems.
Heartleaf philodendron and pothos
Both are trailing aroids that cope with dim light. NC State says heartleaf philodendron can survive long periods in extremely low light. Among pothos, the solid green ‘Jade’ handles low light best; white-variegated types such as ‘Snow Queen’ need more. Our pothos varieties guide compares them.
Peace lily
Peace lily grows well in low light but needs medium light to flower, per Missouri Extension. If yours has stopped blooming, light is the first thing to check; see why your peace lily won’t bloom.
Parlor, kentia and lady palms
These are the three palms for dim rooms, and all three are non-toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA. Missouri names neanthe bella (parlor palm) and kentia as the palms most tolerant of low light. NC State suggests a north- or east-facing window for parlor palm and notes lady palm withstands deep shade. All three grow slowly indoors.
Corn plant
A tall, slow-growing dracaena for a floor spot. NC State notes leaves narrow if light is too low, and direct sun can burn them. It is toxic to pets.
Spider plant
Spider plant tolerates deep shade, but NC State says it prefers medium light. Expect fewer plantlets in a dim spot. NC State also advises avoiding chlorinated, fluoridated tap water, which can cause brown leaf tips.
Care changes in low light
- Water less often. A plant in low light grows slowly and uses less water. Check the potting mix before every watering rather than following a calendar.
- Fertilize less. Feeding cannot make up for missing light.
- Rotate the pot every few weeks so all sides get some light.
- Dust the leaves. NC State recommends wiping pothos leaves occasionally; dust cuts the little light a leaf receives.
- Watch for light-starvation signs. Missouri lists long gaps between leaves, smaller new leaves, pale growth and yellowing, dropping lower leaves.
What a windowless room needs
A room with no windows needs a grow light. University of Missouri Extension notes that under artificial light, a few low-light plants can be maintained at as little as 10 foot-candles. It recommends 10–15 watts of fluorescent light per square foot of growing space for low-light plants, and says a single 2-foot, 20-watt or 4-foot, 40-watt tube provides enough light for this group only.
Run the light on a timer. Missouri suggests 16–18 hours a day for plants with no outdoor light. Our grow light comparison covers LED and fluorescent options, and grow lights for low-light apartments has room-by-room setups.
For light needs of other houseplants, see our houseplant light requirements chart.
Updated October 14, 2026: restored as a low-light plant guide from extension and ASPCA sources. Earlier unsupported survival rankings remain removed.
References
- University of Missouri Extension, D. H. Trinklein (rev. 2016): Lighting Indoor Houseplants, G6515
- University of Illinois Extension: Houseplants: Lighting
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Zamioculcas zamiifolia, Dracaena trifasciata, Aspidistra elatior, Aglaonema, Philodendron hederaceum, Epipremnum aureum, Spathiphyllum, Chamaedorea elegans, Howea forsteriana, Rhapis excelsa, Dracaena fragrans, Chlorophytum comosum
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic and non-toxic plant list