Maybe you'd like some greenery in your hallway, toilet or basement. But what if that room has no windows at all? It might seem like a good idea to put a plant there for some ambiance, but can a plant actually survive in a room without daylight?
No daylight means no photosynthesis
Plants, like people, need an energy source to live. For plants, that is light. They use daylight to make their own food through photosynthesis. Without light, this process stops completely. Even plants known as "shade plants" still need at least some indirect light. In a windowless room, however, the light level is zero, which is deadly for almost any plant in the long run.
Artificial light as an alternative?
There are options, though, if you really like having a plant in a dark space. With special grow light (growlight) you can partially compensate for the absence of sunlight. There are LED lights that emit the right light spectrum to keep photosynthesis going. This lighting must be sufficiently intense and long-lasting - often about 12 to 16 hours a day.
Note that ordinary ceiling lights or mood lights are usually not powerful enough for plants. They provide too little light or the wrong type of light waves.
Which plants tolerate the least amount of light?
While no plant does well without light, there are species that hold up better than others in a moderately lit room. Consider:
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ plant)
- Sansevieria (lady's tongue)
- Aspidistra elatior (iron fern)
- Aglaonema
But even these species will eventually weaken if there is no light at all. They survive for a while, but do not remain healthy in the long run.
Smart alternative: rotate plants
A common trick is to rotate plants. For example, put the plant in the dark room for a week and then in a lighter place for two to three weeks to recharge. This way, the plant still gets enough light to recover.
Artificial plants: realistic and maintenance-free
If you don't feel like fussing with lighting or rotation schedules, there is another option that does work: a beautiful artificial plant. These days, these are made so realistically that you can barely tell the difference from real greenery. Ideal for an atmosphere corner without the worry.
Conclusion
In a room without windows or daylight, you can keep plants only if you are willing to take extra care of them, for example with grow lights or a rotation system. Without that help, plants won't last long. Still want to enjoy a piece of greenery? Then a good artificial plant is a worthy alternative.
