Not every home is blessed with large windows and containers of daylight. Maybe you live up north, have small windows or just want to brighten up a dark corner of your home with some greenery. Fortunately, there are plenty of houseplants that require little light, even a few flowering varieties such as orchids! We like to take you through our findings of plants that can tolerate shade or low daylight. Perfect for dark bedrooms, a hall without windows or just for anyone who wants to keep plants without hassle.
Can plants grow without sunlight?
Houseplants cannot grow without daylight, but they can grow with little natural light. Many tropical plants come naturally from the shady underbrush of the rainforest, where sunlight is filtered through the canopy. These plants have adapted to low light intensity, so they can survive fairly easily in a home without direct sunlight.
Houseplants that need low sunlight
Aglaonema
The normal (non-variegata) Aglaonema is an ideal plant for beginning plant enthusiasts. The colorful leaf markings and low light requirements make the plant perfect for a room with low daylight. It is a plant that likes high humidity, but the plant does not dry out quickly. The Aglaonema tricolor in turn is a bit trickier and needs a bit more light, however, due to the lighter spots in the leaves.
Zamioculcas
The ZZ plant is known for its robustness and is a very strong houseplant. The plant stores water for a long time and does surprisingly well in dark places in the house.
Philodendron and Rhaphidophora
The Philodendron and the Rhaphidophora are both climbing plants that require little to stay beautiful. By choosing plants that have no variegata contain, you can enjoy beautiful decoration of a dark spot in your home for a long time.
Ludisia and Macodes
The jewel orchid, especially the Ludisia and Macodes do not naturally need much light. In nature, they grow in the shade of the rainforest and excel with their special, shimmering leaf patterns.
Paphiopedilum
This Venus shoe orchid is known for its unusual flower shape and is a relatively easy orchid in general. In particular, varieties with dark foliage are good to keep in a dark space, where they still bloom can shoot up.
Syngonium
The Syngonium is an underrated climbing plant that actually deserves a little more attention for its ability to easily adapt to different conditions. The arrow-shaped leaves can include all sorts of decorative colors, and the plant can also be either climbing or potted.
Tips for plants in a dark room
Don't put plants directly against the window, but rather near where some natural light still comes in. Rotate plants occasionally so that they receive even light from all sides and do not grow crooked. In addition, give less water to plants that are darker than to plants in a light spot. In the shade, the soil dries more slowly. Also, use plant food in moderation and finally, choose a lighter pot or background to reflect the daylight a little extra.
Flowering plants for low light
Many people think that flowering plants always need a lot of sun. Yet there are several orchids that are at home in shady conditions. In addition to the aforementioned Paphiopedilum, do the Phalaenopsis, Anoectochilus and the Masdevallia also do fine with highly filtered daylight.
These species have adapted to lend themselves to the forest floor and can thus ground themselves well in a spot with plenty of shade.
Even without sunlight, your home can be greened
With the right varieties, you don't have to have a bright living room with lots of natural light to enjoy plants. Whether you're looking for houseplants for low light, flowering orchids in the shade or just something green for that one spot in the room, there are a surprising number of possibilities.
Get inspired by species that have proven themselves in difficult conditions and discover that even a shady spot can come alive with the right tropical plants.
