Low Light House Plants

A great houseplant does wonders for an otherwise boring room. Not only does it provide fresh air and an object of beauty, but houseplants also give a sense of vibrancy. Indoors we often feel comfortable but our homes are static and not very alive. A few plants really help to provide an organic element that enriches any home. Especially during the cold months when everything freezes and the landscape seems dead, you want something still blooming and full of energy. Some houseplants will literally bloom all year, providing a real sense of bursting energy and life. You might assume that houseplants can only be placed in a few parts of home, but think again. While it is true that many houseplants require a great deal of sunlight, many can be placed in darker environments. That dark corner or cranny of your home could hold a beautiful and unique plant. You would be surprised to found out about just how many different places plants can grow successfully. Low light houseplants can be used to transform an otherwise unattractive area of your home into a place of warmth and beauty. Listed below are a few of my favorite types of low light house plants along with a basic description:

1. Peace lilies are a favorite of many of my friends. One of the great things about these plants is that they bloom regardless of living in low light conditions. Peace lilies can grow to be quite large and have beautiful, large, glossy leaves that will really stand out.

2. Dumb cane. Also known as dieffenbachia, dumb cane creates a sap that can make your mouth go numb or swell. The plant grows fairly tall and when healthy grows large leaves with different green and white coloration.

3. Aglaonema is a group of house plants that do well in low light conditions. The plants have ovular leaves that are both green and silver. Aglaonema often grows in many thin stems, creating a beautiful, delicate look.

4. Philodendron is a family of house plants that live well in low light, although they might do better with intermittent light if possible. The leaves on this plant vary considerably with yellow, green, and red coloration.

5. English Ivy is a particular favorite of mine because it can be trained to grow up a frame or structure. However, you should be careful with this stuff because it is really hard to get rid of once it has started to grow. The leaves on the plant actually have very visible veins.

6. Snake plant has a strange second name-“mother in law’s tongue.” The leaves are green and yellow in coloration and quite large. It is known for being quite tough-hence the name.

7. Another favorite of mine is the silver lace fern, which grows in very little light and is a small plant. The nice thing about the silver fern is its distinct silver coloration, which really makes it stand out.

These are just a few of many species and types of low light houseplant. There are many more to choose from and you should investigate before you decide on a particular species. Realize that low light houseplants require allot of time to grow, so your investment is going to be around for a while. Also, these plants only need so much sunlight, which means that they also only need so much water. Do not over water a low light plant! Too much water can rot the roots or drown the plant. If your low light plants don’t succeed immediately, keep trying. You will be amazed by the results.