What is a good plant for my low-light apartment?

Question

I am looking for something other than pothos or philodendron. Are there any herbs that do well in low light?

Answer 1

One of my favorite plants is the Chinese evergreen, or aglaonema. It puts up with low to medium light and comes in a wide variety of styles: different heights, and many different interesting leaf patterns.

There are many good dracaenas that do well in medium to low light. Warneckii is a good example that really brightens an area. I like the varigated leaves that are offered in many of our house plants as a way of adding interest to the home.

When it comes to really low light areas, the spathiphyllum, or closet plant, is the queen of the home. This one can put up with less light than any other species. It produces these little bloom structures that turn white and can be quite attractive.

In order to have success with house pants, you want to make sure and not over water them. We do tend to over water our house plants too often and it just causes root rot. In a low light environment, they just don't use as much water as they would in a bright outdoor environment.

Most herbs require rather high concentrations of light.



Common names for house plants which tend to tolerate low light include:

Arrowhead
Philodendron
Golddust Plant
Cast-Iron Plant
Piggy-back Plant
Spider Plant
Chinese Evergreen
Pothos
Tradescantia (T. Virginiana)
English Ivy
Prayer Plant

Answer 2

Secculents thrive in a lot of light and are easy to grow and are similar to cactuses but without the pokey spines.  They also don't need frequent waterings.  Some examples are Jade, hens & chicks (which come in so many different colors and varieties-look on ebay) string of pearls, donkey's tail. The other plants that I have that thrive in a lot of light is an aloe plant, hoya, spider plant, & ficus(these are not succulents and need more frequent waterings.

Answer 3

The Peace Lily aka spathyphyllum( did I murder the spellng or what?) is the best-you see them in almost ever indoor mall, business office, church, school, theatre. The flower, the 'lily' is gorgeous amongst the glossy green leaves. These plants vary in sizes as well; small table size to a grand floor model. I have 5 different sizes of Peace Lily in my home. They are hardy and do like water-water when leaves began to droop or you may end up overwatering turning leaves yellow.

Answer 4

Peace lilies, mother-in-laws-tongue, and fig trees usually do well in low light. I can't think of any herbs though that do not need at least some direct sunlight in order to thrive. There may be some out there though!

Answer 5

shade=away from a window, but enough light to allow you to read:
Aglaonema, Aspidistra, Asplenium, Fittonia, Helxine, Sanservieria, Scindapsus

semi-shade=near a north facing window: all of the above plus, Dracaena fragrans, Dracaena marginata, Fatshedera, Fatsia, ferns, Ficus pumila, Hedra helix, Howea, Maranta, Neanthe, Tolmiea

*also, additional lighting can be provided with a florecent light bulb

Answer 6

Try Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus). I think Ficus Pumila (Creeping Fig) would do with very little light as well. Sanseveria also has done well for me completely inside a room, not near a window.

Answer 7

Not really most herbs require lots of light, however mint is very hardy, you could try that.
As for plants....spider plants are very hardy and need little light.
You could also try some ivy's.

Answer 8

Ponytail plants are pretty & tolerate low light.
Herbs I might use would be lavendar or mint--just water very sparingly.
Good Luck!

Answer 9

Get a couple of good looking artificial ones. You wanna do plants, you gotta move up in the world!

Answer 10

try a Madonna Lily