Finding the best low light indoor plants can feel confusing when every list seems to say the same thing. Some plants only tolerate dim rooms, while others actually look good in them. And if you share your home with a cat or a dog, there is a second question: is this plant safe? This guide gives you 10 easy, reliable plants for low light, with honest notes about how much light each one needs, how to water it and whether it is toxic to pets.
The Best Low Light Indoor Plants at a Glance
| Plant | Light tolerance | Watering | Safe for cats and dogs? |
| Snake plant | Low to bright | Let soil dry fully | No (toxic) |
| ZZ plant | Low to medium | Let soil dry fully | No (toxic) |
| Pothos | Low to bright | When top 1 to 2 inches are dry | No (toxic) |
| Cast iron plant | Very low to medium | When top inch or so is dry | Yes (non-toxic) |
| Parlor palm | Low to medium | Keep lightly moist | Yes (non-toxic) |
| Peace lily | Low to medium | Keep evenly moist | No (toxic) |
| Chinese evergreen | Low to medium | When top inch is dry | No (toxic) |
| Spider plant | Low to bright | Keep lightly moist | Yes (non-toxic) |
| Heartleaf philodendron | Low to bright | When top inch is dry | No (toxic) |
| Corn plant (Dracaena) | Low to medium | When top half is dry | No (toxic) |
Pet information is based on ASPCA listings. “Non-toxic” does not mean a pet can eat as much as it likes, because chewing plants can still upset a stomach.
What Does Low Light Actually Mean?
Low light does not mean no light. It usually means a spot with no direct sun, such as a room with a north-facing window (in the Northern Hemisphere), or a spot a few feet away from a bright window. Plants can survive there, but they grow more slowly.
Here is a quick way to check your own room:
- The shadow test. Hold your hand about a foot above the spot around midday. A sharp, dark shadow means bright light. A soft, blurry shadow means medium to low light. Hardly any shadow means very low light.
- The reading rule. If you can read comfortably during the day without switching on a lamp, the spot is probably fine for most low light plants.
A tip for readers worldwide: window direction works in reverse in the Southern Hemisphere. There, north-facing windows get the most sun and south-facing ones get the least.
10 Easy Low Light Plants to Try
Here are our picks for the best low light indoor plants, in no particular order. Every plant below can handle a dim room, but all of them grow better with some bright, indirect light.
1. Snake Plant
- Light: Low to bright
- Water: Only when the soil is completely dry, usually every 2 to 3 weeks
- Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
The upright leaves fit narrow corners and the plant tolerates neglect. Its biggest enemy is too much water, especially in dim rooms where soil dries slowly. See our Snake Plant Care guide and How Often to Water a Snake Plant.
2. ZZ Plant
- Light: Low to medium, indirect
- Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings, often every 2 to 4 weeks
- Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
Glossy, dark leaves and thick underground stems that store water make the ZZ plant very forgiving. Growth is slow in low light. Wash your hands after handling it, because the sap can irritate skin.
3. Pothos
- Light: Low to bright
- Water: When the top 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of soil are dry
- Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
A fast, trailing vine that looks great on shelves or in hanging pots. In dim light, variegated types lose some of their pattern and look greener.
4. Cast Iron Plant
- Light: Very low to medium
- Water: When the top inch or so is dry. Do not overwater
- Pets: Non-toxic (ASPCA)
As its name suggests, it is almost indestructible and handles deep shade and cooler rooms. It grows slowly, so buy a fuller plant if you want an instant effect. Keep it out of direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.
5. Parlor Palm
- Light: Low to medium
- Water: Keep the soil lightly moist, but not soggy
- Pets: Non-toxic (ASPCA)
A soft, feathery palm that suits living rooms and bedrooms and usually stays about 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm) tall indoors. Very dry air can cause brown tips and attract spider mites.
6. Peace Lily
- Light: Low to medium
- Water: Keep evenly moist. It droops dramatically when thirsty, which makes it easy to read
- Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
Peace lilies tolerate low light, but they flower less there. Despite the name, it is not a true lily, but the ASPCA still lists it as toxic to pets.
7. Chinese Evergreen
- Light: Low to medium
- Water: When the top inch of soil is dry
- Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
It offers pretty patterned leaves. Plain dark green varieties handle lower light best, while silver or pink types prefer a bit more brightness. It dislikes cold drafts.
8. Spider Plant
- Light: Low to bright (grows best in bright, indirect light)
- Water: Keep the soil lightly moist
- Pets: Non-toxic (ASPCA)
A cheerful, arching plant that sends out baby plantlets, perfect for hanging pots. In low light it grows slower and makes fewer babies. Brown tips are common and are usually caused by dry soil or minerals in the water.
9. Heartleaf Philodendron
- Light: Low to bright
- Water: When the top inch of soil is dry
- Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
Similar to pothos, with heart-shaped leaves and trailing stems. It is a good choice for a high shelf, out of reach of pets.
10. Corn Plant (Dracaena)
- Light: Low to medium
- Water: When the top half of the soil is dry
- Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
If you want a tall plant for a floor corner, this is a classic. It can reach several feet indoors. Avoid soggy soil, and keep it away from cold drafts.
How to Choose the Best Low Light Indoor Plants for Your Room
Start with your light, then choose by room and by pets.
| If you need… | Try… |
| A bedroom plant | Snake plant, ZZ plant, parlor palm, pothos |
| An office desk plant | ZZ plant, snake plant, Chinese evergreen, cast iron plant |
| A bathroom with a window | Pothos, peace lily, spider plant (most plants will not survive a bathroom with no window at all) |
| A tall floor plant | Corn plant, parlor palm, tall snake plant |
| A shelf or hanging plant | Pothos, heartleaf philodendron, spider plant |
| A pet-safe choice | Cast iron plant, parlor palm, spider plant |
Also think about how much time you have. If you forget to water, pick a snake plant or ZZ plant. If you like a plant that tells you when it is thirsty, the peace lily is a good fit.
Pet Safety: Which Low Light Plants Are Safe for Cats and Dogs?
Many popular low light plants are toxic to pets. In the list above, the snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos, peace lily, Chinese evergreen, heartleaf philodendron and corn plant are listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing them can cause drooling, vomiting or stomach upset, and some cause mouth irritation.
Best Low Light Indoor Plants for Homes With Pets
If you have curious pets, the best low light indoor plants are the non-toxic ones. From this list, those are the cast iron plant, parlor palm and spider plant. Even non-toxic plants can cause stomach upset if a pet eats a lot, so keep an eye on them.
If you already own a toxic plant, keep it on a high shelf or in a room your pet cannot enter. If you think your pet has eaten part of a plant, contact your vet or an animal poison control service right away. Always check each plant’s status on the ASPCA website, because lists can change.
How to Care for Plants in Low Light
Even the best low light indoor plants need a little extra care to do well in dim spots.
- Water less. Plants in low light use water slowly. Always check that the soil is dry before watering. Overwatering is the number one killer in dim rooms.
- Use a pot with drainage holes and a well-draining mix.
- Rotate the pot every few weeks so all sides get light.
- Wipe the leaves. Dust blocks light, so wipe leaves with a damp cloth now and then.
- Feed lightly. Plants in low light barely grow, so they need little fertilizer.
- Add a grow light if needed. If a spot is very dark, a basic LED grow bulb in a normal lamp, on a timer for several hours a day, can make a big difference.
- Give them a break. Every so often, swap the plant into a brighter spot for a while.
Do Low Light Plants Clean the Air?
You will often see low light plants advertised as air purifiers. That claim comes mostly from a 1989 NASA study that tested plants in small, sealed chambers. Later research suggests that in a normal home, ventilation matters far more than a few houseplants. None of the best low light indoor plants should be treated as an air purifier. Choose them because they look good, they are easy to look after and they make a room feel alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can indoor plants grow with no natural light?
Not for long. Plants need light to live. In a room with no window, you need a grow light. Otherwise, swap the plant into a brighter place regularly.
What is the easiest low light plant?
The snake plant, ZZ plant and cast iron plant are three of the most forgiving. Choose the cast iron plant if you have pets.
What are the best plants for a bathroom?
A bathroom with a window can suit pothos, peace lily or spider plant. A bathroom with no window is hard for any plant, so use a grow light or rotate plants in and out.
Do low light plants need less water?
Yes, usually. Slow growth means less water use, and soil stays wet longer in dim rooms. Test the soil before every watering.
Which low light plants are safe for cats and dogs?
From our list, the cast iron plant, parlor palm and spider plant are listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA. Always double-check on the ASPCA site before you buy.
Final Thoughts
The best low light indoor plants are the ones that fit your light, your routine and your pets. Start with one or two easy plants, such as a snake plant or cast iron plant, check the soil before every watering, and give them a brighter break now and then. A dim corner can look green and lively with the right plant.