15 Stylish Houseplants That Actually Thrive In Low Light

Hard to kill, easy on the eyes.

Just because your home isn't ~drenched in sunlight~ doesn't mean you can't enjoy the company of plants — some actually prefer living in low light.

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Consider sharing your space with these houseplants that aren't afraid of the dark:

(Be cautious if you have pets, though — some of these can be toxic.)

1. Snake plant

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Snake plants (or "mother-in-law's tongue") are basically like, "Please leave me alone in the dark!" And I get that. Seriously, they thrive on neglect and are considered "unkillable." They don't mind low light and they only need to be watered once every couple of weeks. Score.

2. Spider plant

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Spider plants would prefer you keep them away from direct sunlight, thank you very much. They don't need it. And as you can see from the photo above, they're pet-friendly! They'll also likely sprout some babies, which you can pluck off and propagate in water or soil (and then tell all of your friends you're a plant OBGYN).

3. ZZ plant

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Even if you're basically the angel of death when it comes to keeping houseplants alive, you'll do just fine with a ZZ, since it's another one that's basically impossible to kill. It hails from eastern Africa, and it's conditioned to survive months of low light and drought — or, you know, your dim apartment and super-busy schedule.

4. Monstera deliciosa

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You've probably seen these chic houseplants all over your trendy friend's Instagram — hopefully basking in ~gentle sunlight~, which is what monstera prefers. (DM your trendy friend and tell 'em what's what.) Keeping this "Swiss cheese plant" between five and 10 feet away from a bright window is ideal.

5. Peace lily

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If you'd prefer a low-light houseplant with some pretty flowers, peace lilies are for you. They don't even care if you throw shade at them. For real, they like shade, indirect light, and even windowless rooms. If you do have windows, south- or west-facing ones are best. You'll know if your peace lily is getting too much light, because it lives for The Drama: Its leaves will turn yellow if they're getting too much light, and they'll show brown streaks if they're getting scorched from direct sunlight. Move them to a new spot if that happens.

6. Moss terrarium

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Terrariums are ~all the rage~ right now, and if you create or buy one filled with moss, it'll thrive with barely any sunlight, just like moss you'd find in forests. All it needs is moisture and some indirect light to live its best green life. Place it near a window where it can receive a bit of reflected light and you're all set.

7. Dracaena reflexa

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There are a bunch of different types of dracaena, but reflexa is the most common, and the best choice for a dark room. They can survive in low to medium light, but they certainly wouldn't turn down a little indirect sun if you have it, which can really help their bold, yellow-striped leaves flourish. However, too much sun can make their leaves brown, so don't let them sunbathe all day.

8. Nerve plant

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Yes, this plant in the fittonia family is PINK. I know I've already sold you, but just to give you even more incentive: full sunlight is not their jam, so no worries if your home is a bit dark. Keep them out of direct exposure or their leaves will start to brown. Oh, and while they don't enjoy lots of light, they do enjoy constant moisture, so don't skimp on the watering. (Psst, they're non-toxic for pets.)

9. Cast iron plant

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Cast iron plants are native to the forest floors of Japan and Taiwan — AKA they're used to very little sunlight — so they won't mind your dim living room. Direct sunlight can actually burn their leaves, so you should keep them near north-facing windows to prevent that, or just place them away from any windows at all. Best of all, these plants are pet-friendly.

10. Lucky bamboo

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First of all, the dracaena sanderiana family, AKA "lucky bamboo," looks rad as hell in any home. Second, while they're totally into receiving indirect light, they're also cool if you've got low or moderate light conditions. As long as you don't put them in direct sunlight, which will scorch their leaves, they'll be your friend.

11. Bird's nest fern

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"Direct sunlight? I haven't heard that name in years..." —Bird's nest fern. OK, but really, these houseplants grow best in filtered or indirect light. Keeping them near an east- or north-facing window is ideal. Avoid exposing them to direct light to prevent burn marks. Good news: this one's safe for your pets too!

12. Chinese evergreen

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Chinese evergreen plants are so cool. They even like to skulk in dark corners. But yeah, you should keep them in spots that range from low to bright indirect light. They're part of a family with 20 different species, but the general rule with all of them is that that the darker their leaves and stalks are, the lower the light they can handle. No matter what, don't expose them to full sun, which could scorch their leaves.

13. Pothos

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Pothos is totally fine if you only have moderate indoor light. Keep it out of direct sunlight, but don't, you know, keep it in a pitch-black room either. Somewhere in between the two is ideal. It can even tolerate fluorescent lighting, so you could display it at your office, too. What a great friend.

14. Prayer plant

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The name of this one stems (get it?) from the fact that prayer plants' leaves lay flat during the day, and then fold upward at night. Cool, right? Also cool: they're safe for pets, and they're perfect for dimmer rooms in your home, as they thrive in low to medium light. Those pink patterns are also stylish AF — just sayin'.

15. Philodendron

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Good ol' Phil. This houseplant is super-easy for beginner plarents (plant parents), as it does well in low to medium light, and it won't freak out if you forget to water it from time to time. Put it in a high spot, like on a shelf or in a hanging basket, so its vines look extra-beautiful as they cascade down.

Check out more Gardening Week posts for tips, tricks, and inspo.