45 Plants That Grow Without Sunlight (Shade Loving Plants ...

ZZ plant, short for its botanical name Zamioculcas zamiifolia, has tall stems with deep green, shiny leaves. This beauty is a low-maintenance plant that loves deep, dark, shady areas and requires very little watering.
3. Peacock Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
You might know the Peacock Plant by another name--Prayer Plant.
Hardiness Zone:
10-11 (USDA)
Water:
Water when the top few inches of soil are dry, mist leaves regulary
Sun:
Partial to complete shade
Calathea, also commonly referred to as a peacock plant, is a real showstopper and a popular choice among houseplant lovers.
The peacock plant is also commonly called the prayer plant because it tends to curl inward and point upwards toward the sky in the evenings.
Be warned that the peacock plant is a slightly higher maintenance plant than most plants on the list and may benefit from being regularly misted and watered with distilled water.
4. Wax Begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorem)
Wax Begonias are one the few vibrant flowering plants that will tolerate low light conditions.
Hardiness Zone:
10-11 (USDA)
Water:
Water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry out completely between watering
Sun:
Can tolerate most sun levels, does well with partial shade
Wax begonias are beautiful plants that have the ability to flower nearly all year long in the right conditions.
They are petite plants with small, pink flowers that are sure to add some cheer to your living or outdoor space.
While wax begonias thrive in bright, indirect light areas, they will do fine in lower light areas, especially when it’s particularly warm outside.
5. Nerve Plant (Fittonia spp.)
Proper moisture control is the key to success with the Nerve Plant.
Hardiness Zone:
11 (USDA)
Water:
Water when the soil just starts to dry out, the soil should be kept moist, not wet, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out completely between watering
Sun:
Shade to indirect sunlight
If you’re looking to add a delicate and understated plant to your collection, the nerve plant is an excellent choice.
Its small green leaves have beautiful veins that look almost drawn on and come in several colors.
Your nerve plant will require regular attention, as the soil should be kept moist, and multiple instances of leave wilting may result in permanent damage.
6. Peperomia (Peperomia spp.)
Direct sunlight will actually harm Peperomia plants.
Hardiness Zone:
10-12 (USDA)
Water:
Allow the soil to dry out between watering
Sun:
Thrives in medium or bright indirect light
Peperomia is a large family of plants that includes several popular houseplants. While its ideal growing conditions offer access to medium or bright indirect light to keep the plant healthy and the foliage colorful, peperomia is relatively tolerant of low-light conditions and is susceptible to damage if exposed to direct sunlight.
7. Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)
With just a little sunlight, the popular Rubber Tree can thrive inside.
Hardiness Zone:
10-11 (USDA)
Water:
Water when the top few inches of soil begin to feel dry
Sun:
Indirect light, moderate sunlight
The rubber tree has soared to one of the top houseplants used today and thrives when grown indoors.
Although it will grow well outside in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11, most people choose to keep it inside, and with adequate natural light, it’s a relatively quick grower.
Don’t be surprised if the lower levels of leaves begin to fall off if your rubber tree never sees sunlight, but it does well in partial shade, so even if it’s not getting direct sunlight, your rubber tree should continue to grow and stay healthy.
8. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese Evergreens are highly adaptable plants that will do well even in low light situations.
Hardiness Zone:
10-12 (USDA)
Water:
Water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry out completely between watering
Sun:
Once adapted to low light, the plant will do fine and continue to grow at a slower rate
Chinese Evergreens are great plants because they can adapt to various growing conditions and do just fine in low light conditions.
While the growth may be considerably slower, Chinese evergreens are already slow-growing plants, so you likely won’t notice a huge difference in their growth pattern.
Pick a nice shady spot for your Chinese evergreen, and it will continue to deliver consistent, beautiful foliage for years to come!
9. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)
Low light forest floors are the natural habitat for Maidenhair Ferns.
Hardiness Zone:
10-11 (USDA)
Water:
Keep the soil moist but not wet, water when you notice it begins to dry out
Sun:
Partial to complete shade
Gorgeous when grown inside or outside, maidenhair ferns are delicate and beautiful plants that are rewarding to grow.
Like most ferns, the maidenhair fern tends to grow on the forest floor, underneath trees and larger plants, so it is well equipped to handle low-light situations.
If you’re looking to landscape darker areas of your yard, the maidenhair fern makes a great choice because it can thrive without direct sunlight and grow in various places, such as between rocks.
10. Rattlesnake Plant (Goeppertia insignis)
Rattlesnake plants have specific humidity requirements, but putting the time in is well worth the reward with this beautiful plant.
Hardiness Zone:
11-12 (USDA)
Water:
Keep the soil moist in warmer months but allow the top few inches of the soil to dry out between watering in the winter
Sun:
Partial to complete shade
The rattlesnake plant is another type of calathea that is slightly fussy and completely beautiful.
Because of its tropical origins, this plant requires much more humidity than many plant owners have patience for.
However, if properly cared for, rattlesnake plants make extremely desirable houseplants because of their tall, striking foliage with distinct green markings on the top of the leaves and a purple-red hue making up their undersides.
11. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Golden pathos is a plant anyone can grow--no green thumb required!
Hardiness Zone:
9-10 (USDA)
Water:
Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering, particularly when kept in low light conditions
Sun:
Thrives in bright, indirect sunlight but is tolerant of most light conditions
Another favorite among houseplant lovers, the golden pothos is beloved for its bright and cheery foliage and virtual indestructibility.
Lucky bamboo is a beautiful and very low-maintenance plant, said to bring luck to the plant owner.
Assuming the roots have enough space to grow, the lucky bamboo can grow simply in water, so long as there are not too many chemical additives (such as fluoride).
28. Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)
There are several color varieties of arrowhead plants.
Hardiness Zone:
10-12 (USDA)
Water:
Water plant once the top few inches of soil feel dry
Sun:
Depends on the variety, but most are tolerant of partial shade, while only some can handle bright sunlight
The arrowhead plant is named so because of the arrowhead shape of the leaves. It is a small, bushy plant that can add charm to both indoor and outdoor gardening.
The arrowhead plant comes in several varieties, offering distinct colors.
29. Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)
Believe it or not, a good soaking in your shower is one of the best ways to keep your Swiss cheese plant happy.
Hardiness Zone:
10-12 (USDA)
Water:
Water thoroughly, draining excess water to avoid root rot
Sun:
Thrives in medium to bright indirect light but can handle low light conditions
The swiss cheese plant, also commonly called a split-leaf philodendron or simply a monstera, is one of the top coveted houseplants.
Relatively easy to care for and tolerant of lower lighting, you can keep your indoor swiss cheese plant particularly happy by placing it in the shower for thorough waterings that emulate the tropical weather in the rainforests to which it is native.
30. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium)
A popular way to grow this fern is actually hanging from a wall plaque!
Hardiness Zone:
9-12 (USDA)
Water:
Water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry out almost completely between watering
Sun:
Partial to complete shade, will require significantly more water and humidity to tolerate brighter, indirect light
Staghorn ferns are popular both indoors and outdoors because of their uniquely beautiful epiphytic nature.
The staghorn fern is often seen mounted on wall plaques because it emulates their natural habit of growing on trees.
31. Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
Creeping fig will travel far when grown outdoors.
Hardiness Zone:
9-11 (USDA)
Water:
Water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry completely between watering
41. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are a classic houseplant, popular for their easy growing.
Hardiness Zone:
9-11 (USDA)
Water:
Water thoroughly and allow the top few inches of soil to dry out in between watering
Sun:
Thrives in partial shade but is tolerant of complete shade
Spider plants are whimsical and easy to care for, often seen growing in hanging baskets. The plants grow smaller “baby” plants that hang from the parent plant and can be easily propagated and shared with friends!
42. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Pretty and petite, the Chinese money plant can live well in low light.
Hardiness Zone:
9-11 (USDA)
Water:
Water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry out almost completely between watering
Sun:
Thrives in bright, indirect light but is tolerant of lower light conditions
The Chinese money plant is an adorable, petite plant known for its light stalks and coin-shaped leaves.
When it has access to sunlight, regularly rotate the plant so it doesn’t look unbalanced. The Chinese money plant can survive with very little sunlight, but it may develop fewer, smaller leaves.
43. Fuschia (Fuschia)
Few plants can bloom as bright in low light as fuschia plants can.
Hardiness Zone:
10-11 (USDA)
Water:
Water when the soil just start to dry out, the soil should be kept moist, not wet
Sun:
Thrives in partial shade but can tolerate lower light conditions
Fuschias are often seen in hanging planters outside of people’s homes and in commercial landscaping.
Their gorgeous, bright-colored flowers are deeply alluring, and unlike many other plants, sunlight is not required for these beauties to bloom.
44. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
A soothing aloe plant is a great thing to have in your kitchen. And it doesn't need a lot of light!
Hardiness Zone:
10-12 (USDA)
Water:
Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering, do not water during the dormant season
Sun:
Thrives in bright, indirect light but is tolerant of lower light conditions
Did you know that aloe vera can be applied to your skin directly from the plant? If you have an aloe plant growing, it can offer you many benefits and save you a trip to the grocery store after a day in the sun!
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