Five plants that forgive a dark corner
Not every room has a bright window. These five houseplants cope with low light and still look good doing it.
No plant grows in the dark, but some cope remarkably well a few metres from a window, in a hallway or in an office with blinds half down. These are the five we suggest most often.
1. Snake plant
Upright, architectural leaves that store water for weeks. In low light it barely grows, but it stays the same handsome plant for years. Water every three to four weeks in a dim spot. See the snake plant.
2. ZZ plant
Glossy, almost waxy stems that look polished even under office lighting. Its underground rhizomes hold water, so forgetting it for a month is no problem. See the ZZ plant.
3. Heartleaf philodendron
Trailing vines that keep growing in medium light. In darker spots the gaps between leaves get longer: trim it back in spring to keep it full. See the philodendron.
4. Spider plant
Happier with some brightness, but tolerant of a north-facing room. Bonus: it is considered safe for cats and dogs. See the spider plant.
5. Calathea orbifolia
The one for a humid, shady bathroom. Direct sun scorches its leaves, so a dim, steamy room suits it better than a sunny sill. See the calathea.
Low light, less water
The rule that matters most: the less light a plant gets, the less water it uses. Check the soil before every watering, and expect to water a plant in a dark corner half as often as the same plant by a window.
#plants#low light#beginners
