Believe it or not, I use to be a professional plant killer. Turns out, with a little love and care, keeping plants alive is really not that hard! You just need to know a few key tips. So today I’m sharing 10 low light houseplants (I actually own all of these) that are tough to kill (because I haven’t killed them yet!). So, if you want to introduce a few plants into your home, but you’re not sure you can keep them green, here are some you might want to look into!
Disclaimer: I’m no plant expert, just a passionate plant lady! You can find all kinds of professional plant advice at your nearest nursery or other online sources. These are just a few of my favorite low light houseplants that I own and have had great success with! Be sure to do your research before buying any of these plants for your personal needs.
Low Light Houseplants that are Hard to Kill
1. Euphorbia
These guys are usually mistaken for cacti, but they’re not the same species! I had to learn the hard way too … but now you know! Euphorbia do well in full or partial sun. When watering, give the plant a good soaking to begin with, and then wait for the soil to dry out completely before watering again. I check on mine once a week to see where it’s at. And I really only end up watering it once a month, but this can vary depending on climate. They are pretty fuss-free!
2. Rubber Tree Plant
This is one of my favorites! I love the big, hearty leaves and overall shape. Keep this guy in a room that gets plenty of light and when watering, be sure the soil is always a bit moist. Depending on the season, I water mine once every week or two.
3. ZZ Plant
This plant has a pretty cool name and an equally cool look! They are super low-key and can withstand low or bright-lit spaces. When watering, 1-2 tablespoon is all it needs until soil is completely dry again. You can also place 1-2 ice cubes and let them slowly melt, which is also the perfect amount of water for this guy!
4. Lipstick Plant
This plant gets its fun name because of the pretty red flowers it produces. Place it in a bright space, but not in direct sunlight. Give the soil a good soak (not too much) and when the top inch of the soil feels dry, give it some more water so it feels moist again.
5. Golden Pothos Plant
These beautiful plants can live in almost any space that gets a bit of natural light – whether dim or full sun, this guys is pretty chill. Soil should always be a bit damp, so water accordingly. When taken care of, these guys love to grow like crazy and are great for trailing down shelving or basket planters for a dramatic look.
6. Blue Star Fern
I love the unique color and shape of its leaves – it’s certainly a beauty to look at! This guy prefers low light spaces and indirect sunlight. They tend to be a bit more thirsty than my other plants, so make sure to water this guy often (check for moist soil).
7. Satin Pothos Plant
Much like the Golden Pothos, this guys is great for any beginner! They can live in any space with natural light (try avoiding direct sun however). As long as the soil is moist, these guys are pretty happy. Oh, and they also love to climb and grow like crazy!
8. Monstera
If you are looking for a larger plant that makes a statement, Monstera is a great option! These beautiful plants thrive in well lit spaces and like to have moist soil at all times. Be sure to check up on it at least once a week to see how the soil feels. Otherwise, these guys are pretty low maintenance!
9. Snake Plant
These guys are SO easy to care for! Maybe even the easiest dare I say? They love bright light and need to be watered only when it begins to feel a bit dry 3/4 of the way down in the soil. They are super forgiving, so if you forget to water it, no worries. Just don’t forget entirely!
10. Fiddle Leaf Fig
I purposefully left this plant for last because it’s a little debatable whether it’s easy versus hard to keep alive. I’ve had mine for years and have yet to kill it. But with that being said, many say they are super hard to care for too. Here’s the thing, as long as you keep this guy in a bright space (he does not like to be moved once you find a home for it) and the soil moist, he’s gonna be your best friend! Once you start moving it around from room to room, he’s going to panic and that’s when you will start to see the leaves turn brown and fall off. So let it be! Keep an eye on him when you can and you should be fine.
Extra Tip: For watering most plants in general push your finger about an inch into the soil. If your finger has a bit of dirt that clings to your finger, chances are it’s doing good. If your finger is completely dry, take that as a sign that your low light houseplants needs to be watered!
Plants are the perfect way to add natural texture and color into your home without overwhelming your space (perhaps that’s why I have so many). Wishing you all the luck in your plant endeavors!
Want to add more houseplants to your space?
Photo by Spacejoy on Unsplash
I’d like to have a contest with you to see which one of us could kill a plant the quickest. I AM poison to houseplants! Over the past year, a friend has brought me 6 SIX succulents, those plants everyone claims to be “kill proof”; I just finshed off the last one last week. A sorry brown, uprooted plant, tipped over on its’ side, was happy to see the garbage pail just to get away from me. I’m taking on the challenge, I’m going to own one of these plants, follow the care instructions to the letter and check back in with you….when it dies. Wish me luck, I just might get a “thriver”!
j. hall To be honest, I don’t have very good success with succulents either. I don’t know why…but these plants are pretty easy to care for. If you are going to pick one, I suggest the snake plant. They are really hearty and forgiving. The one thing I will say is if you forget to water it weeks on end, it will obviously start to turn brown and die. Just like every living thing, we all need water to grow and thrive. So when you grab a glass of water for yourself, use it as a kind reminder to check on your plant’s soil to see if it feels moist still or if it’s completely dry. If it’s dry, just fill your drinking glass again and give it a good cup of water 🙂 That’s what I kind of had to start doing when I was a new plant-mommy and it just became habit over time. I truly hope you succeed, I love plants and I know you will too once you find confidence keeping even just one alive! xo
This is perfect! I definitely need help finding plants that are easier to care for. I had no idea the Euphorbia wasn’t a cactus, it’s always one of my favs!
@Brandi Yay! So happy you found this helpful 🙂 I love the Euphorbia too, they are so pretty and sculptural. Best of luck with your plant hunting!
I’ve got a succulent you’re going to have great luck with. They are called haworthia. Beautiful small spikey green and white plants that grow slowly and get small off shoots that you can divide and repot and soon you’ve got plants everywhere! They do well inside with low light or adapt to sunshine. I’ve learned the trick with succulents is to use NO more than a shot glass worth when you give them water every 2-3 weeks. Better to use a mister to water them, they don’t like having their feet wet, which leads to rot. Give one of these baby’s a try!