Low Light Houseplants
For rooms that are not getting enough natural light, a few easy-to-grow houseplants can help you decorate the space. Keep these low-light houseplants in indirect sunlight, watering when the soil is dry and keeping them away from direct sunlight can help keep them healthy.
The cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) lives up to its name by tolerating the darkest of conditions and only requires periodic watering. It comes in green and variegated versions.
Asplenium nidus
The wavy fern is a crisp wave with distinctive shape that adds interest and color to any room. The leaves are long and narrow with deep pleats that create a wavy appearance. The leaves are bright apple green and form a central rosette from which new leaves will emerge. The leaves are tough and can endure all conditions, but they are best kept out of direct sunlight, which can burn them. To ensure the plant stays healthy, water it frequently but not every day. It is recommended to stick a finger knuckle-deep into the soil to determine how moist it is.
If the soil feels dry, it's time to water the plant. The plant thrives under humid and warm conditions. They are similar to those found in the rainforests on the Malay Archipelago. You can use a water-meter to keep the soil moist or put the plant in a container with pebbles and water.
The plant grows slowly and doesn't require trimming on regular basis. It is recommended to remove dead or damaged fronds. This will help prevent the spread of pests and diseases. Additionally, removing the old fronds will enable the plant to focus its energy on the growth of new ones.
Bird's nest ferns are simple to maintain and tolerate low light conditions. They are epiphytic, meaning they are able to grow on other trees that are in their natural rainforest habitat. This makes them extremely adaptable and make an excellent houseplant. They thrive in windows that face towards the north, and receive plenty of indirect light. They are also excellent choices for bathrooms, where they will benefit from the high humidity.
Chlorophytum comosum
A plant belonging to the genus Philodendron, this plant is also called the prayer plant for its habit of closing its leaves vertically in the evening. good house plants can be grown in a pot or on a pedestal, which displays its variegated foliage. It is a fan of cool, shaded room and is tolerant of low light. Gardening Know How suggests repotting the plant once a season while it's young to stimulate growth and rejuvenate the soil.
Syngonium podophyllum, also known as spider plant is a sturdy houseplant that is adaptable. It thrives in a variety of light conditions. The common name is derived from the fact that its green offshoots appear like spiders on a net. These plantlets can hang from the slender, long leaves of the mature plant. To care for spider plants, give them an aqueous potting mix and plenty of humidity via misting or a humidifier. Fertilize every month with liquid or granular fertilizer per product instructions.
Many ferns, including maidenhair and Boston ferns, thrive in low-light environments. They prefer a moist, warm environment, but do not require bright light that can burn their leaves. Ferns add a lush look to dark spaces and also help purify the air.
Tillandsia
Tillandsia or air plants are a wonderful addition to any home or office. They are among the easiest of all houseplants to take care of and require only minimal care. Unlike most plants, which draw water and nutrients from their roots, tillandsias get nutrients and moisture from dense scales on their leaves. This makes them a fantastic plant for beginners.
Air plants are also referred to as epiphytes, because they are able to grow on other plants, such as rock cliffs or trees instead of being rooted in the ground. Air plants are found all over the globe including rainforests, dry and arid deserts and the tropical regions of Florida and South America.
These unique plants are an ideal way to add an accent piece to your office or home and also make dark spaces more inviting. As an added bonus, they help to filter the air of pollutants like cigarette smoke, dust mites, and other pollutants.
Several types of tillandsia make excellent indoor plants however the most suitable choice for low light conditions is Tillandsia usneoides, also known as Spanish Moss. Carl Linnaeus named this plant in 1762, as it resembled the lichen Usnea. It is native to the forests, mountains, and deserts of Central America and South America but thrives in humid conditions as well.
This is a green plant that can be planted in a variety of pots, but it should never be placed in direct sunlight or next to any bright windows as this can cause scorching to its leaves. It is recommended to water it regularly every week, or more frequently in extremely humid conditions. If the plant's leaves begin to turn yellow or droop the plant is probably over-watered.
Philodendron
The philodendron thrives in dim light conditions. It's easy to cultivate and can take various shapes. They are also useful in removing harmful substances such as formaldehyde from the air. However, the plant should be kept away from pets and children as it can be poisonous in the event of eating.
The climbing variety of philodendron comes with large, green leaves. It is usually planted with poles to train it to climb them however it can also be planted in hanging baskets. There are also upright varieties that have larger leaves, and don't climb as wildly as their climbing cousins. They can be grown in hanging baskets, or on a totem or trellis.
It is essential to repot a philodendron in the spring or in the summer when it starts growing out of its container. The plant should be moved to a slightly larger container that has plenty of drainage holes. You can also use a soil rich in organic matter. This will help the plant retain water. You can add rooting hormones into your water to speed up the process of rooting.
The temperature tolerance for a philodendron varies depending on the species. It is recommended to shield it from cold drafts. It is also possible to increase the humidity of the space where it's located by misting it with water once every few days. This is particularly crucial if the plant is located in an office, or in an indoor space that's extremely dry and stale. Water the plant as soon as the top inch or so of soil is dry, but don't overwater. Overwatering may cause the plant to rot. It's also recommended to feed the plant fertilizer however, only after watering it. This will keep the roots from being burned by the chemicals in the fertilizer.
Platycerium
A very popular choice for a hanging plant, the Golden Pathos (Eupremnum aureum) is a houseplant that can be easily maintained and grows in low light. It's one of the 10 indoor plants that you cannot kill. However you should not place it in close proximity to pets or children. Also, make sure you wear gloves when handling this plant as its sap can be irritating to the skin. This plant thrives in dry, nutrient-poor soil and is tolerant of low light. Do not let the soil become too wet. Don't overwater, however. This low-maintenance plant can also produce spider plants "offspring" when it's mature. This plant will develop downwards from the mother plant just like spiders that are still in the web.
good house plants that thrives in low light is Platycerium (also called the staghorn fern and the elkhorn-like fern). This Brazilian genus is comprised of around 18 species of ferns are epiphytic, which means they hang from trees' branches and trunks according to Gardening Know How. The fronds of their genus can be shield-shaped, kidney-shaped or even arrowhead-shaped. They collect rain, forest debris and fallen leaves, fruit and other fruits.
If you're a garden expert, you can create an attractive display of plants at your home or workplace by putting them on a stand. low maintenance house plants can also put them in a decorative pot on a table or desk. Many believe that they can improve the energy of feng shui at home, too.
There are plenty of indoor plants that are easy to care for at your local nursery, or online. If you're having difficulty growing your plants in dark conditions, you can move them closer to window or increase the amount of artificial lighting.