Best indoor plants for low light

Low light positions are near north- and east-facing windows, where a room gets sun for half the day, or in a corner of a room that gets some sun, or near a window that doesn't get direct sun. If you're looking for the perfect plant for a lightly shaded bedroom or hallway look at plants such as the Cast iron plant or mistletoe cactus, which do best in low light.

Some plants may be able to tolerate shade in summer, but need to be moved in winter to receive more light. Look out for signs that house plants are struggling in their low light position. Signs of too little light include lower leaves falling off or turning yellow, no growth or smaller than average leaves.

We've listed some of the best indoor plants for low light below:

Best tall indoor plants for low light

ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Zamioculcas zamiifolia, also known as fern arum or the ZZ plant, has an upright shape that makes it useful for those with limited space. The evergreen leaves are long and glossy, adding interest to a room year round. It will grow in light shade and low humidity. Keep out of reach of children and pets as all parts of the plant are toxic.

Height x Spread: 1m x 80cm

• Buy ZZ plant from Crocus

Snake plant (Sanseveria trifasciata)

Snake plants are among the easiest house plants to grow due to their unfussy nature. This variety will thrive in light shade and only needs watering when the compost has dried out. Some varieties, such as 'Laurentii' have dark green leaves with deep yellow edges, while others have cream or white edging.

H x S: 1.2m x 50cm

• Buy snake plant from Gardening Express

Madagascar dragon tree (Dracaena marginata)

The Madagascar Dragon tree has spiky leaves held on tall stems, which are striped with green, pink and cream. Reaching up to 2m in height, this is a great plant for the corner of an office or living room, especially as, according to the RHS, it's one of the best plants for removing toxins from the air.

H x S: 2m x 1.5m

• Buy dragon tree from Crocus

Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans)

The leaves of the corn plant can be green with a yellow stripe in the centre or green, or yellow with a green centre, and they grow up to 40cm long. This is another good plant for adding height to a room, with the leaves held at the top of thick, cane-like stems. Dracaena fragans will thrive in light shade to bright, indirect light.

• Buy corn plant from Patch Plants

Parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Parlour palms can tolerate low light, providing welcome greenery to any rooms that are low on light. They are also low-maintenance house plants, only requiring watering once the top few inches of compost have dried out, with minimal watering during winter.

H x S: 2.5m x 1.5m

• Buy parlour palm from Crocus

Low light indoor hanging plants

Heart leaf plant (Philodendron scandens)

Named for the shape of its leaves, this attractive climber can be grown up a moss pole or planted in a hanging basket, where its stems will trail over the sides. Although it grows well in bright, indirect light, the heart leaf plant will also grow in light shade.

H x S: 4m x 2m

• Buy heart leaf plant from Crocus

Golden pothos (Epripremnum aureum)

This plant is popular with beginners because it's often listed as 'unkillable'. This is also thought to be the reason behind its common name, Devil's ivy. It has long stems of green heart-shaped leaves that can reach over 20m outdoors, but which are unlikely to grow more than 2m indoors. Golden pothos can tolerate partial shade but variegated varieties may lose some of their colouring.

H x S: 2m x 75cm

• Buy golden pothos from Crocus

Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera)

Known as either the mistletoe cactus, for its small white berries, or spaghetti cactus, for its long succulent stems, this plant will thrive on a shelf in low light or bright, indirect light. Unlike most cacti, it can adapt to grow in low light conditions.

H x S: 2m x 60cm

• Buy mistletoe cactus from Crocus

Very low light indoor hanging plants

Ivy

Ivy is the perfect house plant for a hanging basket in the shade, being tolerant of low light and providing evergreen foliage year round. Its stems can grow up to 4m indoors, but it's easy to keep under control with pruning.

H x S: 4m x 4m

• Buy ivy from The Little Botanical

Large indoor plants for low light

Philodendron xanadu

Cheer up a shady hall or corner with this elegant philodendron. It's easy to look after and will do best in a room where it's shaded from the sun. The leaves of this large plant are glossy and can reach up to 45cm long.

H x S: 1m x 1m

• Buy Philodendron xanadu from Crocus

Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)

This giant has large leaves up to 90cm long, which develop holes as the plant matures. The Swiss cheese plant will add architectural value to an east- or north-facing room. Although it grows well in low light, it won't develop holes in its leaves if you place it in too much shade.

H x S: 2.5m x 2m

• Buy Swiss cheese plant from Crocus

Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)

Prayer plants come from the jungle where they grow on the ground, which means they thrive in indirect light or low light conditions. At night the plants fold up their leaves, which are beautifully variegated with bright red lines on the upper side and purple or green undersides. Although prayer plants are fairly easy to look after, they do need a warm room and some humidity.

H x S: 30cm x 60cm

• Buy prayer plant from Gardening Express

Small indoor plants for low light

Spider plant

Spider plants are tough and will weather neglect well, but they are also good looking, with arching variegated leaves that can be smooth or curly, depending on the variety. They are easy to look after, growing well in light shade or bright indirect light.

H x S: 50cm x 30cm

• Buy spider plant from Crocus

Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Once popular with the Victorians, the cast iron plant is a great choice for beginners as it can tolerate some neglect, including irregular watering. After watering, let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Cast iron plant will grow well in most light conditions, including partial shade.

H x S: 60cm x 60cm

• Buy cast iron plant from Crocus