Have you ever wondered if a industrial plant can survive without sunshine ?
Of course , no plant can survive without any lighter at all . But it might storm you to learn that there are decidedly plants that do n’t need sunshine to grow . This can be great news for anyone struggle to find enough sun to grow houseplant indoors , especially when you see just how many plants that grow without sunlight there are if all of their growing needs are met .
If your indoor space does n’t get a lot of rude sun but you require to grow live greenery , indoor plants that do n’t require Dominicus are the right choice . They are hardy and easy to take guardianship of , and many are mutual , beloved , and foresighted - living houseplant .
In particular , many tropical plants adjust well to low-spirited - abstemious indoor weather condition because their aboriginal habitats are low - illumination area under forest canopies where there is little lineal sunlight and lots of shade .
Keep reading to see just how you may beautify that depleted - light room you ’ve been struggle with !
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Quick Care Guide for Most Common Houseplants 💚
⭐ How to start?Easy , hard - to - shoot down plants likeMonsteraorPothosare normally a great start point .
💧 urine : Water when the top 1 - 2 inch of soil are dry , but avoid letting them baby-sit in standing water to keep ascendent guff .
🌱 ground : employ a well - drain potting admixture plan for indoor plant -I in person use this one . A mix with peat , perlite , or coco coir is smashing for avoiding soggy roots .
☀ ️Light : Most houseplant thrive in brilliant , indirect light . Too trivial light can cause folio cliff , while verbatim sunshine may scorch the foliage .
🌡 ️Temperature : Keep them between 60 - 75 ° F ( 15 - 24 ° coke ) and away from drafts , heaters or air conditioner .
🌿 Fertilizer : Feed with a balanced , piss - soluble fertilizer ( my top pick isthis Miracle - Gro one ) once a calendar month during spring and summer . Hold off during fall and winter .
Plants that can survive without sunlight
Plants that grow in low-pitched - light condition are different from plants that needdirect sunlightor high-pitched calorie-free conditions . When uprise indoor plants that do n’t need sunlight , there are a few things to consider :
1. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Snake plant , also call female parent - in - law ’s natural language or , for its botanic name , Dracaena trifasciata , is a very hardy plant that stick out downhearted moisture and low-pitched light very well . The leaves are glossy , leathery green , but some may have a yellow or blanched border . It is a lush plant native to tropic West Africa , with rigid , blade - shaped leaves from six column inch to eight feet improbable .
It has a reputation of being almost impossible to vote out , although overwatering and beginning rot can do the job by harm and possibly kill it . The snake plant life can go up to two months between lacrimation in wintertime , and only needs weewee every three to four hebdomad in springtime and summer . Being a tropic plant , the snake plant life prefers warm condition and will put up in colder than 50 degree temperatures .
2. Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae genera)
Bromeliad , orBromeliaceae genera , is native to the tropic and subtropical Americas , and is a perennial that admit both aerophyte and terrestrial species . They are tedious growing plants that take up to three years to reach blooming due date . They need only filtered lightand loose soil , so generally potting soil mixed with backbone is best .
Bromeliads are unique looking plants , with long leave growing from a central base in an outward outflow formation and the blooming flower originate from the center . The works can be watered in the center cup or rosette of leaves . Water sparingly and do n’t have the plant get too cold or sit around in cold condition for any duration of time .
3. Calathea (Calathea lancifolia)
Calathea , orCalathea lancifolia , is also known as the rattlesnake plant and has unusual pink or blank striped ellipse leaves . It ’s aboriginal to tropical Brazil and like warm temperatures and high humidity , suffering in the common cold . Calathea is one of the best little plants that do n’t need sunshine , preferring humble loose environment and so is complete for a way that has no window or no direct sunlight at all .
Unlike some other tropical flora that tolerate drought condition , the rattler flora does not do well in abject moisture , so keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged . Water at least weekly , if not every few days , and never let the soil dry out out entirely so leaves wilt . Keep Calathea in a warm space between 70 and 85 degree for best outgrowth .
4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
The peace lily , orSpathiphyllum wallisiifor its botanical name , is a beloved flowering houseplant with shiny ellipse leave-taking and a clean hooded flower that produce from the centerfield of the plant . It ’s aboriginal to South America , and is toxic to animals and humans , so it may not be a in effect works in a house with pets or babies . although could do well in an office for anyone look for small desk plants that do n’t need sunlight . They are shade - bonk plants in their aboriginal home ground , and will burn in direct sunlight .
Their aboriginal habitat is in the tropical forest understory in foliage litter , sothey do n’t call for much lightalthough do prefer having escaped soil with a bunch of constituent issue . They do not like to be overwatered , so ensure their container has sound drain and only water when the top inch of soil is dry . They like high humidity in summer and temperature not lower than 55 arcdegree .
5. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
The aureate pothos , Epipremnum aureum , also called devil ’s English ivy or devil ’s vine , is a tropicallow low-cal vining plantwith pretty eye - shape leave-taking . It ’s aboriginal to the South Pacific , and is very wanton to develop , doing perfectly okay without direct sunlight in low light conditions . To append to its simplicity , it even tolerates drouth conditions ( but not totally dry out and wilting ) , although is toxic to pets , so mind to keep it out of reach of animals .
The pretty parting can be motley with bloodless , yellow , or pallid green striping , and vines can grow very long in favorable grow conditions . It does not blossom , and likes moist , well - enfeeble soil that dry out out between watering . The vigorous vining nature of pothos get it a dainty plant for hang baskets ( in fact , this is exactly why this is one of my top picks for thebest depressed light source hanging plantsyou can add to your home base ) or to train on a trellis .
6. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
The dragon Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , Dracaena marginata , is an attractive plant growing from a central woody stalk with branch burgeon forth spiky cherry-red - adjoin leaves . It ’s a striking plant for any indoor distance , spring up up to six foot in favorable growing stipulation . It ’s a broadleaf evergreen native to Madagascar that grows tardily and is toxic to dogs and true cat .
The Dragon tree stand a wide range of indoor temperatures and is not overly sensitive to differences in warmheartedness and cold . It like bright collateral light but stand fond shade , develop more slow in lower light conditions , so it definitely meets the touchstone of plants that can hold up without sunlight . For these same reasons , it ’s also a greatindoor Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree for low lightconditions .
It ’s drought tolerant and does not like to be overwatered , so get the top half of the ground dry before lachrymation , generally every three weeks or so .
7. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema communtatum)
Chinese evergreen or Philippine evergreen , Aglaonema communtatum , is a native of Asia , with big showy oval leaves with colour variations from dark green to ash gray to red . It grows in partial to full shade and so is tolerant of lowly lightsome indoor condition . It is toxic to dogs and cats , and likes to dry out out between tearing .
The Formosan evergreen like humidity and warmth , so keep it away from air conditioning vents or open windows and mist it frequently or keep a humidifier nearby . As mentioned , while it does n’t like lineal sun , it does need to be kept warm enough for its liking so keep it in temperature of at least 65 degree or warmer . The light colored the leaves are , the more light they will need , so keep that in mind if you have a sliver or light unripened plant .
8. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)
Staghorn fern , Platycerium bifurcatum , is an epiphytic fern aboriginal to Asia and Australia . As an epiphytic plant , Staghorn fern does n’t develop in soil , it mature on tree leg in its native home ground . As houseplants , Staghorn ferns are arise on plaques or sections of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree barque and make salient focus plants for any background .
Staghorn ferns have strange dark-green antler - shaped leaves growing out of the root ball covered with smaller bland leaves . The works can be three to six foot around , in shaded light with warmth and humidity , so it want sturdy reinforcement . piss the theme ball about once a calendar week but let it dry out in between watering , andmist the plantwell .
9. Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis spp.)
Moth orchidaceous plant , Phalaenopsis spp . , is an herbaceous perennial unfolding plant with boneheaded leathery green leaves and arching sprays of delicate flowers . flower are endure on a single flower spike that can have up to 20 flowers . It is native to southeastern Asia and part of Australia with 70 specie .
The Moth orchid is epiphytic , meaning it turn up in the tree canopy in its native habitat and so does n’t require ground . or else , they ’re usually fine to be just rooted in wood splintering or other loose material . They call for unconstipated moisture and fertilizer during active grow periods . They will sear in direct sunlight andmust have crushed ignitor only , make them perfect for anyone look for indoor plants that do n’t need sunlight .
10. Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
Philodendron , Philodendron spp.is in theAraceaefamily with hundreds of species , both vining and non - climbing . They are toxic to animals and human beings if ingested , so attention should be take around pet and children . Philodendrons are tropical recurrent plant aboriginal to Central and South America , with glossy green leaves and fast growth habits and good or vining plants .
Your philodendron will ask loamy , well - drain soil and willalso choose bright indirect sparkle , as direct sun will burn their leaves . These industrial plant are raw to wet levels , wilt with overwatering and overly dry conditions alike , so using a wet meter is the upright path to like for philodendrons . Do n’t waterlog antecedent and do n’t let the soil dry out completely .
11. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ industrial plant , Zamioculcas zamifolia , is a fairly light-green plant with a unique show . It has waxy green ellipse leaves that grow on long slew stems and is a tropical perennial aborigine to Eastern Africa that ’s mildly toxic to humans and animals . ZZ plant is boring growing and easy to care for , being drought large-minded and needing to be watered only every couple of weeks .
ZZ plant life grows from rhizome that store water under the ground andgrow well in low ignitor . The stain can dry out out completely between lachrymation , and should not be waterlogged at any point . It is very low sustentation , needing only to stay out of muster and in temperature warm than 50 degrees .
12. Peperomia (Peperomia spp.)
Peperomia flora , Peperomia spp . , is a tropical perennial plant in thePiperaceae familywith more than 1,000 species , aboriginal to the Caribbean , South America , and Mexico . Different types have pretty heart - shaped or oval leaves in unripe , red , gray , or purpleness , or variegated , marbleised , or solid green . All peperomia species are abject - alimony and slow growth , andare slap-up as small desk plant that do n’t need sun .
As epiphytic plant , peperomia plants do n’t need soil ; like orchid , they grow in shredded bark or other loose soilless medium like peat or porous stone . They seldom ask fertilizer and only need H2O when dry . While they do n’t demand direct sunlight , they do n’t do well in very low loose term and necessitate at least 12 hours of metier to hopeful light .
13. Dumb Cane (Diffenbachia spp.)
silent cane , Diffenbachia spp.is an herbaceous perennial in theAraceaefamily that can arise up to 10 feet tall , but averages three to five foot . It has large fleeceable folio that can have cream or white patterns . It ’s native to the Caribbean and South America and is extremely toxic to humans and animals .
This plant needs high humidity andlow to high filtered light , but should dry out somewhat between watering . Diffenbachia will do well in shady conditions but may need extra light in wintertime to grow comfortably . Because of its sizing , dumb cane makes a nice statement plant or focus in indoor mount .
14. Hoya (Hoya carnosa)
Hoya plant life , Hoya carnosa , is a tropical flowering succulent native to tropical Asia and Australia . It has waxy leaves on vining stems , making it a good plant life for cling baskets . Fragrant flowers form a ball - shaped cluster and range from yellow , orangish , pink , bloodless , burgundy , or black .
Hoya plant opt humidity and would do well near an aquarium if you have Pisces the Fishes or near a humidifier . Although they like international humidity , they like to dry out between watering and necessitate monthly fertilizing with a general houseplant nutrient when they are flowering . Importantly , for your purposes , they do n’t need direct sunlightso keeping this as an indoor houseplant away from a direct igniter informant will still allow it to thrive .
15. Japanese Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
The Japanese sago thenar , Cycas revoluta , is a tropical cycad native to Japan and southern China . cycad grow from a bole and produce orchis without flowers or yield . They are very dull produce perennial shrubs with long green fronds that appear palm - corresponding but are n’t true palms . They take several years to grow to three base grandiloquent .
They care humidness , so use regular misting or a nearby humidifier to keep them felicitous . Let them dry out out between watering to head off root rot , and keep them out of lineal sun . They do n’t want much luminousness at all to thrivealthough too much tint will negatively regard their growth , while this is all right as a plant that can endure without sun all the time , make certain they are not kept in very low light .
16. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Parlor palm , Chamaedorea elelans , is a palm in theArecaceaefamily that ’s native to the rainforests of Guatemala and southern Mexico . It gets two to three feet tall and wide , and sum brisk verdure to any space . As a tropical plant , living room palm needs warmth and humidity , althoughit tolerates low faint conditions well , along with low temperature .
Avoid overwatering and lineal sunlight , even for brief periods , as it will burn leaves and staunch . The parlor palm does well in most soil conditions , although do n’t habituate a mix that is too squashy and hold water to quash pee logging the root . These flora are very low-down sustenance and long live if you pay attention to their basic grow needs .
17. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
throw iron flora , Aspidistra elatior , is a very stout ( learn : exceedingly hard - to - kill ) herbaceous recurrent plant that survives neglect and tolerates low lite conditions . It has large , arched , longsighted green leaves that lend a tropic greenery to any space .
It ’s a slowly - growing works that does n’t care to be waterlogged , so allow it dry out out between lacrimation . A cast branding iron plant is not susceptible to many pestilence and can even handle mysterious tint , making it an ideal flora for inexperienced houseplant growers . These plants are the ultimate no - fuss houseplants that almost anyone can acquire , especially if you ’re await for large indoor plants that do n’t postulate sun .
18. Rex begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum)
Rex begonia , Begonia male monarch - cultorum , is an herbaceous repeated native to eastern Asia . They have stun tumid variegated leave in various people of colour , include green , silver , scarlet , and purple and can be a beautiful lowly plant that does n’t want sunshine for your desk or coffee table . However , while they may look heavy in your house , keep in mind that they are toxic to fauna , so it ’s worth considering whether to get this plant life if you have pets .
Rex begonia care warmth and humidness for the well ontogenesis , but use misting meagerly to avoid powdery mildew . Do n’t overwater , but do n’t permit the grease dry out completely either to keep off emphasise the works . Importantly , they like bright , indirect illumination all year and do well under contrived lighting .
19. Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
Creeping Fig , Ficus pumila , is a vining flora native to Asia that is toxic to wienerwurst and cat . It can farm to 15 feet tall and six feet wide in ideal experimental condition . It clear a adorable hanging basket plant and develop beautiful vines quickly and easy , which can be controlled with trimming that it tolerates well . The effect of the hanging vines can be a great increase to brighten up a way without much light , specially if you ’re not able to have any other plants that grow without sunlight there .
The creeping fig likes warmth and humidity , but wo n’t last more than a few years when grown in spate indoors , so it ’s recommended to propagate Modern plants from cutting . If grown outdoors , the creeping Ficus carica becomes encroaching quickly because of its aggressive growth drug abuse .
Can a plant stay alive without light?
All plants can stay alert without light for a short period of fourth dimension . While it ’s exonerated that this is possibletemporarily , like throughout the night , this is also the case for long periods of time in an emergency . bet on the plant , they can survive without visible light for several days up to several workweek .
When the light source is turn off off , the grass leave adapt in a process promise etiolation by stretch for light . Without Christ Within for photosynthesis , the leave mislay their green color . While some plant life have misplace the ability to action sparkle and sustain themselves through photosynthesis , they still rely on the plant that they use parasitically which postulate Christ Within .
In fact , even parasitic plants that do n’t need light to maturate rely on other plants that do need light for themselves survive .
If you have plants under an artificial visible light , and that light germ is cut off for a day , I would n’t emphasise too much as your plants should be alright . Of course , if you leave them without luminosity indefinitely , they will suffer , getting spindly while seeking light . They will be stunted and eventually die without sparkle .
However , if their light is restored soon enough , and all their growing conditions are met , they will recover .
How to grow plants indoors without sunlight
If you desire to raise plant indoors without sun come in through a window , you should find out a rootage of artificial light . While it can help to focus on arise plant life that do well in shade and low light weather , light-emitting diode grow light can be a honest substitute for natural sunlight .
While plant produce out of doors get their Department of Energy for photosynthesis from sun , stilted illumination can supply the same resource for your plants inside . And in many shell , stilted light for plants that do n’t need sun can be preferred to putting plants near window for sunlight , which can burn them if too intense for too foresighted . Artificial light are n’t too fond , especially if placed decently far enough above plants .
In any case , to grow plant life indoors , you need to give care to the amount of light you’re able to allow for and your plants ’ growing status want .
That is , while some plant can grow without sunlight , most works require at least some illumination for the photosynthesis that put up their food and fuel to grow and survive . In the absence of natural sun , like in a room with few or no windows , light-emitting diode lights can help your plants grow(or , indeed , other types of grow lights ) . In space that have some lighter from window but not a high level of shining sunlight for the whole day , grow plants that maturate well in low - light status is a unspoilt option .
Dracaenas , snake plant , some orchidaceous plant , and some fern can bear or even prefer low - luminance term , as this is more than enough for them to power their photosynthesis process that convert water supply and carbon copy dioxide into the food plants necessitate for free energy to grow and boom .
Just verify these works are n’t put somewhere where they accidentally get some direct light , such as near a window . If that go on with plants that grow in low lite conditions , the unmediated sunlight can lead to them being glow .
Related : What ’s the Difference Between LED Lights and result Grow Lights ?
Final thoughts on indoor plants that don’t need sun
While you should n’t expect any plants to be able to produce in full wickedness , the plants mentioned here can originate and survive without direct sunshine . As you ’ve seen , low raw light or low stilted light is enough ignitor for plants like snake plant and dracaena to develop and tote up beautiful living greenery to your indoor blank .
There are n’t many flowering industrial plant that will grow in very low light condition , but if you like orchid blossom , the moth orchid will grow in humble lightness . In fact , most orchid do not tolerate direct sunlight , and will support if left in the Sunday with sunburn and lasting damage to their wide leaves .
In increase to the plant we discussed above , many varieties of ferns will grow in low light conditions . Their natural habitat is in the forest floor under the tincture of Tree and bushes . But fern can be delicate and not as hardy and easy to originate as the more idealistic lowly - illumination plants we urge here , so while you may render to grow them , be aware that they can be a fleck finicky .
Finally , you should also keep in mind that if you grow any of the plants that do n’t need sunlight inside that are discussed here , it is not wise to move them alfresco in the summer unless they are shadow . Moving a plant life that has been raise in low light outdoors into sunshine will traumatise it and sunburn its leaves and stem . It will cause permanent harm and possibly kill it .
