By Podhghar – Bringing Nature Into Your Indoor Worlds
Many of us live in apartments where getting natural sunlight is a challenge. Maybe you spend time on the lower floors where a tall building shades you, or your windows are covered by trees and neighboring structures. Even in such cases, a sunlight deficiency doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy the beauty of indoor plants. The good news is there are plenty of indoor plants that do well in shaded areas, proving to be beneficial for apartment living.
At Podhghar, we think that the integration of nature into one’s living and working places brings psychological and physical health benefits to people. Plants and greenery beautifies the space and also provides mental calm. For this reason, we have prepared this guide that provides recommendations for some of the best and low light tolerant indoor plants to bless your home with lush nature and provide calmness and tranquility without requiring exposure to intense sun rays.
1. Sanseveria – The Tough Verdant Empress
- Light Conditions: Low to moderate light
- Watering Scheduling: Every two to three weeks
- Best Fit for Flats:
- Also known as Mother’s Tongue, Snake Plant is one of the lowest maintenance plants.
- Upright, variegated leaves add boldness to any room.
- Thrives in low light conditions, making it perfect for dimly lit apartments.
- Podhghar Advice:
- Snake plants are resilient and improve air quality by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen.
- Place in dimly lit areas to ensure they flourish.
2. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) – The Low-Maintenance Beauty
- Light Requirements: From low to bright, indirect light
- Watering Needs: Every 2 to 3 weeks
- Why It’s Great for Apartments:
- Renowned for its glossy, dark green leaves.
- Resilient and survives neglect and low light conditions.
- Ideal for those seeking a low-maintenance plant that adds beauty without constant care.
- Podhghar Tip:
- Place near a window with sheer curtains to prevent sun damage.
- Water sparingly and wait until the soil dries completely.
3. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) – The Versatile Vine
- Light Requirements: Low to Moderate Indirect
- Watering Needs: Weekly or when the top inch of soil feels dry
- Why It’s Perfect for Apartments:
- Trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves, sometimes variegated in green, yellow, and white.
- Extremely easy to care for and adapts to various light conditions, including low light.
- Ideal for busy lifestyles or apartments with limited sunlight.
- Podhghar Suggestion:
- Looks stunning in wall-mounted or hanging planters.
- Great for decorating bookshelves, desks, and bedside tables.
4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) – Purification and Elegance
- Light Requirements: Low to moderate indirect light
- Watering Needs: Weekly
- Why It’s Perfect for Apartments:
- Adds sophistication and serves as an air-purifier.
- Dark green leaves with white blooms make it a striking and beautiful addition.
- Tolerates low light conditions and cleans the air of harmful toxins.
- Podhghar Tip:
- Best placed in spaces with limited windows.
- Water regularly but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
- Use an aesthetically pleasing pot for added style.
5. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) – The Tough Plant
- Light: Low to moderate indirect light
- Watering Needs: Every 2 weeks
- Why It’s Perfect for Apartments:
- Great for those who may leave home for long periods, as it can tolerate neglect.
- Adaptable to dry and shady conditions, perfect for apartment corners or hallways.
- Podhghar Observations:
- Ideal for placement in dimly lit, dry spaces like hallways or corners.
- Tolerates adverse conditions, making it a great fit for any room.
6. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) – A Stately Beauty
- Light: Low to moderate light
- Watering Needs: Every 1 to 2 weeks
- Why It’s Perfect for Apartments:
- Slow-growing, low-maintenance, and decorative plant with vibrant foliage.
- Thrives in low light, making it adaptable for various apartment spaces.
- No excessive attention needed, making it easy to care for.
- Podhghar Tip:
- Aglaonemas are versatile and can thrive in bathrooms or living rooms.
- Avoid placing in direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn.
7. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) – The Air Purifier
- Light Requirements: Low to moderate indirect light
- Watering Needs: Every 1.5 to 2 weeks
- Why It’s Ideal for Loft or Studio Apartments:
- Known for its air-purifying capabilities, removing harmful gases from closed spaces.
- Lovely cascading leaves and easy to propagate, making it a beautiful addition to your apartment.
- Podhghar Suggestion:
- Perfect for hanging baskets or shelves to let the leaves cascade.
- Great for spaces with limited floor space but a desire for greenery.
8. Dracaena – The Champion of Low Light Conditions
- Light Requirements: Low to moderate indirect light
- Watering Needs: Every 1 to 2 weeks
- Why It’s Perfect for Apartments:
- Known for its vertical growth and colorful, narrow leaves.
- Tolerates low light and requires little watering, making it a perfect indoor companion.
- Podhghar Tip:
- Place near windows with sheer curtains to provide indirect light.
- Avoid direct sunlight as it will burn the leaves.
- Water only when the soil is dry.
9. English Ivy (Hedera helix) – The Classic Climber
- Light Requirements: Low to moderate indirect light
- Watering Needs: Weekly or when the top inch of soil is dry
- Why It’s Great for Apartments:
- Stunning dark green foliage and versatile climbing vine.
- Thrives in low light and helps purify the air by filtering out toxins.
- Can be styled to climb or trail, adding aesthetic appeal to any space.
- Podhghar Suggestion:
- Train English Ivy to climb a trellis or place it in a hanging basket.
- Perfect for creating a relaxed, natural atmosphere in your home.
10. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) – Best Low-Light Houseplant
- Light Requirements: Low to moderate indirect light
- Watering Needs: Once every 1 to 2 weeks
- Why Apartments And Other Closed Spaces Would Love It:
- Thrives in low light, making it ideal for apartments and offices.
- Feathery, arching fronds give it a tropical, lush feel.
- Requires minimal water and is dormant for much of the year.
- Podhghar Best Practices:
- Keep in a corner away from direct light or filtered sunlight for the best results.
- Ensure the soil is well-drained to avoid root rot.
- Complements modern interior designs with its graceful appearance.
Final Thoughts – Using Podhghar to Establish an Indoor Low-light Garden
At Podhghar, our goal is to make nature accessible for everyone, regardless of space size or light conditions. By incorporating low-light plants into your living environment, you can enjoy the mental and physical benefits of greenery, improved air quality, and a more beautiful, serene space.
Creating an indoor garden in an apartment with limited natural light can be challenging. However, the low-light plants discussed in this guide prove that it’s entirely possible to bring nature indoors, regardless of light availability.
Plants like the resilient Snake Plant, graceful Peace Lily, and the easy-to-care-for ZZ Plant can flourish even in the dimmest corners of your apartment, adding a touch of greenery and tranquility to your space.