How Not to Kill Your Houseplant (New Edition)
by Veronica Peerless
Survival tips for the “horticulturally challenged”, covering 119 popular houseplants. A good first book.
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Buy Low-Light Plants Online
By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated · How we research · Report an error
Plants that tolerate dim rooms and north-facing windows.
Low light still means daylight: a spot several feet from a window where you can read comfortably during the day. In low light plants use less water, so overwatering is the main risk.
How to choose
- Start with your light, then pick from the plants below that match it.
- Compare by pot size, not plant name, when comparing prices.
- Order in mild weather or from a shop that heat-packs in winter.
- Pets: check the pet column; not every plant here is pet-safe.
Photo: Aaaatu / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsPothosEpipremnum aureumMedium lightNot pet-safeEasy
Photo: DenesFeri / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsSnake PlantDracaena trifasciataLow lightNot pet-safeEasy
Photo: OSMM109 / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsZZ PlantZamioculcas zamiifoliaLow lightNot pet-safeEasy
Photo: Vinayaraj / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsPeace LilySpathiphyllumMedium lightNot pet-safeEasy
Heartleaf PhilodendronPhilodendron hederaceumMedium lightNot pet-safeEasy
Photo: ImanFakhri / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsParlor PalmChamaedorea elegansLow lightPet-safeEasy
Photo: Digigalos / CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsChinese EvergreenAglaonemaLow lightNot pet-safeEasy
Photo: David J. Stang / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsDracaenaDracaena fragrans, D. marginata and othersMedium lightNot pet-safeEasy
Photo: Nicholas Gemini / CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsCast Iron PlantAspidistra elatiorLow lightPet-safeEasy
Photo: Granitethighs / CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsKentia PalmHowea forsterianaMedium lightPet-safeEasy
Photo: Andrey Butko / CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsNerve PlantFittonia albivenisMedium lightPet-safeModerate
Photo: Marcin Konsek / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsBird's Nest FernAsplenium nidusMedium lightPets: checkEasy
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsScindapsus Pictus (Satin Pothos)Scindapsus pictusMedium lightNot pet-safeEasyAt a glance
| Plant | Light | Water | Pet-safe | Difficulty | Shops confirmed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Medium | When the top 1-2 in of soil is dry | No | Easy | 5 |
| Snake Plant | Low | Only when soil is completely dry, every 2-6 weeks | No | Easy | 4 |
| ZZ Plant | Low | When soil is fully dry, every 2-4 weeks | No | Easy | 4 |
| Peace Lily | Medium | Keep lightly moist | No | Easy | 4 |
| Heartleaf Philodendron | Medium | When the top inch is dry | No | Easy | 4 |
| Parlor Palm | Low | When the top inch is dry | Yes | Easy | 2 |
| Chinese Evergreen | Low | When the top inch or two is dry | No | Easy | 4 |
| Dracaena | Medium | When the top 1-2 in is dry | No | Easy | 4 |
| Cast Iron Plant | Low | When the top 2 in is dry | Yes | Easy | 2 |
| Kentia Palm | Medium | When the top 2 in of soil is dry | Yes | Easy | 0 |
| Nerve Plant | Medium | Keep evenly moist | Yes | Moderate | 0 |
| Bird's Nest Fern | Medium | When the top 1 in of soil is dry | Not listed | Easy | 4 |
| Scindapsus Pictus (Satin Pothos) | Medium | When the top 1-2 in of soil is dry | No | Easy | 1 |
Where to buy low-light plants
Each plant's buying guide lists the shops we have confirmed currently stock it, with what each shop is best for. For shipping and guarantee terms side by side, see Online plant shop policies compared. To compare the shops themselves by reviews, see the best places to buy plants online.
Recommended book
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