Many succulents require bright light to thrive, but some varieties can tolerate lower light conditions. If you have a spot in your home that doesn’t get much sunlight, consider one of these 16 low-light succulents that can grow without direct bright light.
Introduction
Succulents are popular houseplants, renowned for their drought tolerance and minimal care needs. Their colorful rosettes and sculptural shapes add visual interest to both indoor and outdoor spaces.
While most succulents prefer several hours of direct sunlight per day, there are some varieties that can tolerate lower light conditions. Low-light succulents are ideal for places like offices, bathrooms, bedrooms, and other areas that don’t receive much natural light.
Below we’ve compiled a list of 16 beautiful succulents that can grow and remain healthy with as little as 2-4 hours of indirect sunlight per day. From trailing varieties perfect for hanging planters to rosette-forming types ideal for desktops, this diverse list offers low-light options suitable for any space.
1. Zanzibar Gem (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The Zanzibar gem, also called ZZ plant, is a popular choice for low-light environments. Native to East Africa, it features glossy, arched foliage that emerges in pairs along its thick rhizomes. The leaves can be dark green or variegated with yellow or white stripes.
ZZ plants tolerate a wide range of conditions, including low light, infrequent watering, dry air, and occasional forgetfulness. They can survive in very low light, but grow best with moderate indirect sunlight. Their upright growth habit makes them great floor plants or desktop companions.
Fun fact: ZZ plants are so resilient that NASA lists them as an air purifying plant suitable for indoor spaces.
2. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
The cast iron plant has rightfully earned its reputation as an indestructible houseplant. With its long, pointed leaves emerging from the soil in a rosette pattern, it can tolerate extreme neglect.
Native to China and Japan, the cast iron plant grows well in dim corners and spots that rarely get direct sun. It can also handle temperature fluctuations, arid conditions, pollution, and poor soil quality. If you have a challenging area with truly low light, the cast iron plant is a foolproof choice.
3. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
A popular office and household plant, the dragon tree has long, strappy leaves with red edges or variegation. It grows in a sparse, tree-like form, with woody stems holding the rosettes of slender leaves.
The dragon tree adjusts well to low light environments. Although it flourishes with some direct sun, it can get by on just a few hours of indirect light per day. Allow the soil to dry out some between waterings, as overwatering is the main threat to this adaptable plant.
4. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese evergreens encompass a range of tropical Asian woodland plants with patterns of silver, green, pink, and red on their broad leaves. The striking foliage patterns make them popular houseplants. The most common is the silver bay, Aglaonema modestum.
These subtropical plants thrive in humid environments with bright, indirect light. However, they can readily adapt to lower light spots. Their slow growth habit and low maintenance needs also make them exceptional low-light plants.
5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Known for its ability to clean indoor air, the graceful peace lily features lush green leaves that frame the striking white flowers. These tropical plants thrive in shade and need minimal sunlight to flower.
Peace lilies tolerate low light better than most flowering houseplants. Offer them a spot with bright, indirect sun. As long as they get a few hours of daylight, they will produce their delicate blooms. Let the soil dry out some between waterings.
6. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
The ponytail palm is not a true palm but a succulent native to eastern Mexico. It gets its name from the swollen, bulbous base that stores water and the long, curly leaves that resemble a ponytail.
While ponytail palms prefer bright light, they can manage in low-light spots with just a few hours of sun per day. Their slow growth and drought tolerance also make them exceptional low-light houseplants. Let the soil dry between thorough waterings.
7. Mother of Thousands (Kalanchoe laetivirens)
This Kalanchoe species is named for the tiny plantlets that form on the edges of its leaves. A native of Madagascar, it does best with some direct sun but can tolerate lower light in the house.
The arching, rounded leaves have pretty silver variegation. Take care not to overwater, as the succulent leaves store water like cacti. The “plantlets” that appear can be removed and propagated in pots of their own.
8. Devil’s Backbone (Euphorbia tithymaloides)
This unique succulent native to Mexico is a cousin of the poinsettia. It has light gray-green stems that resemble a spine or backbone, giving it a forbidding appearance.
Devil’s backbone actually thrives in bright, indirect light indoors. But it can manage in low-light spots, making it an excellent choice for darker corners. Allow the potting mix to dry out between waterings to prevent rot.
Fun fact: In Mexico, the sap is made into a traditional remedy said to help relieve back pain.
9. Haworthia
Haworthias are charming succulents from South Africa that stay small enough to cultivate in 3-4 inch pots. Their leaves grow in unique rosette patterns with raised white bumps and bands. Popular varieties include the zebra plant, pearl plant, and star window plant.
These little succulents are very adaptable to low light. While they take on their best colors with several hours of sun, they can manage in darker indoor conditions. Their petite size also makes them perfect for office desks and shelves.
10. Mini Jade Plant (Crassula ovata ‘Minima’)
A dwarf cultivar of the classic jade plant, the mini jade has tiny rounded leaves that form a bonsai-like shrub. It grows just 1-2 feet tall and wide, making it an excellent compact houseplant.
Mini jade plants need only a couple hours of direct or bright indirect light daily. While more sun brings out reddish tones in the succulent leaves, the plant stays quite content in low light. Allow soil to dry between thorough waterings.
11. Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)
This spiny succulent is a surprisingly good low-light plant, although bright sun will maximize its bloom production. Native to Madagascar, its stems are covered in sharp spines and colorful bracts that resemble flower petals.
The crown of thorns tolerates low light levels, indirect sun, and some degree of shade. To enhance flowering, provide at least 4 hours of sun per day. This versatile little plant adds color and texture without demanding perfect conditions.
12. Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)
The arrowhead plant has bright green, arrow-shaped leaves often marked with white variegation. It is a popular trailing or climbing vine, but also grows well as a potted plant.
As a tropical understory plant, the arrowhead appreciates some shade and can adapt to low light indoors. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged for these versatile trailing succulents. They can trail or climb up supports to add greenery to vertical spaces.
13. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
With its upright, sword-like leaves, the snake plant, also called mother-in-law’s tongue, adds drama without demanding much care. Snake plants come in green, variegated, and golden varieties.
Hailing from tropical Africa, these succulents actually prefer bright, indirect light. But they are extremely tolerant of dim conditions. In fact, too much direct sun can burn their leaves. Water only when soil becomes partly dry.
Fun fact: Snake plants absorb airborne toxins and help purify indoor air.
14. Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)
The panda plant has fuzzy, chalky gray-green leaves with brown splotches along the edges that resemble a panda’s face. This cute succulent is native to Madagascar.
Panda plants need at least some bright light for several hours per day to look their best. However, they tolerate low light well compared to other Kalanchoe species. Allow the potting mix to dry out between waterings to prevent rot.
15. Velvet Sedum (Sedum pachyphyllum)
Sometimes called jelly beans, this charming succulent has plump silver-gray leaves covered in tiny hairs, giving them a velvety soft texture. The leaves grow in pairs or rosettes. When happy, it produces clusters of yellow blooms.
Velvet sedum does best with several hours of direct sun, but it manages fine in lower light conditions. Allow potting soil to dry out somewhat between waterings to prevent soggy roots. Once established, this succulent requires minimal care.
16. Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
With its trailing stems densely packed with overlapping teardrop-shaped leaves, burro’s tail is perfect for hanging baskets and trailing over pot edges. This Mexican succulent can form 2-4 foot long trailing stems!
Burro’s tail prefers bright, indirect light indoors. But it manages in less ideal conditions. Allow soil to dry out thoroughly between waterings to prevent rot and dropped leaves. Its trailing nature and tolerance of shade make it an excellent low-light houseplant.
Choosing the Best Spot for Low-Light Succulents
When growing succulents in low-light conditions, optimize their exposure as much as possible:
- Place plants near an east, west, or lightly shaded south window, where they’ll get indirect sun for part of the day.
- Position them close to the window to maximize ambient brightness.
- Rotate plants periodically so all sides receive some light.
- Supplement with artificial light like broad spectrum grow lights during darker months.
- Avoid situating plants more than 10 feet away from windows or light sources.
Caring for Low-Light Succulents
To keep low-light succulents healthy:
- Water only when soil is partly dry. Take care not to overwater, as wet soil can lead to root rot in low light.
- Use fast-draining potting mixes, like those made for cacti and succulents.
- Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with a balanced, dilute fertilizer.
- Remove spent leaves and flowers to encourage new growth.
- Dust leaves periodically to maximize light absorption.
- Propagate by taking leaf, stem, or offsets to produce new plants.
- Repot when root bound, in early spring before growing season.
Signs Your Succulent Needs More Light
Check for these cues to determine if your low-light succulent needs a light boost:
- Color fading or green leaves losing variegation
- Leaves drooping, curling, or pointing downward
- Elongated, stretched out new growth
- Reduction in flowering and blooms
- Soft, limp leaves or rotting stems
- Leaves dropping easily from stems
- Slow growth and small new leaves
Troubleshooting Leggy or Stretched Succulents
If a succulent becomes leggy or its growth appears to stretch upward, it likely needs more sunlight. Here’s how to help:
- Gradually introduce it to brighter light conditions over a week or two to prevent sun damage.
- Trim or prune leggy growth to encourage low, compact new leaves and stems.
- Provide supplemental lighting, like broad spectrum grow lights. Position very close to the plant.
- Rotate the plant frequently so all sides receive equal light.
- Cut back on nitrogen fertilizers, which can encourage leggy growth.
- Consider whether the pot is too large for the current root system, holding too much soil and moisture.
Achieving Balance: Light, Water, and Soil
When growing succulents in low light conditions, balance is essential across light, water, and soil needs:
- Increase sunlight exposure whenever possible, within the plant’s tolerances.
- Amend potting mix with extra perlite, sand, or gravel to improve drainage.
- Allow the potting mix to become fairly dry between thorough waterings.
- Consider using moisture meter probes to check soil moisture levels before watering.
- Use pots with drainage holes and drain any water that accumulates in saucers.
- Avoid overpotting, only repot when the roots have filled out the current container.
- Increase humidity for tropical low-light varieties like Chinese evergreen and peace lily.
Combining Low-Light Succulents for Interesting Displays
When planning low-light succulent arrangements, combine:
- Trailing and hanging varieties, like burro’s tail, with upright rosette types like haworthia.
- Low rosette plants, like mini jade, with tall columnar types like the dragon tree.
- Fine-textured delicate types, like lace aloe, with big bold leaves like elephant bush.
- Varied colors like reds, greens, silvers, and variegated leaves for contrast.
- Different leaf shapes and textures like round, spiky, fuzzy, and smooth.
Getting Creative: Unique Indoor Displays
Take advantage of the sculptural shapes of succulents to create living art. Try these creative displays:
- Create geometric designs by filling shallow boxes or trays with gravel and arranging succulents.
- Plant individual rosettes together in contrasting colors for abstract patterns.
- Use wire to train succulents like burro’s tail or string of pearls into wreaths or wall art.
- Adorn a vertical garden made of moss covered boards with trailing succulents.
- Plantcold hardy succulents together in minimalist concrete or ceramic planters.
- Use cuttings or propagated succulents to design terrariums under glass cloches or bells.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualities make a succulent tolerant of low-light conditions?
Certain adaptations help succulents survive low light environments:
- Thick, fleshy leaves and stems to store water, preventing drought stress.
- Slow growth rates requiring less energy input.
-CAM photosynthesis allowing stomata to open at night, conserving water.
-Light coloration to reflect more ambient light across the surface.
How much natural light do low-light succulents need?
Most low-light succulents need at least 2-4 hours of bright, indirect sunlight or fluorescent light per day. Direct sunlight is not required, but more is generally better.
How far from a window can succulents be placed?
As a rule of thumb, place succulents within 8-15 feet of south- or west-facing windows to receive sufficient ambient light. North-facing windows may not provide enough light more than 5 feet away.
Do low-light succulents need grow lights?
During winter months or in darker spaces, providing supplemental light from grow lights for 4-8 hours per day can benefit succulents. Use broad spectrum or full spectrum LED or fluorescent grow lights. Place lights very close to the plants.
Should I fertilize my low-light succulents?
Apply a balanced, water soluble fertilizer at half strength once a month through the growing season. Avoid high nitrogen formulas, as excess nitrogen can cause stretchy, weak growth.
What are the best pots and soil for low-light succulents?
Choose porous terra cotta pots with drainage holes. Amend potting mix with perlite, gravel, or sand to improve drainage. A cactus/succulent potting blend is ideal.
Conclusion
Many beautiful succulents can thrive with minimal natural light, if other care requirements like watering and humidity are met. When shopping for low-light succulents, look for varieties with pale or variegated coloring, slower growth, and thicker leaves. Arrange them artfully to bring their lush textures and colors to darker spots in your indoor spaces. With a little bit of supplemental light and attentive care, these plants can stay healthy and lovely in low sun conditions.