Indoor hanging plants add a touch of beauty and freshness to any living space – whether it’s your home or workplace. However, not all indoor spaces receive ample natural light, making it challenging to choose the right plants that’ll thrive in low-light conditions.
Fortunately, several indoor plants can flourish in low light while adding a pop of color to your decor! Let’s take a look at some of my favorite plants that look absolutely beautiful when cascading from a hanging basket.
The Best Indoor Hanging Plants for Low Light Conditions
- English Ivy
English Ivy (Hedera helix) is an evergreen vine capable of growing in various light conditions, including full sun and low-light areas. English Ivy is also known for its air-purifying qualities and can help to filter out toxins from the air. It’s easy to care for, as it only needs watering once a week during spring and summer, then slightly less during the cooler months – much like other common ivy plants.
- Heartleaf Philodendron
This perennial sweetheart plant is ideal for a low-light home since it can easily adapt to full and partial shade. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens) is quite hardy and can easily fill up any space with its trailing foliage of heart-shaped leaves. You’ll need well-draining soil to keep it healthy and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 3-4 months. However, if ingested, it can be toxic to pets and humans, so keep it out of reach!
- Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is another popular trailing houseplant that can tolerate low light, and it looks great cascading from a hanging pot. It’s easy to care for and can survive in many soil types, so long as it is well draining. Pothos vines can grow as long as 6-10 feet, meaning they are best hanging from high ceilings! There are wide varieties of Pothos, including Devil’s Ivy, Jade Pothos, and Marble Queen, with the leaves ranging from solid to variegated shades of green and yellow.
- Monstera
Monstera (Philodendron bipinnatifidum), also known as Swiss Cheese Plant, is a tropical plant that’ll add an exotic flair to any room. It can survive in a wide range of light conditions but prefers partial shade, especially when grown indoors. Monstera has its trademark dark green leaves with unique perforations and can look amazing when potted in a hanging planter – as the plant grows and trails down.
- Mistletoe Cactus
The Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera) is an epiphytic cactus that can withstand various light conditions, although it prefers dappled shade and indirect sunlight. It’s known for its striking stems that dangle from its hanging basket and only needs occasional watering to stay healthy. Mistletoe Cactus can also be a low-maintenance option since it doesn’t require regular feeding or pruning.
- Chinese Evergreen
With its big and beautiful foliage, the Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) is a tough and versatile indoor hanging plant. It grows great in low-medium light and partial shade. Chinese Evergreen prefers moist soil and should be watered only when the top inch of soil is dry. You can find a wide range of varieties of this plant, each offering a unique color and pattern on the leaves – from solid green to shades of pink and purple!
- Burro’s Tail
If you’re looking for a unique and interesting plant to add to your collection, then look no further than the Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum) – a succulent that thrives in indirect light and partial shade. The Burro’s Tail is an excellent choice of low-light houseplants since it requires little care. It features long trailing stems covered with plump, fleshy leaves that grow in bunches giving it the signature Burro’s Tail appearance.
- Spider Plant
The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is one of the most popular houseplants and is a great way to add some greenery to the home. Although bright light is best, these plants are tough and can survive in various light conditions. Hang them in a basket at a window, and they will grow long stems (spiderettes) that can be cut and replanted to create new plants. Spider Plants are also incredibly hardy and can tolerate periods of neglect!
- Boston Fern
This humidity-loving fern is perfect for hanging in your bathroom or kitchen with moisture and humidity, but it can also be a great addition to your living room if you keep the soil moist. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), or Sword Fern, is a low-light houseplant with lacy fronds that can trail up to 3 feet long. To ensure your Boston Fern stays healthy, water it regularly and provide it with a liquid fertilizer every few months.
- Peperomia
Peperomia is a variety of small houseplants with beautiful, waxy foliage. The Peperomia family has many different plants, each with its own unique look. The leaves of Peperomia can be solid or variegated, with colors ranging from light green to deep purple. Peperomia is also a wonderful low-light houseplant, so you can place it in indirect light and shade without worrying about it getting too much sun.
- Prayer Plant
The Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura) is a lovely houseplant for beginners and experienced plant lovers alike. With its unique patterned foliage, which can be patterned or solid, the Prayer Plant looks excellent in any room of your home. It thrives in partial shade and loves moisture, so make sure it is watered regularly. The Prayer Plant gets its name from its leaves folding up at night – giving it the appearance of hands folded in prayer!
- Rex Begonia
With its striking foliage, Rex Begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum) is a popular houseplant that adds a bit of flair to any room. It features heart-shaped leaves in various colors, from solid green to purple and cream. Rex Begonia loves well-draining soil and should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. Just be aware that Rex Begonia can be toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach if you have cats or dogs at home.
- Nerve Plant
For a plant that can also produce white flowers, look no further than the Nerve Plant (Fittonia argyroneura). This low-light houseplant is easy to care for and has dark green leaves that are patterned with veins of pink or white. It does best in a low light setting and likes its soil to be moist – not soggy. Just make sure your Nerve Plant is not exposed to direct sunlight, as it can cause the leaves to burn.
How to Care For Indoor Houseplants
Now you’ve got a good idea of the best low-light houseplants to add to your home; it’s time to learn how to care for them. Here are some tips for keeping your houseplants healthy:
- Understand the light requirements: All the plants on this list do well in low-light conditions, but some do better than others in certain light levels. Place your plants in an area with bright indirect light, partial or full shade – depending on the type of plant.
- Water your plants regularly: Houseplants need to be watered regularly but don’t overwater as this can cause root issues. Check the top inch of soil – if it is dry, it’s usually time to water your plants.
- Fertilize your plants: Most houseplants benefit from regular fertilizing with a liquid fertilizer, especially during the prime growing seasons. This can vary depending on the plant, so be sure to research what type of fertilizer and how often to fertilize your specific plants.
- Prune or repot as needed: Over time, some of your houseplants may need to be pruned or repotted. This can help keep the plant healthy and promote growth, so assess your plants periodically to see if they need extra care.
- Look out for infestations: Houseplants can be susceptible to pests and diseases. Keep an eye out for any signs of infestations, such as gnats, ants, or fungus, and treat the plant immediately. Check out my blog post on how to get rid of gnats on indoor herbs – it includes some effective, non-toxic remedies to protect your plants.
- Monitor your plant’s growth habits: These plants may be good for the indoors and don’t need a ton of light – but sometimes, certain plants may need more light than you initially thought. Watch out for signs your plants need more light, like yellowing leaves, leggy growth, or shedding leaves. If you notice any of these signs, move your plant to a brighter area and see how it responds!
Indoor houseplants can add lots of beauty and life to your home while also purifying the air. With these low-light plants, you can enjoy the outdoors while inside – even if you don’t have a ton of natural light. Try hanging your chosen plants in strategic areas to create a unique and peaceful oasis of green
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