We all know the benefits of having plants near you. But sometimes there isn’t enough (or any!) light to keep those plants alive. Are there plants that don’t need sunlight to survive? You’re in luck — there are! And we’ve gathered the Ultimate List of flowers that don’t need sunlight for you.
Contents
- 1 33 of the Best Flowers and Plants that Don’t Need Sunlight
- 1.1 1. African Violets
- 1.2 2. Begonias
- 1.3 3. Camellias
- 1.4 4. Boston Ferns
- 1.5 5. Cacti
- 1.6 6. Gardenias
- 1.7 7. Orchids
- 1.8 8. Peace Lilies
- 1.9 9. Philodendrons
- 1.10 10. Pothos Plants
- 1.11 11. Rubber Plants
- 1.12 12. Schefflera Arboricola
- 1.13 13. Spider Plants
- 1.14 14. Succulents
- 1.15 15. Yucca
- 1.16 16. Aloe Vera
- 1.17 17. Baby’s Tears
- 1.18 18. Bromeliads
- 1.19 19. Dracaena
- 1.20 20. Snake Plants
- 1.21 21. English Ivy
- 1.22 22. Ficus Alii
- 1.23 23. ZZ Plant
- 1.24 24. Ficus Benjamina
- 1.25 25. Geranium
- 1.26 26. Parlor Palm
- 1.27 27. Heartleaf Philodendron
- 1.28 28. Hydrangea
- 1.29 29. Jade Plant
- 1.30 30. Kalanchoe
- 1.31 31. Lady Palm
- 1.32 32. Maidenhair Fern
- 1.33 33. Ponytail Palm
How do plants survive without light, you may wonder?
In reality, plants cannot function without some sunlight. To function, photosynthesis requires light to provide the energy plants need to grow.
But don’t fret, plants have adapted to survive. Some plants have evolved long, thin leaves to collect as much sunshine as possible. While other plants get enough “sunlight” from artificial lighting.
These plants have adapted to low light conditions, meaning plants can live in every room of the house.
33 of the Best Flowers and Plants that Don’t Need Sunlight
1. African Violets
Our number one flower that doesn’t need sunlight, these beautiful flowers thrive in shaded areas and artificial light. In fact, too much sunlight can actually cause them to wilt. Place your African violets in a spot near a window where they’ll get some indirect light instead.
2. Begonias
The white, pink, and red blooms of this flower are a favorite among gardeners. They are commonly grown in containers, but also flourish when grown indoors near a window.
3. Camellias
As an evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and bright flowers, the camellia is often grown outdoors in temperate climates. However, this plant can also be kept indoors near a window with indirect sunlight for at least four hours each day.
4. Boston Ferns
Boston ferns are one of the hardiest ferns available. This popular choice is perfect indoors with indirect sunlight.
5. Cacti
Low light cacti, including the popular Christmas cactus, are perfect for indirect areas. Because cacti have adapted to live in desert conditions, they’re also perfect for rooms with artificial light. If you are in a basement or office with no light, we do love adding a small grow light to keep them happy.
6. Gardenias
Gardenias need a lot of water and won’t survive indoors if you neglect to mist them and keep their soil moist. They do need to have access to plenty of indirect sunlight, which is why they’re often grown outdoors rather than indoors.
7. Orchids
Orchids are unique and beautiful flowers, but they also require a lot of care. You can grow orchids indoors provided you place them near a source of indirect sunlight and keep their soil moist at all times.
8. Peace Lilies
Peace lilies aren’t picky about the type of light they receive; in fact, too much sunlight can kill them. They do need indirect sunlight and thrive near a window where they’ll get at least four hours of sunlight each day.
9. Philodendrons
These tropical plants are perfect for indoors because they don’t need direct sunlight. They can even grow in rooms that receive artificial light only. Philodendrons grow well when their soil is moist and need a place where they’ll receive a few hours of indirect sunlight each day.
10. Pothos Plants
Pothos plants can survive in dark areas, but do best near a window with indirect sunlight. Four or more hours is preferable. We love to put our pothos in a hanging pot like these.
11. Rubber Plants
Rubber plants are also known as Ficus Elastica. As long as these plants get indirect sunlight for about five or six hours each day, they are able to thrive indoors even without any natural light. Rubber plants need to be moist at all times and should not be in direct sunlight as it will cause their leaves to turn brown.
12. Schefflera Arboricola
This popular indoor plant can tolerate low light levels, making it a perfect choice for apartments and homes without a lot of natural light. Place your Schefflera near a window where it can receive bright, indirect sunlight for up to six hours daily.
13. Spider Plants
Spider plants are easy to grow indoors and don’t need direct sunlight. Place near a window where they’ll get at least four hours of indirect sunlight each day. The spider plant’s leaves are stunning, featuring white stripes or spots on green leaves with variegated frills.
14. Succulents
Succulents are easy to grow indoors with very little natural light because they don’t need it to survive. Most succulents do best when the soil is kept moist and receives at least four hours of indoor sunlight each day.
15. Yucca
Yucca plants are able to survive in low light levels, making them perfect for indoor plants. Place your yucca near a window where it can get indirect sunlight, and water it regularly to keep the soil moist.
16. Aloe Vera
This medicinal plant is easy to grow indoors and doesn’t require any direct sunlight. Aloe vera plants do well when placed in a spot where they’ll get four or more hours of indirect sunlight each day and should be watered regularly.
17. Baby’s Tears
This trailing plant is perfect for hanging baskets or indoor planters because it doesn’t need direct sunlight to grow. Place your baby’s tears near a window where it will get bright, indirect light for four or more hours each day.
18. Bromeliads
Bromeliads will do well near a window with four hours of indirect sunlight. They will also enjoy filtered light. Make sure to keep the soil moist.
19. Dracaena
Dracaena plants don’t require direct sunlight and can thrive in low light levels. Place your dracaena near a window where it will get indirect sunlight, and water it regularly to keep the soil moist.
20. Snake Plants
Snake plants are a popular choice. They are our go-to for the lowest of lights. We love putting them in our bathrooms! Indirect sunlight is best with occasional watering. This ceramic planter is our go-to for our snake plants.
21. English Ivy
English ivy is an easy-to-grow vine that doesn’t need direct sunlight to thrive. This plant does well when it’s placed in a spot where it will get four or more hours of indirect sunlight each day with filtered light, and it should be misted regularly to keep the soil moist.
22. Ficus Alii
This tropical plant is one of the easiest you’ll ever grow because it only needs indirect sunlight to become healthy. Water your ficus alii regularly but don’t allow the soil to become soggy, and place it near a window where it will get filtered light.
23. ZZ Plant
This is a go-to plant and one that is widely available. From amazon to ikea, you can find this plant almost anywhere. This plant does not like direct sunlight, so keep them away from the window and don’t overwater.
24. Ficus Benjamina
This popular indoor tree does well in low light levels, making it perfect for homes without a lot of natural light. Place your ficus Benjamina near a window where it can get indirect sunlight for at least four hours each day, and water it regularly.
25. Geranium
The geranium is an easy-to-grow plant that doesn’t need direct sunlight to thrive. These flowers do well when they’re placed in a spot where they’ll get four or more hours of indirect sunlight each day, and they should be watered regularly.
26. Parlor Palm
The Parlor Palm, Chamaedorea elegant, or the neanthe bella palm is another shade tolerant choice that is easy to find. They do best with indirect sunlight.
27. Heartleaf Philodendron
Commonly known as the sweet heart plant, this easy-to-care-for houseplant doesn’t require direct sunlight to grow and can thrive in office environments. Place your heartleaf philodendron near a window where it will get filtered light for up to six hours each day, and water it regularly.
28. Hydrangea
One of our favorite outdoor plants, the hydrangea is a popular flower that doesn’t need direct sunlight to grow. This plant does well when it’s placed in a spot where it will get four or more hours of indirect sunlight each day and should be watered regularly.
29. Jade Plant
This popular indoor houseplant has thick stems and small clusters of flowers that grow on top. The jade plant doesn’t need direct sunlight to thrive and can do well in shaded areas with indirect sunlight.
30. Kalanchoe
Kalanchoes are tropical succulents that don’t need direct sunlight to grow, and they can thrive in office environments. Place your kalanchoe near a window where it will get filtered light for up to six hours each day, and water it regularly.
31. Lady Palm
This tropical plant doesn’t need direct sunlight to grow and does well in shaded areas with indirect sunlight. Place your lady palm near a window where it will get filtered light for up to six hours daily, and water it regularly.
32. Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum, the maidenhair fern, is a popular houseplant that does well in dark areas with indirect sunlight. Place your maidenhair fern near a window where it will get filtered light, and water it regularly to keep the soil moist.
33. Ponytail Palm
The ponytail palm doesn’t need direct sunlight to grow and can thrive in shaded areas with indirect sunlight. This plant does well when it’s placed near a window that gets filtered light for up to six hours each day, and should be watered regularly.