Indoor plants that need little light

Many houseplants only thrive when they get enough light, so they need a bright location with as much direct sunlight as possible to unfold their splendor. But there are also a number of plants that do not tolerate it well.

Most of them originally come from tropical or subtropical forests. There they usually grow close to the ground, where little light can reach them. They are therefore suitable for darker rooms or hallways, can stand further away from the window and also feel very comfortable in the shade of their sun-loving relatives.

Plants that fill spaces

Most houseplants that get by with little light only flower very inconspicuously or not at all. They unfold their splendor preferentially through the filigree shapes and colors of the foliage. Some of these are exceptionally large and space-filling:

• The room fir (botanical name: Araucaria) is a conifer that usually does not grow taller than 1.80 meters, but can also grow up to three meters high under very good conditions. The easy-care solitary plant likes it bright, but does not tolerate direct sun.
• Also the dragon tree (dracaena) can reach a height of 1.5 to 2.5 meters. It is very popular because of its narrow, pointed, colorful leaves and the palm-like growth habit. It comes in many different varieties, all of which are easy to care for. However, most prefer temperatures of 19 to 25 °C.

Other high-growing indoor plants that like their shadowy existence or are at least well tolerated: the Kentia palm (Howea), the tree friend (Philodendron) and the radiant aria (Schefflera aboricola).

Plants with foliage that go anywhere

If you are looking for slightly smaller plants, e.g. B. find enough space on a chest of drawers, then the choice could be on the cardamom (Elletaria) fall. This spice plant from India belongs to the ginger family. It forms strong roots just below the surface of the earth, from which new 50-70 cm high shoots with pointed-oval, green leaves grow. The cardamom does not have high care requirements, and its capsule fruits can also be used in the kitchen. The following are also considered to be very robust plants with decorative green foliage:

• The Cobbler's Palm (Aspidistra) and the lucky feather (Zamioculcas). Both are very frugal, can feed up to 70 or They grow to a height of 90 cm and also thrive in the shade.
• The ledges (Sirpus), a pretty evergreen perennial grass, is very easy to care for, does well in low light and does well in a north-facing window.
• The Alocasia, on the other hand, requires significantly more attention from its owner. The large, heart-shaped, oval-shaped leaves impress with their veins colored in a darker green. The sensitive ornamental plants attach great importance to constant soil moisture. In addition, they do not tolerate temperatures below 18 °C.
• Also the 15-30 cm high growing arrowroot (calathea) attaches great importance to a uniform humidity level. Rainwater should preferably be used for watering, as this plant does not tolerate lime.
• The dainty centrifugal flower (pilea) forms pretty silvery spots on a green background on its oval leaves and combines well with other plants in bowls or tubs. They are particularly sensitive to waterlogging.
• The Dieffenbachia, on the other hand, with its fleshy, soft leaves, feels very comfortable in partial shade, but attaches great importance to high humidity.

Blooming beauties in low light

In order to form colorful flowers, most plants need a lot of light and direct sun. A few manage to do this even in poor light. Completely without comes the turning fruit (Streptocarpus) but not off. There are many different varieties of the 20-40 cm high ornamental plant, whose flowers cover a color spectrum from white to dark blue. They all thrive best in a medium-bright spot out of direct sunlight. You should use low-lime rainwater for watering. The cob thread (Aglaonema commutatum), which is more appreciated for its strikingly patterned leaves, also makes an attractive inflorescence in late summer. However, the resulting berries are poisonous. In autumn, the easy-care Siderasis fuscata also forms dainty flowers in violet-blue to red-violet colors on hairy stems. Both types of plants do not grow too tall and are easy to cultivate indoors. It is a bit more difficult with the Rohdea plant, which easily gets too warm in the room.

While all the species mentioned so far are rather inconspicuous and only bloom for a relatively short time, the flamingo flower impresses with its extremely beautiful and lasting flowers. The bracts on the stem of the spadix are lustrous shades of white, salmon pink, or dark red, while the leathery, arrow-shaped leaves are tinged with dark green. In good conditions it can grow up to 1 m high. The elegant semi-shade plants do not like direct sun, but it can be bright, otherwise their leaves will become sparse and long. They also value lime-free water and high humidity.

Traffic light plants in low light

Some of the plants that do well in low light also do very well in hanging baskets. the ivy (Epipremnum) forms long stalks with yellow and green tinged heart-shaped leaves. The meter-long shoots of the climbing plant are well suited for greening walls, trellises and wooden beams. In low light, the leaves lose some of the light marbling but still retain a rich green hue. The ivy is very adaptable, but feels most comfortable in humid air. The little periwinkle (Vinca) forms shoots that can grow up to 2 m long, are densely covered with small green leaves and hang decoratively in hanging baskets. Light blue small flowers grow on the leaf axils. The plants like a well-ventilated and rather cool location, but are otherwise relatively easy to care for. The shamflower (Aeschynanthus), with its attractive red flowers, and the industriously climbing Klimme (Cissus).

ferns

Some subtropical fern species can also be cultivated very well indoors. Since they are originally at home on shady forest floors, it stands to reason that they can also thrive well in areas with little light. The spleen fern (asplenium), the moss herb (Selaginella), the stag's tongue fern (phylitis), the polypody (Phlebodium) and the rabbit foot fern (Davallia). The ferns are all relatively easy to care for.

Worth knowing about plants for rooms with little light

If you live in an apartment with little sunlight, you don't have to do without the pleasant flair that green plants create. Lush abundance of flowers is rare, but many of the shade-loving plants are appealing due to their filigree leaf shapes and patterns. In addition, most are relatively frugal and easy to care for.

For some indoor plants, a shady spot is important to feel comfortable. They ensure fresh greenery in dimly lit rooms all year round. There is something for everyone among the easy-care all-rounders. In the dry heating air you should ensure sufficient humidity for the sake of the plants. Water bowls on the radiators or a fountain in the room bring a lot. It is poured sparingly with room-warm water

• Ivy: The popular climbing plant is suitable for hanging baskets and hydroponics
• Chestnut wine: The climbing plant tolerates dry room air and calcareous water
• Piston Thread: Its oval leaves have an attractive silver marking
• Rayed Aralia: With green and variegated leaves, mottled leaves provide color accents
• African violets would like to be kept warm all year round, keep moderately moist, water less in winter
• A leaf needs warmth and moist air, water and spray with lime-free water
• Ornamental asparagus does not like overheated rooms, waterlogging and cold feet
• spider plant undemanding, tolerates high temperatures, pour plenty, but never keep too wet
• Spray Klimme often at high temperatures, keep slightly moist, water only a little in winter

Provided no dense trees or high walls block the daylight, windows on the north, north-west or north-east side of a house offer the best conditions for all shade plants. This also includes inhabitants of the tropical rain forest. Since these are sensitive to cold, you have to make sure in winter that the room temperature does not drop too much at night. Otherwise, caring for the potted plants is easy here. You can do without shading on sunny days and only need to water at longer intervals. Because of the low water consumption, as a precaution, always check the moisture in the root ball of the pot before you start using the watering can. At low temperatures, wet feet are particularly dangerous.

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