We all have corners in our home that are a bit dark, but they don't have to look gloomy and dreary! There are many indoor plants that need little light and can provide more brightness. Read on to discover some of the best houseplants for dark rooms.
List of plants that need little light – Bubikopf (Soleirolia soleirolii)
The Bubikopf (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a perennial, creeping shrub that originally comes from Sardinia and Corsica. It can be kept as a ground cover or hung in pots. The thread-like stems can be up to 50 cm long and grow bush-like up to 25 cm high.
Location:Corridor, bedroom, staircase
- Light to partial shade
- Well ventilated
- Room temperature and cooler, min. 5 °C in winter, max. 15 °C in summer
- High-quality potting soil with organic nutrients
Care:
- Water regularly and keep moist, but avoid wetting the leaves
- Apply organic liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks from March to August
- Repot in spring into wide, shallow pots or hanging baskets with drainage holes
Possible pests and problems:
- Long shoots due to a location that is too dark or too warm
- Dying tips due to dry soil
- Old plants that are bare in the middle can be cut back in spring
Propagation: Divide the plant in spring or take many cuttings and plant them in loose, slightly acidic soil.
Tipp: Avoid waterlogging and do not let the plant dry out! You can trim your bob if necessary to maintain the bob shape.
Cobbler palm (Aspidistra elatior) can brighten dark rooms
The cobbler palm (Aspidistra elatior) is a plant from the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) that comes from East Asia. Not only is it one of the plants that need little light and like dark rooms, it also requires little water, tolerates different temperatures well and, unlike many other houseplants, does not require high humidity.
Location: hallway, bedroom, living room
- Bright to shady, no direct sunlight
- 10 to 20°C
- No high humidity
- All-purpose potting soil with 30% added sand
- Create a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot
Care:
- Water rarely but generously, allow the surface to dry between waterings and avoid waterlogging
- Repot every 3 to 4 years in spring
- Low nutrient requirements, fertilize once a month during the growing season
Possible pests and problems:
- Can be susceptible to pests such as scale insects and spider mites if the air is dry
- Yellow leaves due to waterlogging
- Sunburn from direct sunlight
Propagation: Divide the root ball in spring and replant it individually.
Tipp: Varieties with white variegation always require a little more heat than their non-variegated counterparts.
Large plants that need little light – Radiant Aralia (Schefflera arboricola)
Rayed Aralia (Schefflera arboricola), also known as Schefflera, is native to Taiwan. These plants are tall and sparsely branched. You can buy plain (green) types and some with yellow variegation.
Location: bathroom, bedroom
- Bright to partially shaded, east or west facing windows, a few hours of direct light are sufficient
- Well ventilated, without drafts
- Min. 12 °C, ideally cooler temperatures at night than during the day
- Higher humidity
- Humus-rich and permeable soil
Care:
- Keep the soil moderately moist, avoid waterlogging, use low-lime water at room temperature and mist frequently
- Fertilize weekly from March to October and every 4 weeks in winter
- Repot young plants annually, older plants every 2 to 3 years
Possible pests and problems:
- Spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects and aphids due to dry air and/or high temperatures
- Drops its leaves if kept in a place that is too cold
Propagation: Air layering or growing from seeds
Tipp: Even in winter, the ray aralia needs a few hours of sunlight.
Zebra Haworthia is a small houseplant adapted to low levels of daylight
The zebra haworthia (Haworthia fasciata) is closely related to aloe plants. Its leaves are often striped, hence the name. It is also one of the plants that need little light.
Location: living room, kitchen, hallway
- Light to partial shade
- Nutrient-poor and permeable substrate, for example seedling soil mixed with pumice, lava rock and quartz sand in a ratio of 3:2:1
- Create a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot
- Use a wide, shallow pot
- Tolerates dry air
Care:
- Water sparingly from below, avoid waterlogging, allow the soil to dry out, do not water from July to August as the plant is in the dormant phase
- Fertilize every 2 to 3 months, except in winter
- Repotting is only necessary if the plant outgrows the pot
- Overwinter at 5 to 15 °C
Possible pests and problems:
- Root and leaf rot due to waterlogging or water in the rosettes
- Occasionally mealybugs and scale insects
Propagation: Separate rooted cuttings or allow unrooted cuttings to dry for about three days and then allow them to root in the soil. Propagation by seeds is also possible.
Tipp: The warmer it is, the brighter the location of the zebra cactus should be.
More indoor plants that need little lightyou can find here!
