10 Low Light Flowering Indoor Plants

We all have that one friend who cannot keep alive a plant. Or maybe that “friend” is us.

Or if you are good in plants, and your house is full of them, but there is still one dark corner where you wish you could put another plant, but you think that would be too dark for any plant.

Let me tell you: you are wrong. There are so many indoor plants that are so forgiving and are easy to care for. Also, some of them do better in shadier spaces.

In this article, I will list 10 low-light flowering indoor plants.

1. Peace Lily

Peace Lily is easy to care for and this makes it a very popular plant among indoor plants.

In their natural habitat, Peace Lilies grow on the tropical forest floor, where they don’t get too much light, but they do have consistent moisture.

These are evergreen plants and providing the right condition for them, these will produce white to off-white flowers, usually, in the early summer and will bloom through the whole year.

As I said, Peace Lilies are not difficult to care for, however, they still need some of your time.

You should keep its soil constantly moisturized because it cannot tolerate dry soil for too long. Also, you should avoid overwatering it, as it can cause rotting.

Filtered and room-temperature water is best to use when watering because Peace Lilies are sensitive to the chemicals from the tap water.

You can mist these plants because they love high humidity, but you should fertilize them only occasionally.

As Peace Lilies are tropical plants, these will not do well in a cold environment, so the temperature should be a minimum of 60°F (16°C) and the best temperature is upwards of 70°F (21°C).

These plants are not doing well if placed in direct sunlight. However, they should still get bright light if you want them to flower. An east-facing window sill or its area would be the best place for this variety because the morning light is not as strong as the afternoon sunlight, so it will not burn the plant.

2. Flamingo Flower

Flamingo Flower, also known as Anthurium, is a tropical plant as well, which loves humidity and heat. So, maintaining a humidity level of around 80% and keeping its soil moisturized, but not too wet, would be perfect for your plant to thrive and bloom.

These plants grow best when indoor temperatures are kept between 68°F (20°C) and 86°F (30°C), but in a minimum of 60°F (16°C) would still survive. Bellow that, the plant would suffer from the cold.

Flamingo Flower is not a heavy feeder plant; therefore, this doesn’t need too much fertilizing. If you are fertilizing your Flamingo Plant, is enough to do it every two months during the spring and summer period, but stop fertilizing during the fall and winter as the plant is in the dormant phase (growth slows).

To encourage the plant to produce flowers, but to prevent foliage to burn, place the plant in a medium to bright, but indirect light.

Flamingo Flower does not tolerate direct sunlight, because its natural habitat is beneath tree canopies where this is protected from the direct rays of the sun.

3. Christmas Cactus

I am sure about that if not you, but someone in your family has at least one of these plants. Christmas Cactus is a very popular plant because it produces many colorful (pink or lilac), tubular flowers and it is very easy to care for.

Despite the other cacti, Christmas Cactus grow on tree branches in humid, warm tropical rainforests of southern Brazil. They don’t like the bright direct sunlight and dry conditions such as the other cacti or succulent plants.

Christmas Cactus should be kept in bright but indirect light (east-facing window or a bright bathroom), where the temperatures should be a minimum of 60°F (16°C), but the temperature of 70°F (21°C) is best.

Watering the Christmas Cactus should depend on its environment, but usually, every 2-3 weeks is enough. Make sure you check its soil with your finger. If the top 2 inches of its soil is dry, then you can irrigate.

Watering the plant while flowering should be consistent because if the plant dries out too much, this can drop its buds.

4. Begonias

Begonias have tropical and subtropical origins. These are also very popular indoor plants, but these are used to add some color to shady garden areas with their colorful flowers as well.

Begonias should be well watered, but between watering, you should allow its soil to dry out. These plants can be fertilized with tomato feed, as these are heavy feeder plants, and should be done weekly.

However, you should stop fertilizing it during the fall, because it will slow down in growth anyway.

From October you shout reduce watering as well and remove flowers. After the frost blackened the foliage, you should life the plant. Cut the stem back and store it in a dark place during the winter.

5. Wax Plant

Wax Plant is also known as Hoya or Porcelain Flower. This plant is very popular among houseplants as well. And this is for good reason.

As its name states, Wax Plant has a waxy appearance and their flowers are very lovely and some of them are scented as well. Wax Plants are easy to care for and they don’t need too much sunlight.

Wax Plants cannot stand the direct sunlight because in their natural habitat they live forests between treetops where they are living in a shady light. Direct sunlight can burn their leaves.

You don’t need to repot your Wax Plant yearly, so, this makes it even easier to care for.

Before watering, check the plant’s soil, because this likes to dry out more than most plants. However, when watering, make sure you water its soil thoroughly.

6. Lipstick Plant

Lipstick Plant got its name from the fact that its flowers look like red lipstick. When given all the needed conditions, this will bloom periodically throughout the year with many flowers in spring and summer.

Lipstick Plant loves bright, but indirect light and between waterings, you should allow its soil to dry out.

Because this plant is native to tropical forests, it like high humidity levels; therefore, misting several times during the week is important.

Also, it is better to keep a constant warm (75°F to 85°F/23°C to 30°C) environment for this type of plant.

7. Phalaenopsis Orchids

Phalaenopsis Orchids are also very popular houseplants, as they have wonderful flowers when they bloom. These can come in many colors and patterns.

These will flower once or twice a year, but their flowers will last for several weeks if treated well.

Phalaenopsis Orchids don’t like to sit in direct sunlight, so a bright room will be great for them. The watering process shouldn’t be scheduled, but check each plant and if its potting environment is dry, then you can water it. Let it dry out before each watering.

Watering should happen from the bottom to avoid the leaves and flowers getting wet. These can rot if water gets into the stem and left there.

You should fertilize them every two weeks, but avoid fertilizing during the flowering phase. Many people use a weak fertilizer weekly, rather than using a stronger one less often.

Phalaenopsis Orchids love humidity, however, you should avoid misting, as this can cause several problems if done wrong. Better use a humidifier or a tray with some rocks and water under the plant.

Be cautious with the orchid’s roots as they don’t like to sit in water. You should avoid this at all times.

8. Poinsettia

Poinsettia is one of the most popular Christmas houseplants and is also often gifted as a Christmas present.

If you want to have a color-rich Poinsettia for longer, then you should never buy it from an outdoor market or from a place where you think this could get cold. These plants cannot support wind and cold weather.

Poinsettias’ soil should be kept constantly moist; however, you should leave the top of the soil slightly dry out. You should avoid overwatering, as this can damage the plant.

You can also add fertilizer every two weeks and you can mist Poinsettias because this loves the humid and warm environment. This needs a minimum of 55-60°F/ 13-15°C but hates the sources of direct heat such as radiators or fire.

Like the other plants listed in this article, Poinsettia needs partial shade. So, a bright room, away from direct sunlight is best to keep.

9. Cyclamen

Cyclamen plants are often used as houseplants but also used outdoors. These come in many colors and when in bloom, have many beautiful flowers.

Cyclamens hate the high temperatures; therefore, if planted outside, make sure you grow them in shade.

These plants are sensitive to inconsistent watering. It hates overwatering but underwatering as well. Watering should be done from the bottom or below the leaves. Avoid getting the leaves wet, as this can cause rotting.

Cyclamens don’t need to be fertilized often. Is enough if you do it once every two months. Over-fertilizing can affect the plant’s reblooming.

10. African Violets

African Violets have fuzzy leaves and produce flowers in white, blue, purple, red or pink colors.

These are susceptible to rot, so, you should keep their soil slightly moist and water them below the leaves without getting them wet.

This plant can get sunburn if you place it in direct sunlight, so medium to bright indirect sunlight is best.

Fertilizing can be done every two weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) and make sure you don’t over-fertilize as this can cause problems as well.

Usually, African Violets are grown best in temperatures over 65°F/ 18°C, but some of them can tolerate a cooler environment.

Wrap Up

There are so many low-light plants that can make your place a happier space. However, “low light” doesn’t mean “no light”.

In order to grow, even the low-light plants need some light to grow and bloom. You can always place these away from the windows or on a north-facing window sill.

You should find the best plant which suits you and your place’s condition because not all plants are suitable for everyone and every home. Different plants need different type of care and environment.

Houseplants   Updated: April 25, 2022
avatar Hi, I'm Amy, a devoted horticulturist and the creator of PlantIndex.com, where I use my expertise to help beginners foster their green thumbs. My blog is a vibrant community where I unravel the complexities of gardening and share my profound love for nature.

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