A space that feels bright to us can be very dim for a plant. Light drops quickly away from a window, and the lighting inside most offices is far weaker than daylight. 'Low light' plants are not plants that live without light, but ones that put up with less of it.
Ten plants that cope
- Snake Plant: upright and tough, tolerates irregular watering
- ZZ Plant: glossy leaves that store water in the roots
- Cast Iron Plant: broad dark leaves that handle dust and shade
- Parlor Palm: a compact palm for dim cabins
- Aglaonema: patterned leaves, with several colour varieties
- Peace Lily: droops when thirsty and may flower in moderate shade
- Money Plant: a trailing vine that adapts to many conditions
- Heartleaf Philodendron: heart-shaped leaves on trailing stems
- Bird's Nest Fern: a fern that tolerates dimmer rooms
- Dracaena Compacta: dense and tidy, good for desks and shelves
What to expect in low light
Growth will be slower, colours may be less vivid and patterned leaves can turn greener. Plants also need less water, so watering mistakes become more likely, not less. Give them a bright spot for a few weeks every few months if you can.
When there is no natural light at all
In a windowless room, even the toughest plant will decline over time. A grow light on a timer solves this, or plants can be rotated between a bright spot and the dim one. A planned rotation is something our team can run as part of a rental programme.
Choosing for your floor
If you are planning plants for a whole office, the best approach is to check the light in each area and match plants to it. Browse the plant library, or talk to us and we will suggest a plan for your floors.
