17 Large Low-Light Indoor Plants: Tall Trees & More
17 Large Low-Light Indoor Plants: Tall Trees & More
Got a dark corner that feels a little too empty? A big, leafy houseplant can make a huge difference—adding life, color, and texture without demanding a sunny window. While many large plants do prefer brighter conditions, some are surprisingly content to live their best life in darker rooms. This post is filled with large low-light indoor plants, including tall tree and tree-like houseplants that can grow well away from direct sunlight.
What “Low Light” Actually Means
Let’s clear something up first: “low light” doesn’t mean zero light. A plant that’s always left in total darkness will slowly die. If your space has enough natural light during the day to read a book without turning on a lamp, that’s low light.
- Low light: A north-facing window or several feet away from brighter windows. No direct sun.
- Medium light: Near an east-facing window or a filtered south-facing one.
- Bright light: Direct sun or strong filtered light for several hours a day.
If you’re working with a truly windowless, lightless room, consider leaving overhead LED lights on, adding a small grow light to the space, or even just leaving the door open to an adjacent room that does get daylight to give your plant some extra light.
Low light plants won’t grow as quickly, but that’s often a bonus with large houseplants. Less maintenance, slower growth, more adaptability. What’s not to love?
Below is a list of my favorite large low light indoor plants and trees. The chart gives you a quick-reference overview of names and numbers, followed by in-depth info and care tips.
| 1 | Areca Palm | 7 | Fatsia japonica | 13 | Monstera |
| 2 | Bamboo Palm | 8 | Janet Craig Dracaena | 14 | Parlor Palm |
| 3 | Cast Iron Plant | 9 | Kentia Palm | 15 | Snake Plant |
| 4 | Corn Plant | 10 | Lisa Cane Dracaena | 16 | Umbrella Tree |
| 5 | Diffenbachia ‘Tropic Snow’ | 11 | Majesty Palm | 17 | ZZ Plant |
| 6 | Dragon Tree | 12 | Money Tree |
1. Areca Palm
Areca Palms (Dypsis lutescens) grow tall with feathery fronds and bring a nice tropical feel. While they prefer bright indirect light, they can adapt to low light. Just don’t overwater them—let the top inch of soil dry out first. Bonus: they’re non-toxic and help purify the air.
2. Bamboo Palm
Bamboo Palms (Chamaedorea seifrizii) are another classic indoor palm. They tolerate low light and have thin, arching fronds that create a soft, layered look. Non-toxic and relatively low maintenance, they like moist but not soggy soil.
3. Cast Iron Plant
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) gets its name for a reason—it’s nearly indestructible. Perfect for dark corners, it grows slowly but steadily, reaching 2.5–3 feet or more in larger pots. It’s non-toxic and can handle just about anything short of direct sun.
4. Corn Plant
Corn Plants (Dracaena fragrans) are among the best-known large houseplants. They’re perfect for low light and require little fuss as long as you avoid overwatering. Keep them away from pets, though—they’re toxic.
5. Dieffenbachia
This eye-catching plant has big, variegated leaves that brighten up a room. Dieffenbachia tolerates low light and grows up to 6 feet indoors. But be careful, it’s toxic to both pets and humans. Keep soil evenly moist and rotate the plant occasionally for balanced growth.
6. Dragon Tree
Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree) features a thick trunk and stiff, sword-like leaves. It handles low light well and grows slowly, making it easy to manage indoors. Like other Dracaena species, it’s toxic to pets.
7. Fatsia japonica
Also known as Japanese Aralia, Fatsia japonica has large, glossy leaves and can tolerate deep shade. It prefers consistently moist soil and a little humidity but will grow steadily even in a dark room. It’s also non-toxic.
8. Janet Craig Dracaena
The ‘Janet Craig’ variety of Dracaena fragrans is lush, leafy, and very low light tolerant. It grows tall without much fuss and can easily become a focal point in dimmer spaces. Just don’t overwater and keep it away from pets.
9. Kentia Palm
Kentia Palms (Howea forsteriana) are elegant, tall, and surprisingly easygoing. They adapt well to low light and dry indoor air, though they do appreciate occasional misting. Slow-growing and non-toxic.
10. Lisa Cane Dracaena
This cultivar of Dracaena fragrans grows in a narrow upright form with dark green leaves. It thrives in low light, makes a great office plant, and is easy to care for. Just like its cousins, it’s toxic to pets.
11. Majesty Palm
Majesty Palms (Ravenea rivularis) tolerate low light but really prefer bright, indirect sun and extra humidity. Still, they’ll survive and grow slowly in dimmer rooms. Mist regularly and keep the soil lightly moist. They’re non-toxic.
12. Money Tree
Money Trees (Pachira aquatica) are popular for their braided trunks and shiny green leaves. While they prefer bright, indirect light, they can adapt to low light settings. Growth will slow in dimmer spots, but they’ll still hold their shape. Water when the top inch of soil is dry and keep humidity moderate. Non-toxic and often used as a symbol of luck and prosperity.
13. Monstera
Monstera deliciosa has huge, dramatic leaves and can grow up a moss pole to reach impressive heights. It tolerates low light but grows best with a bit more. Water when the top few inches are dry and give it something to climb. It’s mildly toxic.
14. Parlor Palm
A true classic, Parlor Palms (Chamaedorea elegans) thrive in low light and grow slowly to about 6 feet indoors. They’re safe for pets, don’t need much attention, and add instant charm to darker spaces.
15. Snake Plant
Snake Plants are nearly unkillable. They stand upright, tolerate extreme neglect, and purify the air. Many varieties, including Sansevieria Bacularis, Stuckyi, Cylindrica, Laurentii, and Zeylanica, grow to be between 3 and 7 feet tall. Low light is no problem, though they’ll grow more slowly. Mildly toxic, so keep out of reach of pets.
16. Umbrella Tree
Umbrella Trees (Schefflera arboricola) are glossy and dramatic, and they can adapt to low light better than most trees. They may grow more slowly, but they’ll still get tall. They prefer soil that dries out between waterings.
17. ZZ Plant
ZZ Plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) are made for low light. They have shiny, upright leaves and thrive on neglect. Water only when the soil is completely dry, and don’t worry about humidity.
Happy Growing!
Whether you’re filling a corner in your living room or trying to bring some life into a dim hallway, there are large low light indoor plants that can handle it. Just remember—even the toughest plants need some light. Supplement with a grow light if needed, or rotate plants into brighter spots now and then.
Looking for more low light plants for specific rooms and situations? I’ve written a complete guide with 30 low light houseplants for a variety of situations, along with special low light options for:
