11 Houseplants That Can Handle Almost No Light in Winter

Bears aren't the only ones that hibernate during the colder months. Many of your plants do as well, even the ones you might not expect. Join houseplant enthusiast Melissa Strauss to talk about some indoor plants that can handle the dark days of winter like a champion.

A potted Chamaedorea elegans displays elegant, arching fronds with slender, glossy green leaflets arranged in a feather-like pattern, making it ideal among houseplants no light winter.

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It’s easy to observe the dormancy patterns of our outdoor plants. As the daylight hours shorten, chlorophyll production decreases, and we see all the glorious shades of fall. Ultimately, most deciduous plants reach a point where they are getting too little exposure to keep their foliage going. So, they drop their leaves and redirect that energy into their roots to help them survive the winter. 

It’s more difficult to detect the shifts in our indoor plants, many of which are tropical or warm climate natives. However, most, if not all, plants do take a period of rest when their daylight hours wane. This happens to our indoor plants as the sun coming through your windows will lessen just as it does outdoors. 

As your plants become dormant, they will use fewer resources. You’ll notice that the soil doesn’t dry as quickly. You should take a fertilizer pause this time of year, too, to avoid burning the roots with salt buildup. 

Naturally, while they are dormant, your houseplants need less exposure as well. Those who like a significant amount to begin with will still need a bit to keep them going. Plants that naturally thrive in low light, however, can get by on barely any at this time. Here are some of the lower-light houseplants that can survive the winter with very little natural light. 

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Snake Plant

On a wooden table by the window, a potted plant displays upright, sword-like green leaves with dark horizontal stripes growing in a tall, compact rosette in a white pot.
Tolerant of low light, they need little attention indoors.
botanical-name botanical name Sansevieria trifasciata
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height Up to 4’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-12

Snake plants are versatile and forgiving. They tolerate neglect and low to medium exposure conditions even when they are in an active growth period. These houseplants adapt well to the low light exposure in the winter, so you rarely need to relocate them. 

Their succulent leaves store moisture, so it’s best to pay little attention to these in their dormancy. Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings at this time, especially. I’ve been known to love these to death. They say you can’t kill them, but I’ve done it with too much water!

Philodendron

Large, dark green, velvety leaves with golden veins extend from thick stems in a trailing habit in a decorative wicker planter, set against the background of various potted plants in the room.
Growth slows as they conserve energy in dim conditions.
botanical-name botanical name Philodendron spp.
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height 3-30′
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-12

Philodendron is a large genus of tropicals, and many of them make excellent houseplants. They are native to tropical rainforests, where they live in the understory. From their position beneath the canopy, these already thrive in indirect exposure situations. 

When the days get shorter, their growth will slow, and you may notice the soil staying moist longer. This is perfectly fine; they are just conserving energy. You won’t need to relocate them, as the usual location should provide what they need. Some types, like heartleaf, can survive in very little light during dormancy.

Golden Pothos

Glossy, heart-shaped green leaves with yellow marbling climb along slender vines in a hanging pot.
Great for dim spots, it tolerates low exposure well.
botanical-name botanical name Epipremnum aureum
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height 8’-10’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-12

Golden pothos is the ultimate beginner plant. It’s right there next to snake plants for ease of care and adaptability. These are great for offices with fewer windows and any place in the house that doesn’t get much sun. 

While their growth will slow, these houseplants will tolerate low light most of the time, not just in winter. If you want to see more vigorous growth, move it to a sunny window in the spring. Water sparingly and stop fertilizing in the winter. 

Zebra Cactus

Short, thick, spiky green leaves with white horizontal stripes form a rosette in a small clay pot on a sunny windowsill.
Allow them to re-acclimate as light conditions shift.
botanical-name botanical name Haworthiopsis attenuata
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height 8”-1’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 9-11

Zebra cacti, or haworthia, are attractive succulents that tolerate a wide range of conditions. They do their best growing in indirect exposure, though. Haworthia like a bit of cool weather, as it sends them into their dormancy, which is necessary for them, and many other succulents, to produce flowers. 

Don’t concern yourself with moving them when the sun hits differently. These will be just fine for a few months in low-light conditions. The lower humidity of winter won’t phase them either. Allow them to gradually re-acclimate to more exposure in the spring. 

Parlor Palm

The beautiful plant in a large decorative pot has delicate, feathery green leaves with a graceful, arching growth habit, placed on a light windowsill.
Keep your palm cozy and misted during drier months.
botanical-name botanical name Chamaedorea elegans
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height 2’-15’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-12

Parlor palms are easy to care for and tolerant of less-than-optimal indoor conditions. As long as they get adequate humidity, they are able to survive in low-exposure parts of the home. Misting will help in the winter when the air is drier. 

As with others, reduce watering and stop fertilizing your parlor palm in dormancy. Keep it warm and cozy, away from drafts, vents, and doors that often open, letting in cold air. While it is tolerant of some unfavorable conditions, this tree is not cold tolerant, and cooler temperatures will damage it. 

Corn Plant

Long, arching green leaves with a light stripe down the center grow from woody stems in a black decorative pot on a flower stand among chairs and tables.
It thrives in low light with minimal water needs.
botanical-name botanical name Dracaena fragrans
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height Up to 15’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-12

Corn plants are easy to care for and, like most on this list, flexible about their conditions. They don’t mind low to medium exposure conditions, although it may fade the variegation in their leaves. They need little water, even during active growth, and even less in dormancy. 

Like parlor palms, corn plants need to keep warm. They also like moderate humidity, even in the winter. You shouldn’t have to relocate this for the dormant period. It will be fine where it typically thrives. Stop fertilizing, and if it’s near a draft, move it away from the cool air. You may want to raise the humidity a bit, as cold air holds less moisture.

ZZ Plant

Thick, waxy, dark green oval-shaped leaves with a glossy finish grow on smooth, upright stems in a wicker decorative flowerpot on a white table.
It is a resilient houseplant that tolerates low light in the winter.
botanical-name botanical name Zamioculcas zamiifolia
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height 2’-3’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 9-10

I know if there is a more low-maintenance houseplant than the ZZ. ZZ, which stands for Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is tropical, with upright stems and stiff, glossy leaves that grow on either side. The way the leaves grow gives the appearance of zigzagging. It’s excellent for beginners or anyone without a lot of sunny windows. 

ZZ can tolerate low exposure most of the year. It will grow best in bright, indirect light, but it’s genuinely not fussy. In winter, don’t worry about relocating. It needs even less care while it’s dormant. It’s even adaptable to lower humidity. Keep the soil well-draining, and be careful to avoid overwatering. 

Alocasia

Large, silver-gray leaves with prominent dark veins emerge from a single central stem in a pink pot against a blurred background.
Humid and cozy spots help them survive the season.
botanical-name botanical name Alocasia spp.
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height 2-10′
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-12

Alocasias are not the most low maintenance entry on this list, but they aren’t particularly fussy. They like moist soil and relatively high humidity but are flexible about sunlight. In their native habitat, they live in dense understory areas of the rainforest. Dappled light is about all they get in their home environment.

In winter, alocasias go dormant, like most others. Since they tolerate very little already, in winter, you won’t have to relocate them unless they are near a drafty or cool place in the home. Keep them warm and maintain moisture in the air, and your alocasias will endure the increased darkness of winter just fine.  

Caladium

Large, heart-shaped white leaves with pink and green veins stand upright on thin, delicate stems in a decorative two-color pot.
Dry out the soil and keep in a cool spot.
botanical-name botanical name Caladium bicolor
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height 1’-2.5’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 9-11

Similar to alocasia, caladium lives under the dense canopy of tropical jungle areas. Unlike most houseplants, these lose their leaves in the winter as less light is available and they enter a deeper dormancy. When you notice the leaves beginning to drop, stop watering and fertilizing your caladium entirely. You want the soil to dry out so the bulbs don’t rot. 

Since they have no foliage to process the sun, they don’t need any for their dormancy. Remove the dead leaves and store your caladium in its pot in a cool, dry, dark space. You can also dig up the bulbs for winter and store them on their own, but it’s really not necessary.

Spider Plant

Narrow green leaves with white stripes grow in rosettes along long, slender stems in a clay pot indoors.
Water sparingly and protect from drafts during dormancy.
botanical-name botanical name Chlorophytum comosum
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height 1’-2’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 9-11

Spider plant is great for beginners. It’s not picky about its environment and can tolerate a fair amount of neglect, though not quite as much as a succulent. Spider plants are tolerant of lower light, though the variegation in the leaves will produce a higher contrast if they are exposed more. 

In winter, spiders will slow their growth and need less care in general. You won’t need to move it to a brighter location. In fact, you should keep it away from too much exposure. Avoid drafty spots, and dramatically cut back on water, giving it only when the soil is dry. 

Stephania Pierrei

Trailing stems with round green leaves grow from a bulbous, swollen base in a small decorative pot.
Water less frequently and protect it from drafts.
botanical-name botanical name Stephania pierrei
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height 1’-3’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-12

You may not be familiar with this name, but the plant is a common one that is easy to care for and low maintenance. It’s also fairly common. Like caladium, Stephania pierrei goes completely dormant in winter, losing its foliage completely. Because of this, it needs little care at this time. 

Reduce watering to only once every two to three weeks. Overwatering can rot the tuberous root. Don’t fertilize it during this time, but do keep the humidity steady. Protect it from drafts and cold spaces. In spring, re-pot in a slightly larger container and watch it bounce back!

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