What is a good large low light indoor house plant?
Lisa Marie
3 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (6)
Sara Malone Zone 9b
3 years ago
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years agoRelated Discussions
large plant for low light
Comments (5)PROBABLY: I agree with watergal's suggestions, especially the Dracaena 'Janet Craig,' though http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/plants.htm lists Dracaenas as toxic. (They seemed to be the only site I found that did.) WELL SURE: Artificial plants are a good suggestion too, though I'm not a big fan of artificial plants. I agree with Fred_grow, though, in that this is your only sure bet. MAYBE?: Large Sansevierias (snake plants) can put up with cool and dark conditions, and can be the right size for the job. However, I'm confused about whether they're toxic: some sites say yes, some say no. WEAK MAYBE: A large Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaia heterophylla) might work there: it would handle cooler temperatures well. The same thing goes for its relative the monkey-puzzle tree, Araucaria bidwillii, which would also defend itself against chewing better than most plants. Light could be an issue, though, in both cases, and I didn't run across any toxicity information. PROBABLY: I don't have good experiences with them myself, but a parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) would be big and nonpoisonous, and they are supposed to adjust well to low-light situations. Other palms *might* work if you can keep the space warm and add a light. YES: An all-green spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) might work in the space. I know from personal experience that cats can eat those all the time without toxicity (though they'll still spit up chewed spider plant pulp all over, so use at your own risk). Up on a plant stand of some kind, the plantlets could cascade down over time and eventually give the impression of a large, tall plant. Ditto for wandering jew (Tradescantia / Zebrina spp.) or grape ivy (Cissus rhombifolia). PROBABLY: Ferns (except for asparagus fern!) are all also supposed to be non-toxic, and (maybe more importantly) could hang from something, making them tougher to reach to eat and giving that big-plant effect. You could expand your options a lot by adding a fluorescent light, mirror, or both, though there are not a lot of plant-approved plants out there, frankly. Here is a link that might be useful: One Site's Non-Toxic List...See More'Sunning' your low-light indoor plants?
Comments (2)If you believe that a plant that needs full sun, but is given very little, is doing the plant no good, then you have to conern yourself when you force a low-light wanting plant to accept more sunlight than it's genes were made for. The reason why some plants will do very well in lo-light, is because in their natural state, they do very well being shaded by much larger plants. The ones that reach for the sky, are the ones that, if they don't get up there where the sun shines, they do very poorly....and usually live very short lives. At this time of season, giving any plant sufficient sunlight might be hard to come by. But, when a plant needs sunlight in winter, they are encouraged to be given certain exposure that increases their chances. Thus a plant wanting sunlight should be attempted at least to be given a southern, western or in a pinch eastern sun. A northern sun,, unless the plant does well in such lo-light that such exposure gives it what it wants, is not recommended. A northern light at this time of season, is practically putting it in darkness. While your plant may not suffer from such light at this time, I certainly wouldn't suggest you do what you do throughout the seasons. Whether too that door that you are putting the plant in front of is doing it harm can only be told by what kind of health it is in. Any cold draft on a plant surely is not what the plant wants. Plants react to temperature change and when it is abrupt, it can only not do the plant any good. Just like some outdoor plants do well in shade, while others must, if they are to be expected to do their best, are given 8 hours of afternoon sun, plants do well by what their natural habit is. Giving an indoor plant sun it cant use, is I think, not doing well by the plant....See Moreindoor trees or large house plants
Comments (3)Hi blackthumb! What�s large? How tall/wide? Weeping fig for sure� if you have room, train the long branches to weep instead of cutting them to look like the common rounded standard shape seen in shopping malls. I read that Banana grows FAST. They have kewl looking flowers too. If you have light & space, a banana tree would be fabulous. Pony Tail Palm AKA Beaucarnea Recurvata grows SLOWLY, but they get large and are interesting. The ever-present Dracaena Marginata grows into an exotic looking tree. What about a large orchid? Angraceum Veitchii �White Star� is a large vigorous bush forming plant. It could be trained on a moss pole for support as it grows taller/longer to keep if from sprawling. OTOH, if you have lots of space, you could let is sprawl to form a large bush, which would be amazing when it bloomed during the winter. Regards, PoseyPlanter...See MoreFavorite Low Light House Plant
Comments (21)I came across this, as I was looking for a low light plant. I have a corner computer armior and would so like to dress it up by putting a plant on top of it. I had a chinese evergreen, but it seems to require more light than I have in this room. It's on my shaded porch now where it seems to be quite happy. Anyway, I would appreciate some suggestions on what I can replace it with. It can't be toxic to cats. I've never seen them on top of there before, but its better to be safe than sorry. I would also like to add that I'm very new to the plant world, and need something that is easy to care for....See MorePhoenix Rising (Zone 7a/b, NJ)
3 years agoSara Malone Zone 9b
3 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
Related Stories
PLANTING IDEAS9 Plant-Filled Courtyards, Light Wells and Indoor-Outdoor Nooks
See how creative planting solutions transform areas that have low light, high walls and other growing challenges
Full Story
CONTAINER GARDENSIndoor Plants Add Style and Cheer in Winter
Bring more life and color to your interiors with container plants in every room of the house
Full Story
GREEN BUILDINGHealthy Home: Courtyards Bring Light and Life Indoors
See the many ways to build an atrium into your home — and find out about its advantages
Full Story
Great Design Plant: Sanguinaria Canadensis Lights the Spring Woodland
Bloodroot’s large, showy white flowers and attractive foliage brighten eastern woodland gardens in early spring
Full Story
HOMES AROUND THE WORLDHouzz Tour: Coastal Vacation House Sits Lightly on the Land
This low-maintenance home nestled in the Australian bush is designed for flexible, informal and sustainable living
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESGet Year-Round Good Looks With Matrix Planting in Your Garden
Any garden — from 100 square feet to 10,000 square feet — can apply this low-maintenance, sustainable design method
Full Story
HOUSEPLANTS7 Favorite Indoor Plants for West-Facing Windows
These houseplants, and many more, thrive in the bright sun of a window that looks to the west
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDES9 Low-Growing Hedges That Make Good Neighbors
Define garden areas or borders without blocking the view, with these evergreen shrubs that take kindly to trimming
Full Story
LIGHTINGHouse Hunting? Look Carefully at the Light
Consider windows, skylights and the sun in any potential home, lest you end up facing down the dark
Full Story
christine 5b