If your living room is dark and your track record with plants is spotty, you probably think you can't have nice things. But you don't need a sunroom or a green thumb to keep a plant alive. You just need the right plant and a realistic budget. Plenty of "easy" plants have been killed by overwatering them in a dim corner, so the species that actually thrive on neglect are the ones to stick with. Here are the best indoor plants for low light that are also cheap, usually under $20 at a big-box store or nursery.
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What to Look For
Honestly, Before you grab the first leafy thing you see, keep these criteria in mind. It will save you money and heartache.
If this helped, you'll also want to read How to Water Plants Cheaply While You're Away, How to Water Plants While on Vacation (Cheap DIY Methods) and Best Budget Grow Lights for Indoor Plants (Under $40).
- Light tolerance: Look for plants labeled "low light" or "shade tolerant." This means they survive on ambient room light and won't scorch or stretch if they are a few feet away from a window.
- Watering forgiveness: Pick plants that wilt dramatically when thirsty but bounce back fast. This is a built-in reminder system that prevents rot from overwatering.
- Growth rate: Slow growers are your best friend in low light. A fast-growing plant will get leggy and weak when it isn't getting enough sun to fuel new leaves.
- Toxicity: If you have cats or dogs, check if the plant is toxic. Many popular low-light options (like Pothos) are toxic to pets, so you might need to hang them out of reach.
- Price point: A healthy 4-inch pot should cost between $5 and $15. Avoid fancy variegated cultivars if you are on a strict budget; the plain green versions are usually half the price.
- Pest resistance: Choose sturdy plants with thick leaves. They are less prone to spider mites and fungus gnats, which saves you the cost of buying insecticidal soap later.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Key Pros |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Pothos | $15 - $20 | Hanging baskets and shelves | Vining, forgiving, fast grower |
| Snake Plant Laurentii | $18 - $25 | Bedrooms and offices | Drought-proof, air purifying, upright |
| ZZ Plant | $20 - $30 | Dark corners | Tolerates extreme neglect, glossy leaves |
| Aglaonema Silver Bay | $15 - $20 | Adding color to dim rooms | Variegated, pest resistant |
| Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) | $12 - $18 | Telling you when to water | Dramatic droop, white blooms |
| Cast Iron Plant | $20 - $25 | Deep shade and temperature swings | Nearly indestructible, slow grower |
Golden Pothos
This is my favorite starter plant, and it usually costs around $15 for a decent 6-inch hanging basket at stores like Home Depot or Lowe's. The heart-shaped green leaves have a yellow or gold variegation that brightens up a dark bookshelf without needing direct sun, honestly.
In practice, What makes it great is how forgiving it is. If you forget to water it for two weeks, the leaves look limp and sad, but they plump back up within hours of a drink. It grows fast, so you can take cuttings and root them in a glass of water to make new plants for free. I have one that has been living in a north-facing bathroom with zero natural light for two years. It isn't growing quickly, but it looks healthy.
That said, the downside is that it is toxic to cats and dogs. If you have a nibbler, you need to hang it way out of reach. Also, the vines can get long and scraggly if you don't trim them occasionally. But for a cheap, easy trailing plant, you cannot beat this one. Buy it if you want a plant that grows and rewards you with new vines, but you don't want to fuss over a watering schedule.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria Laurentii)
The Snake Plant, often called Mother-in-Law's Tongue, is a tall, upright plant with stiff, sword-like leaves that have yellow edges. A small 6-inch pot can be found for about $18, and it can last years. This is the plant often recommended to people who travel for work because it can go a full month without water in the winter, according to owner reports.
It thrives on neglect. It stores water in its thick leaves, so it actually prefers to stay dry. Overwatering is the only real way to kill it. It tolerates low light better than almost anything else, though it will grow a bit slower in a dark corner. I have one in my bedroom that is about twelve feet from the nearest window, and it has been fine for three years. It also releases oxygen at night, which is a nice bonus for a sleeping space.
The main downside is that it is slow-growing, so don't expect it to double in size in a year. It also has sharp tips, so it isn't great in a high-traffic hallway where you might brush against it. Buy this if you want a structural, architectural plant that requires zero fuss and you tend to underwater rather than overwater.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ Plant looks like it came from a futuristic movie set, with its dark green, waxy leaves that grow in a graceful arch. It is a bit pricier than others on this list, usually around $25 for a 6-inch pot, but it is worth every penny because it is genuinely unkillable, honestly.
A ZZ Plant is often placed in a home office with a single small window that faces a brick wall. The plant sits about eight feet away from that window, and it has pushed out three new stems this year. It survives because its rhizomes (underground storage roots) hold water and energy. It can be left for a month and it won't even blink. It also tolerates low humidity and dry air from heaters without any brown tips.
The downside is that it is considered toxic to pets, and the sap can irritate sensitive skin. Also, because it grows so slowly, it can be tempting to overwater it. I only water mine every four to six weeks, and I make sure the soil is completely dry first. Buy this if you want a plant that looks modern and expensive but you are a chronic plant killer.
Aglaonema Silver Bay (Chinese Evergreen)
If you want some color in a dark room, the Silver Bay Aglaonema is your best bet. Unlike the solid green options, its leaves are a mix of silver, gray, and green with dark green edges. A 6-inch pot typically costs about $18. It is a bushy plant that grows upright and stays compact, in my experience.
It handles low light incredibly well, and the variegation actually becomes more pronounced in shadier spots. It is also one of the most pest-resistant plants I have ever owned. I have never seen a spider mite or mealybug on mine, which is rare for indoor plants. It prefers to dry out slightly between waterings, making it forgiving if you miss a week. I water mine about every ten days.
The biggest downside is that it is toxic to pets. It also does not like cold drafts, so keep it away from drafty windows in the winter. Buy this if you want a plant with visual interest and a range of leaf colors, but you don't have the light to keep a colorful plant like a Croton alive.
Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)
The Peace Lily is a classic for a reason. It is cheap, usually around $12 for a small pot, and it gives you beautiful white blooms even in low light. It is also the most communicative plant on this list. When it needs water, the entire plant droops dramatically, looking like it is fainting. Give it a glass of water, and it stands back up within four hours, in my experience.
I keep a Peace Lily in my dining room, which gets only indirect morning light. It has bloomed three times this year. It is great at removing airborne toxins like formaldehyde, which makes it a practical choice for a home office. It likes consistently moist (but not soggy) soil, which means you will water it a bit more often than a Snake Plant.
The downsides are that it is toxic to pets, and the white flowers produce a lot of pollen that can be messy if you don't cut them off when they fade. Buy this if you want a plant that tells you exactly when to water it and you enjoy seeing flowers without needing a bright, sunny windowsill.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
This plant earned its name because it survives conditions that kill everything else. It has long, arching, dark green leaves that look a bit like a corn plant. It is usually sold as a 6-inch pot for around $20. It is the slowest grower on this list, but that is a feature, not a bug. It can handle deep shade, drafts, and inconsistent watering without complaint, believe it or not.
My grandmother had one in her living room that was about fifteen feet from the nearest window, and it was over forty years old. It never got direct sun, and it only got watered when she remembered, which was not often. It just sat there, looking green and healthy. It is also non-toxic, making it a safe choice for homes with pets that like to graze.
The downside is that it is slow-growing, so you won't see much new growth in a year. It also has plain leaves, so it isn't a flashy plant. Buy this if you have a truly dark corner, a drafty room, or a history of killing plants and you want something that will outlive you.
The Bottom Line
You don't need to spend a fortune or install grow lights to have a green home. If you want the easiest, most forgiving plant on a budget, grab a Golden Pothos. If you want something that stands tall and you often forget to water, get a Snake Plant. For the darkest spots in your house where nothing else will grow, the ZZ Plant or Cast Iron Plant is your final answer. All of these will cost you less than a dinner out, and they will last for years if you just leave them alone, in my experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light is considered "low light" for plants?
Low light means the plant is placed in a spot where it receives no direct sunlight, but there is still enough ambient light to read a book during the day. If the room is so dark you need a lamp on at noon, that is too dark for any plant.
Should I fertilize my low light plants?
Yes, but very rarely. In low light, plants grow slowly and use fewer nutrients. Fertilize only during spring and summer, and use a half-strength liquid houseplant fertilizer once a month. Skip fertilizing entirely in the winter.
What is the most common reason these plants die?
Overwatering is the number one killer. In low light, the soil stays wet for much longer because the plant is not drinking as fast. Always check the top two inches of soil before watering, and if it is damp, wait another week, honestly.
