Going Green With Houseplants!

Whether we have trees blocking our views or just an overall lack of windows, plenty of homes and offices struggle with getting much of that life-giving sun indoors. Luckily, since many of the plants we grow indoors originate from sheltered places in the wild, plenty can handle less sun and get by just fine as houseplants in darker spaces. These low light houseplants bring the shady understory indoors, brightening moods and cleaning the air.

Staghorn Fern (Platycerium spp.)

While in the wild staghorn ferns grow on trees in the dappled shade of the rainforest, they can also thrive on slabs of bark or wood. The plant gurus at Pistils Nursery in Portland make it easy to look like a living-art pro by offering staghorn ferns mounted on diamond shaped cedar board with sphagnum moss. Arrange a few on an indoor wall and frame with other low light houseplants, and bring the jungle indoors.

Growing Conditions: As long as they have a little pocket of rich, organic humus (such as sphagnum moss) to cushion them from their slab of wood, you can easily keep these prehistoric epiphytes happy with daily misting, and monthly fertilizing.

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)

Both its toughness and handsome foliage account for Aglaonema’s longtime popularity. Its graceful, oblong leaves grow from a central stem; depending on the type, leaves may be solid medium green or splotched with various shades of gray and green. True to its tropical origin, Aglaonema prefers good light and high humidity, but performs admirably well even when both are low.

Growing conditions: Aglaonema likes a standard potting soil, warm temps, bright, reflected light, and frequent waterings. Except in winter, apply a complete fertilizer regularly. Aglaonema will tolerate potbound conditions for long periods.

Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)

Offering generous size, fascinating foliage, and good tolerance of indoor conditions, Dieffenbachia is a fan favorite, especially as a houseplant for darker spaces. Leaves are variegated in greens and cream colors. Young plants generally grow on single stems, but older plants may develop multiple stems. Flowers that look like odd, narrow calla lilies form on mature plants. Acrid sap from the leaves, if eaten, burns the mouth and throat and may actually paralyze the vocal cords, hence its common name (dumb is an archaic word that means “mute”).

Growing conditions: Dieffenbachia likes filtered light or a northern exposure. It’s happy with standard potting soil, average home temps, and average humidity. Water it when soil feels dry to the touch. Except in autumn and winter, apply a complete fertilizer regularly. Turn plants occasionally for even growth. Dieffenbachia will not survive constant overwatering. And sudden changes from low to high light levels usually inflict sunburn on leaves. If the plant becomes leggy, cut it back to 6 inches from the soil line. Clean leaves regularly with a damp cloth.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plants, native to tropics around the globe and the first houseplant for innumerable people, probably owes its popularity to its unique growth habit (and for its ease of growth as a low light houseplant). The mother plant, a clump of curving leaves that resemble long, broad grass blades, sends out long stems with “baby” plants at their ends. Tiny white flowers appear at the ends of the 2-foot-long stems before miniature plants sprout. To best protect these offspring, grow spider plant as a hanging plant.

Growing conditions: Chlorophytum prefers bright, reflected light, standard potting soil, and average house temps. Though it will tolerate the low humidity of most homes, it does benefit from frequent misting. Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. If you grow Chlorophytum in a hanging basket, rotate the basket a half-turn every week or so to produce even, well-spaced growth. Small plants at the ends of stems grow complete with roots, so you can snip them off and plant them.

ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

This tropical perennial plant is well loved for its upright, glossy foliage that is vaguely reminiscent of cycad fronds. Leaves emerge from a swollen base. This low light houseplant, also known as the “Zanzibar gem” is incredibly slow growing, but that could make it a good choice for a space that needs a plant of a steady size, like fixed indoor planter boxes in entryways.

Growing conditions: Zamioculcas thrives in standard indoor potting soil, as long as you let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Place Zamioculcas where it will receive bright filtered or reflected light, such as a north-facing window. Avoid direct sunlight as it can scorch leaves. It’s happy in average home temperatures.

Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)

As its common name implies, cast-iron plant is strong—one of the sturdiest and most carefree of all houseplants, though somewhat slow-growing. Its tough leaves, glossy and dark green, 1 to 2½ feet long and 3 to 4 inches wide, arch elegantly; the leaves are pointed at the tips. Cast-iron plants aren’t always classed as houseplants. If you don’t see them among the low light houseplants at the nursery, look among outdoor shade-loving plants.

Growth conditions: Though very tolerant of a wide range of conditions, Aspidistra prefers high humidity, cool temps, and a standard, porous potting soil. It’s one of the best choices for low-light locations, but keep it away from direct sunlight. Keep it evenly moist; except in autumn and winter, apply a complete fertilizer regularly. Allow it dry out somewhat during the autumn and winter rest period. Large, smooth leaves attract dust in a hurry—keep them clean with a soft, damp cloth. Don’t use commercial leaf shine products. Brown or burned tips usually result from too much water or fertilizer, particularly during autumn and winter. This plant is remarkably free of pests and diseases, and is quite long-lived.

Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

This feathery-leafed palm is among the easiest palms to grow indoors. It tolerates crowded roots and low light. A single-stemmed palm, it’s a favorite for close planting in clumps of three or more. Eventually these will reach a height of 3 to 4 feet. Repot Chamaedorea elegans every 2 or 3 years, using a slightly larger container and fresh potting soil; be careful because roots are fragile.

Growing conditions: Choose standard potting soil. During spring and summer months, when most palms are actively growing, they need regular water—enough to keep their soil consistently moist but not soggy. During the cool winter moths, allow the top inch or so of soil to dry between watering. Palm root rot quickly if kept damp for too long. Except in late autumn and winter, apply a complete fertilizer regularly. It’s susceptible to spider mites; spritz frequently with a dilute soapy water or neem oil to prevent infestations.

Mother fern (Asplenium nidus)

The feathery soft fronds of mother fern (A. bulbiferum) have a graceful form that is best appreciated when the ferns are grown in containers or spilling over rocks in shady garden beds. Once mature, the plants can reach 4 feet tall and wide and are hardy to 26° F. The tender new foliage can be susceptible to snails and slugs—handpick the pests and sprinkle bait around crown base or keep it indoors as a low light houseplant.

Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata)

Dracaena marginata has smooth gray stems, slender and erect, eventually growing to 20 feet. Stems end in crowns of narrow, leathery leaves ½ inch wide and up to 2 feet long. Leaves are deep glossy green, edged in purplish red. Dracaena is a great houseplant for darker spaces, looking especially nice in pairs for flanking doorways.

Growing conditions: Dracaena prefers bright, indirect light; it tolerates dimmer light, but growth slows as a result. The plant grows well with standard indoor potting soil and average house temps and humidity. Keep soil moist (like a squeezed-out sponge) but not soggy; fertilize regularly during spring and summer with a complete fertilizer. During autumn and winter, water less frequently and stop fertilizing. To keep Dracaena in good health and looking its best, regularly wipe leaves off with a damp cloth or move your plant to a location where it can be given a gentle shower. Avoid commercial leaf shine product. If your plant develops brown tips, simply cut them off with a pair of scissors, making sure the trimmed leaves still have a natural shape. Dracaena will tolerate a pot-bound condition for long periods and is rarely bothered by pests or diseases.

Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)

Ficus elastica is one of the most foolproof of all indoor plants. Thick, glossy, and leathery, its dark green leaves are 8 to 12 inches long, 4 to 6 inches wide. New leaves unfold from rosy pink sheaths that soon wither and drop. Where conditions permit, the rubber plant can reach ceiling height.

Growing conditions: Ficus elastica tolerates less light than most other plants of its size, but is happiest in bright, reflected light. It needs average room temps. Except in autumn and winter, apply a complete fertilizer regularly. Provide a standard indoor potting soil, keeping it moist (like a squeezed-out sponge), but not soggy. Mist during warm months, and in winter if the indoor air is warm and dry. In winter, let the soil dry out slightly between waterings; overwatering (or allowing water to collect in a saucer or cachepot) commonly leads to leaf drop. (Unwitting owners may increase water, thinking loss of leaves is a symptom of drought.) Ficus elastica is generally pest-free.

Fiddleleaf fig (Ficus lyrata)

Fiddleleaf fig has huge dark green, fiddle-shaped leaves, and decade after decade they remain a favorite houseplant, refusing to drop out of style.  Prominently veined and glossy, the leaves grow to 15 inches long and 10 inches wide. Prune the top to make the plant bushy, and then root those stem tips (with a leaf attached) in water to propagate baby plants.

Growing conditions: Ficus lyrata needs average room temps. Except in autumn and winter, apply a complete fertilizer regularly. Provide a standard indoor potting soil, keeping it moist (like a squeezed-out sponge), but not soggy. Mist during warm months, and in winter if the indoor air is warm and dry. In winter, let the soil dry out slightly between waterings; overwatering (or allowing water to collect in a saucer or cachepot) commonly leads to leaf drop. (Unwitting owners may increase water, thinking loss of leaves is a symptom of drought.) Ficus lyrata tolerates low light; it doesn’t require a large pot, but be sure to stabilize a large plant in a small pot so it won’t tip over. For health and best appearance, keep the leaves clean—wipe them with a damp cloth or give your plant an outdoor shower.

Radiator plant (Peperomia spp.)

The low-growing, compact foliage of Peperomia offers a ton of diversity of leaf shape and color. Foliage is its prime attraction, but Peperomia usually produces tiny flowers as well, in dense, small, slender spikes. It makes a great low light houseplant for home bathrooms, as it loves humidity, and some are even good around pets.

Growing conditions: Peperomia needs protection from direct sun; it appreciates a window with northern exposure, or any window with filtered light. It prefers temps in the sixties, but will also happily tolerate warmer conditions. Plants need misting occasionally in spring and summer, but not during the cooler winter month. Use a standard indoor potting soil and keep it moist but not soggy. During winter, allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Except in autumn and winter, apply a liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month.