Shade-loving and shade-tolerant indoor plants can become a real decoration of an apartment that lacks sunlight. Such flowers can easily tolerate both slight shade and thick twilight.
What dark room plants can be grown?
All representatives of the world of decorative flora, capable of growing and developing without any problems in conditions of insufficient lighting, are divided by experts into:
- shade-tolerant;
- shade-loving.
Tolerate low-light blossoms are called herbs that can grow and develop both in sunny and shaded areas. The low light conditions, as a rule, do not negatively affect either the rate of their growth and development or the decorative effect.
The very forgiving plant usually has broad and smooth leaves arranged in a single plane (this arrangement is called “leaf mosaic”). With this arrangement, the colorful leaves almost do not obscure each other and can receive the required amount of sunlight. In some shade-tolerant plants growing in indirect light conditions, foliage and stems begin to acquire a brown or purple-red hue.
The color change, in this case, is explained by the fact that in the light a special pigment, anthocyanin, is produced in the leaves and stems of such an unusual plant. It is noteworthy that in several other representatives of flowers, foliage in bright light, on the contrary, becomes pale, small, and inconspicuous.
The most famous shade-tolerant houseplants are balsams, some types of begonias and violets, oxalis, zz plant, prayer plants, nerve plants, and peace lily. Shade-tolerant garden shrubs – fuchsia and dicentra and also zz plant, which take root and grow well at home, are also very popular with indoor flower growers. Shade-loving plants in the wild usually grow in areas where almost no sunlight penetrates.
Growing such representatives of the flora in open sunny places negatively affects not only their appearance but also their general condition. Direct sunlight causes severe burns. The most famous herbs are ferns and mosses. A very interesting representative of shade-loving indoor plants is the dumb cane plant, peace lilies, zz plant, prayer plant, nerve plant, and other plants, which are distinguished not only by their amazing unpretentiousness but also by their original appearance.
What is the best shade plant for you: types of flowers
Conventionally, the whole variety of home flowers can be divided into several categories based on the characteristics of their structure and development, as well as requirements for lighting and other conditions of detention.
Blooming
Among the shade-tolerant representatives of the decorative flora, there are many tropical plants that, during the flowering period, can radically transform even a very modest interior.
Begonias
Begonias are very popular and hardy best indoor plants that grow, develop, and bloom best in low light. When grown in bright light, these representatives of ornamental flora lose their attractiveness and spectacular appearance. Under direct sunlight, the bright patterned leaves of begonias become small, pale, and inconspicuous.
The most popular grow indoors plant are such varieties and hybrids of begonias as “Rex”, “Odorata”, “Mason”, “Drege”.
Usambar violets
Uzambara violets are beautiful flowering ornamental perennials that are popular with both beginners and experienced growers. Under favorable conditions and low light, violets can bloom a significant part of the time of the year. Experienced flower growers recommend placing saintpaulias on windowsills in the western or eastern part of the house with low light, providing herbs with very soft, diffused lighting.
Bright light for Anthurium
Anthurium is a very spectacular member of the Aroid family, the flowering time of which can reach several weeks. It is considered very demanding the conditions of detention. For the anthurium to feel good, the air temperature in the room should be maintained at 23°C in summer and 17°C in winter.
At the same time, indirect light is necessary for full development. It tolerates Anthurium and low light, but under such conditions, it will form rare and not very large flowers.
Low light for Clivia
Clivia is an exotic indoor and greenhouse basket plant that blooms twice a year (in early spring and late autumn). During the flowering period, clivia forms juicy ribbed peduncles about 27 cm high.
At the same time, from 10 to 25 buds can form on one peduncle. For full development and well-being, it needs warmth, regular watering, and bright indirect light. This plant stores excess water. Under direct sunlight, severe burns form on the bright emerald leaves of clivia. The blossom easily tolerates slight shading.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen is an unpretentious representative of shade-tolerant indoor plants, valued for its unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention and very spectacular flowering. Does not tolerate direct sunlight. It likes bright indirect light. Cyclamen flowers are large, solitary, and shaped like bells or butterfly silhouettes.
The color of the flowers varies from white-pink to maroon and purple-violet. The most popular varieties are Persian, Cypriot, Kos cyclamen.
Fuchsia
Fuchsia is a beautiful flowering indoor perennial, valued for its abundant and long flowering. Although it is considered light-loving, it can develop perfectly and bloom profusely in low light and bright indirect light.
The flower color varies from creamy pink to crimson red and lilac purple. Very popular in indoor crop production are two-color large-flowered fuchsias.
Dicentra
Dicentra is a spectacular garden plant that is also popular in indoor floriculture. Best of all grows and develops in low light and shady places. The height of indoor species and varieties of dicentra usually does not exceed 15-20 inches tall.
The duration of flowering can reach several months. Dicentric flowers are small, flattened, and heart-shaped. The color of flowers varies from white-pink to pinkish-purple. decorative leafy This group of shade-tolerant non-flowering blossoms has become widespread in indoor floriculture due to its decorative qualities. Even in the absence of flowering, this indoor forgiving plant looks very impressive and elegant. They can decorate almost any shaded place in the apartment, whether it be a hallway, a balcony, or a bedroom.
Spider plant
Chlorophytum is a genus of unpretentious, very attractive flowers with long drooping leaves collected in basal bunches. Prefers low light and medium light and does not tolerate bright sunlight. Experienced flower growers recommend placing pot with airplane plant on windowsills in the western or eastern part of the house. It is also allowed to grow spider plant on window sills located on the north side of the dwelling. The leaves of the spider plant are long, xiphoid, and dark green.
The leaves of some varieties of these spider plants are decorated with a milky-silver stripe running along the middle part of the leaf plate.
Snake plant
Sansevieria is a genus of very attractive and unpretentious blossoms that have gained wide popularity in indoor floriculture. The most famous species is the three-lane sansevieria, notable for the original “marble” color of the foliage. The leaves of the snake plant are strong, vigorous, xiphoid, emerald green, decorated with wavy transverse stripes of pearl gray.
Snake plants are valued among flower growers not only for their attractive appearance but also for their ability to purify the air from toxic impurities. It should be noted that mother in law’s tongue purifies the air and enriches it with oxygen only at night (in the dark). For this reason, this flower is recommended to be placed in bedrooms and other corners with the natural light of the house.
Cast iron plant
Aspidistra is a hardy ornamental leafy blossom that does not impose specific requirements on the conditions of detention. Even with minimal care, this indoor perennial can live for about a century. The average cast iron plant height varies from 25 to 30 inches tall. The dark green leaves are large (up to 25 inches), glossy, elliptical, or lanceolate. Aspidistra develops well and grows both in conditions of soft diffused lighting and in the shade.
Indirect light for Aglaonema
Aglaonema is a genus of unpretentious exotic perennials with very beautiful large leaves. Some representatives of this genus, found in the wild, can grow in conditions of acute deficiency of sunlight. The height of aglaonema grown at home can vary from 25 to 80 cm. The leaves are large, smooth, elliptical, or oval-oblong in shape. The color of the leaves is most often variegated, “marble”. At home, aglaonema can be grown in shady places where sunlight rarely penetrates.
Best shade plant: creepers, climbing, and ampelous flowers
Climbing a slow-growing plant, enduring a lack of light, is best suited for decorating apartments located on the shady side of the house. The lack of lighting usually does not adversely affect the development and growth rate of these unpretentious representatives of ornamental flora.
Ivy
Common ivy (chedera) is an elegant climbing tropical plant, widespread in indoor floriculture. In the wild, this unpretentious liana is found in forests, lowlands, and foothills. It likes to grow in places with a soft sparse shadow, so in an apartment, it is better to take dimly lit places. So that the blossom does not lose its decorative effect, it is recommended to place strong vertical support next to it. Ivy is ideal for decorating a dark room.
Tradescantia
Tradescantia is a shade-tolerant blossom like the swiss cheese plant, that requires minimal care. In indoor plant growing, species and varieties of tradescantia with creeping and climbing stems are widespread. This Chinese evergreen does not impose specific requirements on the conditions of detention, they easily tolerate shade, like bright indirect light and dry to the touch soil. Under natural light, Chinese evergreen leaves quickly lose their decorative effect, fade, and fade.
Tetrastigma
Tetrastigma is a genus of very spectacular climbing plants that are representatives of the Vinogradov family. In indoor floriculture, tetrastigma lanceolate and Voigne are the most popular. These powerful vines actively develop and grow even in low light conditions. Under bright sunlight, the tetrastigma’s emerald foliage loses its original appeal.
If you are fond of floriculture, you will also be interested in learning how to care for plants:
Palm trees and large trees
This group includes shade-tolerant shrubs or small trees, which, when grown at home in low light conditions, can reach a height of several meters. Designers recommend using these low-light plants to decorate spacious dark rooms in the house.
- Ficus Benjamina. Ficus Benjamin is one of the most popular representatives of exotic ornamental flora, widely used in phytodesign. Varieties of ficus Benjamin with spectacular bright green leaves are recommended to be grown in partial shade, and varieties with variegated foliage – in conditions of soft diffused lighting. With proper care, indoor ficuses of this type can reach a height of 2-2.5 inches tall or more.
- Hamedorea. Hamedorea is a genus of low-growing woody blossoms that are representatives of the Palm family. The indisputable advantages of hamedorea flower growers include amazing endurance and unpretentiousness, attractive appearance, and resistance to drought. These graceful palm trees thrive in conditions of daylight deficiency. Artificial light adversely affects both their well-being and decorative effect.
How to care for low-light plants indoors?
When choosing shade-tolerant blossoms for the home, the degree of illumination and the area of the equipped premises should be controlled. So, in small rooms with light sparse penumbra, saintpaulias and begonias, anthuriums and peace lily, fuchsias and cyclamens will feel good. In spacious living rooms located on the shady side of the house, designers recommend placing medium and low-growing palm trees, large-sized flowers, and unpretentious decorative and deciduous crops.
Such plants will help fill the space of a dark room, making its atmosphere more comfortable. When choosing indoor plants for dimly lit balconies and loggias, you should give preference to climbing and ampel cultures. So, with the help of ordinary ivy, you can effectively decorate an unsightly dark corner of a balcony or decorate its empty wall. You can plant ivy both in a hanging planter and in the hanging baskets.
When growing shade-tolerant and shade-loving flowers, their requirements for keeping conditions should be taken into account. So, most ornamental crops that prefer to grow in a low-light environment do not tolerate cold and drafts. The most painful effects of low temperatures and drafts are perceived by begonias, uzambar violets, peace lily, and anthuriums. When growing house flowers in low-light areas, it is important to take into account the humidity in the room. Very often, the lack of sunlight, combined with high humidity, causes the development of fungal diseases in home flowers.
To prevent the occurrence of fungal diseases in indoor plants, one should not only control the humidity in the room but also observe the recommended frequency of watering. To maintain the intensity of leaf color in shade-loving and shade-tolerant plants, regular top dressing allows. So that the foliage of green pets does not lose its decorative effect, experienced flower growers recommend occasionally feeding blossoms with fertilizers containing nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.
Do you have plants that grow in the shade at home? Share with us care tips and stories about your varieties of similar plants.
1. What plant does well in a dark room?
Some plants that do well in low light conditions include snake plants, pothos, and peace lilies.