The Best Indoor Plants for Every Light Condition

Everybody wants a green thumb, but plenty of people can’t even keep their houseplants alive. Moon Valley Nurseries is here to give you hope! Indoor gardening is easier than you might think, you just have to consider all factors when picking a plants location at home or in your office. Variables like different microenvironments in the rooms, whether it’s a humid and warm room or a cooler, low-light area, are very important, but the most important factor is selecting a plant with light requirements that match the location where the plant will live!

Types Of Light Requirements

Low-light plants thrive in indirect or minimal natural light, making them ideal for shaded rooms or spaces with artificial lighting. These plants typically have broader leaves to capture more light and require less light for growth, making them easy to maintain indoors.

A medium-light plant thrives in indirect or filtered sunlight, making them perfect for spaces near windows with sheer curtains or dappled light. These plants need more light then low-light varieties but should be protected for direct sun exposure.

Bright-light plants require direct or strong indirect sunlight for several hours a day, making them ideal for sunny windowsills or well-lit rooms. These plants thrive in consistent natural-light!

Best Low-Light Houseplants

Golden Pothos - The Golden Pothos is an excellent choice for various indoor settings, from hanging baskets to high shelves, where its trailing vines can elegantly cascade down. Its adaptability to different light conditions, including low light, makes it a favorite among novice and experienced plant enthusiasts. Moreover, this plant is known for its air-purifying qualities, removing common household toxins and improving indoor air quality.

Peace Lily - Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are gorgeous, low-maintenance houseplants known for their vibrant white flowers and glossy, dark green leaves. Peace lilies thrive in shaded or low-light conditions, making them ideal for indoor spaces. They are also known for their ability to purify the air by removing harmful toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.

Dieffenbachia - Dieffenbachia, commonly known as "dumb cane," is a popular houseplant native to Central and South American regions. Known for its large, glossy, variegated leaves, Dieffenbachia adds a tropical touch to indoor spaces. The plant thrives in low to moderate light conditions and prefers well-draining, moist soil. With proper care, Dieffenbachia can grow tall and make a striking addition to any interior.

Ivy (Hedera) - Ivy is a versatile, evergreen climbing or trailing plant widely appreciated for its lush, attractive foliage and ability to thrive in various environments. Known for its glossy, heart-shaped leaves, Ivy can come in shades of deep green, variegated with white or yellow, depending on the variety. Ivy is also a popular indoor plant, thriving in low to moderate light and offering a touch of greenery to any space.

Best Medium-Light Houseplants

Monstera - Monstera plants, commonly known as "Swiss cheese plants," are tropical houseplants prized for their large, glossy leaves with unique splits. Native to the rainforests of Central and South America, Monstera species like Monstera deliciosa thrive in indirect light and require well-draining soil to flourish. As a climbing plant, it often produces aerial roots that allow it to attach to nearby structures, mimicking its natural habitat.

Fiddle Leaf Fig - The Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) is an excellent indoor plant appreciated for its large, glossy, deep green leaves that add a tropical feel to any space. Native to West Africa, this tropical plant has become a popular choice in modern homes due to its unique, upright growth and attractive foliage. Fiddle Leaf Figs can often grow to heights of 6 feet or more indoors, making them ideal as focal points in living rooms, entryways, or offices. 

Rubber Plant - Rubber plants are popular indoor houseplants known for their glossy, dark green leaves and impressive growth potential. Rubber plants are relatively easy to care for, requiring bright, indirect light, moderate watering, and well-draining soil. They can tolerate times of neglect, making them an ideal choice for busy plant owners. Additionally, they are known for their air-purifying qualities, removing toxins like formaldehyde from the air.

Ficus Benjaminia - Ficus benjamina is a popular indoor plant with arching branches and glossy, lance-shaped leaves. Native to Southeast Asia and parts of India, this evergreen tree can grow rather tall indoors, reaching heights of 3 to 6 feet, but can be pruned to maintain a desired size. Ficus benjamina thrives in indirect light and is known for being a resilient plant.

Best High-Light Houseplants 

Snake Plant - Mother-In-Law's Plant is also known as a Snake Plant and is an easy-to-care-for evergreen perennial from western tropical Africa, and we like to use them as attractive plants indoors or outdoors! People love them as houseplants. Their beautiful and striking appearance complements any room! The leaves are thick, rigidly upright, and feature very dark green centers surrounded by yellow/gold edges. These plants are virtually indestructible!

Spider Plant - Spider plants are popular, resilient houseplants known for their unique, arching green leaves with white or yellow stripes. Spider plants are easy to care for, making them an ideal choice for all plant enthusiasts. They love bright, indirect light but can also tolerate lower light conditions. Spider plants have the ability to purify the air by removing toxins such as formaldehyde and xylene.

Cat Palm - This Chamaedorea has many versatile uses, whether grown indoors or out. If used as an indoor houseplant, the Cat Palm will thrive in a room with plenty of bright light. Outdoors, this plant prefers to grow in a spot with shade. These are cold hardy palms and may be the toughest of all the Chamaedorea. With its graceful dark green and glossy tropical foliage, it is easy to see why this is a favorite plant, indoors or out!

Dragon Tree - Dragon Tree, a member of the Dracaena family, is a diverse type of plant known for its unique appearance and ease of care, making it a popular choice for homes and office spaces. With over 40 species, Dracaena plants vary in size and shape but usually feature long, narrow leaves that are often green, variegated, or striped with shades of yellow, red, or white. Dracaenas thrive in bright, indirect light and are a relatively low-maintenance plant requiring moderate watering.

See our entire collection of houseplants here, or visit select nursery locations and explore all our options in person today!