Best Tall Low Light Indoor Plants – 0 to 6 Hours Sunlight

Tall plants that can grow in low light conditions are a popular choice for indoor gardening enthusiasts.

Many indoor gardeners create their inside greenspace within apartment complexes near other buildings, and natural sunlight is often the biggest challenge.

Keeping plants that survive well under low light conditions is the best option under these circumstances.

But what tall low light indoor plants are best?

  • Rubber Tree (0-1 hour sunlight per day)
  • Boston Fern (1 hour sunlight per day)
  • Areca Palm (1 hour sunlight per day)
  • Dracaena (3 hours sunlight per day)
  • Pothos (4 hours sunlight per day)
  • Jade Plant (4 hours sunlight per day)
  • Spider Plant (6 hours sunlight per day)
  • Ficus Alii (6 hours sunlight per day)
  • Bird of Paradise (6 hours sunlight per day)
  • Banana Tree (6 hours sunlight per day)
  • Weeping Fig (6 hours sunlight per day)

The Rubber Tree in our experiment is the tall indoor plant requiring the least amount of direct sunlight. In fact, rubber plants grow quite well in the shade. It is generally their preference.

These low light plants range in height from 0.3 meters all the way to a sturdy 4 meters.

Let’s have a look at a side-by-side comparison of each of these indoor plants to compare the sunlight required per day and also the height the plant reaches.

We will then explore each of the plants individually to help you make the best choices based on your location, the amount of direct sunlight you receive and space available.

Very Best Tall Indoor Plants That Require Low Light

Indoor PlantHeightSunlight Required
Rubber Tree1.8 – 3 meters0 – 1 hours per day
Boston Fern0.9 meters1 hour per day
Areca Palm2 meters1 hour per day
Dracaena1.2 – 3 meters3 hours per day
Pothos2 meters4 hours per day
Jade Plant1.5 meters4 hours per day
Spider Plant0.3 meters6 hours per day
Ficus Alii1.8 – 2.4 meters6 hours per day
Bird of Paradise1.5 – 2 meters6 hours per day
Banana Tree2 – 4 meters6 hours per day
Weeping Fig0.9 – 1.8 meters6 hours per day

The tallest of the low light indoor plants on our list is the Banana Tree which, when grown indoors, can reach heights of up to 4 meters, although this is generally closer to 2-3.

Let’s have a look at a little more in-depth review of each plant and the pros and cons of growing each in your home.

Best Low Light Plants Over 2 meters Tall

Rubber Tree

Rubber Plant

The Rubber Tree plant is native to South America in countries such as Brazil and Columbia amongst others.

They are quite happy to grow in the shade, or semi-shade but prefer well-lit areas.

Although it doesn’t require a lot of direct sunlight, due to its native habitat, it doesn’t necessarily like the cold. Between a 60F and 75F (15C to 24C) indoor temperature is sufficient.

Areca Palm

We cross over to South Asia this time as look at the Areca Palm plant.

The Areca Palm plant, also known as the Golden Palm plant, is a fast growing tropical plant that needs little sunlight each day.

It’s interesting to know that over the years the leaves of this plant have been used for medicine as well as food and even dye.

It grows up to a healthy 2 meters in height, but this can be controlled as it grows in your home.

Dracaena

The Dracaena is one of the most popular indoor plants amongst many indoor gardeners.

Its long and narrow leaves are perfect for stretching out across a windowsill, and its upright, bushy growing pattern is ideal for small spaces such as a compact office or bathroom.

Dracaena plants can be grown indoors year-round in light rooms with indirect sunlight.

Pothos

Pothos, which means “of Aphrodite” in Greek, is a popular indoor plant choice because of its lacy foliage and showy flowers that come in a vibrant array of colors.

It’s a tropical plant, which means that it does well in warm temperatures, and is native to parts of the African continent.

It grows up to 2 meters in height, so is one of the taller plants on our list. It requires a little more sunlight than the rubber and palm plants on our list, but at an average of 4 hours of sunlight per day required, it’s still a manageable plant indoors.

Ficus Alii

The Ficus Alii – also known as the banana leaf plant – is native to South Asia. It’s long stem and dropping leaves make it quite distinguishable from other indoor plants.

If you’ve ever wondered why it has been nicknamed the banana leaf plant, have a look at the leaves themselves. They droop down and hang in a banana like manner.

Although the Ficus Alii is considered a low light plant type, it will still need around 5-6 hours of sunlight per day where possible.

Banana Tree

The Banana Tree plant is one of the most fun indoor garden plants to grow.

It’s a beautiful plant in its own right, with a very interesting foliage, but the fruit it bears makes it an extra special one to choose to grow.

It will, like the Ficus Alii, require a little more sunlight than other low light plants here, but if you have a suitable place to keep it, it is well worth considering as an option.

Best Low Light Plants Over 1 meter Tall

Jade Plant

Jade Plant

The Jade Plant is a perennial succulent plant that will grow to about 4-6 feet tall. It’s also a tropical plant too.

It has many attractive leaves, which are dark green on the top and bronze-colored, with glossy edges, on the bottom.

It will grow best in a temperature of around 60-65F. Jade plants are great for indoors and can be grown in a wide variety of variegated colors.

Bird of Paradise

The Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia Reginae) is a tropical plant that can tolerate low light conditions and does not require as much water as other indoor plants.

It’s a versatile plant and one of the few plants that is suitable for growing indoors year-round.

They are aptly named as they are because of the beautiful orange flower it blooms which, if you look (really) closely and use an element of imagination, resembles a graceful crane like bird.

Weeping Fig

The Weeping Fig tends to need watering and care more often than most other low light indoor plants.

It likes to be in a location where it is not too hot and it doesn’t like being in an area where it will get too much direct sun. This is therefore perfect for indoor conditions in light areas but not in direct sunlight.

It also likes a bit of humidity. This plant requires a bit of care, but it is rewarding to have one in your home.

Best Low Light Plants Over 0.5 meters Tall

Boston Fern

The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a great plant to grow indoors.

Its wonderful look makes it a perfect plant for low light conditions.

It is also an easy plant to grow indoors as it only needs a small amount of sunlight per day and is happy in general indoor conditions. You shouldn’t place the Boston Fern in direct sunlight for hours a day, it will do more harm to the plant than good.

Spider Plant

The spider plant, also known as Chlorophytum comosum, is said to have originated in Africa, where it is used as a medicinal plant.

It is often referred to as the ‘Lady Flower’ because it was thought to have a similar shape to a Lady’s Slipper or sandal.

They grow best in bright light and warm temperatures, but they will survive and even flourish in cooler temperatures.

How much sunlight low light plants actually need

Indoor Plants Requiring 4 hours to 6 hours of sunlight per day

These plants are considered low light but will still require up to 6 hours of sunlight per day where possible. This means they are best suited to window locations and away from shady corners.

South facing is best, but you may get away with an East facing window, especially during the summer months when the sun is in a steeper trajectory and will be in the Eastern sky for longer.

  • Spider Plant
  • Ficus Alii
  • Bird of Paradise
  • Banana Tree
  • Weeping Fig

Indoor Plants Requiring 2 hours to 3 hours of sunlight per day

  • Dracaena

If you have an area in your home that manages to get a couple of hours of sunlight each day, the Dracaena could be a perfect solution.

Under control you can keep the Dracaena to around 1.2 to 1.5 meters in height (although they can grow up to 3 meters) but at 1.5 meters they should be suitable for most homes.

Indoor Plants Requiring 1 hour or less sunlight per day

If you have lots of shady areas in your home just waiting the perfect low light indoor plant, then look no further at these options:

  • Rubber Tree
  • Boston Fern
  • Areca Palm

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Jade Plants Low Light?

Jade Plants are considered a low light plant. A Jade Plant requires 4 hours of sunlight per day. This makes it suitable for indoor growing.

Can Rubber Plants Tolerate Low Light?

Rubber plants grow very well in low light conditions. They are more suited to shady areas. A rubber plant can survive with just an hour of sunlight per day. It is great for shady areas indoors.

Will Spider Plants Grow in Low Light?

Spider plants can grow in low light and shady areas. A spider plant does prefer 4 hours top 6 hours of sunlight per day, but it can survive and grow with 2 hours of sunlight per day. The spider plant does prefer warm conditions due to temperatures from where it is native from.

In Conclusion – Tall low Light Indoor Plants

There are a wide range of tall low light indoor plants to choose from.

Some require no sunlight, or just an hour a day whereas some, like the Banana Plant, requires up to 6 hours of sunlight per day to thrive.

You need to consider the height space you have available too. The Spider Plant will grow up to half a meter in length and the banana plant although can grow up to 4 meters in height, it can average to around 2 meters.

Choosing the right plant will depend on the area you have available and the number of hours in direct sunlight you can give it each day.

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