Shade Tolerant House Plants

How to choose the best indoor plants for dark rooms

Plants that are able to tolerate some shade are useful for filling those awkward spots in your home. Try echeveria for a small north-facing windowsill, or Ficus binnendijkii ‘Alii’ with its braided stem for a dramatic statement plant.

Set off your plants with a brightly-coloured pot and see our expert advice on growing house plants for tried-and-tested tips. There’s more help below in our Frequently Asked Questions.

Which houseplants flower in low light?

A wide number of shade-tolerant houseplants produce pretty flowers. For scented blooms, choose Gardenia ‘Deluxe’ or ‘Sweetheart’. For long-lasting and colourful bracts in deep red or pink, try Anthuriums, or for elegant white flowers to lighten up a dull corner, you can’t beat a Peace Lily. Begonia masoniana and the Chinese Money Plant both have dainty pink flowers.

Which shade-tolerant house plants cope with dry conditions?

If you need a drought and shade-tolerant house plant, choose Senecio ‘String of Teardrops’, Kalanchoe humilis ‘Desert Surprise’, or our Echeveria mix.

Which is the tallest shade-tolerant house plant?

For a real statement, Dypsis lutescens, the Bamboo Palm, reaches 4m (13ft) tall. Another great choice is Hedera helix, which can grow to a height of 3m (10ft).