14 indoor plants that like shade

Succulents

Succulents are known for being super low maintenance. Making them perfect for new plant owners, or those who like the idea of keeping plants but don’t have a lot of time to look after them. While there are some that love a sunny spot, most of them will grow and thrive in the shade.

Our favourite shady succulents include:

Snake plant

With their striking looks and easy-going nature, snake plants are one of the toughest indoor plants around! Whether they’re on a shady shelf or in a room with lots of light, they won’t mind. Snake plants will grow no matter what. And they’re great air-purifying plants too - bonus! Learn just how simple it is to care for them in our snake plant care guide.

Jade plant

Jade plants look like mini trees, which is one of the reasons they’re so popular. And with their thick stems and bold green leaves, they definitely know how to stand out. But we love them because they’re super resilient and easy to look after. Jade plants can adapt well to most environments meaning they can grow either in full sun or shady spots. But they will grow considerably less in shadier spots, and be less full in volume with leggier stems (as they reach for light) given they prefer full sun.

Christmas cactus

Want to know how this plant got its name? It’s because every year, from late November to January, it produces the prettiest pink flowers. Like its own Christmas present to you! Because it’s one of the few plants that continues thriving during winter, it should be no surprise that it doesn’t mind a shady spot.

Ferns

Did you know that there are around 20,000 different species of ferns? So you have plenty of shade-loving choices. As some of the oldest living plants (they were around when dinosaurs still existed, it means they’re pretty hardy. And their sprawling green leaves make them very popular for houseplants.

Boston fern

With their crinkly fronds, Boston ferns love being the centre of attention. Regular watering and misting is key to helping this plant live its life to the fullest. In their natural habitat, Boston ferns grow under big shady trees. And they love a humid room too. Boston ferns need bright, but indirect light to thrive, and will survive in medium light areas. So a spot in your bathroom or kitchen would be perfect for them! Learn how to care for Boston ferns to keep them happy and healthy.

Bird nest fern

Cute and quirky with long, crinkly fronds, we can’t get enough of the bird’s nest fern. They need medium to low indirect light to thrive, so will need minimum of 4hrs natural light a day to thrive.

Staghorn fern

The staghorn fern is as strong as its name suggests. With impressive lush green leaves, this plant thrives in low-light and humid rooms. And it’s one of the best air-purifying plants too, making it a great choice for pumping fresh oxygen into your bathroom. If you get out of the shower feeling doubly refreshed, you know why.

Hanging plants

Whether they’re hanging from the ceiling, or trailing over a shelf or fireplace mantle, hanging plants can really transform a room. Not only are they lovely to look at, but, most of the time, they’re pretty unfussy too. Here are some of our favourite, shade-loving hanging plants:

Pothos

Sure, they look a little small to start with but put them in the right place and they could grow up to 20 metres long. While a pothos will grow even faster in a sunny spot, they can survive in shady spaces too. And they can handle pretty much any type of humidity, all they need is a weekly watering so they’re great for beginners. Find out how to care for a pothos (devil's ivy) properly.

String of pearls

String of pearls are technically succulents because they hold water in their leaves. And as the name suggests, they have lots of little round, green beaded foliage that spills over their pot. We think they’d be right at home hanging from a kitchen corner.

String of hearts

Delicate in appearance, the string of hearts hanging plant is a real delight. Their dainty, heart-shaped leaves and slender vines are just the thing to add a bit of interest to your home. And although they’ll thrive best in sunlight, they don’t mind a shady spot either.

Monstera Deliciosa AKA Swiss cheese Plant?

Want a plant that makes a statement, is unfussy and can turn your room into a green oasis? Then the Monstera Deliciosa, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, is for you! These plants are really easy-going but they do love a pamper every now and then. Polish their leaves with coconut oil every now and then and they’ll love you for life. And because they love both bright light and shaded areas, putting them somewhere where they get the best of both worlds will make them happiest.

ZZ plant

The ZZ plant, or raven plant as it’s also known, are the perfect desk buddies. It loves a shady spot, doesn’t need watering much and has air-purifying superpowers too. So what’s there not to love? What we love most about the ZZ plant is its distinctive look. Its leaves turn from bright green to inky black over time. Read our ZZ plant care guide for all the best tips and tricks.

Calathea

There are lots of different types of calatheas. From peacock plants to the rattlesnake variety. But one thing they all have in common is that they don’t do well in direct sunlight. Because they grow on forest floors in the wild, indirect sunlight suits them best. But they’re also very tolerant of low light. One thing to remember is that they hate the cold. So even in the shade, they’ll still need to be warm.

Peace lily

Air purifying, pretty to look at and easy to care for, we love peace lilies. And with their lovely white flowers blooming throughout the year, it’s no secret why they’re such a fan-favourite. This plant doesn’t need too much attention either. But they can be a bit dramatic - when they get thirsty, they’ll let you know by dropping their leaves. While more white flowers will bloom in sunlight, they’ll still do just fine in low-light conditions too.

Spider plant

Spider plants are one of the most popular houseplants around. With their laid-back nature and low light tolerance, they’re pretty difficult to kill. So they’re an ideal starter plant for a new owner. Plus, if you’re lucky they can even produce little white flowers too. And they can be propagated easily so you can share baby spider plants with all your friends.

New to plant care and not sure where or how to start? Let our plant experts help! Read our plant care guide for everything you need to know. You can also read all about the best indoor plants to send someone to find out which plant would suit your friend best.

Need to liven up your bathroom? Plants are the best way to do it. Take a look at the best plants for your bathroom.