Despite their continued popularity, succulents can be difficult to care for in the home since they require a lot of sunlight. Most succulents need a lot of sunlight to thrive.
But there is still hope if your living space, whether it be a bedroom or an office, doesn’t have a sunny north-facing window. You can still have success cultivating these prized houseplants by choosing from the following list of low-light succulents.
Low light succulents: How Much Light Do They Need?
If you live in the northern hemisphere, you’ll want your windows to face south to get the most sunlight. The morning sun shines strongest through windows facing east, while the afternoon and evening sun streams in via west-facing panes. In general, the amount of sunlight entering a room through north-facing windows is the lowest.
Most succulent plants in the northern hemisphere prefer a south-facing window because of the greater exposure to sunlight. All of the low-light succulents we’ve spoken about here, though, can happily grow in a west- or east-facing window. Some will even make it in a gloomy, north-facing window, though I wouldn’t advise it since, while they might make it, they won’t flourish.
I will show you some of my favorite low-light succulents for dark spaces now that you know how much light they need.
Here Are The Best Succulents To Grow As Houseplants In Low Light
Lance Aloe
It’s really wonderful to have this plant in my garden. The mother plants never stop producing offspring, which I happily pot up, re-pot, and give to friends and family. It grows to a maximum height of 8 inches and a spread of around a foot, making it a wonderful succulent houseplant for tight quarters.
Watering is only needed a few times a year since the thick, meaty leaves retain so much water. Cacti like lance aloe, so choose potting soil with excellent drainage.
Even though this succulent flourishes in strong light, it may survive in dim light if that’s all you have. Keep the rosette of leaves dry as much as possible by just watering the soil when you irrigate.
Snake Plant
An alternative name for the snake plant is mother-in-tongue. law’s This African native is one of the hardiest succulents you can find in low light. Try growing a snake plant even if you have a history of killing houseplants.
There are many of distinct types, with some reaching heights of 4 feet and others only a few inches. The long, flat, sword-shaped leaves are green and, depending on the variety, may be marked or variegated in a number of ways.
Low amounts of water and almost no care are required for this plant. Snake plant thrives in full sun but may survive in low light if given enough time; in low light, they will just not grow as rapidly. If you have a patio or deck, move the plant outside for the summer.
Panda Plant
Whether young or old, everyone can’t resist the temptation to pet the fuzzy leaves of these low-light succulents. The panda plant is a rather simple succulent to cultivate, with a maximum height of 18 inches and a width of about 12 inches.
The thick stems will extend further in dim light than they would in bright light. About twice a year, I give mine a 50 percent haircut to encourage bushier growth. There is a brownish hue towards the leaf tips of the gray-green leaves.
Ox Tongue Plant
Because their natural environment in Africa is partially shaded, ox tongues may thrive in dim conditions when brought indoors. The visually appealing patterns and markings on the leaves are a bonus.
Allow the potting soil to dry out fully between waterings; this is especially important in the winter. It is possible to find a low-light succulent with yellow variegation or streaking among the many different types available.
Echeveria
Echeverias have one of the widest ranges in leaf color and form among succulents. There’s such a huge range of options. Insufficient lighting causes the central stem of echeverias to grow longer as the plant reaches upwards to catch more rays. Therefore, if at all possible, choose a spot that gets at least four hours of sunlight each day.
Keep the plant from leaning too much in one direction by turning the pot a quarter turn every few days. Echeverias are low-maintenance plants that thrive with minimal care. It could even appear that they do better if you forget about them, at least in terms of watering.
Ebra Haworthia
When starting off, this is the best succulent to choose from. This plant, sometimes known as Zebra Haworthia, thrives in a wide range of lighting conditions. The little plant looks like a miniature aloe and has thin, spike-tipped leaves that are green with white ridges.
The plants’ little offshoots, known as “offsets,” are simply transplanted into other containers and thrive. When grown in dim conditions, zebra plants will bend toward the light. To ensure even growth, flip the container a quarter turn every several days. Limit watering to once a month at most.
Kalanchoe Tomentosa
This plant may easily be propagated and resembles a panda due to its plush texture, dark reddish brown borders, and dense, furry hair. A native of Madagascar, this plant’s fleshy leaves may reach heights of 1-2 m (3.3-0.6 ft) and do well in indirect sunshine.
Since it requires relatively little care and only a trace amount of water when the soil is absolutely dry, this plant is ideal for someone just getting started with succulents. When its leaves are trimmed, it quickly recovers and even reproduces.
Jade Plant
In low light, the jade plant, or Crassula ovate, maintains its shape and texture. Depending on the light conditions, its hue can shift from green to red. The jade plant, often considered a good luck charm, is a common sight in homes and workplaces across the world.
This plant is sensitive to overwatering, but the upside is that it may recover from complete leaf drop and continue growing. This plant can thrive in almost any environment, however, it does require a soil change every two to three years.
Holiday Cacti
Cacti with festive names like Christmas Cactus, Easter Cactus, and Thanksgiving Cactus are all varieties of Schlumbergera. There are many different species within this genus of cacti; their stems are connected one to the other and finish in a flowering bud, just like actual cacti.
This plant boasts stunning red, pink, and white flowers. Because it does well in low light or indirect sunlight, this plant is ideal for the bedroom or workplace.
Rhipsalis
The cactus family includes a genus called Rhipsalis. While it does make its home on the surfaces of other plants and derives some of its moisture from the air there, it does no harm to the hosts. The leaves are bristly and spread out in all directions.
As these plants are often found in tropical rainforests, they do not need full sunshine to maintain their structure, and prolonged exposure to sunlight can actually cause damage to their leaves. It is important to remember to water this plant on a regular basis; these plants also look lovely when hung in decorative containers.
Morganianum
Adding a touch of magic to your home, burro’s tail plants reach heights of 4 feet when grown indoors. There is a bluish tint to the green foliage of this plant, and the plant itself is rather hefty since its leaves absorb and store so much water.
This drought-resistant plant has a robust stem with plaited leaves, and it does well in low light. However, it should be placed in full sun for the first few days after planting, and then it may be placed in a container or pot with enough drainage.
Low Light Succulents: Tips For Success
- Most importantly, know that not all succulents do well in low light or shade, so selecting the proper species is the first step.
- The plants should be watered sometimes, but not too frequently because they will not be exposed to direct sunlight and hence will not be able to utilize any surplus water. Be sure to only turn on the tap when absolutely necessary.
- Although some plants are able to survive with relatively little light, most cannot. If you must plant them indoors, at least put them in a spot near a window.
- Pay close attention to the container’s draining capabilities. Do pick a container with suitable drainage holes.
- Although succulents may get by without fertilizer since they store water and nutrients in their leaves and stems, it’s a good idea to give them a little every month or so.