What is Low Light?
Let us start with what “low light” really means. Most plants need SOME light, but plants that require low light prefer a window that faces north or east. Light requirements of medium/high plants are defined as four hours or more. The best grow light for plants in a room without windows or light would be a grow light.
Dark-Room Plants That Can Survive in Low-Light
Sunlight exposure needs vary depending on what kind of houseplant you have. A houseplant that requires full sunlight will not thrive in a dark room, and likewise a houseplant that requires lower light will not flourish in a sunny room. The following plants do well in low light conditions, and most don’t need much maintenance, so they’re suitable for beginners and people who want beautiful plants without too much work.
Low Light Indoor Plant Biology
Many people believe that house plants can only be grown in bright spaces that receive plenty of sunlight. We are fortunate to have the sun shining down every once in a while, but some (or all!) parts of our home may not have the same opportunity. Although most plants need direct sunlight to thrive, most people can remedy a lack of natural light by using lamps and other light sources. Simple solutions include furnishing your sun-deprived rooms with plants that don’t need sunlight.
Green touches in rooms that don’t get enough direct sunlight generally work better with low-light houseplants. Indirect light thrives on all plants below, and artificial light thrives on the majority of them. Tropical plants with broad-leaf are well-adapted to low-light situations by having large leaves that allow them to soak up light and nutrients. Some are also waxy outside, so they tend to hold water and, as a result, make great indoor plants as well as crowd-pleasers.
For Indoor Snake Plants, How to Care
Answering the question, “does a low light plant require special care? ” is constant for me with indoor plants. As mentioned previously, there is generally a good deal of truth to the notion that plants that require low light don’t require a lot of water. Therefore, caring for them can be as simple as planting them in well-drained soil and watering them on a monthly basis. Look no further for a low-light, easy-care houseplant. Sansevieria, or Snake plant, also known as Mother-in-Law Tongue, is characterized by its stiff, sword-like leaves, edged in gray, silver, or gold.
Mother in law’s tongue plants are called snake plants. They are said to get their name from its pointed leaves. This plant is sometimes called a snake plant because of its stripes, which resemble snakeskin. Despite their visible size, snake plants can survive even the most neglectful parent. Snake plants can maintain their attractiveness even after a few weeks of neglect.
Some of the easiest indoor plants to care for come in an array of shapes and colours, can withstand extremely low light conditions and can survive exceptionally harsh environments. A standard, porous potting mix is best, so be sure to let it dry completely between waterings in the autumn and winter months.
Snake plants do not only thrive well in low light, they are also extremely drought tolerant, which means they will survive for long periods of time without being watered. Because of the wavy, striped patterns on its leaves (resembling snake scales), it gets its name. Before watering, the soil should be completely dry. Loosen any excess moisture from the saucer and push it out with your finger.
Because Sansevierias prefer being crowded, you should allow the roots to get crammed into the container before repotting. The snake plant prefers indirect light to direct light, though can tolerate a wide range of conditions. Watering them too often could cause their soil to rot. Learn more about caring for snake plants by reading our detailed snake plant care guide.
Snake Plant Care Tips
Because of their strong, bold appearance and tough, pointed leaves, these plants are not favored by everyone. Generally, these aren’t the soft, touchy-feely plants, but they certainly provide a striking silhouette and are quite unique. I truly admire these plants and have many of them. Yes, I have grown snake plants both indoors and outside in our Santa Barbara garden. I like them so much that I’ve grown them indoors and outdoors.
These are my two Snake Plants, “Moonshine & Futura Superba”, soon to be transplanted into larger pots. The modern, edgy feel of these products as well as how simple they are to care for appeals to me. As a Tucson native, I have them growing inside and outside in mugs under the bright shade of my covered patio. The strong Arizona sunshine would fry them but they handle it like champs. These evergreen perennials have long lives, unlike some Houseplants. You’ll find a variety of new snake plants being introduced every year, so there’s plenty of variety available for you to choose from.
The leaves are available in a variety of shades of green, silver, light green, yellow, chartreuse, or white, and can be tall or short. Personal favorites of mine are Sansevieria trifasciata and “laurentii”, “cylindrica” (the one they braid), “moonshine”, “futura superba”, and “gold hahnii”.
Snake Plant Varieties
People are familiar with snake plants, making them popular as houseplants. There are several types of snake plants, among them the gold-edged green snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’), which has leaves that stand straight and tall like soldiers. Snake plants with short, triangular leaves (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Gold Hahnii’) as well as ones with leaves almost forming a cup will be found.
Leaf color can range from solid green to variegated hues, including that of silver, gold, white, and green. Some of the newer varieties include the colorful glowed, with leaves that bead-like a light bulb when illuminated, and Bonnel’s Sensation, which has 36-inch leaves. You won’t want to miss the round leaves on the Cylindrica snake plant (Sansevieria cylindrical), which rise from the ground like pencils.
No Need Bright Light!
Although Sansevieria plants prefer medium light, they will tolerate low light or high light (about a meter and a half from a window to the west or south). Note that little-lit environments work well for the Sansevieria trifasciata & Sansevieria hanhnii jade. Contrary to popular belief, snake plants with bright coloration do not grow as well in low light conditions. Snake Plants will burn if placed in direct sunlight (the west or the south window) because most suns are too hot for them.
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