9. Sedum Morganianum (Donkey’s Tail)
Usually found growing in window boxes on northern walls in areas where it receives a lot of sunlight, this trailing succulent gets up to 3 feet (1m) long with long trailing stems. It can tolerate low light outdoors in window boxes.
General Care for Sedum morganianum
- Light – From direct sunlight to bright filtered light or dappled shade.
- Water – Water moderately in summer and sparingly in winter.
- Soil – Plant into pots using cacti succulent soil mix.
- Feeding – If using a ready made mix specifically for succulents, you won’t need to feed for the first year.
- Humidity/Temperature – Most Sedum species enjoy a light humidity over dry air and can take temperatures as low as 10°C (50°F) during its winter rest period.
- Decor tip – Plant in hanging baskets or window boxes. Old guttering makes the perfect container for these trailing succulents
10. Crassula Ovata Or Jade Plant And Crassula Ovata Hybrids (Like Crassula Ovata ‘Gollum’)
Jade Plant is cultivated for its shiny, green, ovate-shaped leaves, which are firm and compact, hence its common name. Several plants can grow to 2m high outdoors in perfect conditions.
Pot plants typically take a long time to grow big enough to be transplanted out in the spring.
This bush produces masses of tiny pink blooms that cover the entire bush at times. It does not flower prolifically, if at all, when grown indoors in low light, but makes a striking foliage plant for a while.
General Care for Jade Plant
- Light – Prefers bright, unfiltered light but grows well in lower lit areas for a season or two.
- Water – Water moderately in summer and sparingly in winter. (Complete guide about watering jade plant)
- Soil – It is not fussy with soil as long as it drains well.
- Feeding – Feed with standard liquid fertilizer mixed to half the specifications, once a month during active phase.
- Humidity/Temperatures C.ovata is drought resistant ans as such can take dry air. In winter temperatures can go as low as 10°C
- Decor Tip – Pot as part of a mixed planter or plant into a terracotta pot.
11. Kalanchoe Tomentosa (Panda Plant)
Grey-blue leaves made of velvety material are spotted with brown, almost reddish, marks along the top part of the leaves.
The plant is easy to care for, and grows compactly when provided with sufficient light and water.
General Care for Kalanchoe tomentosa
- Light – prefers bright filtered light but can take low light for short periods (up to 3 months at a time).
- Water – Water sparingly in winter and allow to dry out between waterings.
- Soil – well drained
- Feeding – once a month
- Humidity/Temperature – Likes dry air, keep at normal room temperature. Can go as low as 10°C in rest periods
- Decor tip – the unusual, texture and color of leaves makes this a perfect foliage plant for individual pots. Add top dressing of bright white pebbles to accentuate the plant’s foliage.
12. Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy)
These flowers are grown for their vibrant, colorful, long-lasting flowers.
When the plant is finished flowering, prune it and plant outside or move it to a bright indoor area.
General Care for Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
- Light – Only place in low light when in full bloom. It prefers full sun or bright filtered light.
- Water – Water well in summer and during flowering. After flowering water sparingly.
- Soil – Well-drained
- Feeding – Only needed once a year to boost buds. Use a general 3:1:5 or 3:2:3 fertilizer.
- Humidity/Temperatures – Normal room temperature and dry air.
- Decor Tip – Liked for its bright, cluster of tiny, prolific, long lasting flowers.
13. Sansevieria Trifasciata (Mother-In-Law’s Tongue)
This is the star of the low light succulent show, with pointed upright leaves and clumped growing structure that provide captivating feature displays.
Snake plants are not only tolerant of low light conditions, but they also serve as an air purifier.
The leaves can reach a height of up to 1m depending on the size of the pot.
General Care for Sansevieria trifasciata
- Light – Versatile plant that tolerates low light right through to filtered light and even direct sunlight.
- Water – Moderate water during active growth, less in colder seasons.
- Soil – Well-drained
- Feeding – Standard fertilizer, preferably liquid or slow release pellets. Feed once a month during spring and summer.
- Humidity/Temperature – Can take minimum temperatures of 12°C (55°F)
- Decor Tip – Plant into 30cm planter or larger. Ideal in dark corners or office environment.
A Note On Sedum, Kalanchoe And Crassula
The following herbaceous succulents do well in low light: SedumKalanchoe, Crassula, Senecio, and Echeveria.
The term succulents that prefer low-light refers to succulents that can grow in this light without the use of artificial lighting.
As such, plants like Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant) and Senecio rowleyanus will not survive under low light conditions. However, in the short term, they may do well.
During the active growth phase, move these plants to a brighter place or provide artificial light from a grow lamp.
In fact, these plants actually prefer indirect, filtered light or dappled shade. I found many sites that mention low light plants such as these.
They will benefit from morning sun and afternoon sun if grown outdoors.
The succulents do not require only low light to thrive.
Almost all the genera have some plants that grow perfectly in low light for a very short period of time, like the ones I’ll mention next.
Leaving new growth in low light conditions for too long will result in disappointing color and form.
In the active growth phase, these pants will benefit from more light, but during the winter rest period, they can be relocated to low light areas.
Epiphytic Jungle Cacti That Thrive In Low-Light
Low-light-loving succulents that were made for rain forests can be found in the treetops of South American rain forests, specifically in Brazil.
They prefer high humidity and low light.
Natural epiphytes, they grow in shaded conditions. This makes them epiphytes. They will wedge between the forked branches of tall forest trees in order to get ample shade and rely on the humidity of the jungle for moisture.
Therefore, they make great house plants for low light conditions.
14. Schlumbergera Truncata Or Claw Cactus/Crab Cactus
This plant used to be called Zygocactus. It has segmented stems that are prickly with notched edges. It blooms in fall or early winter with pink flowers.
General Care for Schlumbergera truncata
- Light – Grow in medium to low light most of the year and move to filtered light during winter.Don’t change light level when in bud or bloom to avoid buds or flowers from falling off.
- Soil – Rich, porous soil.
- Water – Water plentifully most of the year.Allow a break from watering once flowering stage is over.
- Feeding– Once a month during spring to autumn. Use liquid fertilizer. Never apply fertilizer to dry soil as roots may burn.
- Humidity/Temperatures– Normal room temperature and high humidity.
- Decor Tip– Plant into hanging baskets to show off the attractive flowers.
15. Rhipsalidopsis Gaertneri X Rosea
This genus contains only two species. Like the Crab Cactus it is epiphytic. Nowadays most plants available commercially are hybrids of Raphiodes gaertneri and Raphiodes rosea.
Plants bearing flowers that grow at the tips of their stems are ideal for hanging baskets indoors.
General Care for Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri x rosea
- Light – Prefers low-light as this mimics the natural habitat.
- Soil – Being epiphytic means no soil is needed.Plant in hanging basket in with sphagnum peat moss and well drained soil.
- Water – Keep moist all the time but only if soil drains well.
- Feeding – Once a month during growing season.Use a general 3:2:3 fertilizer.
- Humidity/Temperature – Likes high humidity.Use mist spray between waterings to achieve this.
- Decor Tip – Great for hanging baskets or in a pot on a pedestal, where the foliage can hang down and show off flowers.
16. Rhipsalis Baccifera Or Mistletoe Cactus
Known for its beautifully patterned flowers, this amazing epiphyte reach a height of several meters (10ft). Its cylindrical stems can grow to lengths of 3 metres (10ft).
Forest trees allow it to take moisture and nutrients from their immediate surroundings.
Hanging basket plants in the bathroom should be kept in humid environments and deep shade.
General Care for Rhipsalis baccifera
- Light – Morning sun with deep afternoon shade is good.
- Soil – To make your own mix add 2 parts peat moss to 1 part bark (or vermiculite) and 1 part coarse sand. A well drained slightly acidic soil is preferred.
- Water – Although a well drained soil should prevent this from happening.
- Feeding – Cut back to once a month when buds appear.And don’t feed in the rest period, after blooms have stopped flowering.
- Humidity/Temperature
- Decor Tip – Brighten up dark corners by placing on a pedestal where it can show off its long stems.
17. Zamiocalcus Zamiifolia Or Zanzibar Gem Or ZZ Plant
This is a rhizomatous perennial that can grow up to 60cm tall. It does well in low light, but shouldn’t be left without water for extended periods.
In a healthy state, the leaves are glossy and leathery, and the stem is slightly swollen at the base. It is a tough plant, but if you don’t care for it properly it’ll not flourish.
While most succulents store water in their stems and leaves, the ZZ plant stores water in its rhizome.
It becomes difficult to recover once leaves drop, as the glossy, pinnate leaves are a feature, and there is no recovery once they have fallen.
The plant becomes a real attraction and becomes multi-stemmed with enough water and food.
This is a plant that can travel well, so ordering online is not risky at all.
General Care for ZZ Plant
- Light – This plant does well in a wide range of light conditions but do avoid direct sunlight.
- Soil – Well drained soil.
- Water – Water regularly.It prefers to be in moist soil even though it is tough enough to withstand neglect, within reason.
- Feeding – Feed with a liquid, seaweed based fertilizer or a nitrogen based one.(3:2:1).Feed once a month during growth phase.
- Humidity/Temperature – This beauty can take a range of weather conditions, but avoid direct sunlight.
The Low-Light Succulent – Where to Buy
There are a lot of succulents that prefer low-light and many more that tolerate it.
As long as they get occasional boosts from artificial or filtered light.
Plants that grow best in arid conditions include succulents.
Their popularity never wanes and their variety is endless.
If your local garden center doesn’t carry a wide selection of low-light succulents, don’t fret!
When you have your first specimen, it is almost certain that they will produce pups. This is especially true when properly cared for. Many reputable retailers are now offering their goods online.
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