The first thought that comes to your mind when you think of succulent is the desert environment with lots of sunlight. What if you find out that a good number of succulents don’t need the scorching sun? Some plants prefer shade, while others only need a few hours of direct sunlight.
However, don’t confuse low light with no light because these plants still need to photosynthesize, and they can’t do that without light. You must ensure your indoor succulents still receive sunlight but not direct exposure. If you’re to keep them indoors, they need a well-lit room or a spot near the window where they can receive some light. Grow light can also work well for such plants.
If you’re thinking of growing low-light succulents in your home, you have an overwhelming number of options to choose from. Here is a list of the best low-light succulents you can grow in your home.
1. Aloe
Aloe is one of the most popular succulents you can come across. This plant does well in low light and can grow large. You’ll recognize the aloe plant with its fleshy pointed leaves. Aloe grows up to three feet when planted outside but does pretty well when given partial light or artificial light.
Many people grow aloe vera for its medicinal purposes. The gel found in the leaves of this plant is known to provide essential soothing and moisturizing effects. Also, give it low water at least once every three weeks in dry months, which should reduce in winter months.
2. The Snake Plant
The snake plant is among the best house plants. The plant is known to tolerate a large variety of circumstances, such as low watering and low light. The plant can still thrive with low light but also does well in brighter conditions.
For it to grow well, keep it away from direct sunlight. Ensure you find brighter areas of the house. Do not overwater this plant. If you take good care of it, the snake plant will reward you with various colors to adorn your indoor garden.
3. Kalanchoe
The most popular kalanchoe variety is found in small shrubs, which grow in thick leaves of different shapes and forms. Some come with smooth leaves covered with fine frizzy hair. Kalanchoe does well in pots and makes a great indoor plant that needs low light.
This plant is one of the easiest to grow and is highly adaptable to various conditions. The plant survives well under low light but can also do well under bright indirect light. Kalanchoe can also tolerate intense heat. The plant is known to produce colorful floors that adorn your house in clusters of blooms.
4. Echeveria
Echeveria is among the most recognized succulents and grows in beautiful shapes with colorful leaves. You’ll find this succulent variety in different colors, including blue, green, purple, and pink leaves. The center stalk of this plant tends to elongate in an attempt to reach out to reach the sun.
Four hours of sun every day is enough for this plant to grow well and avoid elongating searching for the sun. This plant will not require much attention from you and will still perform well under neglect. Just don’t forget to water it once in a while in hot weather and twice the entire winter.
5. Burro’s Tail
If you love hanging plants, Burro’s tail will be your best low-light succulents. This succulent is easy to grow and propagate. The fallen leaves easily develop roots and begin to grow if they get a conducive growth environment.
Burro’s tail prefers growing in ample light but can still do well in lower light levels. Apart from sunlight, they also prefer more watering in summer, which should reduce in winter. This plant has extremely fragile leaves that can easily fall off the plant when you brush on them. You must be very careful.
6. Hoya
Hoya is another great succulent plant known for its thick and nearly heart-shaped leaves. The plant is also called the Hindu Rope or Wax plant. You must understand that not all Hoya species are succulents, but those who are don’t need direct sunlight to thrive.
Hoya plants need partial shade, and you must protect it from intense heat and frost. The plant grows well in beautiful hanging baskets indoors.
7. Holiday Cacti
You can’t miss cacti species in the list of low-light succulents, and the holiday cactus represents the list well. This plant falls under the epiphytes, which means they live under trees that protect them from the sun. The cacti varieties under holiday include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter cacti.
All these plants don’t need lots of light to thrive. They love humidity and will thrive better if you water them more than other cacti varieties. The lack of light encourages these plants to bloom, especially in autumn. The shortening life exposure in the autumn is what allows them to bloom.
8. Agave
Foxtail Agave is a perfect low-light succulent that every landscaper loves. The plant portrays a flamboyant presence and is highly tolerant of drought. The stalks of this plant grow up to eight feet wide and five feet tall and can extend up to 10 feet. Its bushy stalks bloom in summer.
The plant is suitable for growing in pots where it tolerates shade and sun in equal measures. Make sure this agave receives moderate temperatures. It’s also a drought-tolerant plant that can survive neglect.
9. Ponytail Palm
Ponytail palm is succulent and not a palm tree-like other people think. The plant comes with a bulbous pump where it stores water, which categorizes it under succulents. It got its name from the long, slender, and hair-like leaves. While this plant loves the sun, it can still allow you to grow it in a controlled environment with low light.
Make sure the ponytail palm receives well-drained soil. The plant needs minimal watering as it can survive up to three weeks without water. The edges of the leaves of this plant turn brown over time and fall off from the main branch.
10. String of Bananas
This is a dangling succulent that needs baskets or a shelf placed under low light conditions. You’ll notice this plant with its long tendrils and slightly curved leaves resembling tiny bananas. If you were to plant it outdoors, make sure you give it a hanging box or a hanging planter in partial shade.
11. Scarlet Ball Cactus
Here are cacti species that fall under low light succulents. This magnificent plant survives well in shade and low light conditions. For it to thrive well, give it bright sun but protect it from intense heat. The plant can grow solo or can form beautiful clusters. The plant itself grows in a greyish green color but blooms in yellow and bright orange flowers.
12. Zebra Cactus
This is yet another cactus plant that loves low light and makes a good choice of succulent to add to your indoor collection. Even though zebra plants grow pretty well under low light, sometimes it’s best to give it bright or direct sunlight under given periods of the day. When grown in low-light conditions, this plant will need very little water.
The Zebra plant is no doubt a lovely miniature plant. It has a vivid dark green color with beautiful white markings. This appearance is what gave it the name zebra. It does powerful indoor décor work, especially if you place it on your office desk.
13. Jade Plant
If you want your jade plant to look healthy and keep its structure and texture, put it under low light. The plant portrays green or red color depending on the amount of sunlight it receives. Many people have this plant either in their rooms or the office as it’s regarded as a symbol of luck.
The plant needs shade to protect it from direct sunlight. Don’t water jade plants because too much water can end up killing them. But it’s also one of the easiest plants to save as the Jade plant easily grows back even after its leaves have fallen. It’s a highly resilient and hardy plant.
14. Haworthia
Haworthia succulent collection comprises a host of beautiful low-light species that you won’t hesitate to add to your succulent collection. Most of these plants grow in rosettes and form thick fleshy leaves. In the wild, you’ll notice that haworthia tends to hide in bushes and rocky crevices in search of shade. This means they can do well indoors where there’s lots of shade.
Haworthia species with thinner leaves make the best houseplants. They thrive well in areas with low amounts of sunshine. Haworthia is available in different varieties, so you won’t have a hard time finding one that you can plant.
Summary
If you want to grow some succulents indoors and are worried about the low-light inside your house or the office, don’t worry because there are plenty of succulents to grow indoors. You can get a countless number of attractive succulents to grow in low-light. Just understand that low light doesn’t mean that the plant receives no sunlight at all.
Last update on 2023-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API