If you’ve ever brought home a gorgeous “indoor tree” and watched it slowly sulk in a shady corner, you’re not alone. Most house tree plants are labeled as “low light” even though they secretly want a bright window and sunshine for at least half the day. The good news is that there are indoor trees and tree-like houseplants that cope with lower light, as long as we’re honest about what “low light” really means and set them up with the right pots, soil, and care routine.
In this guide, we’ll walk through realistic expectations for low light indoor trees, how to read the light in your apartment, and which species are actually good choices for north-facing rooms, hallways, and offices. We’ll look at low maintenance indoor trees, tall indoor trees for low light corners, indoor palms that tolerate shade, and what’s truly possible with low light bonsai. Along the way, I’ll share a few mistakes I made on my own Portland balcony and in my living room, so you don’t have to repeat them. By the end, you’ll know which plants to trust in dim spaces—and which divas (looking at you, fiddle leaf fig) really need more sun than the label suggests.
What Low Light Really Means for Indoor Tree Plants
“Low light” gets thrown around on plant tags, but it has a fairly specific meaning indoors. Many university and extension guides describe low light as areas more than about 8 feet from a window, interior hallways, and spots that rely mostly on artificial light rather than direct sun. Think of places where you can comfortably read during the day, but you’d probably switch a lamp on at dusk.
That also means there’s no such thing as indoor trees that don’t need sun at all. Every plant still needs some light to photosynthesize. In truly windowless rooms, you’ll either need a grow light or accept that even tough “low light house trees” will slowly decline over time. A small LED grow light on for 10–12 hours can make the difference between survival and steady, healthy growth for many species.
Even within the low light category, some species just tolerate it better. ZZ plants, cast iron plants, and certain dracaenas are repeatedly listed by extensions like Iowa State and Illinois as workhorses that handle low light and lower humidity better than most. Meanwhile, rubber trees, fiddle leaf figs, and many bonsai technically survive in lower light but grow more slowly, stretch toward windows, and drop leaves if the light is too weak.
So before you go shopping for “indoor trees that don’t need sun,” it’s more accurate to look for plants that tolerate lower light and adjust your care: water less often (because soil dries more slowly), watch for stretched or leaning growth, and be ready to nudge plants closer to a window—or add a grow light—if they start complaining.
Setting Up Pots, Soil, and Spots for Low Light House Trees
Once you pick your plant, the way you pot and place it often matters as much as the species itself. In low light, soggy soil is your biggest enemy, because plants use water more slowly when the light is weaker.
For most indoor tree plants in low light, I like to:
- Choose a pot 2–4 inches wider than the current root ball (for small trees, that’s often a 10–12 inch wide pot for long-term growth).
- Use a high-quality peat- or coir-based potting mix, not garden soil, with about 20% perlite mixed in for better drainage.
- Make sure there’s at least one drainage hole, and always empty the saucer within an hour after watering so roots aren’t sitting in water.
- Aim for spots near north or east windows, or more than 8 feet from a brighter window if your plant is truly low light tolerant.
I remember the first time I moved a big dracaena into a dim hallway. It was in a heavy decorative pot with no drainage and gorgeous, saturated soil that stayed wet for days. Within a month the lower leaves turned yellow and mushy—classic early root rot. Once I repotted into a terracotta pot with a drainage hole and a chunkier mix, and watered only when the top 1–2 inches of soil were dry, it bounced back. That “finger test” (checking the top couple inches and watering deeply only when they’re dry) is also exactly what universities like Minnesota Extension recommend for most houseplants.
If you’re unsure about a spot, take a picture at midday and notice how much of the room is evenly lit. For a more precise reading, a cheap light meter app can help you compare corners: anything in the “bright indirect” range is great for fussier trees, while truly dim corners are best reserved for the toughest low light indoor trees in this guide or backed up with a small grow light.
Best Low Light Indoor Trees for Beginners
When someone tells me, “I kill every plant,” these are the low maintenance indoor tree plants I recommend first. None of them are literally indestructible, but they forgive missed waterings, weird corners, and busy weeks pretty well.
- ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) – Often sold as a bushy floor plant, a mature ZZ can feel tree-like with its upright, glossy stems. Iowa State and Illinois Extension both call it exceptionally tolerant of low light, dry soil, and low humidity. It will grow under bright indirect light too, but handles dim offices surprisingly well. Keep in mind that all parts of the plant are poisonous, so place it away from pets and small kids.
- Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) – The nickname says it all. Extensions and horticultural guides list cast iron plants as classic “forget me and I’ll be fine” houseplants that tolerate neglect and low light with occasional watering. They grow slowly, but the arching leaves give a quietly architectural look in a shady corner.
- Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) – Missouri Extension notes that Aglaonema modestum can tolerate light as low as about 10 foot-candles, putting it in the true low light category. The patterned leaves brighten darker rooms, but avoid overwatering and keep it away from pets, as many aglaonemas are considered toxic.
- Corn plant dracaena (Dracaena fragrans) – This is the classic “office tree” that survives in fluorescent-lit rooms. Florida and Clemson sources explain that dracaenas grow best in bright filtered light but are quite tolerant of lower light, especially once adapted. Let the top inch or two of soil dry before watering.
- Rubber tree (Ficus elastica) – Clemson Extension notes rubber plants prefer bright light but are adaptable to low light and can grow well with morning light from an east window. In low light they’ll grow more slowly and may have fewer new leaves, but they’ll often hold a compact, tree-like form. Be aware that Ficus species, including rubber trees, are toxic to pets.
- Banana leaf fig (Ficus alii) – A slightly slimmer cousin of the rubber tree, banana leaf fig is praised as more forgiving than fiddle leaf fig and can thrive in bright indirect light while tolerating lower light. It’s a good “fiddle leaf vibe without the drama” option.
These species give you the look of indoor trees that don’t need strong sun, but they still appreciate being as close to your best low light window as possible. If your place is really dim, prioritize ZZ and cast iron plant, and consider a discrete grow light tucked behind a chair.
Tall Indoor Trees for Low Light Corners
Sometimes you just want a tree that feels like furniture—a green column that fills an empty corner. In lower light spaces, you can get that look, but you’ll need to manage expectations about growth speed and shape.
Corn plant dracaena is my go-to for tall indoor trees in low light. Given a 12–14 inch wide pot, a healthy plant can slowly reach 5–6 feet indoors. Extension sources describe it as preferring bright to moderate filtered light but tolerant of lower light; in dimmer conditions, the leaves may narrow and growth slows, but the plant often remains healthy. Rotate the pot a quarter turn every month to avoid a lopsided lean.
Rubber trees can also become tall indoor trees for low light corners. Clemson notes they’re adaptable to low light, though they grow best with brighter conditions. In darker spots, you’ll see longer gaps between leaves. If that leggy look bothers you, prune the top back by 4–6 inches in spring to encourage branching and a fuller canopy.
For a more refined, feathery look, a banana leaf fig or similar ficus with long, narrow leaves can work if you give it the brightest low light you have—near a north or east window or a few feet back from a brighter window. These plants are often described as more forgiving than fiddle leaf figs in fluctuating home conditions.
Whichever tall indoor tree you choose, size the pot to the plant. A good rule of thumb for long-term containers is at least 5 gallons of volume (roughly a 12 inch wide by 12 inch deep pot) for a plant you want to reach chest height or more. As the plant grows taller, you may need to upgrade to 7–10 gallons to keep it stable and hydrated between waterings.
Indoor Palms That Can Handle Low Light
Indoor palms are where “low light indoor trees” can really shine, especially if you’re craving a softer, tropical look without blasting sun. The key is picking species that genuinely tolerate shade and then watering them correctly.
Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is the classic choice. Clemson’s indoor palm guide notes that parlor palms tolerate lower light levels well and prefer temperatures above about 60°F in winter. Pennsylvania State and other sources highlight them as reliable house palms that cope with less-than-ideal light. The ASPCA lists parlor palm as non-toxic to both cats and dogs, making it one of the best indoor palms for low light in pet homes.
Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa) is another shade-tolerant option with a more upright, bamboo-like look. It prefers bright indirect light but is often grown in medium to low light interiors, where it grows slowly but steadily. Pair it with a heavy pot so it doesn’t tip over as it gains height.
Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) is frequently recommended as an indoor palm tree for low to medium light. Many horticultural references describe it as adaptable to lower light, though it grows denser and faster in brighter spots. Think “bright shade” rather than truly gloomy corners.
Across these indoor palm trees for low light, watering is where most people slip:
- Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry before watering again.
- Water thoroughly until excess runs out the drainage holes, then empty the saucer within an hour.
- In lower light, expect to water less often—every 10–14 days is common, but always check the soil first rather than sticking to a calendar.
Low Light Bonsai and Mini Tree Projects
Let’s talk about the “low light bonsai” dream. True bonsai trees—especially species like junipers, pines, and many ficus bonsai—generally want medium to bright light, often the equivalent of several hours of sun or strong grow lights each day. Low light bonsai is possible, but you have to choose your species and your definition of “low light” carefully.
Some indoor bonsai candidates that cope with dimmer, indoor conditions include:
- Dwarf umbrella tree (Schefflera arboricola) – Bonsai guides note that Hawaiian umbrella bonsai tolerate dim light and low humidity, though they grow better and make smaller leaves with more light. This is one of the few bonsai-able species I’d trust in genuinely lower light, especially near a north window.
- Ficus bonsai – Several bonsai sources explain that ficus bonsai tolerate lower light better than many other bonsai species, but “little light” still doesn’t mean a dark shelf; they should be kept in a bright position, often near a south or east-facing window.
I tried keeping a small ficus bonsai on a bookcase once, about 10 feet from my brightest window. It didn’t die—but it never really thrived either. Once I moved it to a stand right by a bright window and gave it a small LED grow light in winter evenings, it pushed out tight new growth and felt like a completely different plant.
If you love the look but have truly low light, consider this compromise: pick a tough low light indoor tree like schefflera or dracaena and prune it regularly into a “mini tree” form instead of aiming for traditional bonsai in a tiny pot. Use a slightly deeper container (at least 6 inches deep) so the roots have enough room and the soil doesn’t dry or stay soggy too fast. You’ll get the tree silhouette with much less risk.
Daily and Weekly Care for Low Maintenance Indoor Trees
Low light often means low maintenance, but it does not mean “set and forget.” The main shift is that everything slows down: growth, water use, and even how often you need to fertilize.
Watering. Most extensions agree that the best way to water houseplants is to feel the soil. Check the top 1–2 inches with your finger; if they’re dry, water thoroughly until excess drains from the bottom, then empty the saucer within an hour so roots aren’t sitting in water. If you want a simple, repeatable routine, see How Often to Water House Plants . In low light, that might mean watering many indoor trees every 10–21 days instead of weekly. Overwatering is far more common than underwatering in shade.
Feeding. For most low light indoor trees, a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half strength once a month in spring and summer is plenty. Palms like parlor palm are described as relatively heavy feeders during the growing season but still don’t need aggressive doses in containers. In fall and winter, you can usually skip fertilizing altogether.
Cleaning and rotation. Dust blocks light. Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth every month or two so your plant can make the most of whatever light it gets. Rotate the pot a quarter turn every few weeks to keep growth even and prevent leaning toward the window.
Temperature and humidity. Most of the plants in this article do best between 60–75°F indoors. Parlor palms, for example, need winter temperatures above about 60°F to stay happy. Keep plants away from cold drafts, heaters, and vents that blow hot, dry air right across the leaves.
If you like having routines, think in terms of a simple weekly check-in: walk your apartment once a week, poke the soil, spin the pots, and wipe one or two plants. That five-minute ritual does more for your indoor forest than any “miracle product” ever will.
Common Mistakes With Low Light Indoor Trees
I’ve made every one of these mistakes at least once, usually when I tried to force a plant into a spot it didn’t really want. Here are the big ones to avoid with low light house trees:
- Believing “low light” means “no light.” Even tough plants like ZZ, cast iron plant, and parlor palm still need some ambient light or a grow light. Completely windowless rooms are a red flag unless you’re adding artificial light.
- Overwatering in shade. In lower light, soil stays wet longer. Extensions repeatedly recommend watering only when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry and then letting excess drain away. If leaves yellow from the bottom up and stems feel soft, suspect overwatering.
- Assuming “low light” on the label means the plant will thrive in a dark corner. Many popular indoor trees—especially fiddle leaf figs and some ficus bonsai—really want bright indirect light and sulk in dim conditions. They may survive but won’t look as lush.
- Ignoring pet safety. Several common low light indoor trees, including rubber trees and dracaenas, are listed as toxic to pets by extension and ASPCA-linked sources, while parlor palm is non-toxic. If you have curious chewers, prioritize pet-safe options and keep toxic plants out of reach.
- Using decorative pots with no drainage. In low light, that’s almost a guarantee of root rot. Always drill holes or use a cachepot with an inner nursery pot that drains.
When in doubt, move the plant a little closer to the light, water a little less often, and watch how it responds over a few weeks before making big changes.
Fiddle Leaf Fig in Low Light: What’s Realistic?
Because “fiddle leaf fig low light” shows up in so many searches, it deserves its own reality check. Fiddle leaf figs (Ficus lyrata) are beautiful, but most horticultural and houseplant guides agree that they need bright, indirect light for around six or more hours a day to really thrive. They can adapt to slightly lower light, but the trade-off is slower growth, leggy stems, and more leaf drop—especially in winter when days are shorter.
If your apartment has mostly low light, here’s a practical approach:
- Give your fiddle the absolute brightest spot you have—near a south or east-facing window with sheer curtains if possible.
- Consider a small grow light on a timer for 8–12 hours during the darker months to make up for weak winter light.
- Water only when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry; overwatering in low light is one of the fastest ways to cause root rot and mass leaf drop.
If you truly don’t have a bright window, I’d treat a fiddle leaf fig as a “grow light plant,” not a low light tree. For genuinely dim spaces without supplemental light, stick to cast iron, ZZ, parlor palms, and dracaenas—they’ll be much more forgiving and still give you that indoor tree vibe.
Styling Ideas for Small Apartments With Indoor Trees
Once you’ve picked the right low light indoor trees, the fun part is turning them into a little indoor forest that fits your space. In small apartments, I like to think vertically and work with what the light is already doing.
One of my favorite setups is a “green corner” by a north or east window: a tall corn plant or rubber tree in the back, a parlor palm or banana leaf fig in front, and a cast iron plant or ZZ plant filling in the floor space. The tallest plant grabs your eye at room level, while the shorter ones hide pot edges and make the whole grouping feel lush without blocking your view.
A few simple styling tricks:
- Use plant stands or crates to stagger heights so each canopy gets some light.
- Repeat materials—like terracotta pots and wooden stands—so the mix of species feels cohesive.
- Leave enough space between pots for air flow and to make watering easier; you don’t want to dread moving plants to check drainage.
If your balcony is shaded, you can even treat it as a staging area in summer for some of these low light trees, as long as temperatures stay comfortably above 60°F and the light is still mostly indirect. That seasonal shuffle gives plants a little boost without frying their leaves, and you get a green view from inside.
For even more layout ideas, our broader Apartment Patio Ideas guide.
Low light doesn’t have to mean low joy. With the right species, pots, and expectations, you can absolutely have indoor tree plants in a dim apartment that feel like part of the furniture rather than a constant worry. The big shift is to choose plants that are genuinely rated for low light—ZZ, cast iron plant, corn plant dracaena, parlor palm, and a few forgiving ficus options—rather than forcing sun-lovers like fiddle leaf figs or most bonsai into gloomy corners and hoping for the best.
From there, it all comes down to simple habits: pot in a well-draining mix, water when the top couple of inches of soil are dry, rotate pots for even growth, and give leaves a quick dusting when they start to look dull. When you tweak your care to match lower light—watering more deeply but less often, feeding lightly in the growing season, keeping an eye on pet safety—your indoor forest becomes surprisingly low maintenance.
If you’re ready to add a tree to that dim corner you’ve been ignoring, start with one of the truly shade-tolerant species in this article and see how it feels to share your space with something green and growing. Once that first plant settles in, your apartment (and maybe your mood) might feel very different. And if you want to keep going, explore more ideas in our other guides, from herbs on tiny balconies to matching plants to your exact light levels.
