10 Best Low-Light Houseplants for Basements and North-Facing Windows

Quick answer: The best low-light houseplants for Canadian basements and north-facing windows are ZZ plants, snake plants, pothos, cast iron plants, Chinese evergreens, heartleaf philodendrons, parlor palms, peace lilies, prayer plants and spider plants. If you have pets, choose cast iron plants, parlor palms, prayer plants or spider plants. If a room is too dark to read in comfortably at midday, add a small LED grow light for 10–12 hours a day.

Key takeaways

• Low-light houseplants tolerate dim light. They still need some light.
• Canadian winters cut natural light sharply from November to February, even in bright rooms.
• In low light, water much less often. Soggy soil kills more low-light houseplants than darkness does.
• A $20 LED bulb on a timer makes almost any basement plant-friendly.

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What counts as "low light" for houseplants?

• North-facing windows get gentle, indirect light all day. Most low-light houseplants do well right in the window.
• East-facing windows get soft morning sun, which is a step up.
• Basement windows are often low, small and shaded by window wells. They're truly low light.
• Interior rooms with no window need a grow light. No houseplant survives long in darkness.

Quick test: At noon, hold your hand 30 cm above where the plant will sit. A soft, fuzzy shadow means low light. No shadow at all means you need a grow light.

The 10 best low-light houseplants

Plant	Toughness	Pet-safe?	Notes
ZZ plant	★★★★★	No	Water every 3–4 weeks in winter
Snake plant	★★★★★	No	See our snake plant care guide
Pothos	★★★★☆	No	Trailing; easy to propagate in water
Cast iron plant	★★★★★	Yes	Slow growing but almost unkillable
Heartleaf philodendron	★★★★☆	No	Trails or climbs
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema)	★★★★☆	No	Dislikes cold drafts
Parlor palm	★★★☆☆	Yes	Likes even moisture
Peace lily	★★★☆☆	No	Droops dramatically when thirsty, which tells you when to water
Prayer plant (Maranta)	★★★☆☆	Yes	Needs humidity
Spider plant	★★★☆☆	Yes	Prefers medium light but tolerates less

Pet safety is based on the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plants list. Check the exact species if your pets like to chew.

Easiest of all: the ZZ plant and the snake plant. If you've killed plants before, start with one of these two low-light houseplants.

Caring for low-light houseplants

Water less, much less

Low-light houseplants use water slowly. Check the soil with your finger and water only when the top half of the pot is dry. For ZZ and snake plants, let it dry out completely. In a basement in January, that can mean watering once a month.

Use pots with drainage holes

A decorative pot without holes is a trap in low light. Keep the plant in a nursery pot inside the decorative one, and tip out any extra water.

Rotate monthly

Plants lean toward the window. A quarter turn each month keeps them growing evenly.

Clean the leaves

Dust blocks light. Wipe large leaves with a damp cloth every couple of months.

Skip winter fertilizer

In low light, plants barely grow from November to February. Feed lightly from spring to late summer only.

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When low-light houseplants need a grow light

Add a grow light if:

• new leaves are smaller and paler than old ones
• stems are stretching with long gaps between leaves
• variegated plants are turning plain green
• the room has no window at all

A single full-spectrum LED bulb in a regular lamp, 30–60 cm above the plant and on a timer for 10–12 hours a day, is enough for most low-light houseplants. Seedlings need stronger setups. See our guide to the best grow lights for seed starting.

Low light plus dry air

Basements can be cool and damp, while main floors in winter are warm and dry. If your plants show crispy brown tips, read our guide to the best houseplants for dry air.

FAQ: low-light houseplants

Can houseplants live in a basement with no windows?

Only with a grow light. With a bright LED bulb on a timer for 10–12 hours a day, ZZ plants, pothos and snake plants can do well in a windowless basement.

Which low-light houseplants are safe for cats and dogs?

Cast iron plants, parlor palms, prayer plants and spider plants are listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA. ZZ plants, snake plants, pothos, philodendrons and peace lilies are not pet-safe.

Why is my low-light plant dying?

The most common cause is overwatering. Low light slows water use, so soil stays wet much longer. Let it dry out more between waterings.

Is a north-facing window enough for houseplants?

Yes, for low-light houseplants. In Canadian winters, even north windows get very little light, so move plants right up to the glass from November to February.

Bringing outdoor plants in for winter? See our guide to overwintering geraniums and other tender plants.