Low Light Indoor Plants for Apartments UK: 7 Easy Picks
Table of Contents
- Why Low Light Indoor Plants Suit Apartments
- Best Indoor Plants for North Facing Rooms
- Pet Friendly Low Light Plants for Small Spaces
- The 7 Best Low Light Indoor Plants for Apartments
- How to Care for Indoor Plants in Winter
- Styling Low Light Indoor Plants in Small Apartments
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 30, 2026
Why Low Light Indoor Plants Suit Apartments
Low light indoor plants are the practical answer for flats where windows face the wrong way, natural daylight is limited, or the only spot for greenery sits well away from a window. This guide from Quirky Turkey Gifts & Gadgets covers the varieties that genuinely cope with shade, plus how to keep them alive through a dark winter.
Here's the thing most plant guides skip: the biggest killer of houseplants isn't darkness. It's overwatering. Shade-tolerant plants grow slowly, which means they drink slowly too, and a well-meaning weekly watering routine drowns them. Pick the right plant, water it less than you think, and a north-facing flat can look like a jungle.
Below, we'll show you exactly which seven plants work, how to care for them, and how to style them in small spaces.
Best Indoor Plants for North Facing Rooms
North-facing rooms get consistent, indirect light with no harsh sun. That's actually good news, because most houseplants sold as "bright light" varieties scorch in direct sun, while shade lovers settle in happily.
The best indoor plants for north facing rooms are those that evolved on forest floors, where they receive dappled light filtered through a canopy. Snake plants, ZZ plants, spider plants, and pothos all fall into this group. They tolerate low light, but they don't enjoy total darkness. A spot a metre or two from a north window is ideal.
Pet Friendly Low Light Plants for Small Spaces
Pet friendly low light plants are those that are non-toxic to cats and dogs, which matters in a small flat where a curious pet can reach every shelf and windowsill. The two standouts are the spider plant and the cast iron plant.
Peace lilies, pothos, and philodendrons are not pet safe, so keep those on a high shelf or in a hanging planter well out of reach. If you're unsure whether a plant is safe, check the RSPCA guidance on poisonous plants before bringing it home.
The 7 Best Low Light Indoor Plants for Apartments
These seven plants are the ones that actually thrive in shade, forgive missed waterings, and fit on a shelf, desk, or windowsill without taking over the room.
Snake Plant
The snake plant is the most forgiving low light indoor plant you can buy. Its upright, sword-shaped leaves tolerate neglect, dry air, and weeks without water. Water it every two to three weeks and let the soil dry out completely between drinks. It's mildly toxic to pets, so place it out of reach.
Plant Life Support | Plant Self-Water →
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant stores water in its waxy leaves and underground rhizomes, which is why it shrugs off forgetful owners. It handles low light better than almost anything else. Water roughly once a month in winter. Also toxic to pets, so keep it high.
Peace Lily
Peace lilies droop dramatically when thirsty, which makes them oddly easy to read. They prefer indirect light and consistently moist soil. They're not pet safe, and the leaves can irritate skin, so handle with care.
Spider Plant
The spider plant is pet safe and nearly impossible to kill. It throws out baby "spiderettes" you can snip off and pot up as free new plants. Water when the top of the soil feels dry.
Golden Pothos
Golden pothos is a trailing vine that looks brilliant in a hanging planter, where its leaves cascade down. It tolerates low light and irregular watering. Not pet safe.
Philodendron
Philodendrons offer big, glossy leaves and a relaxed trailing habit. They cope with shade and prefer slightly dry soil. Not pet safe.
Cast Iron Plant
The cast iron plant earns its name. It survives neglect, low light, and temperature swings that would finish off fussier varieties. It's pet safe and slow-growing, so it stays compact.
| Plant | Light Needs | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snake Plant | Low to bright indirect | Every 2-3 weeks | No |
| ZZ Plant | Low to moderate | Monthly in winter | No |
| Peace Lily | Indirect | Keep moist | No |
| Spider Plant | Low to bright | When topsoil dry | Yes |
| Golden Pothos | Low to bright | When topsoil dry | No |
| Philodendron | Low to moderate | Slightly dry | No |
| Cast Iron Plant | Low | Sparingly | Yes |
How to Care for Indoor Plants in Winter
Learning how to care for indoor plants in winter comes down to three things: less water, less food, and more light. Shorter days slow growth, so plants need far less of everything.
- Cut watering to roughly half your summer routine
- Stop feeding from late autumn to early spring
- Move plants closer to windows for the little daylight available
- Keep leaves away from cold draughts and radiators
- Wipe dusty leaves so they absorb what light they get
If you're away over the holidays, a self-watering plant pot keeps moisture steady while you're gone. Hydrating Herbert is a gnome-shaped self-watering pot that maintains consistent moisture with minimal effort, ideal for busy homes and forgetful waterers.
Styling Low Light Indoor Plants in Small Apartments
Styling shade-loving plants in a small flat is about going vertical. Shelves, hanging planters, and windowsills use space that furniture can't.
Plant Life Support | Plant Self-Water →
Group plants at different heights so the eye travels up. A trailing pothos in a hanging planter softens a bare wall, while a compact snake plant anchors a sideboard. Quirky character planters add personality without taking up extra room, and they make brilliant housewarming gifts for plant-loving friends.
Your flat might not have a sunny south-facing window, but that doesn't mean it can't be full of greenery. Start with two or three of the toughest plants here, water them less than feels natural, and you'll have a thriving indoor garden within months.
At Quirky Turkey Gifts & Gadgets, we stock characterful plant pots and garden-inspired gifts that make plant care a joy, from self-watering gnome pots to quirky hanging planters, all backed by over 100,000 happy customers and super-fast express delivery. Get started with Quirky Turkey Gifts & Gadgets and give your low light plants a home as charming as they are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which indoor plants thrive in low light conditions?
Snake plants, ZZ plants, peace lilies, spider plants, golden pothos, philodendrons and cast iron plants all cope well with low light. These low light indoor plants for apartments UK handle north facing windows and shaded corners without direct sun. Most prefer indirect light but tolerate dim conditions, making them ideal for flats where daylight is limited. Water less often than you would in bright spots and let soil dry between drinks.
Are there any pet friendly low light plants for small spaces?
Yes. Spider plants and cast iron plants are safer choices for homes with cats or dogs. Philodendrons are not pet safe, so keep those out of reach. Pet friendly low light plants for small spaces work well on shelves or hanging planters out of reach. If you are unsure, keep plants on high surfaces or in closed rooms, and contact your vet if a pet nibbles anything.
How often should I water low light indoor plants?
Water when the top few centimetres of soil feel dry, which is usually every 10 to 14 days in low light, and even less in winter. Low light slows growth, so plants use less water. Overwatering is the most common killer in dim apartments. A moisture sensor like Willy the Garden Worm (£2.75) changes colour to show when soil is dry, taking the guesswork out of watering.
Can indoor plants survive without direct sunlight?
Many can. Plants that evolved on forest floors, such as snake plants, ZZ plants and cast iron plants, manage on reflected light alone. They will not grow quickly, but they stay healthy. Avoid placing them in completely dark rooms with no window. A north facing windowsill or a spot a metre or two back from a window gives enough light for most low light indoor plants for apartments UK.
What are the best hardy plants for north-facing rooms?
Snake plants, cast iron plants and ZZ plants are the toughest picks for north facing rooms. They cope with cool, indirect light and irregular watering. Peace lilies also manage but may flower less. Pair them with a self-watering pot such as Hydrating Herbert (£14.99) to keep moisture steady, and rotate plants occasionally so all sides get even light.
