Stunning Low Light Hanging Plants That Thrive in Dimly Lit Spaces

In the realm of interior design, there’s an undeniable allure to incorporating lush greenery into our living spaces. However, for those of us with dimly lit corners and shaded nooks, the prospect of nurturing thriving plants can seem daunting. Fear not, dear readers, for we’ve curated a guide to low light hanging plants that promises to illuminate even the darkest corners of your home. Join us as we explore the verdant world of hanging plants, perfect for bringing life and vitality to every room, regardless of its light conditions.

Learn how you can transform your space with stunning low light hanging plants 

Understanding Low Light Environments

In the realm of indoor gardening, understanding the concept of low light environments is essential for successful plant care. Low light conditions typically refer to areas within a home or office that receive minimal natural sunlight, either due to their positioning in relation to windows or obstructions such as nearby buildings or dense foliage. These spaces may appear dim or shadowy for much of the day, presenting a challenge for plants that require ample sunlight to thrive. However, rather than viewing low light conditions as a limitation, it’s important to recognize the unique opportunities they present. Despite the lack of direct sunlight, many plant species have adapted to thrive in low light environments, making them well-suited for indoor cultivation. By selecting the right plants and providing appropriate care, it’s possible to transform even the darkest corners of your home into thriving green spaces.

Low light spaces present a challenge for plants that require ample sunlight to thrive

Benefits of Hanging Plants in Low Light

Hanging plants offer a multitude of benefits beyond their ability to thrive in low light conditions. Their versatility and decorative appeal make them a popular choice for indoor gardeners looking to add visual interest and depth to their living spaces. Unlike traditional potted plants, which occupy valuable floor space, hanging varieties utilize vertical space, allowing you to make the most of your available square footage. This makes them particularly well-suited for small apartments, condominiums, or offices where space may be limited. Additionally, hanging plants can soften hard edges and add a touch of softness and warmth to any room. Whether suspended from ceiling hooks, mounted on walls, or displayed on decorative stands, hanging plants offer endless possibilities for creative expression in interior design. With their graceful cascading foliage and unique growth habits, they bring a sense of tranquility and natural beauty to any environment they inhabit.

A popular choice for indoor gardeners looking to add visual interest and depth to their living spaces

Top Low Light Hanging Plants

Now, let’s delve into the star players of our botanical ensemble – the top low light hanging plants guaranteed to thrive in even the dimmest of spaces. From the resilient pothos, with its heart-shaped leaves cascading in a verdant waterfall, to the delicate beauty of the spider plant, known for its air-purifying qualities, there’s a hanging plant to suit every taste and style. Join us as we explore the unique characteristics and care requirements of each of these botanical beauties, ensuring you find the perfect match for your home.

There are so many low light plant options to choose from 

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos, with its heart-shaped, glossy leaves, is a resilient and versatile hanging plant that thrives in low light conditions. Its trailing vines add a touch of lush greenery to any space, making it a popular choice for indoor gardens and hanging baskets. Pothos plants are easy to care for and can tolerate occasional neglect, making them perfect for busy plant enthusiasts or those new to gardening.

A popular choice for indoor gardens and hanging basket

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plants are renowned for their air-purifying qualities and unique foliage, featuring long, arching leaves adorned with tiny “spiderettes” or baby plants. These hardy plants can thrive in low light conditions, although they prefer bright, indirect sunlight if possible. Spider plants are excellent choices for hanging baskets or elevated shelves, where their cascading foliage can create a striking visual display.

Spider plants are a unique option for your dimly lit space 

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English Ivy is a classic hanging plant known for its trailing vines and lush, deep green leaves. Despite its reputation for being invasive outdoors, English Ivy can be easily managed when grown indoors as a hanging plant. It thrives in low light environments and can tolerate occasional fluctuations in watering, making it an excellent choice for novice gardeners looking to add a touch of elegance to their homes.

English Ivy can be easily grown indoors as a hanging plant

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace lilies are beloved for their graceful white blooms and glossy, dark green leaves, making them a popular choice for indoor hanging baskets. While they prefer moderate to bright indirect light, peace lilies can adapt to low light conditions, although they may produce fewer flowers in such environments. With proper care and occasional fertilization, peace lilies can thrive as stunning hanging plants, adding a touch of serenity to any room.

This stunning plant is a popular choice for indoor hanging baskets

Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)

Philodendrons encompass a diverse group of plants known for their attractive foliage and easy-going nature. Many philodendron species, such as the heartleaf philodendron or the pothos, make excellent hanging plants for low light environments. Their trailing vines and lush green leaves add texture and depth to indoor spaces, creating a verdant backdrop for any room.

If you love trailing vines, you need to get a Philodendron

Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, are valued for their striking architectural form and ability to thrive in low light conditions. Their upright, sword-shaped leaves feature distinctive variegated patterns, adding visual interest to any space. Snake plants are renowned for their air-purifying properties and are excellent choices for hanging planters in dimly lit areas of the home.

These houseplants are known for their striking architectural form

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Boston ferns are classic hanging plants known for their feathery fronds and lush green foliage. While they prefer bright, indirect light, Boston ferns can tolerate lower light conditions, although they may require more frequent watering to prevent drying out. These graceful plants add a touch of elegance to any room, with their cascading fronds creating a soft, soothing atmosphere.

Ferns are another great option for your low light space

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

ZZ plants are prized for their glossy, dark green foliage and low maintenance requirements, making them ideal for low light environments. Their upright growth habit and waxy leaves lend a touch of modern elegance to any space, while their ability to tolerate neglect makes them perfect for busy households or offices. ZZ plants are excellent choices for hanging planters or elevated shelves where their striking foliage can be appreciated.

ZZ plants are the perfect addition to your office space 

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

String of pearls is a unique and eye-catching hanging plant characterized by its long, trailing stems adorned with spherical, bead-like leaves. This succulent plant thrives in low light conditions and requires minimal watering, making it an excellent choice for novice gardeners or those with busy lifestyles. String of pearls adds a whimsical touch to any room, with its cascading foliage reminiscent of a living necklace.

A unique and eye-catching hanging plant with spherical, bead-like leaves

Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

Heartleaf philodendrons are charming hanging plants featuring heart-shaped leaves that cascade gracefully from their trailing vines. These versatile plants are well-suited to low light environments and can tolerate occasional neglect, making them perfect for beginners or anyone seeking an easy-care houseplant. Heartleaf philodendrons add a touch of natural beauty to any space, with their lush foliage brightening up even the darkest corners of a room.

Heartleaf philodendrons have charming heart-shaped leaves

Tips for Caring for Low Light Hanging Plants

Caring for low light hanging plants may seem daunting at first, but with the right knowledge and approach, it can be a rewarding experience. Here are some expert tips to help you keep your botanical companions happy and healthy:

Watering

Low light plants generally require less frequent watering compared to those in brighter conditions. However, it’s essential to maintain proper moisture levels to prevent dehydration or waterlogging. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, but be cautious not to let it dry out completely, as this can stress the plant. To determine when to water, use a moisture meter or simply stick your finger into the soil to gauge its moisture level. If the top inch feels dry, it’s likely time to water. When watering, ensure thorough saturation of the soil, allowing excess water to drain away freely from the pot.

Maintain proper moisture levels to prevent dehydration or waterlogging

Light

While low light plants can tolerate dim conditions, they still require some natural light to thrive. Optimal lighting conditions for low light plants include areas with filtered or indirect sunlight, such as near a north-facing window or in rooms with ambient light. Avoid placing your hanging plants in direct sunlight, as this can lead to leaf burn or sunscald, particularly for sensitive foliage. Periodically rotate your plants to ensure even light exposure and promote uniform growth throughout the plant.

Avoid placing your hanging plants in direct sunlight

Grooming and Pruning

Regular grooming and pruning are essential tasks for maintaining the health and appearance of your hanging plants. Remove any dead, damaged, or yellowing leaves as soon as you notice them, as they can attract pests or harbor diseases. Additionally, pruning leggy stems helps promote bushier growth and a more compact, aesthetically pleasing appearance. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to make precise cuts, trimming stems just above a leaf node or lateral bud to encourage new growth.

Always remove any dead, damaged, or yellowing leaves as soon as you notice them

Fertilizing

Low light plants have lower nutrient requirements compared to those in brighter conditions, but they still benefit from occasional fertilization. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer formulated specifically for houseplants and dilute it to half strength to prevent fertilizer burn. Apply the fertilizer once a month during the growing season (typically spring and summer) to provide your plants with the necessary nutrients for healthy growth. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to nutrient imbalances or salt buildup in the soil, which may harm the plant.

Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer formulated specifically for houseplants

Humidity

Many low light plants, such as ferns and ivies, thrive in humid environments. To increase humidity around your hanging plants, consider placing a tray filled with water and pebbles beneath them. As the water evaporates, it creates a microclimate of higher humidity around the plants. Alternatively, use a humidifier to maintain optimal humidity levels in the room, especially during dry winter months or in air-conditioned spaces. Additionally, misting the leaves with water periodically can help hydrate the foliage and enhance humidity levels, particularly for plants with fine or delicate leaves. With these expert tips for watering, lighting, grooming, fertilizing, and maintaining humidity levels, you can ensure that your low light hanging plants thrive and bring beauty to your home for years to come.

These plants usually thrive in higher humidity levels 

Creative Hanging Plant Displays

Now that you’ve mastered the basics of caring for your low light hanging plants, it’s time to get creative with their display. Consider incorporating them into stylish hanging planters or macrame hangers to add a touch of greenery to any room. Mix and match different plant varieties to create visually stunning displays that reflect your personal style and aesthetic preferences. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different heights and arrangements to find the perfect look for your space.

Consider incorporating them into stylish hanging planters or macrame hangers

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with your best efforts, you may encounter some common challenges when caring for your low light hanging plants. Here’s a more detailed look at how to identify and address these issues:

Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves can be a sign of both overwatering and underwatering. To address this issue, it’s essential to check the soil moisture levels before watering. Stick your finger into the soil to assess its dryness; if the top inch feels dry, it’s likely time to water. However, if the soil feels consistently wet or soggy, it indicates overwatering, and you should adjust your watering routine accordingly. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot and promote healthy growth.

ALways check the soil moisture levels before watering

Leggy Growth

Leggy growth, characterized by long, stretched-out stems and sparse foliage, typically occurs when plants don’t receive enough light. To remedy this issue, assess the plant’s location and the amount of natural light it’s receiving. Low light hanging plants still require some natural light to thrive, so consider relocating them to a brighter spot within your home. Alternatively, you can supplement natural light with artificial grow lights designed specifically for indoor plants. By providing adequate light, you can encourage compact, bushy growth and maintain the plant’s overall health and appearance.

Assess the plant’s location and the amount of natural light it’s receiving

Pest Infestations

Pest infestations, such as spider mites, aphids, or mealybugs, can quickly damage your low light hanging plants if left untreated. Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests, including webbing, sticky residue on leaves, or the presence of insects. If you notice any signs of infestation, it’s essential to take prompt action to prevent the pests from spreading to other plants. Treat affected plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil, following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. These natural insecticides effectively target pests while minimizing harm to the plant. Additionally, consider isolating infested plants temporarily to prevent the pests from spreading to neighboring plants. With regular monitoring and appropriate treatment, you can effectively manage pest infestations and maintain the health and vitality of your low light hanging plants.

All of your houseplants need regular monitoring and appropriate treatment

Conclusion

As we conclude our exploration of low light hanging plants, we invite you to embrace the transformative power of greenery in your home. Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or a novice green thumb, there’s no denying the joy and beauty that hanging plants bring to every space. With our guide as your companion, you’re well-equipped to cultivate a verdant indoor oasis that serves as a sanctuary of tranquility and beauty in your everyday life. Happy planting!

Now you know which are the best low light hanging plants!