"I'd love a plant in my north-facing room" or "I want some green in the entryway, but there's no window" — these are some of the most common questions plant lovers ask. Many houseplants are labeled "shade tolerant," but here's the catch: "shade tolerant" and "thrives in low light" are not the same thing. Shade tolerance only means a plant can survive in dim conditions — without light for long stretches, most species slowly decline.
In this article, we'll look at 8 practical species that genuinely handle north-facing rooms and entryways, sorted by their level of shade tolerance. We'll also cover the realistic limits of "grows in low light" and a few habits that keep these plants healthy for the long haul.
Take "grows in low light" with a grain of salt
Even when a plant shop labels something "excellent shade tolerance," the basic rule doesn't change: photosynthesis needs light. Keeping these points in mind from the start will save you a lot of disappointment later.
- Nothing grows in total darkness: in a spot too dim to comfortably read a book (under about 200 lux), almost every houseplant will slowly weaken
- Long-term low light causes legginess: leaves shrink, stems stretch out thin and weak
- Growth slows way down: expect one-third to one-half the pace of a bright spot
- Give it a "sun break" about once a month: rather than leaving a plant in deep shade forever, moving it to a brighter spot occasionally keeps it in much better shape
If you read "grows in low light" as "perfectly happy in a windowless spot," you'll be let down. Choose plants with the understanding that surviving and thriving are two different things.
Two levels of shade tolerance — moderate and strong
Roughly speaking, houseplant shade tolerance falls into two levels.
| Level | Light needed | Good spots |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate shade tolerance | Bright shade (behind a sheer curtain, or the middle of a room) | A room with a north-facing window, the back of an east-facing room |
| Strong shade tolerance | Enough light to read by (roughly 500 lux or more) | Entryways, hallways, windowless bathrooms |
Even strongly shade-tolerant species won't grow in pitch darkness. If there's LED lighting, though, they can get by under it.
8 houseplants that grow in low light
Here are 8 widely available species with proven shade tolerance. The level is noted in parentheses.
1. Aglaonema (strong)
Among the very best low-light performers of all houseplants. Many varieties have silver or pink patterned leaves, so they look great even in dim corners. Of the 8 species here, this is the one that handles windowless spots best. See the Aglaonema species guide for details.
2. Pothos (strong)
The classic of classics. Its trailing heart-shaped leaves make it easy to place in an entryway or on a shelf. In complete darkness, though, the leaf color fades and it gets leggy. Moving it to a brighter spot about once a month keeps it noticeably happier. See also why pothos leaves turn yellow and what to do, and the Pothos species guide for more.
3. Spider plant (moderate)
A go-to safe choice for homes with pets, with adorable baby plantlets that dangle from the mother plant. It grows just fine in a room with a north-facing window. We cover its pet safety in 8 pet-safe houseplants too. More details in the Spider plant species guide.
4. Schefflera (moderate)
An extremely tough species, also known as the umbrella plant. It grows to medium or large size and can become the centerpiece of a living room. It's quite cold-hardy too — hardy enough to overwinter in an entryway. See the Schefflera species guide for details.
5. ZZ plant (strong)
A species with glossy, thick leaves whose popularity has soared in recent years. It stores water in underground rhizomes, so it's fine if you forget to water it (once a week is plenty) — a lifesaver for the forgetful. Its low-light tolerance is on par with Aglaonema. Check the ZZ plant species guide.
6. Parlor palm (moderate)
An elegant, compact member of the palm family. It grows happily in bright shade and fits beautifully into living rooms and bedrooms. Safe for cats and dogs, too. Details in the Parlor palm species guide.
7. Snake plant (strong shade tolerance + strong sun tolerance — happy at both extremes)
The snake plant is a rare species that tolerates both deep shade and bright sun. It adapts to a wide range of conditions, from a windowless north-facing room to direct south-facing sun. We cover it in full in the complete snake plant care guide.
8. Bird's nest fern (moderate)
A fern with beautiful rippling fronds. It loves humidity, which makes it a great fit for bathrooms. The leaf tips brown easily when the air is dry, so misting once or twice a week keeps it stable. Details in the Bird's nest fern species guide.
What to know about north-facing rooms and entryways
"Low light" covers a lot of different environments, and each spot has slightly different things to watch for.
North-facing rooms
- If there's a window, more light comes in than you'd think (diffuse rather than direct)
- Most houseplants can be grown here
- Windowsills get cold in winter, so keep cold-sensitive species away from the glass
- Aglaonema, schefflera, ZZ plant, and pothos are all good picks
Entryways / hallways (no window)
- Even strongly shade-tolerant species will slowly decline if left there indefinitely
- Keep LED lights on longer (6–8 hours a day)
- Move plants to a bright room about once a month for a "sun break"
- Aglaonema, ZZ plant, and snake plant are especially well suited
Windowless bathrooms
- The toughest spot in the house for a houseplant
- Requires strong shade tolerance plus a rotation back to a bright room once or twice a month
- Humidity is high, so ferns actually do surprisingly well here
- If you really want green here, consider mixing in artificial plants
Watch-outs when growing plants in low light
Low-light growing comes with its own risks. Here's how to handle them.
- Prevent legginess: thin, stretched stems are a sign of insufficient light. Move the plant somewhere brighter, or prune to restore its shape
- Water less: soil dries slowly in the shade. Stretch your watering intervals 1.5–2 times longer than you would in a bright spot
- Prevent root rot: overwatering-induced root rot is especially common in low light. Wait until the soil surface is completely dry
- Pale leaves suggest light deficiency: leaves turning yellowish-green, or patterns fading
- Beware cold drafts at the window in winter: a north-facing windowsill can drop below 5°C (40°F) at night
A monthly "sun break" goes a long way
The simplest trick for extending the life of a plant kept in low light is a monthly sun break.
- Place it near a bright window or in outdoor shade for 1–2 hours (no direct sun)
- Gentle morning light is ideal
- Before moving it back, check that the leaves are dry (water droplets can act like lenses and scorch the leaves)
Just making this a habit dramatically extends how long a shade-dwelling houseplant stays healthy. Jotting down a "plant rotation schedule" in Green Logs' notes feature makes it easy to keep up without forgetting.
Once you understand what "grows in low light" really means and choose accordingly, a green home is entirely possible — even in a north-facing room or a windowless entryway. For your first pot, a strongly shade-tolerant Aglaonema or ZZ plant is a great place to start.