There is nothing quite like succulent plants for adding color and a feel-good factor to a room – not to mention the excellent air-purifying benefits.
If you’re a succulent fanatic with a growing collection, you’re probably starting to think about how to decorate dim area of your home with these gorgeous houseplants.
But can succulents survive in low light conditions? Are they going to be ok in a room that gets minimal sunshine?
You probably already know that most succulents come from hot, arid parts of the world like Mexico and South Africa. The majority of these species need plenty of bright light each day.
Trying to accommodate all your sun-worshipping succulents can lead to overcrowding in prime spots like sunny window sills.
Fortunately, there are a large number of low-light succulents that do just great in your homes and offices which receives little or no natural sunlight. A lot of smaller succulent species evolved to grow in the shade cast by bigger plants or to live in rocky crevices.
These are the little stars you can use to brighten up hallways and North facing rooms short on sunshine.
We’re going to introduce you to 6 of these low-light-loving beauties, but first, let’s discover why at least some light is so crucial for keeping plants healthy.
How much light do low light succulents need?
In the northern hemisphere, south-facing windows receive the greatest amount of light throughout the course of the day. Windows that face east are brightest in the morning and those that face west receive sun in the afternoon and evening. North-facing windows have the least amount of sun streaming through them.
For most sun-craving succulent plants here in the northern hemisphere, a south-facing window is the best choice. However, all of the low light succulents discussed in this article gladly thrive in a west- or east-facing window too. A few of them will even survive in a dim, north-facing window, but I don’t recommend it because while they will survive, they definitely won’t thrive.
No succulent will survive with a complete lack of light, though. So, if you live in a basement apartment, have only a north-facing window, or if your space has no windows at all, consider purchasing a small tabletop grow light for your succulent plants, even if they are varieties of succulents that grow in low light. You’ll be amazed at how well low light succulents do when a small grow light is stationed over them for 6 to 8 hours a day. A good timer keeps you from having to remember to turn the lights on and off every day.
Now that you know how much sun low light succulents need, let me introduce you to some of the best succulents for rooms that don’t have much light.
1. ALOE VERA
Aloe vera is possibly one of the easiest indoor plants to care for. They don’t require much light or much water, and because of that, they’re definitely a favorite of many. Plus, it’s always good to have an aloe plant around in case of a sunburn or to treat stomach or skin conditions.
2. GASTERIA
These plants have long, thick and grooved leaves and tolerate minimal light conditions. They prefer to grow in bright and hot places especially in spots with indirect light and require little water and fertilizer. If planted in the soil, these plants prefer sandy and well-drained areas but they also thrive well in pots and popular as indoor plants or houseplants.
3. HAWORTHIA
Also native to South Africa, the haworthia succulent comprises of many different dwarf succulents who thrive in low light. They closely resemble aloe vera, and are often mistaken as much. This species can look wildly different, from having bright thick leaves, to softer, more translucent leaves.
4. ECHEVERIAS
These visually stunning succulents hail from South America, and they’re well loved for their rosettes and exquisite features. The rosettes can vary in shape, size, and color, and the plant itself can be very small or can grow up to 8 inches wide. The leaves can also wildly vary from thin to thick and they also come in different shapes and colors. Echeverias can do well in low light, but they also like a little bit of sun. If kept in low light, make sure not to over-water as they are prone to root rot.
5. RHIPSALIS
Native to the rain forests of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, this cactus is unlike other succulents. This is because the rhipsalis is a epiphyte, which is a plant that grows on the surface of another plant. Additionally, they grow in rain forests, as opposed to succulents, which usually grow in desert-like environments and require dry, arid climates. These stunning looking plants thrive in low light, but also need regular watering to mimic their rain forest habitat.
6. SCHLUMBERGERA
Holiday cacti also known as Schlumbergera, depending on their flowering season these plants are given names like Christmas, Easter, thanks giving. This is a genus of cacti with other species, its stem shape resembles the shape of cacti which are joined one on to the other and then flower blossom at the end of the tip.
The flower of this plant has beautiful red, pink and white color. This plant easily maintains its shape in indirect sunlight or low light therefore can be called as a perfect addition to the table of your living room.
7. KALANCHOE
These low light succulents are native to Madagascar, and can come in different shapes and forms. The most popular types of kalanchoe succulents are the small shrubs. They are very easy to grow, as well as low maintenance, and can thrive in low light or indirect light.