Houseplant clinic: which plants cope best in darker rooms?

"Many popular houseplants, especially those that need bright, indirect light, will struggle in dimly lit spaces. Symptoms like yellowing leaves, leggy growth and overall decline are common when plants aren't getting enough light to photosynthesise properly. But all is not lost. Several houseplants are far more tolerant of low light and can thrive in shadier spots. The key is selecting species that originate from environments where filtered light is the norm."

"For rooms with very low light, opt for things like snake plants (Sansevieria), ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), cast iron plants (Aspidistra elatior), pothos (Epipremnum aureum) and peace lilies (Spathiphyllum wallisii). These are all very resilient. Shade-tolerant plants usually have a higher concentration of chlorophyll, allowing them to tolerate lower light levels without showing immediate stress. Prevention Even low-light-tolerant plants need some light to survive."

Many popular houseplants that require bright, indirect light struggle in dim rooms, producing yellowing leaves, leggy growth and general decline because of insufficient photosynthesis. Several species tolerate low light and can thrive where filtered light is typical. Recommended choices include snake plant, ZZ plant, cast iron plant, pothos and peace lily, which are resilient and often possess higher chlorophyll concentrations to cope with shade. Even shade-tolerant plants require some light; rotating specimens promotes even growth, watering should be reduced to avoid root rot, and a small grow light can supplement minimal natural light.

Read at www.theguardian.com