Houseplants for Different Light Categories
PP033 (1/03R)
By Dr. Sharon M. Douglas
Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
123 Huntington Street
P. O. Box 1106
New Haven, CT 06504-1106
Telephone: (203) 974-8601 Fax: (203) 974-8502
Email: Sharon.Douglas@ct.gov
Plants for High Light Areas:
(Location: usually brightly lighted offices or areas within 4 feet of large south-facing, east-facing, or west-facing windows.)
|
Agave species |
Agave |
|
Allium schoenoprasum |
Chives |
|
Aloe species |
Aloe |
|
Aphelandra squarrosa |
Zebra plant |
|
Araucaria heterophylla |
Norfolk-island pine |
|
Cephalocereus senilis |
Old Man cactus |
|
Chrysanthemum morifolium |
Florist’s mum |
|
Codiaeum variegatum |
Croton |
|
Coffea Arabica |
Coffee |
|
Cordyline terminalis |
Ti plant |
|
Echeveria species |
Hen and chicks |
|
Echinopsis species |
Urchin cactus |
|
Euphorbia pulcherrima |
Poinsettia |
|
Gymnocalycium denudatum |
Spider cactus |
|
Hydrangea macrophylla |
Hydrangea |
|
Lithops species |
Living stones |
|
Mammillaria species |
Pincushion cactus |
|
Opuntia species |
Opuntia |
|
Pelargonium species |
Geranium |
|
Philodendron scandens |
Velvet-leaf philodendron |
|
Rhipsalis species |
Chain cactus |
|
Rosa hybrids |
Miniature roses |
|
Saintpaulia species |
African violet |
Plants for Medium Light Areas:
(Location: usually 4-8 feet from windows—average, well-lighted areas.)
|
Abutilon species |
Flowering maple |
|
Aechmea species |
Living vase plant |
|
Aeschynanthus species |
Lipstick plant |
|
Asparagus setaceus |
Asparagus fern |
|
Begonia species |
Begonia |
|
Brassaia actinophylla |
Schefflera |
|
Calathea makoyana |
Peacock plant |
|
Chrysalidocarpus lutescens |
Areca palm |
|
Cissus rhombifolia |
Grape ivy |
|
Dieffenbachia species |
Dumb cane |
|
Dizygotheca elegantissima |
False aralia |
|
Dracaena deremensis |
Dracaena |
|
D. deremensis "Warneckii" |
Warneckii dracaena |
|
D. fragrans "Massangeana" |
Corn plant |
|
D. godseffiana |
Gold dust plant |
|
D. marginata |
Red edge dracaena |
|
D. sanderana |
Ribbon plant |
|
Episcia cupreata |
Episcia |
|
Ficus benjamina |
Weeping fig |
|
F. elastica "Decora" |
Rubber plant |
|
F. lyrata |
Fiddle-leaf fig |
|
Hoya carnosa |
Wax plant |
|
Maranta erythroneura |
Nerve plant |
|
Monstera deliciosa |
Cut-leaf philodendron |
|
Nephrolepis exaltata |
Boston fern |
|
P. oxycardium |
Heart-leaf philodendron |
|
P. panduraeforme |
Fiddle-leaf philodendron |
|
Pilea cadierii |
Aluminum plant |
|
Platycerium bifurcatum |
Staghorn fern |
|
Pteris ensiformis |
Sword brake |
|
Epipremnum aureum |
Pothos |
|
Scindapsus pictus |
Silver pothos |
|
Spathiphyllum species |
Spathiphyllum |
|
Syngonium podophyllum |
Arrowhead plant |
|
Zygocactus truncates |
Thanksgiving cactus |
Plants for Low Light Areas:
(Location: usually more than 8 feet from windows, with no direct light; often in corners of rooms or hallways.)
|
Aglaonema commutatum |
Aglaonema |
|
A. roebelinii |
Painted dry tongue |
|
A. modestum |
Chinese evergreen |
|
Aspidistra elatior |
Cast-iron plant |
|
Chamaedorea erumpens |
Bamboo palm |
|
Crassula argentia |
Jade plant |
|
Hedera helix |
English ivy |
|
Neoregelia carolinae |
Tricolor bromeliad |
|
Sansevieria trifasciata |
Mother-in-law tongue |
|
S. zeylanica |
Snake plant |
|
Spathiphyllum |
White flag |
Summary
Various houseplants have different requirements for light. When selecting a houseplant, it is important to match the light requirements of the plant with the attributes of the site in order to maximize the health and vigor of the plant. This fact sheet lists many of the common houseplants by their requirements for high, medium, or low light levels.