Looking for low-light succulents that are perfect for indoor use? Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, these plants will thrive in your home with little care required.
Check out our list of the best low light succulents for growing indoors and get gardening!
Best Low Light Succulents for Growing Indoors
Succulents and cacti are plants that can survive in a wide range of environments. They thrive when they live in the desert or near the ocean, but many succulents also grow well indoors as houseplants.
Here is a list of the 20 best low-light succulents for growing indoors.
Aloe vera (Aloe africana, Aloe arborescens, Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe vera is a popular succulent for home interiors. It has long, pointed green leaves with white teeth along the edges. Aloe vera care is easy to follow and it adapts well to different lighting conditions (including low light).
This plant can be propagated by simply cutting off an aloe leaf and waiting until it forms roots of its own.
Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Snake plants are another popular low-light houseplant. With their tall, upright leaves and solid green or variegated foliage, they are often used as a backdrop for other plants in terrariums.
Snake plant care is easy enough to follow, just keep the soil moist during spring through fall.
This versatile plant can also be propagated by cutting off a section of the leaves and letting them dry out for about two weeks, then planting in soil.
Snake plants will grow towards any light source they’re near, so keep this in mind when you set up your indoor succulent garden! They are easy to care for and thrive on neglect which is great if you’re a busy person or forgetful.
However, snake plants can be toxic to pets and humans alike so keep them out of reach. If ingested, they can cause vomiting and paralysis in both animals and people.
Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
Jade plants are succulents that are native to South Africa. They have thick, fleshy leaves and grow slowly in low light conditions. These plants can be propagated by division or stem cuttings.
Jade plants do best when they receive bright light but can adapt to lower light levels if necessary.
Overwatering is the most common mistake made in jade plant care. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings and do not let your jade sit in a tray of standing water.
These beautiful succulents can live for decades with the right care, making them a great choice if you’re looking for a plant that will last.
Jade plants are toxic if ingested, so keep them away from pets and children!
Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum , Donkey tail)
Burro’s tail is a succulent native to Mexico. It has long, fleshy leaves and does well in low light conditions. Burro’s tail can be propagated by division or stem cuttings.
This plant thrives in bright light, but it can adapt to low light levels if required. The most frequent burro’s tail care mistake is overwatering. Allow the soil to dry somewhat between waterings and avoid allowing your plant to sit in a tray of standing water.
This lovely plant is long-lasting, making it ideal if you want a plant that will stand the test of time.
Zebra plant (Zebra haworthia, Haworthia attenuata, Haworthia fasciata)
The Zebra plant is a succulent that is native to South Africa. It has dark green leaves with light green stripes running down the length of the leaf. Zebra plants do well in low light and can be propagated by division or stem cuttings.
Zebra plants should not be overwatered, allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. They prefer bright light conditions but can adapt to lower light levels if necessary.
These beautiful succulents have a long lifespan with the proper care making them an excellent choice for any home or office.
Zebra plants are toxic, so keep them away from children and pets!
Lace Aloe (Aristaloe aristata, Torch plant)
Lace aloe is one of the best low-light succulents for growing indoors. Lace aloe should be watered sparingly in winter while still allowing the soil surface to dry out between waterings. In summer it requires more water. Fertilize with a succulent fertilizer every other month in winter and monthly during the summer.
Lace aloe is a beautiful addition to any indoor garden and will thrive in low light conditions.
Ox tongue plant (Gasteria obliqua)
The Ox Tongue Plant is a succulent that needs little care to thrive. It has thick, rubbery leaves in green with red tips at the ends.
Ox tongue plant enjoys being kept outdoors in direct sunlight during the summer months and indoors when it’s colder outside. During wintertime, water sparingly as its natural habitat tends to be very dry.
Panda plant (Kalanchoe Tomentosa)
The Panda Plant is a succulent that makes an excellent houseplant.
It has round, fuzzy leaves with white hairs and can tolerate very low light conditions. It does best in potting soil which drains well and only needs to be watered occasionally. During the summer months, it should be placed outside in direct sunlight. In the winter, it should be kept indoors.
Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera)
Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera) is a hanging succulent that looks great indoors.
The plant has green stems with numerous spines, and it can be trained to look like its namesake by allowing the stems to twist around.
It prefers bright but indirect light, so place it near a window or under fluorescent lights for best results.
Keep the soil moist but not wet and make sure to provide at least a few hours of sunlight per day.
String of pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus)
String of pearls is another variety within the succulent family, and it’s easy to see why this plant got its name. With bright green leaves that are oval-shaped with pointy tips, these plants resemble tiny little beads strung together on a string!
But inside your home or office space, you’ll be able to appreciate their unique shape, colors, and patterns.
String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii, Rosary Vine)
Is there anything more romantic than a string of hearts? This delicate and dainty vine is perfect for adding a touch of romance to any room.
With its pretty pink flowers, it’s no wonder this plant is often called the Rosary Vine. String of hearts is easy to care for, making it a great option for first-time gardeners. So why not add a little bit of love to your home with this beautiful flowering vine.
String of Dolphins (Curio × Peregrinus)
String of Dolphins is a hybrid succulent that is a cross between the String of Pearls and the Fishhook Cactus. They are named for their resemblance to dolphins swimming in the ocean. These plants do well in low light conditions and make a great addition to any home or office.
String of Dolphins are toxic to cats if ingested, so keep them out of reach of children and pets.
Scarlet Ball Cactus (Parodia Haselbergii)
If you’re looking for a low-light succulent that’s easy to care for, then the scarlet ball cactus is perfect.
This interesting plant has one or more spherical stems with short spines and small leaves along the edges of each stem. The flowers are usually bright red in color which makes this an attractive ornament both indoors and outdoors.
Scarlet ball cactus is a low-maintenance succulent that prefers dry soil conditions. This means you don’t have to water it very often, which makes it great for people who forget or aren’t sure when to water their plants.
Watering once every two weeks should be enough but check the soil moisture before watering again. Scarlet ball cactus can grow to a height of about 20 inches tall.
Scarlet ball cactus will do best in bright, indirect sunlight and is great for growing indoors or outdoors year-round. It can survive the winter months outside as long as there aren’t any heavy snowfalls that bury the plant under several inches of snow.
Holiday Cacti (Schlumbergera truncata)
Holiday cacti are another low light succulent that is perfect for beginners. Their unique, interesting shape makes them a great focal point in any room.
Holiday cacti have two different types of leaves: normal green leaves and dark red or maroon spines along the edge of each flattened leaflike stem known as cladodes.
Like the wax plant, holiday cacti prefer indirect light and should be kept out of direct sunlight. Watering once a week is usually enough, but you’ll want to make sure the soil is dry before watering again.
Holiday cacti can be bought in different colors including pink, white, and purple, so they’re perfect for adding a pop of color to any room.
Holiday cacti can be used both indoors and out, but should only be placed outdoors in the summer because they need a period of dormancy during the winter months.
If you’re placing your holiday cactus outside for the summer, make sure it’s getting bright sunlight, and don’t forget to bring it back inside when fall comes around.
Ponytail Palm Tree (Beaucarnea Recurvata)
The ponytail palm tree is a unique succulent that doesn’t look like any of the other plants on this list. This interesting plant has a thick, trunk-like stem with long, thin leaves that grow out of the top. The flowers are small and white in color and grow in clusters at the top of the plant.
Ponytail palm tree does best in bright sunlight and should be kept out of direct sunlight. Watering once a week is usually enough, but you’ll want to make sure the soil is dry before watering again.
This succulent can grow up to 12 feet tall, so it’s perfect for people who have a lot of space to fill. But if you want a shorter plant, you can prune it to maintain its height.
Pony Palm tree is another succulent that does well in bright, indirect sunlight and can survive the winter months outside. However, it’s important to remember that this plant needs at least six hours of bright sunlight per day so make sure you place it near a window with lots of natural light. If you don’t have space for an indoor ponytail palm tree, you can also grow it outdoors in the summer months.
Remember to water your ponytail palm tree once a week and make sure the soil is dry before watering again. You should also fertilize it every month or so with a succulent fertilizer to help it grow big and healthy.
Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa, Porcelain flower)
Wax plant is a popular indoor succulent that doesn’t need much light to thrive. It’s often used as an accent plant because of its short, compact size and shiny leaves with a waxy texture. In fact, the scientific name for the wax plant is Hoya carnosa which means “flesh like wax” in Greek.
Wax plant is very easy to care for, which makes it a great choice if you’re new to gardening. It’s also super versatile and can be used in different ways both indoors and out.
Wax plant does well with indirect light so try placing the plant near a window where it receives bright but not direct sunlight. Watering wax plants once a week is usually enough, but be sure to check the soil moisture before watering. If the top inch of soil feels dry, then it’s time to water your wax plant.
Aloe Doran Black
Aloe Doran Black is a beautiful succulent that has dark green leaves with sharp spikes along the edge. This succulent does best in bright sunlight and should be kept out of direct sunlight.
Watering once a week is usually enough, but you’ll want to make sure the soil is dry before watering again. Aloe Doran Black can grow up to around 18 inches tall so it’s perfect for any room.
This is another succulent that does well in bright, indirect sunlight and can survive the winter months outside.
However, it’s important to remember that this plant needs at least six hours of bright sunlight per day so make sure you place it near a window with lots of natural light.
Candle Plant (Senecio Articulatus)
Candle plant is a succulent that gets its name from the long, tubular leaves that look like candles. It’s easy to care for this succulent that does well in indirect light or partial shade.
Candle plant has a trailing habit and can be used as a ground cover or hanging basket plant. It also produces pretty yellow flowers that complement its bright green leaves.
Candle plant doesn’t require a lot of water, but it does need to be watered regularly until the soil is completely dry or this succulent will suffer from root rot.
String Of Bananas (Senecio Radicans)
String of bananas is a beautiful, low-maintenance succulent that thrives in indirect light. It has slender stems with tiny green leaves and white flowers with yellow centers.
While String of bananas does well indoors, it also looks stunning when added to outdoor plantings because the brightly colored flowers stand out against greenery or other foliage plants.
Molded Wax Agave (Echeveria Agavoides)
Molded wax agave is a beautiful succulent that has blue-green leaves with a waxy texture. It’s an easy to care for succulent that does well in partial sun or indirect light. This succulent forms rosettes and can be used as an indoor or outdoor plant. Molded wax agave also produces lovely yellow flowers in the spring.
Don’t forget to water molded wax agave when the soil is dry or this succulent will suffer from root rot! This succulent doesn’t require a lot of water, but it does need to be watered regularly until the soil is completely dry.
Tiger Aloe (Gonialoe Variegata)
Tiger aloe as the name suggests is one succulent that sports lovely tiger-like markings on its broad leaves. It’s a great addition to any garden and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
This succulent does well in partial sun or indirect light, making it perfect for people who don’t have a lot of natural light available. Tiger aloe is also drought tolerant so it doesn’t require a lot of water.
How Much Light Do Low Light Succulents Need?
Low light succulents do well in indirect light or partial sunlight. They can also be grown under fluorescent lights. Make sure to place your low light succulent near a window where it will get at least four hours of direct sunlight each day.
If you live in an area with little natural light, you can grow low-light succulents indoors by using artificial lights.
Why Is Light Important for Succulents?
Light is necessary for photosynthesis, the process that enables plants to create energy from sunlight. Succulents need light to survive and grow, but not all of them require the same amount.
Even succulents that grow in very bright conditions need some time to rest when it’s dark. Succulent plants that are exposed to too much light may become etiolated, which means they start growing tall and spindly with long necks in search of sunlight.
On the other hand, succulents who don’t get enough light will grow into clumps or rosettes as they try to maximize their surface area for photosynthesis.
What Is Low Light Conditions?
Low light condition is a term used to describe places that have less light than normal. This means that the amount of lighting in the environment has been reduced.
In terms of plants, low-light conditions refer to environments where there is minimal sunlight available compared with other areas.
Most plants need sunlight to grow and thrive but there are a few succulents that can tolerate lower light levels. This means they can be grown in areas where there is less natural light, such as indoors. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the best low-light succulents for growing indoors.
Do succulents do well in low light?
Succulents can thrive in a wide variety of lighting conditions, from full sun to complete darkness. However, the best low light succulents for growing indoors tend to be those that prefer moderate levels of sunlight.
Can Succulents Grow in Artificial Light?
Succulents can thrive in artificial light, but they will still need some natural light. The best type of artificial light to use for succulents is fluorescent light.
Summary for Best Low Light Succulents for Growing Indoors
Succulents are one of the more popular plants that people want to grow indoors. However, there is a lot of misinformation about how much light they need for growth and survival. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best low light succulents for growing indoors.
In our opinion, Aloe vera, Snake plant, Jade plant, Burro’s tail, and Zebra plants are all great options if you are looking for low light succulents for indoors.