Living in New York often means making the most of tight spaces—including rooms with no windows at all. Bathrooms, hallways, and interior bedrooms can feel like plant-free zones. But with the right choices, even the darkest corners can come to life.
Low-light houseplants like snake plants, ZZ plants, and pothos don’t mind the shade. They’re tough, forgiving, and perfect for city living. I’ve found they add warmth and texture without demanding constant attention.
With a little creativity, you can turn any nook into a green retreat. Think wall planters, shelves, or even hanging pots. These small touches make a big impact—and prove that greenery belongs everywhere.
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Nearly impossible to kill, snake plants are perfect for NYC apartments with minimal light. Their striking upright leaves add architectural interest to any space.
I’ve kept one in my windowless bathroom in Brooklyn for three years with only occasional watering. The NASA Clean Air Study found they filter toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air.
During winter, when New York heating systems dry out apartments, snake plants require even less water – just once every 4-6 weeks.
2. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Glossy leaves that practically shine in the dark make ZZ plants ideal companions in window-deprived Manhattan living spaces. Their bulbous roots store water, allowing them to withstand neglect.
My friend’s ZZ survived six months in a dark Harlem studio when she traveled for work. The plant actually prefers being left alone rather than fussed over with too much water or fertilizer.
Native to drought-prone areas of Eastern Africa, these plants evolved to thrive in challenging conditions – much like New Yorkers themselves.
3. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Trailing vines that seem to grow by magic make pothos the ultimate confidence-builder for novice plant parents. Place it on a high shelf and watch the vines cascade down beautifully.
During a power outage in my Queens apartment last winter, my golden pothos didn’t miss a beat despite days without light. The variegated varieties (like marble queen) need slightly more light, while solid green types tolerate deeper shade.
Simply trim and propagate cuttings in water to expand your collection without spending more at those pricey NYC plant shops.
4. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Living up to its tough-as-nails name, this plant earned popularity during Victorian times when coal-burning furnaces created terrible indoor growing conditions. If it survived that, it can handle your lightless New York bedroom.
Broad, leathery leaves grow slowly but steadily even in the darkest corners. My cast iron plant thrives in an interior hallway of my pre-war building where no natural light penetrates.
Unlike fussier houseplants, it tolerates temperature fluctuations common in older NYC buildings with unpredictable heating systems.
5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Elegant white blooms somehow emerge even in low light, making peace lilies exceptional performers for windowless spaces. Their dramatic drooping when thirsty provides clear signals when watering is needed.
During humid New York summers, they need less frequent watering than winter months when heating systems run constantly. My peace lily thrived for years in a dark corner of my Manhattan studio.
Beyond their beauty, these plants are champions at removing common household pollutants – particularly helpful in older buildings where ventilation may be less than ideal.
6. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Speckled, striped, or splashed with pink and silver, Chinese evergreens bring color to light-deprived spaces. The darker green varieties tolerate the lowest light levels – perfect for interior rooms in typical New York floor plans.
After moving from a sunny Brooklyn apartment to a darker space in the Financial District, my Chinese evergreen adjusted without dropping a single leaf. These plants grow naturally on forest floors in Asia where they receive minimal sunlight.
Maintaining moderate humidity helps them thrive, so they work well in bathrooms or near kitchen sinks in cramped NYC apartments.
7. Philodendron (Heartleaf variety)
Heart-shaped leaves unfurl even in dismal lighting conditions, making philodendrons perfect for New Yorkers dealing with limited natural light. These tropical understory plants evolved to thrive beneath dense forest canopies.
My heartleaf philodendron grows happily in my windowless home office in Astoria, trailing across bookshelves. Unlike some plants that get leggy in low light, philodendrons maintain their attractive form without stretching awkwardly.
They’re forgiving if you occasionally forget to water – an ideal trait for busy city dwellers with unpredictable schedules.
8. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Growing entirely in water with some decorative pebbles, lucky bamboo eliminates the need for soil altogether – perfect for minimalist New York apartments. Despite its name, it’s actually a type of dracaena, not true bamboo.
The stalks can be trained into spirals or other shapes using wire and patience. My lucky bamboo survived three years in my windowless Upper East Side bathroom with only fluorescent lighting.
According to Feng Shui principles, these plants bring positive energy to spaces – something every cramped NYC apartment could use more of.
9. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Arching leaves with distinctive white stripes make spider plants instantly recognizable. They produce baby plantlets that dangle from long stems – free plants you can share with neighbors in your building.
During a particularly dark winter in my basement-level Brooklyn apartment, my spider plant not only survived but continued producing babies. The variegated varieties need slightly more light, while solid green types manage in deeper shade.
Spider plants are non-toxic to pets, an important consideration in small New York apartments where cats and dogs have limited outdoor access.
10. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Bringing tropical vibes to light-deprived spaces, parlor palms create instant atmosphere with their feathery fronds. These slow-growing palms reach manageable heights of 2-4 feet, ideal for NYC apartment living.
My parlor palm has survived three years in my interior bedroom in Washington Heights with only ambient light from the living room. Unlike larger palm varieties, they don’t need bright conditions to maintain their elegant appearance.
They prefer consistent moisture but forgive occasional neglect – perfect for weekend getaways to escape the city heat.
11. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Famous for folding their leaves upward at night like hands in prayer, these plants add movement and interest to dark spaces. Their stunning patterned leaves feature red veins against green backgrounds with hints of cream or purple.
My prayer plant thrives in my interior bathroom in Hell’s Kitchen where it receives only artificial light. While they prefer humidity, they adapt to average New York apartment conditions if misted occasionally.
Unlike most low-light plants with plain green foliage, prayer plants offer dramatic patterns even in minimal lighting – a real aesthetic bonus for design-conscious New Yorkers.
12. Dracaena (Especially Janet Craig variety)
Reaching impressive heights even in low light, dracaenas create dramatic vertical interest in New York’s notoriously small living spaces. Their strappy leaves emerge from cane-like stems, resembling miniature palm trees.
After moving from a sunny Brooklyn apartment to a darker space in Midtown, my Janet Craig dracaena barely noticed the change. These plants naturally grow beneath tree canopies in tropical Africa, making them pre-adapted to shadowy conditions.
They’re slow growers in low light, meaning they won’t quickly outgrow your space – an important consideration in tight NYC quarters.
13. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Cascading beautifully from shelves or hanging planters, English ivy brings European charm to dark New York interiors. The variegated varieties add brightness to shadowy corners with their cream and green patterned leaves.
My ivy survived three winters in my north-facing, light-challenged apartment on the Lower East Side. Unlike outdoor varieties that can become invasive, indoor ivy stays manageable while purifying air of common pollutants.
These plants prefer cooler temperatures, making them ideal for NYC apartments that tend to run cold in older buildings with unpredictable heating.