Living in Massachusetts means dealing with shorter daylight hours, especially during those long winters. Finding plants that thrive in shadowy corners can transform your dim spaces into lush green havens.
Not having a sunny window doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits of indoor greenery!
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Nearly indestructible, snake plants stand tall with sword-like leaves that purify air even in Massachusetts’ darkest corners. Their striking vertical growth adds modern flair to any room.
Massachusetts winters won’t bother these hardy plants, as they need watering just once every 2-3 weeks. Originally from West Africa, these resilient beauties have adapted to survive in conditions that would kill most houseplants.
2. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Glossy and architectural, ZZ plants thrive in the darkest Massachusetts apartments where other plants surrender. Their waxy, deep green leaves reflect what little light exists, brightening dim spaces effortlessly. Forget about fussy care routines during busy weekdays.
ZZ plants store water in potato-like rhizomes underground, making them perfect survivors during forgetful weeks. Native to drought-prone Eastern Africa, they’ve evolved to handle neglect beautifully.
3. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Cascading vines of heart-shaped leaves make pothos perfect for Massachusetts bookshelves and mantels away from windows. The marbled varieties add splashes of brightness that seem to generate their own light in dim rooms.
Legendary for their adaptability, pothos plants grow in conditions that make other plants wither. Hang them high and watch the vines reach downward, creating living curtains that thrive despite New England’s limited winter sunlight.
4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Elegant white blooms rise above glossy green leaves, making peace lilies the showstoppers of shadowy Massachusetts rooms. Unlike most flowering plants, they actually prefer indirect light over harsh sunshine.
Peace lilies communicate clearly when thirsty – their leaves dramatically droop before perking back up after watering. This visual signal helps even novice plant parents succeed. During Massachusetts’ dry winter months, they appreciate regular misting to maintain humidity.
5. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Speckled and streaked with silver, pink, or red, Chinese evergreens bring tropical patterns to Massachusetts homes without demanding tropical light. Their colorful varieties brighten even basement apartments and north-facing rooms.
Considered good luck plants in parts of Asia, these beauties have thrived indoors for centuries. Massachusetts’ cold drafts are their main enemy, so keep them away from doors and windows during winter months while enjoying their air-purifying benefits.
6. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Aptly named for its seemingly indestructible nature, the cast iron plant handles Massachusetts’ darkest corners with stoic grace. Broad, leathery leaves emerge slowly but steadily, creating a timeless presence in dim hallways.
Victorian-era homes throughout New England historically featured these plants because they survived coal dust and inconsistent care. Modern apartments benefit from their ability to thrive without natural light. Bonus: they rarely need repotting, sometimes growing happily in the same container for a decade.
7. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Bringing miniature tropical vibes to Massachusetts homes, parlor palms create feathery green displays in rooms that never see direct sunlight. Their delicate fronds add texture and movement to static spaces.
Historically popular in New England homes during the Victorian era, these palms earned their name by thriving in gas-lit parlors. Modern Massachusetts apartments with limited natural light continue this tradition. Growing slowly, they rarely outgrow their space, making them perfect long-term companions.
8. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Arching leaves with racing stripes shoot outward like fireworks, making spider plants dynamic additions to Massachusetts rooms with minimal light. Their babies dangle playfully from long stems, ready to become new plants.
Perfect for beginners, spider plants forgive inconsistent care during hectic New England winters. They clean indoor air of toxins common in tightly-sealed Massachusetts homes. Place them on high shelves or hanging baskets where their dramatic offspring can cascade downward.
9. Philodendron (Heartleaf Variety)
Velvety heart-shaped leaves unfurl continuously from trailing vines, making heartleaf philodendrons living valentines for dreary Massachusetts corners. Their glossy foliage seems to capture and amplify what little light exists.
Massachusetts plant lovers appreciate how these tropical natives adapt to indoor environments with minimal fuss. They grow steadily even under fluorescent office lighting. Extremely forgiving, they bounce back quickly if forgotten during busy weeks or vacation trips.
10. Dracaena (Especially ‘Janet Craig’ Variety)
Sword-like leaves atop woody stems create dramatic vertical interest in Massachusetts rooms lacking sunshine. Janet Craig dracaenas in particular maintain deep green color despite minimal light conditions. Native to tropical Africa, these plants have adapted beautifully to indoor life in New England.
Their air-purifying abilities remove formaldehyde and other chemicals common in Massachusetts homes during sealed-up winter months. Growing slowly in low light, they maintain their attractive form with minimal pruning.
11. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)
Delicate fronds with fan-shaped leaflets dance on wire-thin black stems, bringing woodland magic to Massachusetts bathrooms and other humid, low-light spaces. Their feathery texture contrasts beautifully with other houseplants’ solid forms.
Massachusetts’ native forests naturally include these ferns, making them well-adapted to local conditions. While they need consistent moisture and humidity, they prefer filtered light over direct sun. Bathroom steam provides perfect conditions, mimicking their natural understory habitat.
12. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Classic and collegiate, English ivy brings Old World charm to Massachusetts interiors with limited sunlight. Its pointed, lobed leaves create elegant patterns as vines reach across bookshelves or trail from hanging baskets.
Reminiscent of ivy-covered buildings at Massachusetts’ historic universities, these plants thrive in cool, low-light conditions that mimic their natural woodland understory habitat. During winter months, they appreciate Massachusetts’ naturally cooler indoor temperatures. Their air-purifying abilities help combat indoor pollutants.