Living in Illinois means dealing with cold winters that keep us indoors more than we’d like. Many apartments and basements lack windows, making it tough to grow plants.
Don’t worry though – plenty of greenery can flourish even without natural sunlight in your Illinois home.
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Snake plants might just be the toughest houseplants around. Their sword-like leaves stand tall even in the darkest Illinois basement apartments.
Native to West Africa, these hardy plants actually prefer being somewhat neglected. Water them once every few weeks and they’ll keep purifying your air without complaint.
2. ZZ Plant
ZZ plants bring glossy, almost plastic-looking leaves to windowless Illinois spaces. Originally from Eastern Africa, they’ve adapted to survive drought conditions that would kill most houseplants.
Once a month watering is plenty for these tough beauties. Their waxy, dark green leaves reflect even minimal light, making them perfect statement pieces in dark hallways or bathrooms.
3. Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)
Pothos vines cascade beautifully from shelves or hanging planters, adding life to drab Illinois interior spaces. Their heart-shaped leaves come in several varieties including golden, marble queen, and neon.
A favorite for Chicago apartments, pothos can grow for weeks under fluorescent office lighting. Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings to prevent root rot in these adaptable plants.
4. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese evergreens bring tropical flair to Midwestern homes with their patterned leaves in silver, red, and green variations. These Southeast Asian natives actually prefer the indirect light of windowless Illinois rooms.
Keep the soil lightly moist and these beauties will thrive for years. An occasional misting mimics their humid native habitat, especially helpful during dry Illinois winters when heating systems run constantly.
5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies dramatically announce their thirst by drooping before perking right back up after watering. Their elegant white blooms appear even in low light, brightening dark Illinois basement apartments.
Originally from Central American rainforests, they prefer consistent moisture. These air-purifying champions remove common household toxins while adding tropical elegance to any room, making them perfect companions during long Illinois winters.
6. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Named for its incredible durability, the cast iron plant lives up to its reputation in challenging Illinois environments. Broad, leathery leaves stretch upward from the soil, creating an architectural statement.
Victorian-era homes popularized these plants because they survived coal dust and poor light conditions. Modern Illinoisans appreciate them for similar reasons – they withstand temperature fluctuations, irregular watering, and neglect while maintaining their dignified appearance.
7. Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo creates instant zen in windowless Illinois spaces. Despite its name, it’s actually a type of Dracaena, not true bamboo.
Growing in water with decorative stones makes it perfect for Illinois offices and apartments. According to feng shui traditions, different stalk arrangements bring specific types of luck – something we could all use during brutal Midwestern winters!
8. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Parlor palms bring tropical vibes to chilly Illinois homes without demanding much in return. Standing 2-4 feet tall at maturity, these feathery plants fit perfectly beside furniture or in corners.
Victorian-era homes made these palms popular as status symbols. Their ability to filter indoor air pollution makes them especially valuable during Illinois winters when windows stay closed for months. Water sparingly – about once every two weeks.
9. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants dangle their babies (plantlets) from arching stems, creating living mobile sculptures for Illinois apartments. Their variegated leaves add brightness to dark spaces.
NASA studies confirmed these plants remove formaldehyde from indoor air. Perfect for Illinois bathrooms and kitchens, spider plants thrive under fluorescent lighting. The plantlets can be snipped off and rooted in water to share with friends or expand your collection.
10. Philodendron
Philodendrons offer heart-shaped leaves that unfurl dramatically, even in dim Illinois basements. Available in climbing or non-climbing varieties, they adapt to various spaces.
Originally from South American rainforests, these plants evolved to grow in deep shade beneath tree canopies. Their tropical heritage makes them surprisingly well-suited to Chicago apartments and Springfield homes lacking natural light. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
11. Dracaena
Dracaena varieties like Janet Craig and Corn Plant bring tropical tree vibes to windowless Illinois spaces. Their architectural form creates natural focal points in living areas.
Striped varieties add visual interest with bands of yellow, white, or red on green leaves. Native to Africa, they’ve adapted to survive dry periods, making them forgiving when Illinois residents travel. Brown leaf tips usually signal too much fluoride in tap water.
12. Prayer Plant (Maranta)
Prayer plants perform a fascinating daily ritual – leaves that fold upward at night like hands in prayer. Their dramatically patterned foliage features stunning red veins against green backgrounds.
Native to Brazilian rainforests, they evolved to thrive in dappled light. Illinois plant lovers appreciate their movement and color in basement apartments. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy, and consider grouping with other plants to increase humidity.
13. Calathea
Calatheas showcase nature’s artistry with leaves painted in stunning patterns. These tropical showstoppers perform daily leaf movements, opening during day and closing at night.
Nicknamed ‘living plants’ due to their movement, they bring dynamic energy to static Illinois interiors. While slightly pickier about humidity than other low-light plants, their breathtaking foliage makes the extra misting worthwhile during dry Illinois winters. Group several varieties together for a stunning display.