Living in Washington often means dealing with homes that have dark corners or windowless rooms, making it challenging to add that touch of greenery we all crave.
I discovered this firsthand when moving into my Seattle apartment with its notoriously dim bathroom and hallway. I found several resilient plants that not only survive but actually thrive in these light-deprived spaces.
Whether you’re in a cozy Tacoma bungalow or a modern Bellevue condo, these 11 plants will bring life to your windowless rooms without requiring the sunlight our state often lacks during those long, gray winters.
1. Snake Plant: The Indestructible Wonder
These upright beauties practically thrive on neglect, making them perfect for Washington’s windowless bathrooms or hallways. Their striking vertical leaves add architectural interest without demanding much attention.
I’ve kept a snake plant in my Seattle apartment’s bathroom for three years with just occasional watering and artificial light. The humid conditions actually seem to make it happier than my other plants.
Snake plants also filter toxins from the air, improving your home’s atmosphere even during those stuffy winter months when windows stay closed against the Washington rain.
2. ZZ Plant Thrives In Dark Corners
Practically indestructible, ZZ plants have glossy, dark green leaves that seem to shine even in the dimmest Washington home office or bedroom. Their waxy surface reflects what little light they receive.
Water them once every few weeks and watch them flourish. My ZZ has survived in an interior hallway with only the occasional light from an open door, proving its remarkable adaptability.
Native to drought-prone areas of Africa, these plants store water in their bulbous roots, making them forgiving if you forget to water during those busy work weeks or weekend trips to the Olympic Peninsula.
3. Pothos: Cascading Greenery Without Sunlight
Golden, marble queen, or neon – pothos varieties bring trailing beauty to shelves and mantels in light-starved spaces. Their heart-shaped leaves cascade dramatically from elevated surfaces, creating visual interest.
Adaptable to Washington’s varying humidity levels, pothos plants thrive with just fluorescent office lighting or distant ambient light. My golden pothos has grown several feet long in my Seattle apartment’s interior hallway.
Propagation is remarkably simple – just snip a segment and place in water until roots form. This makes pothos perfect for expanding your indoor garden without spending more at the nursery.
4. Peace Lily’s Elegant White Blooms
Unlike most flowering plants, peace lilies produce their distinctive white spathes even in low-light conditions common in Washington basements and interior rooms. Their glossy leaves maintain a deep green color despite minimal light.
They communicate clearly when thirsty – leaves droop dramatically but recover quickly after watering. This straightforward signal makes them perfect for busy homeowners or those new to plant care.
During Washington’s dry winter months when heating systems run constantly, peace lilies appreciate occasional misting. Their tropical nature thrives in the bathroom’s humidity after showers.
5. Cast Iron Plant Lives Up To Its Name
Aptly named for its incredible durability, the cast iron plant survives conditions that would kill most houseplants. Its leathery, arching leaves bring a tropical feel to Washington homes even in spaces far from windows.
Growth happens slowly, meaning you won’t need frequent repotting or maintenance. I’ve had mine in the same dim corner of my Tacoma home for years with minimal attention.
Originally from Japan’s forest floors, cast iron plants naturally evolved to thrive in deep shade. This makes them particularly well-suited for Pacific Northwest homes where natural light is often filtered and minimal.
6. Chinese Evergreen Brings Subtle Color
Varieties like ‘Silver Bay’ and ‘Red Emerald’ introduce beautiful variegation to otherwise plain corners. Chinese evergreens maintain their colorful patterns even in low light, unlike many variegated plants that revert to solid green.
Mature plants occasionally produce calla-like flowers, bringing unexpected joy to your Washington home during dreary winter months. My Chinese evergreen surprised me with blooms last February despite sitting in my windowless powder room.
These plants prefer warm, still air away from drafts, making them perfect for interior bathrooms or bedrooms far from exterior doors and windows that might let in Washington’s cool breezes.
7. Parlor Palm: Victorian Elegance Meets Modern Homes
Feathery fronds bring a touch of tropical sophistication to Washington’s interior spaces. Standing typically 2-4 feet tall, parlor palms fit perfectly beside furniture or in empty corners needing height.
Historically grown in Victorian homes before electric lighting, these palms evolved to thrive in human habitats with minimal natural light. They’re particularly suited for Washington’s older homes with their characteristically dark interiors.
Unlike many palms that demand bright conditions, parlor palms maintain their lush appearance with just occasional artificial light. Mine has lived happily for years in my Federal Way home’s interior hallway with only distant light from other rooms.
8. Philodendron Heartleaf: Trailing Beauty
Heart-shaped leaves cascade gracefully from shelves or hanging planters, adding dimension to Washington’s windowless spaces. Their vining nature allows them to soften harsh corners or trail along bookshelves.
Remarkably adaptable, philodendrons adjust their leaf size based on available light. In darker Washington rooms, they may produce slightly smaller leaves but maintain their lush appearance and growth habit.
Caring for these plants connects us to ancient traditions – philodendrons have been houseplants since the Victorian era, cherished for their ability to thrive indoors. They continue this legacy in modern homes throughout Seattle, Tacoma and beyond.
9. Lucky Bamboo For Tight Spaces
Despite its name, lucky bamboo isn’t bamboo at all but a type of dracaena that thrives in water or soil. Its compact growth makes it perfect for Washington’s smaller spaces like powder rooms or office nooks.
Arranged in spirals or straight stalks, these plants bring an element of intentional design to windowless areas. Their architectural quality adds visual interest without requiring natural light to maintain their distinctive shape.
Many Washington residents appreciate the feng shui benefits attributed to lucky bamboo – bringing positive energy to spaces that might otherwise feel stagnant without natural light flow. They make thoughtful housewarming gifts for new apartment dwellers.
10. Dracaena Varieties Add Height And Drama
Corn plants, dragon trees, and other dracaena varieties bring structural interest to Washington’s windowless rooms with their tree-like growth habit. Their height draws the eye upward, creating visual expansion in smaller spaces.
Striped or variegated leaves maintain their distinctive patterns even in low light. My corn plant thrives in my Olympia home’s interior dining area with only distant light from the living room.
Native to tropical Africa, dracaenas naturally grow beneath dense forest canopies where direct sunlight rarely penetrates. This evolutionary adaptation makes them perfectly suited for Washington’s darker interior spaces and frequently overcast days.
11. Prayer Plant’s Nighttime Movement
Maranta varieties fold their patterned leaves upward at night, resembling hands in prayer – a fascinating movement visible even in Washington’s darkest rooms. Their distinctive red veining and variegated patterns remain vibrant despite minimal light.
Appreciative of Washington’s naturally higher humidity compared to many states, prayer plants thrive in bathrooms or kitchens where moisture levels fluctuate. Their tropical nature aligns well with our Pacific Northwest climate.
Unlike many low-light plants with plain green foliage, prayer plants offer striking patterns that add visual texture to windowless spaces. Their leaves look almost painted by hand, bringing artistic elements to otherwise utilitarian rooms.