Not every corner of an Indiana home gets plenty of sunlight, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy lush greenery. Some plants actually love low-light spots and can thrive without a single window in sight.
I’ve tested a few in my own darker spaces, and they’ve surprised me with how well they grow. These resilient plants can bring life and color to even the gloomiest corners of your home.
1. Snake Plant
These tough customers practically thrive on neglect! Many Indiana plant lovers keep them in bathrooms or hallways where natural light never reaches.
Their sword-like leaves stand tall in various patterns, making them stylish additions to any dark corner. Just water once every few weeks and watch them flourish where other plants surrender.
2. ZZ Plant
Got a basement office in your Indianapolis home? The ZZ plant might become your new best friend! Its glossy, dark green leaves look almost artificial because they’re so perfect.
Extremely drought-tolerant and practically indestructible, this plant forgives even the most forgetful Hoosier gardeners. Water sparingly and enjoy its slow but steady growth in any light condition.
3. Pothos
The trailing vines of pothos create instant jungle vibes in any Indiana home. Place it on a high shelf in your windowless laundry room and watch those vines cascade down beautifully.
Available in green, variegated, or golden varieties, pothos adapts to whatever light you’ve got. Many Hoosier plant parents start their collection with this forgiving favorite!
4. Peace Lily
When Indiana’s winter gloom has you down, the elegant white blooms of peace lilies can brighten any dark space. Their graceful flowers rise above glossy green leaves even in minimal light.
Unlike many flowering plants, they actually prefer indirect light. Hoosiers love them for bathrooms and north-facing rooms where they thrive while cleaning the air of common household toxins.
5. Chinese Evergreen
Sporting beautiful patterned leaves in silver, red, or pink variegation, Chinese evergreens bring color to dark Indiana apartments. The darker the variety, the less light it typically needs!
These sturdy plants have been popular across the Hoosier state for decades because they’re virtually impossible to kill. Even in basement apartments, they maintain their vibrant patterns and lush appearance.
6. Cast Iron Plant
True to its name, this plant is practically indestructible – perfect for Indiana homeowners with busy schedules! Its long, arching dark green leaves grow slowly but steadily in even the darkest corners.
Many Hoosiers place these in windowless hallways where other plants would quickly perish. They tolerate irregular watering, fluctuating temperatures, and the neglect that comes with hectic Midwest lifestyles.
7. Philodendron
With heart-shaped leaves that seem to glow even in dim light, philodendrons are perfect companions for Indiana’s long, dark winters. Their vining habits create instant jungle vibes in any room.
Hoosier plant enthusiasts love how these tropical beauties adapt to basement apartments and interior bathrooms. The heartleaf variety is particularly forgiving, thriving where sunlight never reaches.
8. Spider Plant
Ever noticed how spider plants seem to multiply like rabbits? Even in windowless Indiana bathrooms, they produce baby “spiderettes” that dangle from arching stems like natural mobiles.
These air-purifying champions have been Hoosier favorites for generations. Their striped, arching leaves bring movement and life to dark corners, and they’re completely non-toxic to pets and children.
9. Dracaena
Looking for something tall to fill that empty corner in your windowless Indiana basement? Dracaenas grow upward rather than outward, creating dramatic height without taking up floor space.
Their striped, sword-like leaves come in various colors that brighten dim Hoosier interiors. The corn plant variety is especially forgiving, maintaining its tropical look even in rooms that never see natural light.
10. Parlor Palm
Bring a touch of tropical elegance to your Indiana home with these delicate-looking but surprisingly tough palms. Their feathery fronds create a soft texture that contrasts beautifully with modern furniture.
Despite their exotic appearance, parlor palms handle the low light of Hoosier interior rooms with grace. They grow slowly but steadily, eventually reaching impressive heights while purifying your air.
11. Ferns
Remember those lush forests in southern Indiana? Bring that same woodland feel indoors with ferns that thrive in dim conditions. Boston and bird’s nest varieties are particularly good choices for windowless spaces.
Many Hoosier plant enthusiasts keep them in bathrooms where they love the humidity from showers. Their delicate, feathery fronds add a soft, natural texture to spaces that might otherwise feel stark.
12. Lucky Bamboo
Not actually bamboo at all, this plant brings good fortune according to feng shui – something every Indiana home could use during property tax season! Its sculptural stalks can be trained into spirals or braids.
Hoosiers appreciate how it grows happily in water alone, no soil required. Place it on a desk or shelf in your windowless office, and it will thrive with minimal care while purifying your air.
13. Prayer Plant
The dramatic patterned leaves of prayer plants put on a nightly show in Indiana homes – they actually fold up in the evening like hands in prayer! Their striking red veins stand out even in dim light.
Many Hoosier plant collectors treasure these for their movement and color. They thrive in the humid conditions of bathrooms and kitchens, bringing tropical vibes to spaces without windows.