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Low-light houseplants for Seattle homes
Seattle sits at about 47.6° north. Around the winter solstice the sun is up for roughly eight and a half hours, and a gray sky dims it further. These plants are the ones that keep looking good anyway — in north-facing rooms, interior offices and apartments with one small window.
Low light still means some light: a good test is a spot where you could comfortably read a book during the day. In truly dark corners, pair any of these with a simple LED grow light.
16 plants · from $14.00 · free delivery in King & Snohomish counties
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Good to know
Water less in winter
Plants in low light use far less water, especially from November to February. Let the soil dry more between waterings than you would in summer — soggy soil in a dim room is the most common way these plants fail.
Turn the pot
Give the pot a quarter turn every week or two so growth stays even instead of leaning toward the window.
Dust the leaves
Wipe large leaves with a damp cloth now and then. Clean leaves catch more of the light you have.
Low-light plants: FAQ
What is the best houseplant for a dark apartment?
ZZ plants and snake plants are the most forgiving: they tolerate low light, go two to three weeks between waterings and rarely complain. Pothos and aglaonema are close behind and grow a little faster.
Do I need a grow light in Seattle winters?
Not for low-light plants in a spot with some daylight — they simply slow down until spring. A grow light helps if the spot is truly dim, or if you want tropical plants that prefer bright light to keep growing through winter.
Which low-light plants are pet-safe?
Calatheas, bird’s nest ferns and spider plants handle medium or lower light and are non-toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA. ZZ plants, snake plants, pothos and aglaonema are not pet-safe.
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