Low Light Succulents for Indoors

Succulent plant species are the most sought after plants when it comes to compact spaces like apartments, offices, table tops, limited garden space, and are best if you’re looking for low maintenance.

Being a natural resistant to droughts and other harsh climatic conditions, they can easily adapt to any given environment. This also includes spaces in your indoor areas that don’t receive sufficient natural light.

If you’re wondering if succulents need direct sunlight indoors, the answer is yes. To an extent succulents need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight to grow healthy.

Succulents thrive in natural sunlight and it is essential for growing health shoots and stems. But certain succulents can not only survive in low light but also grow abundantly with less hassle.

If you are looking for such low light indoor plants, succulents can be your top contender. They not only come as small low light succulents that can fit into any indoor space, but they also produce spell bounding multicolor leaves and unique plant structure.

Top low light succulents for indoors

Does your indoor space receive low sunlight throughout the day? Not to worry. With certain unique succulents you can have thriving low light indoor plants that can compliment your home décor.

Some of the best indoor succulents that you can grow with indirect light or low light are as follows:

1.  Snake plant

Snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue is a popular indoor succulent. This unique succulent gets its name from its long fleshy stem. They are native to the Tropical West Africa from Congo to Nigeria.

If you’re looking for an easy maintenance indoor succulent that grows well in low light, then snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue is the plant for you.

They grow best in indirect sunlight, preferably in shady, or low light areas in the home. You can place your succulent near a south-facing window that receives indirect sunlight for healthy growth.

2.  Burro’s Tail

Looking for trailing succulents that can withstand low light? Then you can go for Burro’s tail or donkey’s tail succulent. It’s a perennial succulent with trailing stems that can reach up to 60 cm’s long.

Native to the South Mexican regions, this succulent grows well in bright as well as low light. They are easily propagated through stem cutting and need occasional watering to grow them into beautiful trailing indoor succulents.

The best place for growing burro’s tail can be in balcony or near windows. Grow them in hanging baskets or pots with sufficient space.

3.  Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera or medicinal aloe is a common indoor succulent that can be found in most households. This exceptional succulent is not only unique to look at but contains immense health benefits, making them a must have in your succulent collection.

This indoor succulent comes with fleshy thick green stems that contain natural properties in its gel-like substance inside. They can be easily grown as ornamental potted plants for your table tops or office desk.

Aloe Vera species of succulents can be grown as low light indoor plants. Place them in areas near a south-facing window that receives at least 4-5 hours of natural sunlight and fresh air circulation.

4.  String of hearts

String of hearts is another trailing succulent that can thrive in low light. Aptly named for their heart-shape like leaves, this delicate indoor succulent is a popular choice among many succulent enthusiasts.

Native to Zimbabwe, South Africa and Eswatini, this low light indoor succulent can live up to 25 years in an ideal growing condition. Water them consistently or when you feel the soil is dry. 

Grow them in hanging pots or baskets away from direct sunlight. Placing them under direct sunlight can fry the leaves or cause sun burn in leaves. For this, they require an area such as a shaded corner in your home, balcony or garden to thrive.

5.  Zamioculcas Zamiifolia

Zamioculcas zamiifolia also known as Zanzibar Gem or just ZZ is a succulent plant species that belongs to the Araceae family. Shaped like a wand with thick dark green stems, they are best grown in low light areas.

This tropical perennial plant is native to certain part of Africa from Kenya to northeastern South Africa. ZZ plants are extremely drought-resistant that can survive with low watering.

Avoid growing ZZ plant under direct sunlight as it can damage the fragile leaves and stems. They prefer low light preferably in shaded corners of your living room or under the window sill.

6.  Jade plant

Jade plant is a common indoor succulent known by various names such as money plant, lucky plant or money tree. Once established they grow into a bonsai-like shrub that can bring a transformation to your home and indoor space.

This succulent grows well in low light and can be placed on the window sill or areas with indirect sun exposure. Bright direct sunlight can cause sun burn with brown spots on leaves. Though once they get acclimated, jade plants can withstand more light. You can then move them to an area that receives slightly more sunlight.

7.  Echeverias

Echeverias are large flowering succulents that belong to the Crassulaceae plant family. They can grow up to 12 inches tall and are a favorite among house plant gardeners and succulent enthusiasts for their distinct characteristics.

They are native to drought-prone areas such as northwestern and central America and Mexico. The rosettes of Echeverias vary from size, shape and color. If you are looking for a diverse range of succulent species, Echeverias are the plants for you.

As indoor succulents you can grow them in small pots or containers with fertile soil. Echeverias prefer low lights and can be placed near a window that receives a minimum of 5-6 hours of indirect sunlight.

Succulents are so diverse that there are multiple species each with their own characteristics. Whether it’s low light indoor plants, succulents for compact spaces, low light succulents outdoors, succulents that grow under direct sun, trailing or hydroponic succulents, there’s a succulent specie for all environmental conditions. With little care and maintenance you can grow your own thriving succulent garden.