8 Most Shade-loving Indoor Plants. The Best Shade-tolerant Plants For The Home. Types, Description, Photo

2023 Author: Ava Durham | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 07:13

Indoor plants that can grow even in poor light without compromising the attractiveness of the leaves and the beauty of flowering are at their peak today. And this is due not only to the fact that such cultures are usually unpretentious. The introduction of plants into the interior, active use not only on windowsills, but also inside rooms, requires a more rigorous selection of plants. Not all indoor beauties are ready for secluded lighting in the most beautiful places and the role of a decorative accent. Fortunately, among indoor plants there are many crops that can be classified as shade-tolerant and shade-loving. They bring harmonious and inviting green touches to any home.

Shadow fans and their talents

Shade-loving cultures today in popularity can well be compared with the most spectacular flowering species and exotics. Unlike the latter, they do not require a strict selection of growing conditions and, as a rule, adapt well to conditions in the back of the room, receiving several times less intense lighting compared to indoor crops of the classical type. Such plants make it possible to actively use green accents in the interior.

In full shade, without access to light, not a single, even the most hardy plant, can grow at all. But the requirements for a much lower light intensity and the ability to grow crops on artificial lighting with the same success as on window sills, allows you to select a group of truly universal species that can be displayed anywhere you want. If light-loving crops need a light intensity of 10,000 lux, then shade-tolerant crops can put up with an indicator from 500 to 1000 lux.

It is always possible to measure a specific level of illumination using lux meters or photographic exposure meters, but there are also simpler methods. It should be borne in mind that the maximum distance from the windows, even for shade-loving indoor plants, is 2 m from the north and 3 m from the window sills of a different orientation. Due to the ability to adapt to such conditions, shade-loving plants allow you to decorate workrooms, sleeping corners, bathrooms, other areas and relaxation space in the living room with living plants.

Despite the irreplaceable functionality, versatility and unpretentiousness, shade-loving plants are perceived by many as the most boring group of indoor crops, although they are characterized by the greatest variety of textures. The unique shades of greenery, which are characteristic of all shade-tolerant herbaceous crops, are manifested even in the fact that a change in location by only a few tens of centimeters can change the intensity of the patterns that appear on the leaves or the shade of the color of the leaf plates.

For landscaping the interior and decorating the depth of rooms, you can use shade-loving and shade-tolerant plants. Despite the conditional similarity in terms of the ability to adapt to lower lighting, these plants are not at all the same. Shade-loving plants cannot grow in illuminated locations and, by nature, prefer secluded lighting. But shade-tolerant cultures are real room generalists that feel equally well in the shade, and in partial shade, and in brighter lighting.

Despite the fact that even crops with a common origin are able to demonstrate completely different lighting requirements, shade-tolerant plants are most often found among tropical and subtropical plants, which are accustomed to be content with minimal lighting due to the rapid growth of woody and vines in their natural range.

The fact that plants are able to adapt even to deep shade is not always indicated by information. A reference point can be a reminder that plants feel comfortable on the northern windows or can be used for completely artificial lighting. Plants that need a long period of rest in the shade cannot be classified as shade-loving, since at the peak of their decorativeness they must be exposed at least to diffused lighting.

Let's take a closer look at some of the best shade-tolerant plants:

1. Aspidistra high (Aspidistra elatior)

This is one of the most effective decorative deciduous indoor plants. The beauty of aspidistra leaves, as if dotted with fine white powder, seems both familiar and unusual at the same time. But if you want to grow this plant in the shade and put it away from the windowsill, then it is better to pay attention to either varieties with an initially pure green color, or get ready for the fact that aspidistra will lose traditional white patterns.

From fleshy rhizomes, long, elongated-oval leaves with pointed tips appear, forming a slender and very beautiful graphic sod. Their shape resembles lilies of the valley. The flowers of the aspidistra, which appear almost at the level of the soil under the leaves, are inconspicuous despite their pink color.

This is one of the most unpretentious indoor plants, doing great even in very dark places. The greatest advantage of aspidistra is its ease of maintenance: it is not sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, humidity and does not require any special care. In summer, the aspidistra can even be taken out into the fresh air. The only thing this plant does not like is stagnant water and direct sunlight. And the only drawback is the need to provide the plant with a cool wintering at a temperature of at least 12-15 degrees Celsius.

2. Chlorophytum crested (Chlorophytum comosum)

It is considered to be one of the most classic indoor plants. It is impossible to imagine the design of almost any home or office without chlorophytum. A spectacular plant, with elegant lanceolate leaves in a dense rosette, producing long lashes not only with inflorescences, but with daughter rosettes capable of rooting, belongs to those plants whose appearance is familiar to almost everyone.

Despite the fact that chlorophytum does not seem to be able to surprise, numerous new plant varieties with curly or wide leaves, reminiscent of garden chard or spinach, will delight anyone, not to mention the variegated colors of modern hybrids. Chlorophytum is good both in a pot and in ampelous culture, it will not be lost in any interior. The plants are limited to only 40 cm in height, although thanks to the famous lashes they can cover striking territories and create surprisingly spectacular cascades.

Chlorophytum belongs to those hardy and unpretentious indoor plants that can withstand almost any conditions. He puts up well not only with diffused lighting, but also with deep shadow. True, for this, the transition, the accustoming to the reduction of light, must be quite gradual: a sharp change in conditions for chlorophytum is a factor in a significant loss of decorativeness. If young plants are initially grown in the shade, there will be no problem.

Chlorophytum feels good both in hot conditions and in cool conditions, it can tolerate even the driest air and it is amazingly easy to care for it. The only thing that needs to be taken care of is to avoid both drought and waterlogging of the substrate, not forgetting to periodically spray the plant and carefully monitor its condition.

3. Aglaonema changeable (Aglaonema commutatum)

This indoor beauty can offer a large selection of varieties and species with different shapes or colors of leaves. Lanceolate, yellow, oval, bright green, decorated with silvery, yellow, gray, cream spots and stripes, Aglaonema leaves create strikingly beautiful bushes. Reaching a height of 30 to 60 cm, this shrub plant seems to consist only of densely spaced leaves, which together create a beautiful sod, the stem is almost invisible.

Shades of green and silver always look fresh and elegant. With very good care, aglaonema can bloom even in room culture, forming inflorescences-cobs with a white stipule-blanket. Despite the beauty of the silver varieties and the tendency to partially lose their characteristic patterns in shading, aglaonema does not lose its decorative effect even in a heavily shaded place.

This shade-tolerant culture can be safely called an unpretentious plant. Aglaonema adapts well to almost any lighting, provided that the room temperature does not drop below 16 degrees and remains within the range from 20 to 25 degrees. Regular watering, maintaining constant moisture content of the substrate without waterlogging, rare top dressing - that's all this culture needs.

4. Epipremnum (Epipremnum)

One of the best indoor vines, Epipremnum, formerly known as scindapsus, exhibits unprecedented draping abilities and is actively used in eco-design, in particular, to create green walls. Epipremnum, reaching a length of 3 meters, is indeed capable of growing at an amazing speed and filling free space. But the talents of the climbing plant are not limited only to this. And in a pot, provided that a support is installed, and "in the wild", this indoor culture is capable of producing shoots up to 6 m long.

Large, oval leaves with a heart-shaped base and a pointed tip in mature plants can grow up to half a meter. Among the epipremnums there are both vines with a classic rich light green color, and variegated specimens with white or yellowish patterns, similar to paint splashes. Epipremnum pinnatum and golden epipremnum (Epipremnum aureum) are particularly shade-tolerant.

Despite its impressive foliage, epipremnum boasts an excellent ability to tolerate almost any growing environment. When kept at room temperatures and protected from extreme cold, the plant can adapt to any light from bright sun to partial shade and shade. And even if in the shade variegated varietal specimens almost completely lose the typical spots on their leaves, this does not make the epipremnum less beautiful and densely leafy. Caring for this plant is quite simple, but it requires regular watering and feeding.

5. Alocasia

The decorative tropicana alocasia captivates with the beauty of large leaves decorated with cream and light streaks. Unusually effective and catchy, this beauty seems to be all made up of sharp lines and contrasts. Reaching a height from half a meter to almost 2 m, alocasia also surprises with its growth form, because a plant develops from rhizomes. Everything is beautiful in the greenery of alocasia - both shape and color. The leaves rise on long and thin petioles, very large, heart-shaped with a pointed tip and irregular large teeth along the edge.

On the very dark surface of the plates, the color of which in varietal alocasia can vary from rich green to silver, purple in color, thick, seemingly massive veins appear brightly, dissecting large lobes like a mosaic. The slight wrinkling of the surface is practically invisible due to the bright glossy sheen. In some varieties of alocasia, the leaves fall off in the winter, but the best proven hybrid varieties retain their greenery throughout the year.

Growing alocasia is not so easy. This is one of the most undemanding plants for lighting, able to withstand any shade. But for this, alocasia makes a lot of care requirements. It is not without reason that it is considered a crop, the cultivation of which can only be done by experienced florists. For alocasia, it is necessary to provide not only high air humidity, but also strict temperature control, uniform soil moisture, which should not be disturbed either towards drying out or towards waterlogging.

In addition, the plant must strictly observe the dormant period, monitor the substrate and constantly check the condition of the leaves and shoots. Even in terms of the requirements for the substrate, alocasia is very capricious, since it can successfully develop only in soil, which is identical in composition to a special substrate for orchids.

6. Soleirolia, or Gelksin (Soleirolia soleirolii)

This plant resembles small-leaved garden rugs in its appearance and is indeed a perennial herbaceous ground cover, adapted to room culture and creating a kind of pillows or "caps" with a curly texture and tiny rounded leaves. Salleirolia acquired its shade tolerance at home, in Sardinia and Corsica, where it is used to growing on rocks in the seams between boulders and stones, in the most shaded places.

This plant practically does not grow in the sun, but in a room culture, if necessary, it adapts well to light locations and partial shade. But nevertheless, saltérolia looks the most beautiful in the shade. The curly cushion of greenery is surprisingly spectacular away from the windowsills. In addition to a plant with a basic green color, today there are varieties with silver and golden leaves among the salt, but in the shade classic green-leaved salt-leaves grow better.

The amazing abilities of this unpretentious plant include good adaptability to both high and low temperatures, a love of winter coolness, and even tolerance for sharp jumps in temperature. For the success in growing this plant, it is only important to maintain a uniform substrate moisture.

7. Tetrastigma voinierianum

Despite the fact that the leaves of the vine most of all resemble chestnuts, among flower growers this plant is known as indoor grapes. A magnificent climbing liana, fast-growing and surprisingly unpretentious, it became famous precisely for its large, 5-lobes with a jagged edge, richly green leaves. The height of the plant depends on the method of garter to support and formation, but the shoots of tetrastigma can grow up to 4 m. This vine requires a lot of space, but despite its massiveness it seems airy and very graceful. Indoor grapes are characterized by an elegant, classic beauty.

Unpretentiousness can also be ranked among the advantages of Vuanye's tetrastigma. The plant forms easily on any support, but can only grow in a shaded area. Do not rush to expose this plant in the corners of the room, it is better to limit yourself to a maximum distance of 2-2.5 m from the window. It is better to place it either as a living screen or against the walls. Since indoor grapes are very fond of fresh air, positioning in the corner of the room can lead to stagnation and the spread of pests.

This vine tolerates room temperatures well. Like all shade-tolerant plants, tetrastigma vuanye prefers uniform substrate moisture without extreme phenomena, moderate feeding, reacts well to dry indoor air. Not afraid of indoor grapes and frequent pruning.

8. Polystichum falcatum

Despite the status of shade-loving plants, most ferns in indoor culture prefer not shaded areas at all. Almost the only fern that feels good at a distance of 2 m from the window is the crescent polystichum (Polystichum falcatum). This plant has its own advantages and disadvantages. Reaching a height of 50-70 cm, the mnogoryadnik produces very beautiful fronds with lobes unusually large for ferns.

It seems architectural and patterned, surprisingly effective and in the pot culture attracts primarily by its rich green color and openwork spreading texture of the leaves. And the crescent lobes on the leaf blades at the same time give the plant no less charm than a spectacular glossy sheen. In appearance, this fern is somewhat different from their indoor counterparts. And this is not surprising: unlike most indoor ferns, the mulberry is a ground cover plant.

The main and, perhaps, the only drawback of the sickle-shaped moth is the love of coolness. He feels comfortable in cool conditions with an air temperature of about 10 degrees Celsius in winter and about 16-18 degrees in summer. While maintaining uniform soil moisture, frequent spraying and restrained top dressing, the multi-rower is able to adapt to higher temperatures, especially if it is in a shady location in the interior.