Best Low Light Succulents for Growing Indoor

While many succulents love sunlight, there's a special group that thrives in low light conditions.

In this guide, I'll introduce you to the best indoor succulents low light varieties that require minimal brightness and are perfect for growing inside your home. If you're new to succulents and have limited outdoor space or lack ample natural light, keep reading to discover the perfect low light indoor succulents that can brighten up your living spaces with their unique shapes and colors.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

The Snake Plant is well-suited to low light conditions because it is native to West Africa, where it typically grows under the canopy of taller plants or in the shade of rocks. This natural adaptation allows it to thrive in environments with limited direct sunlight.

• Native Habitat: West Africa
• Family: Asparagaceae
• Water: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
• Sunlight: Tolerates low to moderate light, making it ideal for indoor environments.
• Soil: Well-draining succulent or cactus mix.

Check out how to care for Snake Plants.

Zebra Plant (Haworthia fasciata)

Zebra Plants are native to South Africa and often grow in the shade of rocks or other plants in their natural habitat. This adaptation has made them well-suited for indoor environments with indirect light or partial shade.

• Native Habitat: South Africa
• Family: Asphodelaceae
• Water: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
• Sunlight: Prefers indirect light or partial shade, making them suitable for windowsills and shaded corners.
• Soil: Well-draining succulent or cactus mix.

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

While Jade Plants prefer bright light, they can tolerate low light conditions due to their ability to store water in their fleshy leaves. This adaptation helps them survive in shadier spots where other succulents might struggle.

• Native Habitat: South Africa
• Family: Asphodelaceae
• Water: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
• Sunlight: Prefers indirect light or partial shade, making them suitable for windowsills and shaded corners.
• Soil: Well-draining succulent or cactus mix.

Gasteria

Gasteria, like many succulents on this list, is native to Southern Africa. It is adapted to lower light conditions and can thrive in environments with indirect light or partial shade.

• Native Habitat: Southern Africa
• Family: Asphodelaceae
• Water: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
• Sunlight: Prefers indirect light or partial shade, suitable for indoor environments.
• Soil: Well-draining succulent or cactus mix.

Here is a guide about how to care for Gasteria.

Schlumbergera

Schlumbergera, commonly known as the Christmas or Thanksgiving cactus, is native to the rainforests of Brazil. In its natural habitat, it grows under the forest canopy, where it receives filtered, indirect light. This adaptation makes it suitable for indoor environments with lower light levels.

• Native Habitat: Brazil
• Family: Cactaceae
• Water: Keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season and reduce watering in winter.
• Sunlight: Indirect or filtered light; protect from intense, direct sunlight.
• Soil: Well-draining potting mix with organic matter.

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is native to Madagascar and other regions where it often grows in rocky, shaded areas. This natural habitat has made it adaptable to indoor environments with bright, indirect light or partial shade.

• Native Habitat: Madagascar and other regions
• Family: Crassulaceae
• Water: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry between waterings.
• Sunlight: Bright, indirect light or partial shade; can tolerate some direct sun.
• Soil: Well-draining succulent or cactus mix.

Parodia Haselbergii (Scarlet Ball Cactus)

Parodia Haselbergii, a type of cactus, can tolerate low light conditions because it has adapted to survive in regions with partial shade. While it prefers bright, indirect light, it can thrive in indoor spaces with less light.

• Native Habitat: South America
• Family: Cactaceae
• Water: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, especially in winter.
• Sunlight: Bright, indirect light or partial shade.
• Soil: Well-draining cactus mix.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. This adaptability is due to its native habitat in arid regions, where it often grows under the shade of larger plants or rocks.

• Native Habitat: Arabian Peninsula
• Family: Asphodelaceae
• Water: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings; water sparingly.
• Sunlight: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct sun.
• Soil: Well-draining succulent or cactus mix.

African Milk Tree

The African Milk Tree is native to West Africa, where it grows in arid conditions. In its natural habitat, it often receives filtered, indirect light, allowing it to adapt well to indoor spaces with lower light levels.

• Native Habitat: Arabian Peninsula
• Family: Asphodelaceae
• Water: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings; water sparingly.
• Sunlight: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct sun.
• Soil: Well-draining succulent or cactus mix.

Fun fact: My dad has a huge African Milk Tree, which constantly grows to his balcony ceiling. He has to trim it once in a while.

Final Words

I hope this list has given you some ideas about which succulent to start with in your home. I will continue to add more to this collection as I find more species perfect for homes.

Happy planting! 🌵🏡