Living in an apartment doesn’t mean giving up on houseplants, even if your windows are limited, north-facing, or mostly blocked by other buildings. The truth is, a lot of houseplants prefer consistency over perfect conditions. And when you choose the right plants (plus the right lighting), adding greenery to a small space can be surprisingly easy.
Below are five low-light, low-maintenance houseplants that work beautifully in apartments, along with renter-friendly Soltech grow light pairings that look like decor accent lighting (no science lab vibes here!) and keep your plants healthy.
TL;DR: Quick Picks for Small Apartments
If you want easy greenery in a small apartment, choose plants that tolerate low light and don’t demand constant attention. ZZ plants, golden pothos, snake plants, peace lilies, and cast iron plants are all proven low-maintenance options. Pairing them with renter-friendly, freestanding grow lights (like the Vita, Versa, Stello, or Aura) helps them thrive without drilling holes or rearranging your entire life.
What “Low Light” Means in an Apartment
Let’s clear something up first: Low light does not mean no light.
In apartment terms, low light usually looks like:
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A room with windows, but not a ton of direct sun
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A spot a few feet back from a window
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North-facing windows or shaded city views
If you're unsure what qualifies as "low light" when it comes to your apartment layout, check out this article and video by The Sill. It's a solid starting point to help you visualize and understand the light levels in your apartment.
Can Plants Survive in a Low Light Apartment?
Many popular houseplants can tolerate low light apartment conditions just fine. They’ll grow slower, but they can still stay healthy. But, if you want to make sure your plants are healthy and thriving, no matter the lighting conditions in you apartment, a small, well-placed grow light can make all the difference (without changing the vibe of your space).
Soltech’s Top 5 Low‑Light, Low‑Maintenance Houseplants for Apartments
Below you’ll find plant profiles that actually perform well in small spaces with modest light, plus renter‑friendly Soltech lighting options you can mix in if the afternoon sun clock isn’t on your side (without sacrificing your apartment security deposit).
1. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
If you want a plant that genuinely does not mind being ignored, the ZZ plant is your new best friend. It stores water in thick underground rhizomes, which means missed waterings aren’t a big deal.
Why it works in apartments:
➡️ Tolerates low light extremely well
➡️ Upright growth with a small footprint
➡️ Slow-growing and very forgiving
Care snapshot:
Light: Low to medium indirect
Water: Only when soil is fully dry
Renter-friendly light pairing:
Vita™ Grow Bulb + Willow Floor Lampstand or Fern Tabletop Lampstand
Perfect for corners, side tables, or next to the couch. Plug it in, place the plant underneath, and you’re done... no drilling required.
2. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is popular for a reason. It adapts to a wide range of conditions, grows quickly, and looks great whether it’s trailing from a shelf or climbing a wall.
Why it works in apartments:
➡️ Flexible placement (shelves, desks, bookcases)
➡️ Forgiving if watering isn’t perfectly timed
➡️ Easy to trim and propagate
Care snapshot:
Light: Low to bright indirect
Water: When the top inch of soil dries
Renter-friendly light pairing:
Versa™ Tabletop Grow Light
Ideal for shelves or desks where pothos vines can cascade. It’s portable, compact, and easy to move as your plant grows.
3. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Tall, sculptural, and incredibly durable, snake plants are made for apartment living. They handle low light, inconsistent watering, and tight spaces like champs.
Why it works in apartments:
➡️ Vertical growth = minimal floor space
➡️ Tolerates low light and dry soil
➡️ Looks good basically anywhere
Care snapshot:
Light: Low to medium indirect
Water: Infrequent; let soil dry completely
Renter-friendly light pairing:
Aura™ Ambient Grow Light or Vita™ Grow Bulb + Willow Floor Lampstand
Aura is especially great if you want a cozy lamp that also supports plant health. It's perfect for living rooms or bedrooms. The Vita + Willow Floor Lampstand combo is a no-install, freestanding option perfect for a corner plant setup.
4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies are great communicators (or a bit dramatic, however you want to look at it...). When they need water, they droop. Once watered, they perk right back up. No guessing games required.
Why it works in apartments:
➡️ Tolerates low light better than most flowering plants
➡️ Compact and tidy growth habit
➡️ Visually tells you when it needs attention
Care snapshot:
Light: Low to medium indirect. If you want the beautiful white blooms, you'll need a supplemental grow light like the Aspect™ Gen 2 to encourage flowering.
Water: When leaves begin to droop
Renter-friendly light pairing:
Aspect™ Gen 2 Grow Light + Stello™ Stand
A freestanding setup that provides enough light to support foliage and occasional blooms, without permanent installation.
5. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
The cast iron plant earned its name honestly. It’s slow-growing, extremely tolerant of low light, and happy to just exist quietly in the background.
Why it works in apartments:
➡️ Handles dim spaces like hallways or corners
➡️ Rarely needs repotting
➡️ Low water needs and minimal upkeep
Care snapshot:
Light: Low to moderate indirect
Water: Sparingly, once soil dries
Renter-friendly light pairing:
Versa™ Tabletop Grow Light or Aura™ Ambient Grow Light
Great for darker rooms where natural light barely reaches. Plus, the Aura doubles as a statement lighting fixture, providing natural light for maximum cozy vibes in your apartment.
Quick Comparison: Apartment Plants + Renter-Friendly Lighting
| Plant | Light Tolerance | Water Needs | Apartment Perk | Best Soltech Pairing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZZ Plant | Low–Medium | Very Low | Small footprint, ultra-forgiving | Vita + Willow or Fern |
| Golden Pothos | Low–Bright Indirect | Low | Trailing, flexible placement | Versa |
| Snake Plant | Low–Medium | Very Low | Tall, sculptural | Aura or Vita |
| Peace Lily | Low–Medium | Moderate | Communicates watering needs | Aspect + Stello Set |
| Cast Iron Plant | Low | Low | Thrives in dim corners | Versa or Aura |
Small-Space Tips for Adding Greenery in Apartments
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Think vertical: tall plants or trailing vines save floor space
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Use lighting as decor. Lamps that double as grow lights blend in naturally
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Group plants to create one strong “green moment” instead of scattering them everywhere
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Place plants where you already spend time (desk, couch, bedside)
When a Grow Light Makes Life Easier
If your plants grow slowly, look stretched, or seem stuck, it’s usually a light issue, not a "you" issue. A renter-friendly grow light gives plants consistent support without requiring perfect windows or permanent installs. Bonus: Soltech lights are designed to look like lighting first, grow lights second.
Want More Low-Light, Low-Maintenance Plant Ideas?
These five are a great place to start, but they’re just the beginning. If you’re looking for more apartment-friendly and low-maintence plants, or want care tips tailored to your specific setup, explore Soltech’s Plant Guide. It’s packed with plant-specific advice for over 150+ houseplants, herbs and more!
You don’t need a sun-soaked loft to be a plant person (although if you have one, we are incredibly jealous...), you just need the right plants, and a little support where it counts.
