20 Houseplants That Thrive In Medium Light

Knowing what type of sunlight you have in your home is essential when starting a plant collection. Too little sunlight will prevent your plants from photosynthesizing, and too much will burn their foliage. Finding out what direction your windows face is the best way to know how much light they will provide your plants. La Résidence magazine explains that west and south-facing windows let in bright, direct light. East-facing windows give bright, indirect light, and north-facing windows provide medium light. Low light is a room without windows or several feet from one.

There are many ways to give your medium-sun plants the proper amount of light. If your home is too bright, you can move your plants further from the window. You can also use sheer curtains to reduce the sun coming in. However, if you have a low-light room that needs supplemental sun, you can install grow lights. Your average lightbulbs will slightly help, but they don't have the spectrum of blue and red light required for plants to grow and flower.

Dracaena (Dracaena marginata) is the perfect big houseplant because it grows tall like a small tree but doesn't need a big pot. It's also known as the Madagascar dragon tree because a red resin that looks similar to blood seeps out when it's damaged. To care for this plant, provide it with medium light and water it every one to two weeks. OurHouseplants.com explains that you'll know if your dracaena has too much sun if the foliage starts to burn. It's not getting enough light if new leaves grow small and limp.

Elephant ear plants (Alocasia) live up to the name because of their big triangle-shaped leaves. The foliage on this plant can grow so large that the pots tip over by the time you need to repot them. Greener House explains this is because their roots prefer a small cramped pot. Elephant ears need to be watered weekly and given indirect light. The large leaves will have brown or yellow burn marks if they get too much sun. Luckily, this plant grows quickly, so a dropped leaf won't be gone long before a new one takes its place.

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is a fun plant that blooms tiny pink flowers in the winter. This plant has unique foliage that droops down over the pot during the rest of the year. Unlike most cacti, the Christmas cactus can get stressed out from direct light. It needs water every one to three weeks, according to Empress of Dirt. To get flourishing blooms, give your plant a schedule of 12-14 hours of darkness every day and keep it in a room between 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) are another air-purifying plant. When they photosynthesize, they can remove cancer-causing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene. This plant is known for its tall leaves that are shaped like swords. They have green variegation on them and a yellow outline. While this plant can live in low-light conditions, it'll lose its variegation, according to Gardeners' World. Medium, indirect light is best for snake plants. They also need water every one to two weeks.

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are another low-maintenance plant that's good for beginners. They have long slim leaves that grow from the stem like ribbons. All you have to worry about with this plant is watering it. You should water it weekly to keep the water moist, according to Patch Plants. Whether or not you fertilize it, it'll grow happily. Spider plants can live with low to bright, indirect light. If you want it to grow quicker, provide it with more light.

Asparagus ferns (Asparagus seteceus) are as low maintenance as any other fern, but they actually aren't part of the fern genus. They're great for beginners because they have tuberous roots that store extra nutrients, according to mindbodygreen. This plant prefers a warm, humid location. It should get medium, indirect light and needs water every two to three weeks during the growing season. Cut the watering in half during the winter when asparagus ferns are dormant.

The money tree (Pachira aquatica) gets its name because it symbolizes prosperity. It's known for its brained trunk and can grow up to 8 feet tall. PlantSnap explains that money trees do best with indirect light but can tolerate some direct sunlight. They're sensitive to environmental changes, so once you have a spot for your plant, don't move it around a lot. Money plants also need a humid environment. You should water them about every three weeks and mist them.

Raven ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia raven) are just as easy to take care of as the regular variation. This type is different because it grows dark purple leaves instead of green. However, the foliage grows like a typical ZZ plant and then changes color over the next two months, according to Nature & Garden. This is a hardy plant that will thrive when you forget about it. Its roots have rhizomes that hold extra moisture, so it can go months without being watered. ZZ plants can live with low light, but they grow faster with medium, indirect light.

Caring for a baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) is easy. They're a nice addition to any houseplant collection because their green and yellow leaves curl like a funnel when they connect to the red stems of the plant. Medium to bright, indirect light is needed for a baby rubber plant to thrive. Humidity is also important, according to Houseplant Central. This plant prefers 40% to 50% humidity. It also likes moist soil, so water it weekly.

Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) are beginner-friendly plants. They add a lot of texture to your home's decor with their long bushy foliage that grows in every direction. To keep this plant looking perfect, you should place it in medium sunlight. The temperature of your home is also important because ferns need warmth and humidity. Heeman's explains that the leaves' tips turning brown indicates that the air is too dry. It likes moist soil, so water it at least once a week.