So, I’ve always loved having plants around, but my apartment? Not exactly a sun-drenched paradise. It’s pretty dim, especially in the corners. I really wanted some taller plants to add some life and height, but I was worried about them, you know, actually surviving.
I started by doing some digging – not in soil, but online! I needed to figure out which plants could handle low light and still grow tall. It seemed like a tall order (pun intended!).

My Low-Light Experiment Begins
I made a list of potential candidates, focusing on ones that wouldn’t immediately wilt without constant sunshine. Some popular plants, but I am not sure whether they can grow taller.
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): I kept seeing this one pop up. Apparently, it’s practically indestructible.
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Another low-maintenance option. The name sounded cool, too.
- Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior): The name says it all, right? Supposed to be super tough.
- Parlor Palm(Chamaedorea elegans): Add some tropical feeling.
Then I have to get the plants. I went to a local nursery, armed with my list. Chatting with the staff there was super helpful. They gave me some extra tips, like making sure the pots had good drainage and not to overwater – apparently, that’s a common mistake in low-light situations.
I picked up a snake plant and a ZZ plant to start. They weren’t super tall yet, but they had good, healthy leaves. I also grabbed some nice pots and some well-draining potting mix.
Setting the Stage
Back home, I repotted the plants into their new containers. I made sure to loosen the roots a bit – they were pretty tightly packed in the nursery pots. Then, I found the perfect spots for them. One went in a darker corner of my living room, and the other near a window that doesn’t get much direct light.
I even keep watering them in a few days to make sure they were settling in okay. No droopy leaves, so that was a good sign!
The Waiting Game (and Some Adjustments)
Honestly, the first few weeks were mostly just…waiting. I watered them sparingly, only when the soil felt dry to the touch. I also rotated the pots every now and then, so all sides of the plants got some light exposure.
I did notice the ZZ plant seemed to be reaching towards the window a bit more, so I moved it slightly closer. It’s all about observing and making little tweaks, I guess.

Success! (So Far)
It’s been a few months now, and both plants are doing great! They’ve definitely grown taller, especially the snake plant. It’s got these cool, sword-like leaves shooting * Parlor Palm is growing slowly and I put it in a brighter corner, it looks well.
It’s not a jungle in here yet, but it’s definitely more lively. And it’s so satisfying to see these plants thriving, even without a ton of light. Proves you don’t need a greenhouse to have some greenery in your life!