The jungalow trend that’s been invading your Instagram or Pinterest feed might sound like a dream but, in reality, it takes a lot of work to ensure that every single plant you purchase gets watered, repotted and taken care of every once in a while.
Truth be told, it’s just too much work — even if you’re working from home!
That said, some people might be put off by the thought of purchasing plants altogether when they realise how much work goes into its maintenance. To help, we’ve curated certain plants that are much sturdier and can even grow with minimal sunlight.
The dracaena defies conventional gardening wisdom – if anything, keep it away from direct sunlight. Filtered light, like sunlight through a sheer curtain, would do it some good, but it’s forgiving of low light conditions, too.
Mint is one of the most prolific, undemanding plants to grow, and does well even in shaded rooms. Bonus: It gives off a nice scent, too.
Commonly found under tropical canopies out in the plant kingdoms, these foliage plants are used to little exposure to sunlight, and grow equally well in windowless rooms. And they thrive best in humid conditions – they’re practically made for the Singapore weather.
Absence makes the plant grow stronger. For snake plants, at least – they’ll be perfectly happy left in your bedroom with little attention and plenty of shade. They’re also one of the rare plants that emit oxygen at night, improving the quality of your air, and hence your sleep.
If there was one plant that could thrive under even the ultimate brown thumb, the practically indestructible ZZ plant is it. Not even a dark room can faze its waxy, perfect-looking leaves. They don’t need much water, either, so remember to forget to water it.
Who said low light plants can’t flower? The leaves of peace lilies enjoy a good misting every now and then, while the plant only requires watering when its soil feels dry to the touch. With proper care, expect to see single-petalled spathes bloom out of graceful stems in no time.
This plant can make a statement in the dimmest of corners where no other plant will grow. It’s even got NASA’s nod of approval for keeping the air in your home clean and toxin-free!
The Chinese evergreen, with its elegant silver-tinted leaves, is one of the most popular houseplants to grow. Not surprising, considering its easy of care. This leafy houseplant is tolerant of many growing conditions, including low light conditions. Their large leaves can be quite the dust magnet, though, but a quick wipe-down with a damp rag would do the trick.
Funny but true: Cacti can get sunburns. So, while they can’t survive in completely dark places, they do better in partially shaded areas as compared to under concentrated, direct sunlight.
Succulents store water in their tissues, enabling them to live in severe environments like deserts (where they get as much light as is possible!). A tip to grow them in dimmer rooms: Let them slowly accustom to a low-light environment by shifting them from the windowsill to darker areas every day.
Read Next
Text: Pinky Chng/The Finder