Aloe vera is a widespread and well-liked low-light succulent that thrives and spreads quickly in a regular indoor environment or a protected outdoor setting in a warm region.
While some varieties have creamy, horizontal striped variegation, others are pure shades of green.
Aloe variegata (Partridge Breasted Aloe)
An example of a variety of the aloe vera plant is the partridge-breasted aloe or aloe variegata.
This South African dwarf aloe species has attractive coral-colored flowers that can bloom late in the winter or early in the spring.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)
The snake plant, often called mother-in-tongue, law’s is an easy plant to cultivate both inside and outdoors. It can grow in zones 9 to 11. This low-maintenance plant grows well in dim environments and doesn’t require a lot of direct sunshine. It does well in mostly dry, well-drained soil and can tolerate temperatures between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
It has flat leaves that can be up to three feet long and as wide as one to two inches. Snake plants prefer regular fertilizer in the form of pellets or liquid that releases nutrients gradually. This plant is simple to cultivate under artificial lighting and does well in any room of the house.
Aloe (Aloe Barbadensis)
This plant is probably already familiar to you because to its frequent usage in skincare products and treatment of a number of illnesses. This spider-legged plant can survive in complete darkness. You won’t need to water the plant frequently because of its thick, fleshy leaves’ ability to hold a lot of water.
Growing zones 8–11 and lower temperatures between 50 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit are preferred by it. Aloe vera plants demand well-drained soil to avoid difficulties such as root rot. On this plant, you can use the majority of liquid and granular succulent fertilizers; it’s better to treat them when the plant is actively growing in the summer.
Zebra Plant (Haworthia Fasciata)
Another cactus plant that can live without much sunlight is this one. Given the right environmental circumstances, this striped plant, known for its bumpy, white tubercles, can grow rosettes in just a few weeks. The zebra plant thrives and low-lighting and cool temperatures of anywhere from 50 to 65 degrees. It can be placed anywhere throughout the home, including bedrooms and bathrooms.
Zebra plants thrive in soil-based potting mixtures that are loose and well-draining in growth zones 11 and 12. It’s crucial to avoid overwatering the zebra plant because it is susceptible to fungus problems and root rot. Although it is a relatively low-maintenance cactus type, you can apply granular or soil-based fertilizer on this plant.
Green Ice Hybrid (Gasteraloe)
Another succulent type that may endure without much sunlight is this one. It won’t require much water, but when you do, make sure to soak it completely. Given that it will grow less over the winter, it is recommended to water it less frequently. When its thick, prickly leaves start to resemble a fan or a lamp, or when their usual green color starts to turn yellow or brown, you’ll know it’s overwatered.
Growing in zones 6 to 8, the green ice succulent prefers well-drained loam or sand for its potting soil. Even a 1:1 blend of both is OK. This tiny plant makes the ideal desktop or tabletop plant and can help give dark shelves, balconies, and patios an interesting appeal.
Does low light work for succulents?
The most light is reflected from south-facing windows throughout the day in the northern hemisphere. The sun shines through windows facing east in the morning and west in the afternoon and evening. The least quantity of sunlight enters windows that face north.
A south-facing window is the best choice for the majority of sun-loving succulent plants in the northern hemisphere. However, all of the low-light succulents covered in this article happily flourish in windows that face west or east. Even in a dark, north-facing window, some of them will make it, but I don’t advise it because even there, they won’t thrive.
However, no succulent can live in a completely dark environment. Therefore, even if your succulent plants are varieties that thrive in low light, think about buying a tiny desktop grow light if you live in a basement flat, have only a north-facing window, or if your space has no windows at all. When a modest grow lamp is placed over low light succulents for 6 to 8 hours a day, you’ll be astounded at how well they grow. You won’t need to remember to turn the lights on and off every day if you have a reliable timer.
Now that you are aware of how much sunlight low light succulents require, allow me to introduce you to some of the greatest low light succulents.
Exist any succulents that don’t require sunlight?
The Gasteria is a plant that is native to South Africa and does well in low light; in fact, it will turn its leaves brown in direct sunlight. Because of its long, rough-textured leaves that resemble tongues, this unusual succulent is also known as lawyer tongue or ox tongue. Depending on the species, many colors and patterns can be found on Gasteria plants.
Which succulents prefer the shade?
Most of us picture desert-adapted succulents that can withstand intense heat and burning sun when we think about succulents. While all succulents benefit from some light, some can tolerate some partial shade.
For the majority of kinds, growing succulents in the shade isn’t optimal, but a select few will actually thrive in low light conditions. The secret is to pick the perfect succulents for shade and to take good care of them.
Can succulents live without windows?
Yes, it is possible to grow cacti and succulents in low light. You’ll need to pay closer attention to some elements, like plant species, soil type, and watering requirements.
You will fare much better with your indoor plant family if you keep those things in mind.
Succulent species that can handle low light
Not every species is made equally. More than others, certain succulents can thrive in reduced light levels. You will end up with a lengthy, stretched-out mess even with the finest indoor care if you try to keep a Graptopetalum, Sempervium, or Echeveria in any light other than strong light.
Succulents with bright colors and rosette shapes should generally be avoided as they demand bright light to preserve their beauty.
Aloe and Haworthia are two examples of plants that are naturally green and are significantly more tolerant of darker circumstances.
Checking the light conditions that your particular plant type needs is crucial. Looking for suggestions for an excellent office plant? Take a look at the list below.
Maximize the sunlight you can get
Look around your workspace or area. Exists any available natural light that you could use? Start by placing your succulent on any available windowsill. Make sure to rotate your succulent every few days to ensure that all of its surfaces receive an equal amount of sunlight. Rotate your plant to the opposite side if you see it leaning to one side; it will eventually straighten up.
Despite being close to a window, is your succulent still getting lanky and spread out? That implies that it does not receive enough light.
What if there are absolutely no windows nearby? It’s still possible to have a succulent; you simply need to be more inventive. You should place your succulent in artificial light. They will require roughly six hours of light each day. Under that fluorescent or LED light above your desk, your plants will be OK.
Consider purchasing a tiny grow lamp to keep next to your desk if you can. Fortunately, there are various reasonably priced options for grow lights, so you may select the one that best suits your requirements.
Can a jade plant live in the dark?
Making sure that jade plants receive the right amount of water is among the most crucial aspects of their maintenance. Never allow a jade plant to totally dry out. Additionally, avoid overwatering jade plants since this might lead to root rot. Put off watering your jade plant on a regular basis. Instead, water your jade plant when the top few inches of soil are just beginning to feel dry.
The most frequent reason for your jade plant losing leaves or developing leaf spots is typically due to inadequate watering.
Sunlight Requirements of a Jade Plant
The amount of sun that jade plants receive is a crucial component of their upkeep. They cannot grow adequately without direct sunlight. They could grow lanky and stunted if they don’t receive enough direct sunlight.
Proper Temperature for Jade Plants
The recommended daytime temperature for jade plants is 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius), and the recommended nighttime temperature is 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 13 degrees Celsius). However, if they receive plenty of sunlight, they will be able to survive in temperatures higher than this.
Fertilizing Your Jade Plant
Fertilize your jade plant once every six months or so to ensure optimal upkeep. Make use of a well-balanced water-soluble fertilizer. The fact that you should first water your jade plant normally and then again with fertilizer water is crucial to remember. When the soil is dry, never fertilize your jade plant because this will harm the roots.
As you can see, taking care of a jade plant is not particularly difficult. Your gorgeous jade plant might someday turn into a pretty jade tree with a little tender loving care and proper jade plant maintenance.
Without sunlight, how can you grow succulents indoors?
I don’t have much experience growing succulents in cold temperatures and dark winters because I live in sunny Southern California. I’m fortunate enough to be able to leave my plants outside all year long without significant frost or low light harm. I am aware that many of you reside all over the world and are unsure of what to do with your plants now that you have brought them indoors for the winter. Perhaps despite the fact that you have your plants on window sills, they are still growing languidly, or perhaps the winters in your area are completely dark. Look nowhere else! I’m very happy to have indoor plant growing specialist Ben Thorton here with us today to share his knowledge about using grow lights to support the growth of your lovely garden regardless of the lighting situation!
Succulents have recently risen to the top of the list of preferred indoor plants because of how attractive they are, how they enhance the atmosphere of your home, and how little maintenance and water they need compared to other indoor plants. Many people are reluctant to grow succulents in regions with short summers because they are warm-weather and sun-loving plants. You might be shocked to learn that even if you live in a climate with distinct seasons and chilly, gloomy winter months, you can still grow succulents all year round. Once the weather becomes cooler, just move the succulents inside and provide the artificial lighting they require. Here is a simple tutorial on growing succulents indoors and under artificial lights if you are unsure about using grow lights or worried that you might harm your plants by using them.
Artificial lighting can be categorized as either lighting used in addition to natural lighting or lighting utilized to perfectly mimic sunlight in situations where none actually exists. Since vitamin D, one of the most important vitamins in the human body, is obtained from sunlight, artificial light cannot replace it for humans. In contrast to other living things, plants just require the light itself from the sun. Photosynthesis is a process that takes place when plants are exposed to light and provides them with the energy they require to grow. Succulents can be grown indoors under artificial light just as well as outdoors in natural sunshine, provided that the right amount of light is provided. To successfully grow your succulents in your house, you will need to select the best lights and understand a few basic lighting techniques.
There are a few considerations to keep in mind when selecting artificial lighting for an indoor garden. And they are as follows:
How strong and bright is the light produced by the grow lights?
The brightness of the light produced by grow lights is the most important factor to consider because it will affect how much light the plants receive and how well they can grow. You need lights for succulents that produce at least 2,000 lumens per square foot of illumination. 10,000 lumens per square foot are produced by noontime direct sunlight, but if you run 2,000 or more lumen lamps for 14 or more hours a day, the plants will receive almost the same amount of light as they would in the height of summer.
What is the light’s wattage?
Another item to consider is the wattage of the grow lights you buy, as this will have an impact on your electricity bill. You pay more for electricity the more watts a light uses, therefore you don’t want to choose a light that is brilliant but uses a lot of watts because that will be very expensive. To get the best of both worlds—bright light for your plants and minimal electricity consumption for you—look for lights that are marked as energy efficient. These lights will likely have a high lumen count and low wattage, giving you the best of both worlds.
What color temperature range does the light produced by grow lights fall into?
Because succulents love the sun and prefer bright light to shadow, they also need a particular light with regard to the color temperature of the light. The visible color that the grow lights emit is essentially their color temperature. Kelvins are used to measure this. To provide the light that plants require to thrive, light must fall within a certain range of color temperatures. Starting at roughly 5,000 Kelvins, the ideal color temperature for succulents will provide your succulents cool, full-spectrum light that closely resembles sunlight.
How much heat is emitted by the light?
Finally, it is crucial to understand how much heat the grow lights emit. If they produce a lot of heat, you can experience a problem with the temperature in the space where you grow your succulents, which would require you to invest extra money in a reliable ventilation or cooling system. Additionally, if lights produce a lot of heat, you will need to situate your plants farther away from the lights in order to prevent them from burning them. Your plants may not receive enough light as a result. Some typical grow lights are known to emit a lot of heat, while others remain cool to the touch even after being on for 24 hours. Make sure a grow light doesn’t produce too much heat before you buy one.
I would advise you to purchase T5 grow lights since they have all the qualities of a good grow light and I have experience working with many various types of grow lights. Their diameter is 5 eights of an inch. T5 grow lights are available in a variety of configurations, including two different lengths (2 ft and 4 ft bulbs), numerous different bulb counts (from 1 to 12 bulbs in one fixture), various efficiency types (Normal Output (NO), High Output (HO), and Very High Output (VHO), and various color temperature varieties (from only 2,900 Kelvins up to 10,000 Kelvins). I typically use high output (HO) bulbs because a 2 foot HO T5 bulb uses just 24 watts and produces 2,000 lumens, compared to a 4 foot long high output (HO) T5 bulb that uses 54 watts and produces 5,000 lumens. You obtain incredibly effective light that is ideal for succulents if you mix one or the other length bulbs in a group of two or more bulbs and choose bulbs that are in the color temperature of 6,500 Kelvins.
Although choosing the correct artificial light is an important aspect of effectively growing your plants in an indoor garden, there are a few other factors you should be aware of in order to do even better.
Be aware of the height at which you should hang your plant canopy’ grow lights.
Knowing how high to hang your grow lights is essential since it affects how much light the plants receive. You must hang grow lights so that they may provide the maximum amount of light to the plants without overheating them by radiating heat, regardless of whether you select T5 fixtures or select other grow lights. In order to reduce the risk of your grow lights burning and harming your plants, I would first advise placing any grow light at least 6 to 8 inches away from the tops of your succulents. You can later move your lighting fixtures closer to the succulents if you discover that they don’t emit heat and are cold to the touch (like T5 grow lights).
Determine the light cycle
Because there won’t be a sun to determine when plants receive light, you must determine the plants’ light cycle while growing plants indoors under grow lights. Knowing your light cycles will help you grow your succulents more quickly. Indoor gardens use light cycles to replicate day and night circumstances. Succulents will also develop more quickly if you give them more light, which is a common rule of thumb for growing any plants under lights. If you’re overwintering the plants, I’d recommend starting with a 20/4 light cycle for the succulents. This means leaving the lights on for 20 hours a day, turning them off for 4 hours, and then gradually extending the darkness time until the light cycle is 16/8 (light/dark). Succulents require knowledge of the winter solstice so they can begin their dormant period. If you use grow lights all year for your succulents, you may set the light cycle to 24/0 or 20/4 in the summer to help them develop swiftly and flourish.
Learn how frequently to water your succulents.
Finally, it should be noted that watering is equally crucial because both inadequate and excessive watering might harm your plants. Even if you’re using grow lights to simulate summer, you still need to water the succulents during the summer by watering them once the soil is dry. Even if succulents are cultivated indoors, things change over the winter. Succulents use substantially less water while they are dormant throughout the winter or an imitation of winter since they are either growing very slowly or not at all. So, how frequently should you water succulents in the winter? In general, I’d advise watering them every two weeks, but if the room is hot, you’ll need to water them more frequently because the heat will cause them to dry out more quickly. Looking at the soil in which succulents are growing will tell you how frequently they need watering during the winter. Allow the soil to dry up completely before giving succulents approximately a week to absorb the water before you water them again to prevent overwatering.
January 2017 addition: