25 Low-Light Succulents for Indoor Gardens

When people think of succulents, they usually think of tiny plants that sit in terrariums and need a lot of sunshine and light to grow and thrive. However, did you know that there are plenty of beautiful low-light succulents available? These plants will grow very well in dim conditions, and some can even handle more moisture than others can. This allows people to successfully grow their low-light succulents in a variety of spaces and conditions, and this makes them slightly less intimidating. Since low-light succulents come in a huge range of sizes, shapes, and features, it’s easy to create an eye-catching and fun catche of plants all around your home.

If you’re new to low-light succulents, it’s easy to get overwhelmed at the sheer amount of choices available, especially if you don’t know how to successfully group like plants together to keep them all healthy and growing. This is why I’ve put together a list of the best low-light succulents that you can use to create a stunning indoor garden in your home or apartment. I invite you to take a look, read up on each type of succulent, and decide which ones will look best in your space.

1. Sansevieria

The first low-light succulent on the list is Sansevieria, and you may know it as the Snake Plant. It has slender and sharp leaves that will grow in tight clumps and get several feet high. It’s almost indestructible, and it’s very forgiving if you forget to water it. It’s a natural air purifier as well, and it does best in filtered sunlight or very low or artificial lighting. You should water it once a month in dry climates and once every other month in humid climates. It should drain well between watering sessions, and it likes an all-purpose potting soil. You won’t have to fertilize it or baby it along for it to look nice.

Sansevieria powsii by Marlon Machado / CC BY-NC 2.0

2. Rebutia

The Crown Cactus is a low-light succulent that has a very spherical, spiny shape with bright and eye-catching flowers that form at the base. It has a very simple maintenance routine that makes it popular, and it’s very easy to repot as it grows. You should keep it away from extreme heat, and you want to make sure you don’t over water it. It will replicate quickly to form a large cluster, and it’ll bloom for months at a time with cheerful orange and yellow flowers. It can tolerate full sun to partial shade with moderate heat. Use a succulent-specific potting mix, and allow the soil to dry out completely between watering sessions. It’ll forgive you if you forget to water it.

Rebutia by LynnK827 / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

3. Senecio Radicans

Better known as a String of Bananas, this low-light succulent has long trails with curled, plump leaves. It’s very easy to maintain, and it’ll grow quickly under the right conditions. The vines can easily reach up to three feet long, and pruning it every few months will encourage the vines to split to make it fuller. It produces sweet-smelling but small flowers in the winter and fall months. It does best in partial shade to medium light, and you should water it once a month. Allow the soil to drain and dry between watering sessions, and it likes to be in a succulent-specific potting mix.

Senecio Radicans (creeping berries) by salchuiwt / CC BY-SA 2.0

4. Aloe

Aloe is one extremely popular low-light succulent that can grow relatively large. It has fleshy, pointed leaves that are very recognizable, and it can grow up to three feet tall outside. It does well in partial shade or artificial light, and the Aloe Vera variety has moisturizing and soothing properties in the gel. It can tolerate a broad light spectrum from full sun to artificial light or partial shade, and you should only have to water it once every three weeks during the summer. Cut back on your watering during the winter, and allow it to drain very well before you get the succulent-specific soil wet again to keep it happy. If it starts to turn brown, cut back on the water even more.

Aloe by stephan boisvert / CC BY 2.0

5. Agave Attenuata

Landscapers love this low-light succulent, and the Foxtail Agave offers a very dramatic presence while being tolerant to drought. A single rosette can grow up to eight feet wide and five feet tall, and it has bushy stalks that bloom in the summer. They can extend up to 10 feet. It does very well in decorative pots, and it can tolerate both shade and sun. However, it does like moderate temperatures without higher heat. Water it once every two weeks or when the soil gets completely dry, and plant it in a well-drained but sandy soil. It’ll tolerate periods of drought without a problem.

Agave Attenuata by Jungle Rebel / CC BY 2.0

6. Gasteria

Ox Tongue is a low-light succulent that has tongue-like, flat leaves with ridges and slight bumps. It will grow long stems that have sack-like, small flowers. It does well outside if you have cooler temperatures and get a decent amount of rain. However, don’t let water collect in the leaves or it’ll rot. It likes low light, partial shade, or bright but filtered sunlight. You should water it on a consistent schedule once every three weeks during the summer months and once every other month during the winter. Water it at the base and avoid the leaves. It likes a gritty potting mix that drains very well.

Gasteria by Reggie1 / CC BY-NC 2.0

7. Rhipsalis cereuscula

This low-light succulent also goes by the name of Mistletoe Cactus, and it gets this name from the berry-like fruits that it forms in the summer. It grows strands that start short and get hairy as they grow. It’s a tropical succulent that likes a lot of shade but higher humidity levels, and it does very well in the bathroom. It needs more water than your average succulent, but it’s very easy to cause rot to form if you water it too much. Put it in a place that gets filtered or low light, and make sure the soil drains very well. Water the plant whenever the soil feels dry to the touch, and put it in a gritty and sandy potting mix.

Rhipsalis cereuscula’s flower (4/6) by salchuiwt / CC BY-SA 2.0

8. Echeveria Agavoides

You’ll get bright green rosettes with this low-light succulent that grows very low to the ground. The Lipstick variety offers a deep red hue on each of the leaves. It’s very easy to grow indoors, but it’ll multiply very quickly in the garden to create larger clusters of an easy-to-maintain but attractive groundcover. Echeveria will produce white flower shoots with enough sunlight in the spring and summer months. It likes partial shade, but it’ll be okay in bright sun. Water it once a month when the soil is totally dry. It can go up to three months without watering in shadier conditions. It likes well-drained but rocky soil.

Echeveria Agavoides by FarOutFlora / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

9. Cleistocactus Strausii

This is a larger low-light succulent better known as the Silver Torch Cactus. It has white, spiny, architectural columns. It’s very sensitive to higher heat but easy to care for, and it thrives potted indoors. If you put it in a place to get full sun during the summer, it’ll produce red blooms. However, it does very well in lower and artificial lighting. You should water this plant once a month, and it should completely dry out between watering sessions. The soil should drain very well and be on the sandy side. It’s very tolerant of drought if you skip watering it once or twice.

Cactus man by Steffen Zahn / CC BY 2.0

10. Haworthia Margaritifera

Haworthia has a zebra-like pattern that grows deep green, tufted rosettes with white dots and lines ringing them to give them a striped look. This low-light succulent is a close cousin to Aloe, and it has the same ease of care and adaptability. It prefers a shaded area with moderate heat and rocks, so it does very well when you grow it as a houseplant. It likes filtered sun and low light, and it’ll burn in bright sun. Water it once a month at the base, avoiding the leaves. Allow it to dry and drain well between watering sessions. It likes a succulent-specific potting mix. If you get water in the leaves, it can encourage rot.

Haworthia Margaritifera by Hornbeam Arts / CC BY-NC 2.0

11. Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

This is a slightly more finicky low-light succulent better known as the Flaming Katy. It has scalloped, bushy leaves and bright blooms that can appear all year-round. The blooms can stick around for over a month at a time, and it does very well inside because it’s a tropical plant that can’t handle the cold. You do have to pay close attention to the temperature levels, humidity, and prune it regularly for it to thrive. It likes everything from bright to low light, and you want to keep the soil slightly moist but not saturated. Pinch off any dead blooms to encourage new ones to grow, and use a well-draining potting mix.

Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana by Brenda Dobbs / CC BY-NC 2.0

12. Haworthia Cymbiformis

If you’ve made your own terrarium, this low-light succulent will be right at home. It forms evergreen, pillowy rosettes that give way to the name Cathedral Window. It has glass-like, translucent tips. Once you plant it, this succulent will easily reproduce into small clusters that make it great ground cover, and it does very well indoors in smaller pots. During the summer, it’ll grow taller white flowers with enough sunlight. It can tolerate part shade to full sun, and you want to make a point to keep the soil slightly moist during the summer. Cut back on the watering in the winter, and use a succulent-specific potting mix.

Haworthia Cymbiformis by Andrew Toskin / CC BY-SA 2.0

13. Parodia Haselbergii

This low-light succulent goes by the common name of the Scarlet Ball Cactus, it has produced woolly globes with cheerful orange-reddish flowers that will bloom during the winter and spring months. It likes more moisture than a lot of succulents, so misting it once every week or two is appreciated. It can replicate and create clusters if you put it in a larger pot. Place it somewhere that gets partial shade and indirect lighting as it’ll scorch in bright light. Keep it in a well-drained soil that is moist during the spring and summer, and cut back on your watering in the fall. It likes a gritty, sandy potting mix.

Parodia Haselbergii by TriangulatedTruth / CC BY-NC 2.0

14. Hoya Obovata

This low-light succulent is a Wax Plant variety that has deep green, glossy vines. It is the most adaptive species of the family, and you want to keep it slightly warm. This plant does best in medium light, and it’s very forgiving if you put it in a variable climate. If you can find a spot with slightly more sun, it’ll grow white, fragrant flowers. Keep it on an infrequent watering schedule, and make sure that the soil will drain between watering sessions. The soil should stay slightly moist and humid, but it should drain well. It likes succulent-specific potting mix, and it’s always better to let it dry out between waterings if you’re in doubt.

Hoya Obovata by Motoya Kawasaki / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

15. Euphorbia Tithymaloides

Better known as The Devil’s Backbone, this low-light succulent has pointed red flowers. It is a low-maintenance evergreen that can grow up to an impressive 15-feet outside, but you can easily pot it and grow it indoors. It’s very tolerant to drought, and it loves shade. It won’t flower inside without strategic moisture and lighting. It can tolerate full shade or full sun, and it will survive lower temperatures. Water this plant every two weeks, and make a point to keep the soil slightly moist. It likes well-drained but sandy soil. You’ll get slightly thicker leaves and stalks in a deep green color with this plant.

Euphorbia Tithymaloides by Francis Chung / CC BY 2.0

16.  Cotyledon Tomentosa

This is a shrubby low-light succulent that has fuzzy, thick leaves with slightly ridged claws that gives it the common name of Bear Paws. It can grow to be up to two feet wide, and it’s popular in landscaping for edging walkways or paths. It does like warmer climates, and this makes it a great fit for indoors. If you give it more sun, it’ll produce orange flowers during the spring months. It can tolerate partial shade to full sun, and you want to water it thoroughly once a month. Allow the soil to drain and dry out between waterings, and give it a slightly gritty and sandy potting mix.

Cotyledon tomentosa ssp.ladismithiensis (⅞) by salchuiwt / CC BY-SA 2.0

17. Euphorbia Milii

Another low-light succulent with the common name of Crown of Thorns, this is a shrub that will produce very thorny stems in a deep green coloring, and they’re very ornamental. They also have red flowers that have a long historical use as fashion accessories. When you grow it outside, it can get up to 20 feet wide, but you can repot and prune it to keep it small and indoors. It likes partial shade to full but indirect sun, and you want to water it once every two weeks. Don’t allow water to collect in the blooms, and it should dry out between waterings. It likes well-drained but sandy soil, and the flowering is contingent on your light levels.

Euphorbia Milii by manuel m. v. / CC BY 2.0

18. Schlumbergera

The Christmas Cactus is a popular low-light succulent that has longer green stems and bright flowers that usually bloom in shades of red. It’s native to rainforests, and this means that it requires very sparse lighting with higher humidity levels that makes it more challenging to grow. If you don’t keep a delicate moisture balance, it can be very temperamental. Keep it in an area that gets indirect sunlight, and make a point to keep the soil slightly moist. Make sure the soil drains well as it is sensitive to overwatering and keep the humidity levels up. It needs a succulent-specific potting mix with routine liquid fertilizer applications.

Schlumbergera by zug zwang / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

19. Sedum Morganianum

Burro’s Tail is a low-light succulent that has uniquely-shaped bushy stems that can grow up to four feet long. It has a tendency to trail, and this makes it great for hanging baskets. It can produce small, star-shaped flowers that attract pollinators like bees. It does best in lower light conditions, including indirect sunlight. Water it deeply once a month, and let the soil drain and dry before you water it again. It needs a slightly gritty potting mix, and it has to be in an area that is protected from drafts because it has very delicate, tiny, and overlapping leaves that are easy to damage.

Sedum Morganianum by FarOutFlora / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

20. Asplenium Nidus

The Bird’s Nest fern is a very leafy low-light succulent fern that offers pleated fronds. These fronds add an eye-catching look to any space you put it in. It needs more water than many on the list, but it thrives in humidity and low lighting. This makes it a good choice for bathrooms and kitchens. It is able to naturally oxygenate and purify the air. It likes low light or filtered light, and you should have it in warmer temperatures. Water it enough to keep the soil moist, and you can mist the fronds to keep the humidity levels up. It likes all-purpose potting soil, and it won’t get too large for your counters.

DSCN0743 by Brian Chiu / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

21. Beaucarnea Recurvata

This low-light succulent is a conversation piece in any room, and it offers a slightly thicker trunk with longer fronds that will reach the floor. Also called the Ponytail Palm Tree, it’s a very slow grower that requires a lot of patience. It can safely handle a broad temperature range, and the trunk of the plant will effectively hold a decent amount of water. It likes indirect sunlight and lower light conditions, and you should plan to water it at least once a week or whenever you notice that the soil is dry. If the tips turn brown, boost the humidity levels by misting it. It prefers to have a well-draining, sandy soil.

Elefantenfuß (Beaucarnea recurvata) by Maja Dumat / CC BY 2.0

22. Zamioculcas Zamiifolia

Better known as the ZZ Plant, this is a very common houseplant that is low-maintenance. It thrives on getting so little water that people new to growing it are strongly encouraged to forget to maintain it. It has firm stalks with deep green and waxy leaves that are very hardy. It can withstand several temperature ranges, and it performs well in artificial and extremely low lighting. This low-light succulent does well in windowless spaces, and you should only water it once a month if you notice that the soil is completely dry. It should drain very well, and it likes an all-purpose potting mix. If you’re doubtful of how dry the soil is, leave it dry longer. The plant won’t wilt or die if you do.

Zamie (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) by Maja Dumat / CC BY 2.0

23. Kalanchoe Tomentosa

The silvery, plush, and dark-rimmed leaves on this low-light succulent give it the common name of the Panda Plant. It’s very popular for anyone who is looking to create height in their collection, and it can easily get up to two feet high if you give it enough space to grow. This plant is very low-maintenance, but it has a low cold tolerance that makes it best suited for indoor growth. It can tolerate partial shade to full sun, and you should water it deeply once a month. Allow the soil to drain and dry between watering sessions, and give it a gritty, slightly sandy potting mix.

Kalanchoe Tomentosa by David Midgley / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

24. Senecio Rowleyanus

The String of Pearls is a low-light succulent that produces unique strands of pea-shaped leaves. It’s very popular due to the unique look and how easy it is to take care of. You can grow it in a hanging basket and let it cascade to the ground, and it can serve well as a groundcover. However, this plant is very sensitive to overwatering, frost, and heat, so it does better indoors. If it gets bright but indirect light, it’ll sprout spice-scented, white flowers. Water it once every  month and allow it to drain very well and dry between waterings. Use a succulent-specific potting mix, and know that it adapts well to low light conditions.

Senecio Rowleyanus by Megan Hansen / CC BY-SA 2.0

25. Crassula Ovata

The final low-light succulent on the list is the Jade Plant. It’ll grow a durable, trunk-like shoot that allows it to easily adapt to several different light conditions. You’ll get tight clumps of shiny green leaves that help it retain moisture to make it easier to keep on a watering schedule. It can tolerate everything from full sun to partial shade and low light, and you should water it once a month. During the summer months or when it’s in full sunlight, switch this watering schedule to every three weeks. It likes succulent-specific potting mix, and it’s very tolerant if you forget to water it once or twice.

Jade Plant. By Tim Bowers / CC BY-SA 2.0

Bottom Line

These 25 low-light succulent plants allow you to fill your home with gorgeous greenery without having to worry about installing grow lights. Since the majority of the low-light succulents on the list are very easy to care for, they’re great for beginner or novice gardeners. I invite you to take a look and mix and match different succulents to create your own indoor garden that thrives year in and year out.