Ferns

• Ferns are fascinating plants that add a feeling of lush greenness and cool tranquility to any room. They bestow a relaxed atmosphere that contrasts well with the vivid colors of brighter foliage plants and the brashness of many indoor flowering plants. Though the majority of ferns will thrive in shade, deep-green, feathery ferns, such as the maidenhair fern and the sliver lace fern, are particularly well-suited to life in dimly lit corners. The grace and beauty of their delicate fronds and their innate elegance easily compensates for their lack of flowers.
  
  

Indoor Evergreens

• Choose some of the easiest and most dependable evergreens to fill shadowy spaces. Many of them are tough enough to survive in inhospitable, deep shade, yet most are bold enough to be used as decorative focal points. The glossy, green foliage of the ficus makes it an excellent stand-alone plant that is well worth growing, effectively filling in dark corners. The robust, shade-loving philodendron is a popular climbing plant that looks brilliant when draped decoratively over the edge of a container or trained upward on an ornamental stake or moss pole.
  
  

Variegated Plants

• Derived from forest floor-dwellers, variegated plants use white stripes to reduce the functional area of the leaf, encouraging plant growth in areas with naturally low levels of light. The Silver Queen is an undemanding and useful plant for low-light areas; the narrow stems are surrounded by large green leaves bearing ivory markings that seem to glow in the dark. Creepers, such as English ivy or devil's ivy, grow happily in the wild in the sun or the shade, and will do the same in the home; however, if left untrimmed the hardy vines can easily overrun their container.
  
  

Bromeliads

• While most people associate bromeliads with sunny climates, there are a handful that have adapted to life in the shade. Bromeliads in the guzmania and vriesea families flourish in dimly lit spaces. The tropical-looking leaves and oddly-shaped, lofty form of the flaming sword plant makes for a visually arresting focal point plant, while the attractive, white flower heads and bold, bright red foliage of the scarlet star plant instantly brightens dull areas.