Not everyone has a bright, sunny windowsill — and not everyone has time to fuss over a needy plant. The good news: some of the most forgiving houseplants in the world are perfectly happy in a dim corner and will quietly thrive even if you forget about them for a week or two. Here are nine that are famously hard to kill, with a photo of each so you know exactly what you're looking for.

First, what "low light" actually means

Low light doesn't mean no light. Every plant needs some light to survive — "low light" plants simply tolerate dim rooms, north-facing windows, and spots several feet from a window. A room with zero natural light will still struggle; if you can comfortably read a book there during the day, a tough plant can usually manage.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Practically thrives on neglect; tolerates low light and infrequent watering.

ZZ Plant

Glossy and upright, and extremely drought-tolerant thanks to water-storing roots.

Pothos

A trailing vine that grows in almost anything and droops to tell you it is thirsty.

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra)

Named for its toughness; handles low light and irregular care without complaint.

Peace Lily

One of the few low-light plants that also flowers, and it dramatically droops then bounces back when it needs water.

Heartleaf Philodendron

Fast, forgiving, and happy trailing from a shelf or climbing a pole.

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Beautiful patterned leaves and very tolerant of low light.

Spider Plant

Adaptable and quick to grow, producing baby plantlets you can share.

Dracaena

Several easy varieties that handle lower light well.

The one mistake to avoid

Here's the catch that surprises people: in low light, plants grow slowly and use less water — so the biggest threat isn't the dim room, it's overwatering. A plant in a dark corner needs watering far less often than the same plant in a sunny window. Always check that the top inch or two of soil is dry before reaching for the watering can, and these tough plants will reward you by thriving on almost no attention at all.

If you've convinced yourself you have a "black thumb," start here. With the right plant in the right spot, keeping something green alive is a lot easier than you think.