Five Houseplants That Survive a North-Facing Window

A north-facing window gives steady, soft light and almost no direct sun, which rules out most flowering plants and suits a short list of tough ones. The ZZ plant stores water in its rhizomes and tolerates weeks of neglect. Pothos will trail in nearly any light and tells you when it is thirsty by drooping. Snake plants grow slowly but do not complain. The cast iron plant earned its name in Victorian parlors lit by gas lamps. And the heartleaf philodendron will climb a moss pole even in a dim corner. Water all five less than you think you should, because low light means slow growth and slow drinking.