[Low Light Gardening Advice] Venusaur, I Choose You!

Erios

Despite an interest in biology, I have a black thumb and don't garden.

I'd like to buy a plant for a couple who are friends with me and my girlfriend since the man in that couple loves plants. I figure it would be a nice gesture. The rub is that they live in a 3rd story 1 BD in Astoria with eastern exposure that's partially blocked. I know he likes to grow herbs, but I'm not certain if there are any herbs that don't need a lot of light or space. I know a cilantro/coriander plant doesn't quite get enough natural light and their basil plants are managing.

So H/A, any ideas of a cheap low-light potted plant? An herb would be even better, but you can't win them all.

ceres

You could get them a sunlamp, if he really likes to grow plants. My thumb is not exactly the brightest of greens either, however, so I'm not really sure what they run or how well they work.

MetroidZoid

Yeah, for a small area you can get a clamp-on reflector hood and a gro-bulb for ~$20. That will cover a few pots in a corner. Or, if you want to go further, get a cheap fluorescent hood at Home Depot / Lowes / whathaveyou, and that will cover more area. Bulb wise, if you go for your standard shop light bulbs, you'll need them closer to the plants. More expensive 'full spectrum' bulbs can be placed a bit further, but my succulents get long peachy with the former.