Q: I’m trying to spruce up my college apartment with some herbs and plants but it doesn’t get much light. Do you have any recommendations for low-light plants?

A:The best low-light indoor plants are golden pothos, aspidistra, aglaonema and spathiphyllum. They will do okay if put where just a little direct light from a window gets to them each day. Over a year’s time the stems will stretch out and the plants will look ugly but by then you’ll be off for summer and can toss them out! Culinary herbs require something close to full sunshine so the best way to grow them is in a big container (24 inches wide) on a sunny patio. Basil, thyme and rosemary work well for this.