Question
I am building a home with a great room that is vaulted (21') and windows that face north (direction with the best view).  I would love to be able to grow something tall in the room like a tree that doesn't need much light.  I was going to have a skylight that would be on a 4.5/12 pitch sloping east to bring in natural light.

1. Am I likely to be able to grow anything given these conditions?
How about a large philodendron vine up a tall support?

2. Most skylights today are low E and about a third of the light and most of UV light removed.  Doesn't this make them poor for plants?

3. Hopeless in SC?

Answer
Ray

Most tropical plants sold for indoor use don't need a tremendous amount of direct sunlite...Most grown in FL for resale are grown under shade cloths because the direct sun can harm them...

One of my previous houses had slanted vaulted ceilings w/2 sky lites facing North...With the other window blinds open there was plenty of indirect lite for most plants to do well...Philodendrons should do well as should many other plants...I would recommend a weeping fig tree (Ficus benjamina variety) if you really want a tree-like plant...But your philodendron idea should work easily also...

A lot will depend on how good you are at taking care of indoor plants over the long haul...Less light usually means less frequent waterings...Depending on plant types, sunlight exposure and pot size plants will need water at many different rates from once a day to once a month or more...Plants die from too frequent waterings, not from how much water you give them at one time.

Water your plant based on how much it weighs when thoroughly watered VS when it is ready to be watered again.  Pick up or lean the pot and feel how heavy it is after watering it thoroughly. Don't water it again until it feels considerably lighter and the top of the soil is light in color...You can always poke your finger into the soil if you are not sure...

Hope this info helps...
Rick in southern NJ