Low-luminosity galaxies are known to outnumber the bright galaxy population in poor groups and clusters of galaxies. Yet, the investigation of low-luminosity galaxy populations outside the Local Group remains rare and the dependence on different group environments is still poorly understood. Previous investigations have uncovered the photometric scaling relations of early-type dwarfs and a strong dependence of morphology with environment. The present study aims to analyse the photometric and spectroscopic properties of the low-luminosity galaxy population in the nearby, well-evolved and early-type dominated NGC 5846 group of galaxies. It is the third most massive aggregate of early-type galaxies after the Virgo and Fornax clusters in the local universe. Photometric scaling relations and the distribution of morphological types as well as the characteristics of emission-line galaxies are investigated.