Nothing looks better than seeing the sun beam on your best window plants, illuminating their lush, green beauty.
However, not all plants love the sun. Although you may think you’re doing your plants a favour by giving them that extra light, many have delicate leaves that can easily burn.
Struggling to find that special plant for a sunny spot? Delve through these ten best houseplants for direct sunlight that thrive on a sunny windowsill, and make that precious sunlight even more beautiful as it pours in!
Window sills are a great place to grow house plants. The natural light from the window helps plants thrive. Choosing the right plants is key to success when growing on a window sill Certain house plants are better suited for the conditions that window sills provide. This complete guide will discuss the best house plants for window sills and provide tips for caring for them.
Which House Plants Do Best on Window Sills?
There are several types of house plants that do exceptionally well on window sills. Succulents, snake plants, pothos, spider plants and herbs like basil and thyme are great options. Here’s an overview of these plants and why they thrive on window sills
Succulents
Succulents are the perfect choice for sunny window sills. They love direct sunlight and require very little watering, so they are easy to care for. Some great succulent options include jade plants, aloe vera, and echeveria. Their thick, waxy leaves allow them to tolerate the heat and light intensity of a bright window.
Snake Plants
Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, snake plants are hardy and can tolerate low light levels. They have striking upright foliage and are virtually indestructible, making them an excellent low maintenance option. Snake plants are tolerant of occasional neglect in terms of watering, which is great for busy plant parents.
Pothos
With their iconic heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines, pothos plants are perfectly suited to growing on window sills. They thrive in bright, indirect light and are unfussy when it comes to watering. Pothos require little care and their vines can cascade beautifully over the edges of window sills.
Spider Plants
Spider plants are easy-going and can adapt to a variety of light conditions. Even if you don’t have the sunniest window, spider plants can do well. They produce cute little plantlets that dangle down, giving them their “spider” name. Spider plants are great for beginning plant owners.
Herbs
Herbs like basil, thyme, and parsley thrive with ample sunlight from a window. Having fresh herbs at your fingertips is perfect for home cooks. The window sill provides herbs with the light and warmth they need to grow tasty leaves. Just be sure to water them regularly.
Caring for Window Sill Plants
To keep house plants healthy in a window sill environment, there are some important care tips to keep in mind:
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Monitor soil moisture closely – Window sills can dry plants out faster than other spots in your home. Check the soil frequently and water whenever the top inch becomes dry.
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Rotate plants regularly – Turn the pots every few weeks so all sides get even light exposure. This prevents plants from getting lopsided.
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Mist leaves occasionally – The dry air of window sills can cause leaf tip browning. Give plants a light misting every few days.
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Use proper pots – Make sure pots have drainage holes and are big enough to support root growth but small enough to fit the sill.
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Clean leaves – Dust and debris can accumulate quickly on window sill plants. Give leaves a gentle wipe down every so often.
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Watch for pests – Aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites are attracted to the warmth of window sills. Check under leaves routinely for any signs of bugs.
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Add support if needed – Trailing vines or top-heavy plants may require stakes or trellises for extra support in their window sill home.
The Best Window Sill Plants by Sun Exposure
The amount of sun your window receives will determine which plants can thrive there. Here are some of the top plant picks based on sun exposure:
Low Light Window Sills
- Chinese Evergreen
- Peace Lily
- Cast Iron Plant
- Philodendrons
- Pothos
- Lucky Bamboo
Medium Light Window Sills
- Snake Plants
- Prayer Plants
- Spider Plants
- Dracaena
- Pilea Peperomioides
- ZZ Plant
Bright Light Window Sills
- Succulents like jade, aloe vera, echeveria
- Herbs like basil, mint, rosemary
- Flowering plants like orchids, African violets
- Crotons
- Bromeliads
Tips for Styling Window Sills with Plants
When it comes to styling your window sill with plants, creativity is key! Here are some tips to create an eye-catching display:
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Combine trailing, upright, and rosette-shaped plants for visual interest
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Use decorative cache pots or painted terra cotta pots to add color
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Incorporate non-plant items like candles, books, or small sculptures for accents
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Display air plants creatively without soil using glass terrariums or hanging planters
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Experiment with mixes of textures like glossy-leaved plants paired with fuzzy succulents
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Let vines trail down over the edges of the window sill for a romantic look
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Group 3-5 small pots together for an abundant window sill garden
Growing house plants on window sills can be extremely rewarding when you choose the right plants and care for them properly. Succulents, snake plants, pothos, herbs, and spider plants are excellent contenders for window side plant parenthood. Provide ample sunlight, occasional fertilizer, and consistent watering based on the plant’s needs, and your window sill plants will flourish. With a bit of trial and error, you’ll be on your way to creating a beautiful and thriving display of plants in your window sills.
Large Aloe Vera
These plants are adaptable intrepid explorers that thrive in all kinds of conditions. You can find them in all sorts of terrains, from beaches to the tops of the tallest mountain!
However, although they’re pretty cool and content in almost all environments, these famous plants are happiest in bright direct sunlight. Just as they can happily withstand a winter frost, a sun-drenched windowsill is no challenge for this plant.
This lovely plant has thick, bright burgundy green and characteristic rubbery leaves. It creates a fresh, lively atmosphere, and brings a touch of style reminiscent of her home in the Caribbean.
The Ficus Burgundy plant is suitable for rooms with large windows. Although she’ll be around 15 inches when she arrives, she can reach up to 5 metres high! However, when grown in a pot, she’ll stay nice and small. Its size can be easily managed through the occasional pruning session.
She craves bright light and will be very content by a sunny window, but can tolerate a lack of direct sunlight.
Strelitzia Bird of Paradise
These plants get their name from their elegant pointed white flowers. They resemble birds of paradise with their wings open! They’re native to South Africa and thrive and blossom when placed in the warmth of direct sunlight.
Their deep green, shiny padel-shaped leaves are designed to catch as much sunlight as possible. When placed in a sunny spot, you’ll notice them reaching towards the sun!
The Strelitzia Bird of Paradise has an elegance and leafy simplicity that brings beauty and charm to any room. Despite their delicate flowers, they’re very easy to care for – perfect for all the plant parent newbies.
Top 10 Houseplants For Your Windowsill
FAQ
Which plants are good for window sills?
What plants are good for window sills? Succulents, snake plants, pothos, spider plants, and herbs like basil and thyme work well on window sills. These plants can tolerate varying light conditions and don’t require excessive watering, making them ideal for the unique conditions of window sill environments.
Should you put plants on windowsill?
Since most plants need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight a day, a south-facing window is an ideal place to set up an indoor garden. Be sure to choose a window that isn’t obstructed by a tree or building or any other object that might block the sun’s rays and create too much shade for your plants to grow.
Why is Gen Z obsessed with plants?
Plants allow Gen Z to feel like they’re caring for their environment. They give them a moment at the end of the day to make small steps towards helping our planet. For Gen Z, the meaning of home is changing.
What is the best indoor plant for direct sunlight?
- Cycads. Make use of these lush palm plants during the summer months.
- Aloe vera. Great for kitchens, aloe vera is a useful burn remedy.
- Kalanchoe. With their bright flowers in a range of colours, kalanchoes are one of the showiest succulents.
- Flamingo flowers. …
- Fig trees.
What are the best plants for windowsill?
Unless your house is an underground cave your home has windows and those windowsills are the perfect place to grow plants. And today, we are taking a look at some of the best plants for windowsill. Green plants in your home help to clean the air, provide natural color and even add some lovely scents to any room in your home.
What plants grow well on a window sill?
Sedum: Hardy and adaptable, ideal for sunny spots on a window sill. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): A popular succulent that grows slowly and adapts well to bright light. Kalanchoe: Combines attractive foliage with vibrant blooms, perfect as plants on a window sill or indoor window planter.
Can succulents grow on window sills?
Succulents are ideal for sunny window sills. Their thick, waxy leaves allow them to tolerate direct light and heat. Popular succulents like jade plants echeveria, aloe vera and haworthia do well in bright southern or western exposures. Choose succulents with compact growth habits that won’t overtake the windowsill. 2. Cacti
Are window sills a good place to display small house plants?
Window sills are a great place to display small house plants. The right plants can add pops of color, interesting textures, and even purify the air in your home. However, not all house plants thrive in the conditions provided by window sills. Choosing the right plants is key to creating an attractive and easy-to-care-for windowsill garden.
Are windowsill plants good for indoor plants?
Windowsills are usually bright but small spaces, so tiny indoor plants work great, especially if they prefer direct sunlight. However, there are certain types of plants that do better on the windowsill than others.
What plants can be placed in front of a window?
Edible plants like herbs flourish under abundant sunlight, making them great candidates for a window for plants or a plant shelf in front of a window. Basil: Loves bright light and produces aromatic leaves excellent for kitchen use. Thyme: Hardy and well-suited to full sun, perfect for placing on a window sill plant shelf.