When I moved to this home, I was happy that it faced east. I love azaleas, boxwood, Japanese maples, and rhododendrons. They prefer the east exposure, and so do my favorite indoor plants. I love all teh east window plants.
Would it have been a deal breaker if it had faced west? No, but it was another good reason to buy this home.
I know that many people prefer a light meter to find out exactly what light their area has, but I have never have. After decades of growing houseplants, these are plants I’ve found do well in an east exposure. Your experience may be different and that’s okay.
Having an east facing window provides the perfect lighting conditions for growing many types of indoor plants. The morning sun that comes through an east window is less intense than the hot afternoon sun from a west window. This makes an east exposure ideal for plants that prefer gentle, filtered sunlight.
When choosing plants for an east facing window, look for varieties that thrive with bright, indirect light Plants from tropical forests and other shady habitats often do well in east window conditions. With a bit of trial and error, you can create a lush indoor oasis using the 17 plants recommended below.
1. Ferns
Ferns are one of the top plant choices for east facing windows. These graceful plants thrive with the dappled morning light moderate temperatures and higher humidity of an east exposure. Popular true ferns to try include Boston ferns, rabbit’s foot ferns, and bird’s nest ferns. Related plants such as asparagus ferns and foxtail ferns also do well.
Keep ferns evenly moist, never allowing the soil to fully dry out. Mist the leaves occasionally to increase humidity. Rotate the plants periodically so all sides get even light. With the right care, ferns can grow for many years in an east window.
2. Peace Lily
A peace lily is another excellent option for an east facing window. Its dark green leaves and unique white flowers add interest to any room. Peace lilies tolerate a range of light levels but do best with bright, indirect light.
Water peace lilies regularly so the soil stays evenly moist. Let the top inch or two of soil dry between waterings. Add pebbles to the bottom of the pot for drainage. Mist the leaves often to boost humidity. Peace lilies can grow over 5 feet tall but also thrive in smaller pots.
3. Orchids
Many orchids adapted to grow beneath the forest canopy make easy-care houseplants for east facing windows. Try a moth orchid for abundant blooms on long flower spikes. Give it a loose planting mix and water when the top dries out.
Paphiopedilums produce exotic spotted blooms. Keep the soil evenly moist and add pebbles to the pot for drainage.Jewel orchids like Ludisia discolor dazzle with their shimmery foliage. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings.
4. Prayer Plant
With colorful leaves that fold upward at night, prayer plants are tropical beauties ideal for east facing windows. Their foliage comes in shades of green, red, or purple, often with striped patterns. Give them peaty soil that doesn’t dry out.
Prayer plants grow best with daytime temperatures of 60-80°F and moderate to high humidity. Keep them away from cold drafts and heating vents for lush growth. They rarely exceed 12 inches tall, making them great for shelves and tabletops.
5. Goldfish Plant
Goldfish plants produce unique flowers that resemble little orange goldfish. Also called nembathis, they thrive with the filtered morning sun from an east window. Use a peaty, well-draining soil mix.
Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Mist the leaves often and group plants together to boost humidity. Prune back leggy stems in spring to encourage bushier growth. Give them a trellis or stake as support if needed.
6. Croton
Crotons are cherished for their colorful leaves in shades of red, yellow, orange, pink, and green. Their foliage looks best in bright, indirect light. An east or west exposure is ideal.
Use a peaty potting mix with added perlite for drainage. Water when the top of the soil dries out. Mist frequently to keep their humidity-loving leaves happy. Turn the plants periodically so all sides get equal light exposure.
7. Grape Ivy
Also called oak leaf ivy, grape ivy is a trailing vine with ornamental lobed leaves. It looks fantastic cascading from a hanging basket in an east window. Keep the soil consistently moist. Water when the top inch becomes dry.
Pinch back long stems to encourage bushier growth. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every month or two during spring and summer. Its tendrils will grab onto any nearby objects, or you can provide a trellis for support.
8. Nerve Plant
The colorful veins on nerve plant leaves resemble nerves, giving this plant its common name. Their foliage comes in shades of green, red, pink, silver, and purple. Nerve plants need slightly dry soil between waterings.
Their wide, low-growing form makes them nice additions to east facing windowsills. Keep them away from cold drafts and hot heating vents. Their compact size also makes nerve plants ideal for terrariums.
9. Philodendrons
With over 400 species, philodendrons offer amazing variety to suit any east facing window. Try heartleaf philodendron for its trailing vines or bird’s nest philodendron for its ruffled leaves.
Give them a peaty potting mix that retains some moisture. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil dries out. Mist the leaves to boost humidity. Prune back excess growth to keep philodendrons tidy. They can tolerate lower light but thrive with morning sun.
10. Bromeliads
Bromeliads like anthuriums, air plants, and urn plants make easy houseplants for east facing windows. Their colorful bracts and foliage add texture and interest. Most bromeliads have low watering needs.
Soak the central cup (tank) of the plant rather than the soil. Let excess water drain fully before returning the plant to its cachepot. Use an orchid potting mix amended with bark chips and perlite. The medium light is perfect for bromeliads.
11. Aralia
Plants like Japanese aralia, false aralia, and ming aralia are perfect matches for east facing windows. Their big, bold leaves create tropical effects indoors. The variegated types add splashes of white to brighten shadowy spaces.
Water when the top several inches of soil become dry. Mist often to keep humidity high. Turn the plants periodically for even growth. Aralias also work well in north facing windows. Keep them away from direct hot sun that can scorch their leaves.
12. Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreen is a popular houseplant with colorful leaves that comes in both solid and variegated varieties. It thrives with the indirect sunlight of an east exposure. Water when the top inch or two of soil dries out.
The leaves will scorch if the plant gets too much direct sun. Use a general purpose houseplant fertilizer at half strength every month or so during spring and summer. Wipe dust off the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to keep them looking their best.
13. Ivy
Trailing ivies cascade beautifully from hanging baskets placed in east facing windows. Their vining stems can also climb up a small trellis or totem. Try grape ivy, devil’s ivy, or English ivy.
Keep the soil slightly moist but not waterlogged. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season. Trim back excess growth to keep ivy plants full and tidy. Grow ivy in a container with bottom drainage rather than planting it directly into a planter box.
14. Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia offer striking tropical effects with their large patterned leaves in shades of cream, white, and green. They can grow up to 6 feet tall indoors but also thrive in smaller pots. Give them bright filtered light and evenly moist soil.
Wear gloves when handling dieffenbachia because the plants contain toxic calcium oxalate crystals. Keep them away from children and pets. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Yellow leaves often indicate overwatering with this species.
15. Ficus
Trees like the fiddle leaf fig, rubber plant, and weeping fig grow well in east facing windows. They thrive with the bright filtered light. Allow the soil to partially dry between waterings. Mist the leaves often to mimic their native humid forest environment.
Rotate the trees periodically to encourage even, upright growth. Use a diluted liquid fertilizer every month or two during the growing season. Prune back overgrown branches to keep the plants tidy and prevent legginess.
16. Palms
Palms lend a tropical effect while cleaning the air inside your home. Try areca palm, parlor palm, or majesty palm in an east facing window. Use a potting mix formulated for palms with added perlite for drainage.
Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mist the fronds frequently to boost humidity. Wipe leaves often with a damp cloth to remove dust buildup. Place palms several feet back from the window where they get gentle indirect light.
17. Pothos
An easy-care vine, pothos thrives in medium to low light, making it an ideal choice for east facing windows. Its trailing stems look fantastic cascading from hanging baskets. Or let them climb up a moss pole or small trellis.
Keep the soil evenly moist but not soaked. Yellow leaves often indicate overwatering. Add pebbles to the pot bottom for added drainage. Wipe dust off the leaves every so often to keep them looking their best. Trim back long vines if needed to keep pothos full and bushy.
With the right plant choices, an east facing window can transform into your own personal indoor oasis. Pay attention to the light, humidity, and moisture needs of each species for healthy, thriving plants. Gradually make adjustments as needed to care for your plants properly. Then enjoy the tranquility and beauty your indoor garden brings to your home.
Syngonium or Arrowhead plant The arrowhead plant or syngonium has beautifully colored leaves
Did you know the arrowhead vine is a vining plant? There are varieties with pink leaves, pink and green leaves, burgundy leaves, and splotched leaves.
If you haven’t checked out the syngonium family, you should. They do become a vining plant with age, so be aware they can get large and may need a trellis or support of some type.
They have thin leaves so that is an indicator that they don’t want to dry out and may need a bit more humidity. Though they can get large, there are some mini versions out there, too.
Some orchids are east window plants
Many may think that orchids are hard to grow. They will never bloom for them in their homes without some elaborate set-up (and hocus pocus). I can assure you that isn’t the case for the three orchids I’m going to show you.
The phalaenopsis or moth orchid is easy to rebloom. Cut the stem back when done flowering and with good care and the right light, it will bloom again next year.
If it is in a cachepot or a pot without a drainage hole, take it out to water it. Take it to the sink, run water through the potting medium, let it drain, and return it to its cachepot.
Make sure no water is sitting in the “valley” where the leaves come together. It needs bright light such as an east window to have enough light to give it the energy to bloom again next year. Moth orchids or phalaenopsis do well as an east window plant
My paphiopedilum is getting ready to bloom right now and is in my east window all year. It needs to be evenly moist and it will flower regularly for you. For such a beautiful orchid, the paphiopedilum is surprisingly easy to grow
This orchid below, Ludisia discolor is one of my favorites. Not for its flowers, but for its sparkling gorgeous foliage. It is a terrestrial orchid meaning it grows in soil, not as an epiphyte as many orchids grow.
I keep the potting medium moist, but it is forgiving of drying out because of its succulent stems. It may lose some of its oldest leaves if allowed to dry out too much.
This orchid is easy to propagate with cuttings and who wouldn’t want a start of this beautiful plant? Jewel orchid or Ludisia discolor
BEST PLANTS FOR MORNING SUN WINDOWS – Houseplants for an east facing window
FAQ
Is an east facing window good for plants?
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Morning Sun:East-facing windows provide gentle morning sunlight, which is less intense than the afternoon sun from a west-facing window.
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Bright Indirect Light:After the initial morning sun, east-facing windows offer bright, indirect light, which is suitable for a wide variety of houseplants.
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Ideal for Many Plants:Many plants, including Boston ferns, calathea, and pothos, thrive in an east-facing window.
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Considerations:
- Direct Sun: While morning sun is generally gentle, be mindful of plants that are sensitive to direct sunlight and consider using sheer curtains or shades to filter the light.
- Obstructed Windows: If the window is obstructed by trees or buildings, it may not provide enough light, even if it’s technically an east-facing window.
- Plant-Specific Needs: Always consider the specific light requirements of the plant you intend to place in the window.
- Direct Sun: While morning sun is generally gentle, be mindful of plants that are sensitive to direct sunlight and consider using sheer curtains or shades to filter the light.
Which plant is best in the east direction?
- Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata)
- Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata)
- Calathea.
- Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
- Prayer Plants (Maranta Leuconeura)
- Jade Plant (Crassula Ovata)
- Umbrella Tree (Schefflera)
- Goldfish Plant (Columnea Gloriosa)
What potted plants grow well on the east side of the house?
Any easy-to-care for and fast-growing plant will do great here (pothos, philodendrons, monsteras, snake plants etc). Most other plants do great as well, in fact I think east is perfect for some of the trickier ones like calatheas.
How to deal with an east facing window?
Sheer curtains or light-filtering shades work well for east-facing windows, as they diffuse the strong light that comes out as the sun rises without completely blocking it out. For rooms where you want more control over light and privacy, dual shades or blinds provide flexibility.
What Houseplants do well in east facing window?
What Houseplant Do Well in East Facing Window? Great east-facing window plants are moth orchids, boston ferns, radiator plant, lipstick plant, African violets, dumb cane, hoya plants, flame violet, prayer plants, jade plants and piggyback plant.
What plants should I plant near my east-facing window?
Umbrella Tree (Schefflera actinophylla) The umbrella plant (Schefflera) is another great addition near your east-facing window. It adds an aesthetic appeal to your indoor environment with its huge leaves and glossy texture that attractively reflects light.
Which windows make a good houseplant?
Unique plants that can only survive in warm, humid climates typically make great houseplants in the colder regions of the United States. For many tropical plants, such as umbrella trees, orchids, and goldfish plants, east-facing windows provide the best source of light that mimics their native environment.
Are east-facing window plants a good choice?
This article will help you decide east-facing window plants are the best choice for you. To begin with, let’s see what eastern exposure means. If the sun rises in your window earlier than you would like it to, casting a bright, warm light, it faces east. This type of light is medium to bright light and it is a soft, low-temperature light.
Can a houseplant grow in an east-facing window?
This combination of direct morning sun and indirect afternoon sun makes an east-facing window suitable for many popular houseplants, including: Plants that demand high light may flourish in an unobstructed east window where they can soak up the intense early rays.
What are the best west-facing window plants to grow?
Here are some of the best west-facing window plants to grow: 1. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) The peace lily is a tropical plant known for its gorgeous white blooms that arise from dark green foliage. Native to the tropical rainforests of Colombia and Venezuela, the peace lily thrives in bright, filtered light.