A south-facing windowsill can be one of the most challenging spots in the house for a houseplant. With strong natural light throughout the day, all that sunshine can turn a windowsill into a surprisingly hot microclimate, especially in the summer. While plenty of popular houseplants will scorch, fade or become stressed in these conditions, others are perfectly happy to bask in the rays.
The trick is to choose plants that are naturally suited to intense light. Many of the best candidates are succulents and other plants adapted to bright, sunny environments, but they’re not the only options. Some foliage plants actually grow their best form when given more light than they’re commonly thought to need.
That doesn’t mean you can put any plant in a sunny window and forget about it, however. Plants accustomed to lower light should always be transitioned gradually, and even sun-loving houseplants can be damaged if foliage is pressed directly against hot glass. With a little knowledge on how to grow houseplants, you can leave these seven plants on a south-facing windowsill even when summer temperatures soar. There are lots of beautiful sun-loving houseplants available at The Home Depot.
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1. Snake Plants
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Snake plants (Dracaena spp.) are often recommended for low-light corners, but that’s not necessarily where they’ll be happiest. In fact, a bright south-facing window can encourage stronger growth and better coloration, particularly in the more highly variegated forms.
‘Snake plants typically grow in direct sun exposure in their native habitats, but they’ve been sold to you as low-light plants,’ said horticulturist and author Leslie Halleck. ‘Species in the Dracaena genus that fall into the snake plant group will grow more vigorously and maintain better variegation patterns when kept in a south facing window with more light, versus a low-light corner.
Species that fall into the corn plant group fair better if you pull them back a foot or so from a bright southern window.’
2. Jade Plant
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The jade plant (Crassula ovata) is another natural choice for a sunny windowsill. These succulents need plenty of light to develop the sturdy, compact growth that makes them so attractive. Insufficient light can result in weak, stretched growth and can also contribute to problems with the roots.
‘Most jade plants kept indoors end up spindly and can rot easily at the root zone due to low light conditions,’ Halleck said. ‘If you want a sturdy jade plant with a thick truck that might even bloom for you, a southern window that offers up at least six hours of sunlight is best.’
As with other succulents, don’t assume that lots of sun means lots of water. Allow the growing medium to dry between waterings rather than keeping the roots continually damp. A moisture meter such as the Luster Leaf Digital Moisture Meter found at Ace Hardware can take some of the guesswork out of knowing when your jade plant needs a drink.
3. Ponytail Palm
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With its swollen, water-storing trunk and fountain of narrow leaves, ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is practically made for a bright windowsill. It’s also a good choice if you want something with more architectural presence than a small succulent.
Houseplant specialist and author Lisa Eldred Steinkopf recommends ponytail palm for a southern window, noting that inadequate light can actually affect its form. ‘If this plant receives too little light, the top of the plant will not stay upright as it should. It will stretch for the light.’
Its ability to store water in the swollen base of its trunk also makes it relatively forgiving if you occasionally forget to water. Give it a sunny situation and use a well-draining potting mix, and it can remain in place throughout summer.
Leslie Halleck is a Certified Professional Horticulturist, horticulture industry consultant, and writer. She teaches courses for UCLA Extension and has written three books about plants and gardening, with her latest book, Home Greenhouse Revival, out soon.
Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, known as the “houseplant guru,” is a houseplant expert and has authored several books, including Houseplants: The Complete Guide to Choosing, Growing and Caring for Indoor Plants. She writes a houseplant column and has contributed for multiple U.S. gardening publications.
4. Hoya
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Hoyas are another option for a sunny windowsill, particularly if you’d like a houseplant that can eventually reward you with flowers. These plants are often grown for their attractive, sometimes succulent foliage as well as their clusters of blooms.
Steinkopf notes that hoyas can show some signs of stress when exposed to strong sun, but that isn’t necessarily a reason to move them away from the window. ‘They may get a bit sun-stressed, but it doesn’t hurt them, and they bloom!’
It’s okay if your hoya experiences a little sun stress, especially when the alternative is insufficient light. As always, watch the plant’s foliage for signs of actual scorching, and move it slightly back from the glass. Placing your hoya on a plant stand such as the Alfie-Thomas Plant Stand found at Wayfair can let you easily move the plant as the sun changes position in the sky with the season.
5. Croton
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If your idea of a successful houseplant includes plenty of color, croton (Codiaeum variegatum) is the houseplant for you. Its brightly colored foliage can lose intensity when the plant doesn’t receive enough light, making a sunny window an excellent location.
‘If they don’t have full sun, they will lose their vibrant colors,’ Steinkopf stated. She has a warning about them, though: ‘Don’t let them dry out, or they will get spider mites and drop their leaves.’ A narrow-spout watering can such as the Fiskars Plastic Watering Can found at Target makes it easier to deliver water directly to the soil without disturbing the foliage.
The warning about moisture is particularly important during hot weather. A south-facing window can increase evaporation, so check the pot’s soil regularly.
6. Yucca
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Yucca brings a completely different look to a sunny window, with stiff, upright foliage that gives it a distinct structural appearance. It also makes a strong statement even without flowers.
Steinkopf’s assessment is straightforward: ‘It’s not my favorite plant, but it is very architectural, and some people like that in a modern home. It is perfect for a southern window.’
7. Bird of Paradise
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Bird of paradise (Strelitzia spp.) is the choice for anyone with a large, bright south-facing window and ambitions for a substantial houseplant. Although it’s frequently grown indoors for its dramatic foliage, it needs considerably more light than many homes provide if you want it to thrive, especially if you’re hoping for flowers.
‘I see a lot of plant parents trying to keep them indoors hoping they will bloom,’ Halleck observed. ‘If you have a big southern window that gets bright sun all day, this is your best spot for a bird of paradise. Otherwise, light levels in most homes are just too low for these plants to thrive.’
A Note About South-Facing Windows
Even the most sun-loving houseplant isn’t completely immune to a sudden change in conditions. If a plant has been living in lower light, don’t move it straight into an intense southern exposure when summer arrives.
‘In general, if you want to keep succulents and cacti happy as indoor houseplants, a south-facing window without any major obstructions that provides more intense sunlight through the day is best,’ Halleck suggested.
‘That said, any plant that has been kept in lower light conditions needs to be gradually transitioned back into higher light intensity to avoid scorch or leaf drop. And any leaves directly touching the glass may burn even if it’s a high-light plant.’
What to Shop
Use this soil moisture meter to monitor your houseplant’s soil. It can help you avoid over or underwatering.
This plant mister can be used to give your plants a spritz to boost humidity levels.
This vintage floral pot is perfect for smaller houseplants. It’s ceramic and has a timeless feel.
A south-facing window doesn’t have to be a houseplant danger zone. Choose plants that appreciate direct light, give them good drainage and keep an eye on watering, and that challenging sunny spot can become one of the easiest places in your home to grow healthy, attractive houseplants.
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