5 houseplants that thrive on hot, south-facing windowsills
It’s not just your outdoor plants that may have been struggling with the hot weather this summer. Your indoor plants may be suffering, too. And if this is the case in your household, don’t worry, as plant experts have revealed five heat-proof houseplants that will happily flourish in a hot south-facing window.
In my experience, the best houseplants can really make a house feel like a home. So it really is heartbreaking when they shrivel up and die. Your favourite plants dying doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a bad plant parent, but if your home is particularly hot and stuffy during summer, you may be choosing the wrong species.
As the UK experiences a record-breaking, hot summer, experts are recommending these five houseplants that thrive in warm, sunny spots.
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1. Snake plant
(Image credit: Future PLC/Kasia Fiszer)
Snake plants are widely regarded as an ‘unkillable houseplant’, which always bodes well when hunting for houseplants that can withstand high temperatures. Plus, this air-purifying plant is also great at getting rid of dust, too!
‘Originating from arid African climates, snake plants are perfect for hot, south-facing rooms as they not only thrive in warm temperatures, but they store water in their thick leaves, which makes them able to cope well in intense heat and dry air. This also makes them very drought-tolerant, with you usually only needing to water them every two or three weeks during the summer. However, in extreme weather the frequency will need to increase to every one or two weeks, always remembering to check the moisture level in the soil first and only water when it is dry,’ says Lucie Bradley, gardens and greenhouse expert at Easy Garden Irrigation.
‘If you do have continuous, intense sunlight entering your room and your snake plant is on the windowsill, its leaves could be scorched, so if you can move it back from the windowsill or add a sheer curtain, this would prevent any sun damage.’
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2. Jade plant
(Image credit: Future PLC / David Giles)
Also known as a money plant, according to Feng Shui, a Jade plant can help welcome wealth and prosperity into your home – provided you know where to place this lucky houseplant!
‘The Jade plant is one of the most tolerant when it comes to sun in the home. It thrives in sunlight, can sit in direct sun and tolerates dry indoor air. They require little maintenance and only need watering when the soil is completely dry,’ says Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.
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3. Ponytail palm
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Ponytail palms can go weeks without being watered, making them one of the best houseplants for forgetful plant parents. Plus, its streaming green leaves and thick trunk make a visually stunning display, too.
‘Originating from eastern Mexico has meant the Ponytail Palm has evolved so that it can cope in intense heat and long periods of drought. Its bulbous base acts as a built-in water reservoir, meaning it only needs watering once a month during the summer months, whilst its narrow, curling leaves have developed so that it loses very little water through evaporation or transpiration,’ explains Lucie.
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4. Crown of thorns
(Image credit: Getty Images/ Sandra Alkado)
A crown of thorns is an excellent hardy houseplant that blooms all year round if given the correct care. It can be grown indoors and outdoors. Originally from Madagascar, a crown of thorns plant produces stunning red, pink or white flowers. It is toxic to dogs, so not suitable for households that have pets.
‘If given enough light, this houseplant can bloom for most of the year as long as it has enough light. It loves warm and sunny conditions and can produce clusters of colourful flowers continuously when it receives four to six hours of sunlight a day. Avoid overwatering and allow the soil to dry out between watering,’ says Chris.
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5. Aloe vera
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Aloe vera is one of the best air-purifying plants, as well as reducing damp and condensation, making it one of the best houseplants for bathrooms.
‘Aloe Vera has adapted to thrive in high heat and intense light, so this combined with its ability to store lots of water, makes it an exceptionally low-maintenance plant that is perfect for positioning in a hot, south-facing room in your house. It will thrive where it gets plenty of natural sunlight and only needs to be watered when the top 5cm of soil is dry, which usually occurs every 14 to 21 days during the summer months,’ says Lucie.
‘The only thing to be mindful of is if your plant is consistently in extreme heat, when temperatures are consistently above 29 degrees celcius, you should stop feeding your Aloe Vera as extreme heat will slow its growth. In addition, you may need to move the plant further away from direct light and ensure it is in a well-ventilated area.’
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Do you have any of these heat-loving houseplants in your home?
