Windows + Light for Houseplants

Plants need light. They need light. Light is needed by plants. Plants need light. Say it with me: Plants. Need. Light.

Each window is going to be a little different in terms of how "good" a plant window it is based on:

1) Direction.

2) How big a view of the sky/access to light the plant has.

3) Things blocking the light.

Some plants are going to be more forgiving and flexible than others regarding their light access.

North Facing Windows:

• Consider these LOWER LIGHT windows

• Light will be lower intensity

• Light will be less direct

• Some contenders:

  • Pothos

  • Philodendron

  • ZZ Plant

  • Snake Plant

• Good reminder here is that typically, the less light a plant receives, the less frequently it will need to be watered.

East Facing Windows:

• Consider these LOWER/MEDIUM LIGHT windows

• Light will be lower intensity

• Depending on openness to the sun, these windows should get good morning light.

• Some contenders:

  • Spider Plant

  • Peperomia

  • Prayer Plant

  • Scindapsus

  • Any of the Northern Window plants

Southern Facing Windows:

• Consider these BRIGHT LIGHT windows.

• Light will be high intensity.

• This is typically where plants would receive the most light

  • *See my demo for an example of when this isn't the case

• Some contenders:

  • Succulents

  • Cacti

  • Aloe

  • Some palms

  • Northern/Eastern plant suggestions (but maybe not sitting directly in the window)

West Facing Windows:

• Consider these MEDIUM BRIGHT LIGHT windows.

• Light will be higher intensity mostly in the afternoon -> "Afternoon Sun"

• Second most amount of light after southern windows

• Some contenders:

  • Crotons

  • Hoya

  • Fiddle Leaf Fig

  • Rubber Plant

  • Dracaena

  • Northern/Eastern plant suggestions (but maybe not sitting directly in the window)

Window Evaluation Checklist:

• What direction is this window facing?

• Are there major blockages outside this window (like trees, other buildings, awnings) or is it pretty open?

• How much of the sky/sun do I see/feel when I put myself in the spot (as best as possible) where my plant would sit?

• Use the suggestions in this guide to help you decide what window would work best for your plants!