These Are the Best Houseplants for Your South-Facing Windows

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houseplant provide many benefits , from meliorate indoor air caliber to boost modality and morale . When selecting plants , it ’s authoritative to take into thoughtfulness their light requirements .

Manyfavorite plantsare take to live on indoors with us because they prefer ( or at least tolerate ) brilliant , indirect light . To supply indirect sunlight for works , place them in an east windowpane , a smear suitably distance from a south or west windowpane , or a curtained window placement for gentler brightness level .

Several small houseplants sitting in a south-facing window inside a home.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Other plants require direct sunlight vs. indirect sunlight — stronger light from an unshaded Dixieland or west photograph . This light could burn up leaves on more sensitive plants , but some plants thrive in unshaded Dixie - facing window light .

Be aware that plant receiving firm luminousness may need more frequent watering , as the Sunday can dry them out promptly . Watering andfertilizing requirementsdiminish during winter months , when even southern exposure lessen due to the sun ’s slant .

1. Pincushion cactus (Mammilaria spp.)

Most succulent andcactus varietiesmake splendid plant for south - face window . These spiny desert - dwellers like a lot of sunshine and warmth .

Pincushion cacti range from the small , dome - shapedMammillaria spinosissimato the taller , columnar ladyfinger cactus , M. elongata , with its cluster of spiky stems and colorful prime that encircle the confidential information of each stem . Good drainage is a must . No need to water all winter ; just give a monthly misting and a half - speciality dosage of cactus plant food .

2. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

usually seen as a landscaping borderline in southerly climes , thebird of paradisemakes a striking impression indoors with its large leave , exotic blooms , and imposing height of up to 10 feet . These downhearted - criminal maintenance , full - sun window plants do n’t require a hatful of water system , but they do appreciate high humidity . matured plants of at least 3 years may produce bloom in later winter or spring , specially if the works is ancestor - adhere . Bird of paradise houseplant bask summering outdoors .

3. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Sometimes referred to asmother - in - jurisprudence ’s tonguefor its sharp sword - same leaves , the snake industrial plant is another low - maintenance plant life that tot up drama to interior spaces . Its marvelous , narrow , rigid , pointy leave-taking originate flat up from the base . Although slow - grow , they can achieve up to 8 foot tall when fully grow . A Hydra industrial plant does n’t need a fortune of watering . Actually , it ca n’t stand a bunch of watering and may drop when overwatered . Other than that , it ’s nearly indestructible . In fact , it ’s one of the few that can also prosper in collateral lighting for works and even low light .

4. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)

Who needs heyday when aleafy crotonprovides a kaleidoscope of colorful leaves ? Thick , glossy leaf get along in an motley of color : sensationalistic , orange , red-faced , green , bronze , pink , and purple . Give it warm temperatures , lots of visible light , a moderate amount of water supply , and well - drained soil , and you ’ll delight this rainbow of colouration on a full , lavish plant life that can mature marvelous and bushy . They wo n’t bear moth-eaten temperature . Be aware that crotons give rise a sap that can devil the skin , and every part of it ispoisonous if take in .

5. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

This South African stunner features stripy thread - like leaves arching out from the heart and soul and cascading down over the mess , dripping staunch sprouting short mini - me plantlet . The visual effect is reminiscent of a wanderer ; hence the nickname . As easy to deal for andpropagateas it is popular , thespider plantis a great candidate for a hanging basket in a sunny windowpane where it will get as much as 8 hours of ignitor a day . Avoid over - watering it , but if leaf tips start to turn brown , increase watering .

6. Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

This low-toned - sustenance succulent , with its plump , bristly - stinging , gel - take leaves , is a favorite because of its medicative properties to deal sunburn , skin rashes , cuts , or other case of burns . But the plant is also beautiful in its own right , with a structural timbre and a desert landscape painting vibe . Mature aloe plantscan get as magniloquent as 3 feet , and nearly as blanket . It require warm temperatures and a lot of undimmed luminousness , but little watering . As with most succulent , the soil should dry out between watering . Soggy stain can stimulate origin rotin this drought - broad plant .

7. Jade plant (Crassula ovata)

Asymbol of unspoilt lot , the Jade plant is a low - maintenance sunlight lover . Favored because of its visual aspect of a miniature tree diagram , it ’s comfortable to worry for . Jade does bestwith tidy sum of smart sun , quick temperatures , low-spirited humidity , and only casual watering . They ’re susceptible to root word rot if over - watered . low plant rest happily on aplant shelffor windows , but this slow - grow succulent that can live up to 70 year may eventually get quite tall , top out around 6 foot .

8. Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

Despite its name , theponytail laurel wreath is a succulent , not a palm tree . Its name is more significative of the burst of retentive , fragile leaves that erupt from a central , bulb-shaped “ trunk . ” That thick proboscis , or stem , stores water , so it ’s best not to water too often — especially in winter . gentle to care for , this slow cultivator from the desert neighborhood of Central America requires footling maintenance other than plenty of scant , well - drained soil , and fond temperatures .

9. Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum)

This succulent , also known as donkey ’s ass , feature little blue-blooded - putting surface teardrop - shaped leaves tightly pack around stems that can achieve length up to 4 feet . The drapey nature of the stem make this works a expert choice for hanging baskets . The plant life is delicate ; its leaves easy fall off if the flora is moved . However , they areeasy to propagate , although ontogeny is tiresome . They like bright sunshine and can handle temperate temperatures , but do not like to be over - water . Too much H2O for this drought - tolerant succulent head to settle down rot .

10. Fasciated haworthia (Haworthiopsis fasciata)

Commonly screw as a zebra plant life , this attractive succulent has horizontal white stripes , or band , on its fleshy , dark green leaves , which grow erect from the middle in a russet scab pattern . Because this plant stay little , it ’s a upright candidate for an indoor window planter , as long as there is safe drainage . Sandy soil is best to help keep moisture away from the roots . Keep them ardent , H2O only when the top in of filth is dry , and leave pot of good lighting . Their leaves fade in depressed light . They even savor summering outdoors .

11. Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

Often sold commercially as anindoor Christmas tree diagram , the Norfolk Island pine is n’t really a pine Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ; it ’s a relative of the monkey puzzle tree ( Araucaria araucana ) . Its gentle phonograph needle on symmetric branches growing on sparse , square trunk give it the appearance of a coniferous tree . Although it ’s tropical , the Norfolk pine tolerates dry melody , making it an idealistic houseplant . It requires lots of bright light and moist , but not soggy , soil . Indoor height can reach 8 animal foot , but it can also be prepare as a bonsai or miniature .

12. Yucca (Yucca spp.)

Mostyuccas sell as houseplantshave been grafted onto cane , increasing the plant ’s height and drama . The rough , sword - similar leave of absence of a yucca grow upright in spiky fashion — and some salmagundi have barb on the tips . This drought - tolerant plant is extremely sore to overwatering and practically demands the maximal amount of lustrous light available , placing it in the houseplants for south - face window class . Accustomed to swings in desert temperatures , drafts , and juiceless air , they are adaptable houseplants .

Lori Lovely has astray - ranging experience working for greenhouses , nurseries , landscaping company , and interior plant - care companies . She also pass many years work in floral design and is currently a Midwest sodbuster , although she specializes in tropical industrial plant . To pursue her interest in rare tropic plant life , she has trip extensively throughout the Caribbean , South Pacific , and Central America to learn about finish and propagation of aboriginal species .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

A group of potted pincushion cactuses with pink blooming flowers

Photo: istockphoto.com

We ’ll help you arrange up your first garden — whether that ’s a few good deal on your patio , a raised seam , or an in - ground plot out back — and choose the good plants for your grunge and part .

Row of bird of paradise plants with bright orange blooms.