8 Window Plants for Every Window Direction

Thinking of buying indoor plants? Know which ones suit your window direction first! The direction your windows face determines the amount of sunlight your plants will get, which, as you’ve guessed, is paramount in horticulture. 

So before taking home plants like moth orchids, spider plants, or African violets, check if they’ll suit your home using our guide. We’ll discuss the perfect plants for north, east, south, and west-facing windows so you can pick the right window plants for your home. 

Let’s get started!

What Direction Window Is Best for Plants? 

North, east, south, and west—each direction gives different amounts of sunlight suitable for different plants. East and west have direct, inconsistent light levels in the morning and afternoon, while north and south have partial and intense indirect sunlight, respectively, throughout the day. 

Here’s a quick comparison between each direction’s light level, from lowest to most intense:

Best Plants for North-Facing Windows

Many plants love a bit of shade and make the most of indirect light. They efficiently absorb and use the softer light through north-facing windows, which create spots with limited sunlight exposure. Add these north-facing window plants to your home:

1. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

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The cast iron plant resiliently thrives in various conditions, especially near north-facing windows where light levels are low. It adds natural beauty to any space, with its thick green leaves gracefully arching outward.

2. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

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The ZZ plant, or Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a sturdy indoor plant with glossy green leaves growing upright. It thrives in low to bright light and only needs water when the soil dries out. Overall, ZZ plants are perfect for busy individuals who want to grow houseplants or gardening newbies who want low-maintenance yet attractive kitchen window plants.

Best Plants for East-Facing Windows

East-facing window plants soak in the morning’s gentle sunlight and bathe in the warm afternoon glow. These windowsill plants are perfect for windows that bring in a mix of bright, indirect light and occasional shade:

3. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata Bostoniensis)

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These plants thrive in the gentle morning light that doesn’t damage their vibrant leaves. They’re usually placed in a hanging basket or on an elevated plant stand, where their long fronds can arch beautifully. During the growing season, east-facing window plants need constant misting, watering when the soil is dry, and fertilizing once a month to keep them healthy.

4. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

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The prayer plant thrives in partial shade, making it ideal for east-facing windows. This tropical plant boasts tricolour foliage: deep green, velvety leaves adorned with yellow splotches, and red veins. It only needs to be watered when the topsoil is dry, so you have to prevent waterlogging at all costs by making sure your pot has drainage holes.

Best Plants for South-Facing Windows

South-facing windows bring in lots of sunlight, making them perfect for full-sun window plants. It’s the perfect spot for sun-loving plants that thrive in a bright spot like a reading nook with bay windows:

5. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

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These plants with thick, green, serrated leaves require a minimum of six hours of sunlight daily, so they’re perfect for south-facing windows. However, excessive direct sunlight can damage their leaves, so take note of that!

6. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

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Jade plants are crowd-pleasers thanks to their thick stems and pink-tinged foliage. They age gracefully, becoming more stunning with each passing year of their long lifespan. Position them in a south-facing window with partial shade to let them enjoy bright indirect sunlight. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.

Best Plants for West-Facing Windows

Indoor plants that require direct sun get the best conditions from windows facing west. West-facing light gets warmer and more intense as the day drags on, perfect for plants that thrive in warmer temperatures. Here are the perfect plants for a west-facing window:

7. Mass Cane (Dracaena Massangeana)

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The mass cane can withstand intense sunlight in west-facing windows, but it’ll need more water because it evaporates faster. Watering once a week works well for this plant. If you see yellow leaves, it’s thirsty and needs water.

8. Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

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Fiddle-leaf figs are popular indoor plants for their slender stems and large, glossy leaves shaped like an oval. They thrive in well-draining soil and enjoy lots of bright, direct sunlight. You can place them in your west-facing windows, which get uninterrupted sunlight throughout the day.

Get the Perfect Windows for Your Plants With Burano Doors

North, south, east or west, no matter where your window opens, the secret to thriving indoor plants is getting the most appropriate and best windows for plants that let in the right amount of light and can be opened to let in fresh air if needed. That’s where we come in!

Whether your plants thrive in the gentle morning light or bask in the warm afternoon sun, Burano Doors has got you covered. Our high-quality windows enhance natural light while also offering energy efficiency and durability. We’ll have them installed in your home the way you want them, and where you want them.

As window experts in Ontario, we can guide you when it comes to choosing the right windows for your home. Whether you are looking for picture windows that let in more light or casement windows that can be opened for ventilation, we can help you with everything! Contact us today to learn more about what window is best for plants, and let’s put your green thumb to good use!