Best Window Direction for Indoor Plants (North, South, East & West Explained)
Window location: Which direction do the windows in your home face? Is that even something you’ve ever thought about before???
If you’d love your plants to thrive, it’s one of the most important things you can do. Or, if you’re picking out window treatments, see this piece I recently wrote for Skyline Window Coverings. (Shameless plug: I am the *shady* gal after all.)
Quick Answer: South-facing windows provide the most sunlight and are generally best for sun-loving plants. North-facing windows provide indirect light and are ideal for many low-light houseplants. East-facing windows offer gentle morning sun, while west-facing windows receive intense afternoon sunlight.
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| Window Direction | Light Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| North | Indirect | ZZ Plant, Snake Plant, Pothos |
| South | Bright All Day | Succulents, Cacti, Aloe |
| East | Morning Sun | Calathea, Peperomia, Orchids |
| West | Afternoon Sun | Tradescantia, Croton |
Window Direction…WHAT?!?
Once upon a time, we lived in a condo in downtown KC, where the entire length of the condo was glass. Facing West. I became acutely aware of how important window location is in the home. We had gorgeous sunsets to look forward to each and every evening. We also had to pass out sunglasses to dinner guests, and we cranked the AC from about 2pm until bedtime.
This was the actual view from our condo balcony, so stunning.
If you don’t know which direction your windows face in your home, I’ve got you covered! Get a piece of paper. Draw a large circle. Think of a clock, but add the directions–North is at the top where you would normally see the 12, East is 3, South is 6, West is 9.
Window direction and light is specific to your own home.
Choose one of the directions you know–where the sun rises or where it sets. Lay the piece of paper down in your home, with the direction adjusted based on your home’s specific location. Then, take a look at the ways window location can affect growing plants in your home…
Get to Know the Light
To begin with, you have to understand how your home is affected by the sunlight it receives–and where it’s coming from. Frankly, you may have some “Aha!” moments during this evaluation.
I live in the USA…Chicago specifically. Why does this matter? Because the sun travels across the sky, shining down on us in a pattern that is different depending on where you are on the globe.
- East-facing windows will wake you up at the crack of dawn, at least 6 months out of the year. The light starts soft, with less heat. By about 11am, you’re no longer receiving direct light.
- West-facing windows can be brutal. The direct rays enter at about 2pm, and your room heats up FAST. Especially in summertime, that intense sunlight may not go away until just before sunset.
- North-facing windows get lots of indirect glare, bright enough near the windows. But, as you get farther from the windows, you may experience “dark spots.”
- South-facing windows get access to light all day long. As the sun moves across the sky, so does the direct light.
South facing windows have access to light ALL DAY LONG.
Know Your Plants
It’s important to identify what type of light your plants need. Believe them when they tell you what they need. It’s a good idea to check the label, or google plant care when you consider adding to your collection of plants.
- High light: best in South & West windows.
- Bright, indirect light: South and West will work as long as the plants aren’t right in the window–consider placing a short distance away. Or, use window coverings that diffuse the entering light.
- Medium to high light: South, West & East windows–away from direct light.
- Medium: North windows–right at the window; East windows–not in direct light; South windows–set more than 6 feet away.
- Medium to Low: North windows, or in shadow spaces around your home. (My south-facing rooms have darker corners on the walls with windows)
- Low Light: Shadowy spots, or north-facing window rooms, placed away from the windows.
Do Window Treatments Affect Indoor Plants?
Absolutely. As someone who works in the window coverings industry, I see this misunderstood all the time.
Sheer shades and light-filtering treatments usually allow enough light for many houseplants while reducing harsh afternoon sun. Blackout shades, on the other hand, can dramatically reduce available light if kept closed for long periods.
If you have a room full of plants, choosing the right window treatment can be just as important as choosing the right window direction.
Other Factors
In considering your home’s unique features, you also have to consider what’s going on outside. Features outside your home can affect the way the light enters, which can be positive or negative, depending on which type of plants you’re trying to grow.
- Do you have trees that block the entering light?
- Is there a pergola or covered porch that keeps light from coming in?
- Does the overhang of your roof line prevent second story light from entering, but not first floor?
- What time of the year is it? The length of day, or amount of light entering, changes drastically from summer to winter.
The bottom line is–observe, observe, observe. That’s the best way to identify the type of light you have access to and which plants might thrive.
A List of Plants with Window Location
I have to give you a disclaimer…these lists are not an “end all, be all” for where to put your plants. I did a lot of “list scouring” to see what the folks of the internet believe.
And, I took some of my own knowledge into consideration. I DO NOT have East facing windows in my home. I only have one West facing, and it’s a bathroom, soooo…meh.
Plus, no matter how hard I try, some plants just haven’t faired well with me (I’m looking at you, Button Fern), so I had to take the internet’s word for it.
Windows Facing North
*All Day Indirect Light
- Pothos
- Peace Lily
- Cast Iron Plant
- Scindapsus (Silver Pothos)
- Snake Plants
- The Aglaonema Family (Chinese Evergreen, Philippine Evergreen)
- ZZ Plants
- English Ivy
- Lucky Bamboo
- Philodendrons
- Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa)
- Nerve Plant (Fittonia)
- Spider Plants
- The Fern Family
- Bromeliads
- Orchids
Aglaonema Plant next to North Facing Window
Raven ZZ Plant in North Facing Window Location (It’s against an exterior wall, about 3 feet from a window & thriving!)
Windows Facing South
*Hot, Sunny Windows ALL Day Long
- Herbs
- Crotons
- Succulents
- String of Pearls
- Tradescantia
- The Cactus Family (varieties)
- Thanksgiving & Christmas Cacti
- Aloe
- Jade
- Dwarf Fruit Trees
- Yucca
- Dracaena (varieties)
- Kalancho
- Ponytail Palm
This String of Pearls plant is hanging in a South facing window.
This Snow White Waffle Plant loves the South sunlight.
Windows Facing East
*Half of the Day: Soft, Sunny Windows
- Dieffenbachia
- Corn Plant (Dracaena Fragrans)
- Fiddle-leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata)
- Rubber Tree (Ficus Elastica)
- Angel Wing Begonia
- Aluminum Plant (Pilea Cadierei)
- Parlor & European Fan Palms
- Umbrella Tree (Schefflera)
- Peacock Plant (Calathea)
- Prayer Plant (Maranta)
- Flamingo (Anthurium)
- Peperomia
My Prayer Plant loves life when it’s getting medium light, on the “brighter” side of medium
This Aluminum Plant needs light, but will shrivel and crisp with direct light
Windows Facing West
*Half of the Day: Hot, Sunny Windows
- The Begonia Family
- Succulents
- Bird of Paradise
- The Cactus Family
- Butterfly, Jaggery & Sago Palms
- Jade
- Aloe
- Croton
- Christmas & Thanksgiving Cacti
Thanksgiving & Christmas Cacti love light and need more moisture than desert cacti
This little succulent arrangement would be perfect for West Facing windows.
Looking for Planter Ideas?
Many of the planters I use throughout my home come from a mix of Amazon finds, thrift stores, and local shops. If you’re looking for colorful, eclectic, and plant-friendly planter ideas, you can browse my favorite planter picks here:
Where Are My Plants?
I get asked this a lot, and the answer is…South facing windows! But, it’s actually a little more detailed than that. I’m lucky to have both my “plant room” and my master bedroom on the Southwest side of the house. Why?
Southwest light is even more intense than Southeast light. Meaning, I have medium to high light plants 10 feet back from the window, and they thrive. Right against the windows, I have those sun-loving favorites. And, for indirect light in these rooms, it’s easy to tuck them under the windowsill or in the corner. What about those Southeast windows? They get sun earlier, but it’s “cooler,” and I can even have low to medium light set back away from the windows.
Honestly, it’s really trial and error for your home’s specific layout, but it’s very helpful to start with knowledge about how window location affects growing your plants.
If all else fails, get a grow light to help, and grab some fake plants in spots where you need greens, but nothing is working! If you want to take it outside, check out my plant wall inspiration.
*The following list of plants is appropriate if the plant is receiving light as close to the specific window as possible…if you move it six or ten feet away from the window location listed, it’s another ballgame.
**Check your plants before purchasing for toxicity if you have pets or children that may mess with them, like when Koko destroyed my Dracaena.
Where are the plants in your home? Do you agree with these lists? Which plants do you own that I’ve left off the lists? I’d love to know! Drop me a line in the comments!
FAQ People Ask Me About My Indoor Plants
Are south-facing windows best for plants?
They can be good for indoor plants that need a strong amount of light, like succulents, tradescantia, and jade.
Can plants survive in north-facing windows?
Yes, there are medium-low light plants that can live happily in North-facing light, including Aglaonema, Snake Plants and ZZ Plants.
What plants grow best in east-facing windows?
East-facing windows are great for plants that need sunshine for only part of the day. This morning sunlight is great for Orchids, Aloe, Pepperomia and Arrowhead.
Do blinds affect plant growth?
Yes, your blinds can affect the amount of light your plants get. Sheer window treatments will let light into your home, while blackout fabrics or closed wood blinds will greatly reduce the amount of light. Because of this, it’s important to consider which type of plants you are trying to grow based on the way you adjust your window coverings.
Do sheer shades block too much sunlight for plants?
Sheer shades are a great way to reduce the glare and direct light your home receives, therefore, they can be a great influence on the lighting in your home for many of your plants. Some plants, such as succulents, would prefer to be placed in a bare window, taking in as much direct light as possible.
Can I use grow lights if my windows don’t get enough sun?
Yes, grow lights are an excellent option for homes that don’t receive enough light for indoor plants. I have replaced regular light bulbs in lamps with grow lights to encourage indoor plant growth. I have also recently added a shelf with integrated grow lights for my plants that reside in a dark corner.
