Best Windows for Growing Indoor Plants (2024)

Increase your indoor gardening success by matching plants to your indoor light conditions.

An east- or west-facing window provides enough light for most indoor plants. Keep those that need brighter light within two feet of the window. Move them to a south-facing window in winter if needed.

Grow low light plants near a north-facing window or up to six feet back or off to the side of an east- or west-facing window. Keep in mind shears, awnings, trees and nearby structures can impact the amount of light reaching indoor plants.

Give plants an occasional turn for more even growth. Turn low light plants 45 degrees each time you water and those in brighter locations 90 degrees every month or two.

Overcome light limitations, keep plants healthy and expand your plant palette by supplementing with artificial lights.

A bit more information: Another way to grow more bright light plants when natural light is limited is to swap plants in low light with those in high light locations every two weeks. That is usually enough to keep both thriving.

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Best Windows for Growing Indoor Plants (2024)

FAQs

Best Windows for Growing Indoor Plants? ›

Choose a window that gets bright, indirect light, such as an east- or west-facing window. Use artificial lights: If you do not have a window that gets enough sunlight, you can use artificial lights to supplement your plants' light needs. Fluorescent and LED lights are both good options for houseplants.

What window is best for indoor plants? ›

An east- or west-facing window provides enough light for most indoor plants. Keep those that need brighter light within two feet of the window. Move them to a south-facing window in winter if needed.

What type of windows should I have installed that will be best for indoor plants? ›

Bay windows and bow windows make some of the best windows for house plants because they have an encapsulating effect on plants. This means that a larger portion of the leaves will see light instead of only one side of the plant being exposed.

Are east or west facing windows better for plants? ›

WEST: Just as east- and north-window plants are compatible, so too are the west- and south-window ones. Plants that like full sun and the south-facing windows will generally do well in west-facing windows, too.

What windows are plant friendly? ›

In North America, most gardeners will find that southern facing windows are ideal for light. These are followed by west facing windows to offer the most light. East facing windows get some level of light, while north facing windows offer the weakest amount of light intensity.

Do frosted windows provide enough light for plants? ›

Residential and commercial window film can actually help plants flourish. While they block the sun's harmful UV rays by 99%, they don't block the blue and red rays that the plant needs to grow. Some indoor plants will thrive with window tints because they require less light.

How many hours of sun do east facing windows get? ›

Ideally, east-facing windows get either bright indirect light all day or direct sun in the morning hours, when it's less intense, and indirect sun for the rest of the day.

What is the best window exposure for houseplants? ›

South-facing windows provide the most light: direct sunlight within 2 to 3 feet of the window; bright, indirect sunlight up to 5 feet from the window; and semi-shade up to 8 feet away from the window. East and west-facing windows provide some direct light up to 3 feet and indirect light up to 5 feet away.

How do you maximize a window for plants? ›

Adding tons of tiny four-inch shelves creates so much extra space, so you don't have to pile pots on your windowsill. This is a great way to maximize window space for plants. Bonus Tip: Creating little shelves on the sides of your window trim also opens up your window, allowing more natural light to enter your home!

Is sunlight through windows enough for plants? ›

Yes, that works, and you may be able to have more choices than just low light plants because of all the windows. It will much brighter most likely than just one window. An example of when this approach doesn't work out is when you have a regular sized window and want to grow succulents far, far away from that window.

What window is best for bright indirect light? ›

Plants that need bright, indirect light do well in east-facing windows. West Facing Window (afternoon sun, hot and bright) - Western windows will receive more indirect light in the early morning and early afternoon.

Can plants survive in an East facing window? ›

These spaces are best suited for sun-loving plants like succulents, cacti, varieties of Ficus, and the infamous Monstera deliciosa. East-Facing Windows: Generally medium to bright, indirect light.

What windows get the most light? ›

For the most light-bang for your buck, south-facing windows bring in more light than the windows on any other wall. The larger you make those windows, the more light you receive, free of charge, every day.

What type of windows should have installed that will be best for her indoor plants? ›

Bay windows

Installing a bay window will add a bump-out to the room and an obvious nook for your houseplants surrounded by natural light.

Do windows hinder plant growth? ›

If you choose a window with a low VT, less sunlight will come into your home. This can directly affect your house plants, how much sunlight they get, and how well they grow. To ensure your plants receive enough sunlight, choose a replacement window with a higher VT rating.

Can any plants survive in a room with no windows? ›

Growing plants in a windowless room with only artifical lighting can be a bit of a challenge, but it is definitely possible. By choosing shade-tolerant plants such as the snake plant, Chinese evergreen, Pothos, Spider plant, and Boston Fern, you can create a beautiful and healthy indoor garden.

What is considered low light for houseplants? ›

“Low light” means no direct sunlight will reach your plant. It is probably a few feet away from your light source (sunny window) or any space where it can see outside but cannot see the sky. Low light means less energy and less food. Some plants can survive in low light conditions but they will not thrive.

Do indoor plants need to be near a window? ›

If you can, it's best to place plants near the window, especially if there are obstructions, or no more than 2-3 feet away. Plants that are more low-light tolerant can be placed farther away from the window as long as they can still see outside.

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