Bright rooms and sunny windows seem perfect for indoor plants but not all houseplants can tolerate direct sun. Many houseplants will experience leaf scorch or wilt and die when they’re exposed to full sun, especially during the summer months.
Here are 10 indoor plants that thrive in direct sunlight.
1. Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
With its sturdy stems and interesting, fleshy leaves, jade plants have endured as a popular houseplant for those with sunny windowsills or bright conservatories. Jade plants need at least four hours of sunlight each day, so a south-facing window is ideal.
They’re a low maintenance indoor plant that will live happily for many years in the same pot.
2. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a hardy succulent that has upright fleshy green leaves. The leaves store moisture so you don’t need to water them too often.
It’s best to let the potting mix dry out a bit in between waterings. Aloe Vera is a great low maintenance plant that will thrive in a sunny window.
3. Mother-In-Law’s Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)
This popular “impossible-to-kill” houseplant is carried in most garden centers as an ideal specimen for those new to houseplants, or those too busy to provide much care to their plants. Sansevieria trifasciata does great in bright light, but it will grow in shady conditions as well.
4. Croton
Croton plants have brightly colored foliage in a range of colors including red, pink, orange, yellow, green and white. Not all Crotons will tolerate direct sun, but the brightly colored varieties will need the most sun.
Crotons like warmth, humidity and regular misting if they’re in a heated room. Croton plants don’t like being moved around and they can lose their leaves if they’re relocated.
5. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
Senecio rowleyanus plants are a fun conversation piece tumbling over the edge of a container or hanging basket. The succulents like bright indirect light, sandy soil, and infrequent watering. Cuttings are easy to root, so you can share some of this whimsical plant with your friends.
6. Kalanchoe
Another type of succulent that loves direct sunlight is Kalanchoe. They have beautiful, long lasting, brightly colored flowers that can be pink, orange, red, yellow or white.
Kalanchoes need plenty of sunlight to flower well and grow best in well draining potting mix. Similar to other succulents, allow the soil to dry out before watering.
7. Cacti
Cacti are the ultimate low maintenance houseplants and they love bright sun. Plant them in a gritty soil that is well draining and water sparingly, especially during winter.
8. Yucca
Yucca plants have thick woody stems and long green leaves.
They don’t require much water and will grow in poor quality soil as long as it’s free draining. Yuccas are perfect for sunrooms or conservatories and you can take them outside when the weather is warm.
9. Sago Palm
The sago palm is a slow-growing cycad that fits well into modern decorating schemes. It produces no flowers and rarely sheds its leaves, making it a tidy choice for the bright bedroom or living room. Got curious cats or nibbling toddlers? This plant is very poisonous and should not be around pets of kids that might give it even a cursory taste.
10. Hibiscus
Hibiscus are stunning plants that can be grown indoors in bright sunny rooms.
They produce spectacular large colorful flowers and need lots of direct sun to flower well. If you live in a cool climate you can bring your Hibiscus plant indoors over the winter months and take it outside once the temperature begins to warm up.