Houseplants for a sunny windowsill

Do you have a windowsill that gets a lot of sun? (When the sun is out) Unfortunately, not all houseplants are suited for direct sunlight. Most houseplants will wilt in the heat of the sun, but luckily there are also some green sun-lovers! Would you like to know which ones they are? Then read on! Below, I’ll list a few houseplants that are ideal for a sunny windowsill.

Cactus

Cacti are true desert plants, so it makes sense that they’re used to plenty of sun! A cactus will really wither away in the shade. So always place it in a spot that gets plenty of sun. Plus, they’re very easy to care for. Water them once every two weeks starting in the spring and once every six weeks starting in the fall. You might also want to consider the saw cactus or Rhipsalis—these are hanging plants and part of the cactus family. They’re also ideal for full sun.

Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise)

The Strelitzia is a stunning tropical beauty! Keep in mind that these plants can grow quite large, so make sure you have enough space in a very bright spot where the sun shines. This green friend does like to be watered regularly and given plant food once every two weeks during the growing season. It’s not really a houseplant for the windowsill—it’s too big for that. But it definitely deserves a spot on this list.

Musa (Banana Plant)

Another sun-loving plant is the banana plant. This houseplant will instantly bring a jungle vibe into your home! It does get pretty thirsty, though, so don’t forget to give it a good drink every week. In any case, make sure the soil never dries out. You also don’t want it sitting in a puddle of water, because that will cause the roots to rot. Having trouble gauging this? Then use a soil moisture meter.

Sansevieria (Mother-in-Law's Tongue)

Prefer an easy-to-care-for houseplant that can also tolerate full sun? Then the Sansevieria is perfect! Caring for this houseplant is very easy, since it requires very little water. Plus, it’s not picky at all—you can place it in full sun, but it’ll also do just fine in a shady spot. Note: Houseplants kept in the shade will naturally grow more slowly; after all, plants need light to grow.

Zamioculcas (ZZ plant)

Another easy-to-care-for green plant is the Zamioculcas. It’s happy in both a sunny spot on your windowsill and a partially shaded spot. It doesn’t need much water either; feel free to let the soil dry out completely before watering it again.

Yucca (Palm Lily)

Would you prefer a somewhat tougher, rugged houseplant? Then check out a palm lily—they come in many shapes and sizes. It prefers soil that’s on the dry side rather than too wet, so be sparing with water. It stores water in its thick trunk, which keeps it going for a long time. You’ll make it happiest by placing it in full sun.

Succulents (Fat Plants)

Succulents are also sun-loving plants. Examples of succulents include Aloevera, Haworthia, Echeveria, and Crassula. These are often smaller houseplants and fit well on any sunny windowsill. In nature, they grow on rocks or in the desert and can therefore tolerate plenty of sun and drought. So a splash of water every now and then is perfectly fine for them.

Would you like to learn more about what succulents actually are? Then be sure to read the blog “All About Succulents” by Ms. Monstera!

Care Tip for Full Sun

Keep in mind that when the weather is warm and sunny, water evaporates quickly. Houseplants also use more water because they’re growing rapidly. So you may need to water them more often during the summer months than during the winter months.