Houseplants for southern windows

No doubt it is important for your plant’s survival to place it in the right place of light. There is huge different from south- and north-facing windows, and how well different plants thrives in each place. Basically plants in southern windows are more exposed to sun than northern windows. East- and west-facing windows are kind of a middle solution, because they both provide medium light the majority of the day. My own apartment has two south-facing windows and one north-facing window and balcony. It is kind of challenging because I only have two options for my plants – it is either bright light or low light. Anyway, I thought it could help with a little guide of which plants to place where.

Whether you are going to buy a new plant, and have already picked out a spot for it, or if you just want to optimize your plant care with plants you already have, start by figuring out which direction your windows face. If theres something outside the window like a large tree or building that could obstruct sunlight, make sure to take that into consideration. Every smartphone has a compass app available, so if you are not sure where the sun comes up, that will work just fine.

For south-facing windows choose plants that can tolerate bright light conditions. Place them away from the window if they prefer indirect light, or in case the summer sun gets too much. During the winter months, most plants can benefit from a southern exposure, but during the summer months, the sun shines directly into a southern window at midday, when temperatures and light are at their hottest and brightest. I always have to relocate all my plants differently during summer and winter time because of the reduced daylight hours during the winter months.

I have two south facing windows with different temperatures. In my bedroom window with higher temperature (22°C) I currently have two Coleus plants, Crassula ovata, two Aloe vera, Ficus (retusa) Bonsai tree, date palm and Wax flower (Stephanotis floribunda).

In my kitchen window with lower temperature (15-18 °C) I have Devil’s backbone (Bryophyllum daigremontianum), Rhipsalis pilocarpa, Crassula ovata, Aloe vera and Peyote, Begonia Rex, Tradescantia tricolor, Velvet leaf (Philodendron micans), Madagascar Jewel (Euphorbia leuconeura), Aglaonema and Citrus Mitis.

Common to the plants I have choosen for my southern windows are cactus and succulents, foliage plants and flowering plants. Other recommendable plants for southern windows are:

Images from FloraStore, Greenify, Crocus, Amazon, PlantSam and Better Homes and Gardens