Whether you live in an apartment or in a big home, north-facing windows always receive minimal light. The problem gets worse during winter when there’s barely any light. If you live in a home with north-facing windows and want to grow a houseplant, the biggest challenge is choosing a plant that can thrive in tough conditions. However, the best thing is that many houseplants don’t need much sunlight and can thrive in tough conditions. This blog features a collection of plants suitable for placement along north-facing windows.
How Much Light Does the North Window Receive?
The north-facing windows have very less to no light conditions. There’s no direct sunlight coming from the north-facing windows even during the summer. It receives a small amount of indirect light.
Essential Features of Houseplants for North-Facing Windows
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Take note of its growth habit.
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Vines are probably the most suitable option. It can climb a moss pole or can be trained to climb a trellis.
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Potted plants are better for north-facing windows, especially the upright ones.
List of Plants That Thrive in North-Facing Windows
Here is the list of plants that grow in low light conditions and need indirect sunlight.
Cast Iron
It is one of the best choices for north-facing windows owing to its low light requirements, and, as the name suggests, it is a hardy plant. The best feature is that it can tolerate harsh conditions. It grows slowly and produces lush, arching green leaves. It looks best when placed in a big container.
Philodendron With Heart-Shaped Leaves
This is a favorite among many homeowners due to its low maintenance and tolerance for irregular watering. It means even if you forget to water them, they can survive and even signal their need for water by wilting. It can be hung in a pot or in a container, letting the vines cascade down.
Golden Pothos
Golden pothos, also known as “Devil’s ivy,” is another houseplant that can thrive even if it's neglected. However, don’t neglect it to the point that it stops growing; keep it moist to ensure it grows to 10 feet long. It has thick vines and glossy golden foliage that looks beautiful. It can be propagated from cuttings and placed in north-facing windows. You can either hang it in a pot to let the vines cascade down, or keep it on a shelf to keep it vertical by training it up a trellis.
Snake Plant
It is one of the most popular plants for north-facing windows. Though it needs direct sunlight, it grows well in limited or no light. Its sword-like leaves grow between 6 inches to 8 feet tall. Usually, snake plants have light green leaves with a dark yellow border.
| Some Tips | Don’t directly move it from low light to direct sunlight to avoid plant shock. |
Spider Plant
Another non-fussy, easy-to-grow plant is the “Spider plant,” which thrives in any light conditions. It can tolerate direct sunlight and grow in low or no-light conditions as well. Though they need consistent watering, they can survive drought as well. However, prolonged dryness can lead to brown leaf tips, so try to keep it moist. They grow on long stems and can be hung in a basket for enhanced visual appeal.
Peace Lily
It’s an independent houseplant because it can live on its own. Though it prefers moist soil, it can tolerate dry soil for some time. When leaves start to drop, it’s an indication that it needs water. If water has high chlorine content, let it sit for 24 hrs before using it. During the day, the plant requires temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Too much light causes yellow leaves, making it perfect for north-facing windows.
ZZ Plant
This plant prefers to grow in shade with a little bright indirect sunlight. As it is native to East Africa, it can grow 3 feet tall under dry conditions at temperatures of 15°C to 24°C. Even if you are a beginner planter, you can easily grow this low-maintenance plant. It has tall, woody stems and glossy leaves. Merely wiping the leaves occasionally keeps them shiny.
Caution: This is a toxic plant, so keep it away from pets and kids.
Dragon Tree
Dragon tree, also known as “parlor palm,” is one houseplant that retains its leaf color even in front of north-facing windows. There’s a distinct feature of the dragon that it sheds more leaves compared to other houseplants. It prefers humidity in the air and in the soil.
Swiss Cheese Plant/Monstera
As the name suggests, Monstera have slits and holes in their large, heart-shaped leaves as they mature. It is a tropical plant preferred for north-facing windows, as it grows in low light. Its preference for low light conditions is due to its thin membrane, which can burn the exterior in direct sunlight.
Chinese Evergreen
Another houseplant known for its colorful foliage is easy to grow. It grows well when placed near the north-facing windows. Water the plant only when it's dry, and the best way to test for dryness is to insert your fingers into the soil. It can grow between 12-36 inches tall.
Moth Orchid
It is one of the most commonly grown plants for north-facing windows. An important point to note is that moth orchids thrive in north-facing windows only when in bloom. This is because bloom can persist for prolonged periods under low-light conditions. However, the plant needs more light while growing, so you will have to keep it in an east- or west-facing window.
Nerve Plant
This plant has acquired its name due to its colorful veins in silver, pink, green, or white on the dark green leaves. Nerve plants grow happily in low light conditions and need well-drained soil to thrive. As it requires a humid condition to grow, it is best suited for a bathroom or kitchen.
Paperomia
It can grow happily for years in low-light conditions. The leaves are thick and juicy, just like succulents, as they reserve enough moisture to sustain them for some time. For this reason, you should water only when the soil completely dries. It’s interesting to know that it even blooms when kept in north-facing windows with low light.
Conclusion
Many homeowners, especially in apartments, consider north-facing windows a concern. This is because it becomes difficult to find suitable plants that thrive in low light. However, as discussed in this blog, there are various houseplants that not only grow but thrive in front of north-facing windows.
