Which window is best for plants?
North, south, east and west windows, explained
Why direction matters
The way a window faces decides how much light comes in. The directions below are for the Northern Hemisphere.
Not sure which way a window faces? A compass app on your phone will tell you in seconds.
Window by window
Each direction suits different plants.
- South: usually the brightest window, and the most likely to get direct sun. Good for cacti, succulents and other sun lovers.
- West: about as bright as an east window but warmer, and sometimes too strong for delicate plants.
- East: about half as bright as a south window, and cooler than a west one. Good for African violets, ferns and other medium-light plants.
- North: the dimmest, often around a fifth of the light at a south window. Best for low-light plants such as peace lily and cast-iron plant.
What changes the light
Curtains and sheers, insect screens, tinted film, roof overhangs, trees, nearby buildings and fences all cut the light a window lets in. So does dirty glass. Light-colored walls bounce some light back.
Every home is different, so a well-placed west or north window can beat a shaded south one.
Winter shifts everything
In winter the sun is lower and the days are shorter. North and east windows that were bright enough in summer can become too shady, so move light-loving plants closer to south or west windows for the season.
Distance counts
Light drops off quickly as you move away from any window. More than a few feet back, even a bright window is often too dim for most houseplants, and a spot beside the window is darker than it looks.
Plants lean toward the light, so give each pot a quarter turn every week or two to keep it growing straight.
Summer sun can scorch
Strong summer sun through a south or west window can scorch leaves, leaving brown, papery patches. In summer, move tender plants back a little or hang a sheer curtain to soften the light, then bring them closer again in fall.
Related plant problems
Sources
- Iowa State University Extension: How to Care for Houseplants
- University of Maryland Extension: Lighting for Indoor Plants
- Clemson HGIC: Indoor Plants: Cleaning, Fertilizing, Containers & Light Requirements
- Nebraska Extension: Let There Be Light for Your Houseplants
General guidance, not a diagnosis. Written by PlantWiz in our own words from the sources above.