Bring the beauty of nature indoors with window plants – they are the perfect way to adorn your space! No matter the size of your window and no matter what kind of atmosphere you desire, plants on windowsills can create an inviting ambiance with minimal effort. They also are a natural and effective way to improve the air quality of your home or office.
While growing my plant collection for three years, I had always tended my plants in the garden thinking that it was the perfect place for them. But when I hung my Miss Cans (Philodendron Micans) closer to the room window just for the heck of it, I could not help but be captivated by the beauty of its the velvety leaves flowing gracefully with the curtains. Magic…
That’s when I started taking window plants more seriously and began doing my research on various window plants and their respective needs. I quickly found that window plants come in a wide variety, from the classic fiddle-leaf figs to the more exotic Monstera deliciosa. To help you make the best choice for your window garden, here is my window plant guide that breaks down everything from type of window plants to when and how to care for them.
Let’s get growing and window plant your way to a brighter, fresher home!
Read on for:
15 Best Window Plants
| Size | Light | Water | Care | Pet Friendly | |
| Aloe Vera | Small to medium | Bright indirect | Once a week or when top 1-2inches of soil is dry | Low maintenance | No |
| Fiddle Leaf Fig | Large | Direct to bright indirect | When 2-3inches of soil is dry | Can be challenging for new plant parents | No |
| Rubber Plant | Large | Direct to bright indirect | When 2-3inches of soil is dry | Can be challenging for new plant parents | No |
| Prayer Plant | Medium | Bright indirect to medium light | When 2-3inches of soil is dry. Do not use tap water. | Can be challenging for new plant parents | Yes |
| Spider Plant | Small to medium | Bright indirect to medium light | When soil is visibly dry, but can withstand drought | Low maintenance | Yes |
| Croton | Medium | Bright indirect | When soil is visibly dry | Can be challenging for new plant parents | No |
| Birds of Paradise | Large | Bright indirect to medium light | When 2-3inches of soil is dry | Low maintenance | No |
| Sago Palm | Medium to Large | Bright indirect | When soil is visibly dry | Low maintenance | No |
| Umbrella Plant (Papyrus) | Large | Direct to bright indirect | Almost impossible to kill with overwatering. Once a week | Low maintenance | No |
| Ponytail Palm | Medium | Bright indirect to medium light | Once a week or every two weeks | Low maintenance | Yes |
| Urn Plant Bromeliad | Medium to Large | Bright indirect | When soil is visibly dry | Can be challenging for new plant parents | Yes |
| Succulents | Small | Bright indirect to medium light | Every two weeks | Low maintenance | Yes |
| String of Pearls | Small | Direct to bright indirect | Once a week or every two weeks | Can be challenging for new plant parents | No |
| Spiderwort | Small | Bright indirect to medium light | When soil is visibly dry | Low maintenance | No |
| Goldfish Plant | Small | Bright indirect | Keep it moist | Low maintenance | Yes |
From lush foliage and cascading vines to leafy greens and vibrant colours, there are plenty of options that will bring life and style into any space. We chose these window plants for their beauty, easy maintenance, and ability to adapt to window environments.
A common houseplant with a lot of health benefits and uses, the aloe vera can be a pretty addition to your dining or kitchen window.
The spiky leaves of this plant not only add interest to a bare window, you can cut its leaves out in case of accidental burns as a form of first aid.
Care: This plant thrives in bright indirect light and can tolerate some direct light, but do not leave it out in the sun for too long as its leaves can also burn. Water once a week or when the top 2-3 inches of its soil feel dry.
The big leaves of this fiddle leaf fig can do the trick for you if you want to give your windows and the room itself a rainforest feel.
Care: Place the fiddle leaf in a bright corner away from direct sunlight (we don’t want to scorch its leaves), and water it when 2-3 inches of its soil already feels dry. Do not move it around too much as fiddle leaf figs can be fuzzy when it's constantly moved around.
Similar to its sister the fiddle leaf, the rubber plant also boasts large, oval-shaped leaves which are perfect in adorning corners. Depending on the variety of the rubber plant you have, tap on bright colored pots to make its richly coloured leaves shine.
Care: Place it beside windows that get a lot of morning sun or a room with lots of bright indirect light to keep it looking its striking best, and water when the 2-3 inches of soil already feels dry.
What gave this plant its name is its unique trait of folding its leaves upwards when the sun goes down, as if in a prayer. Prayer plants boast its colorful and differently patterned leaves. They are safe for pets! They grow best in bright, indirect light so they are perfect around windows, but watch out for drafts.
Care: They can also tolerate medium light too, but they will grow slower. Prayer plants also like moist, but not soggy soil so water them when 2-3 inches of their soil are already dry to the touch. Be careful not to use tap water when watering this plant, as the chemicals in tap water can damage the roots.
With its luscious leaves twirly legs, the spider plant is one of the few plants that can tolerate neglect from its plant parents. Its long leaves make it beautiful in either a pot or a hanging planter. They are great for bedrooms as they are effective air purifiers and love warm temperatures and humidity.
Care: Place it in windows that receive bright, indirect light and do not leave it in the sun for too long, as prolonged exposure can burn its leaves. As for watering, you can do this when the soil is visibly dry, though the plant can tolerate drought.
Multicolored and very varied, the croton plant is a great addition to any home that needs that pop of color. Croton leaves have different variegations, just look for the variety whose color best suits your room. Crotons have a reputation for being very fuzzy plants, any change to its environment causes it to drop its leaves,
Care: Avoid moving it around too much. Place it in a brightly lit corner in the room away from drafts and water it when the soil feels dry.
Windows and corners would surely pop with life with the Bird of Paradise’s showy, big leaves that scream rainforest vibe. Just make sure to keep it away from draft and air vents.
Care: Make sure it gets plenty of light for it to keep looking its best, although it can survive medium light conditions. Prune its old leaves too to keep the plant looking in shape, as older leaves get more splits over time. Water when the 2-3 inches of its soil feel dry.
Palms provide a certain warm tropical appeal to a room without it being too big or too showy. The lamp-like display of the sago palm would shine more when placed in a light-colored pot that complements its dark green leaves.
Care: Sago palms grow slow, but for them to stay healthy, place them in a corner that gets a lot of bright light, but keep them away from drafts or air vents as this plant likes a little humidity. Water them when the top of the soil already looks dry.
If you like bamboo as a decor for your room but find it a little too tall, then go for the umbrella plant. It is not bamboo, but this grass plant and its tall stems and unique looking leaves can bring charm to a dull corner of the house.
Care: The plant is very hardy, it can stand being in a room with direct sun or with a little shade, and is almost impossible to kill with overwatering, since the plant loves and has thrived in water.
This plant has playful arching leaves that do look like a ponytail when held upright, but contrary to its name and to its appearance, the ponytail palm is a succulent.
Care: To keep this plant looking its stylish best, apply the same care as with most succulents: place them in a brightly lit room (but not direct sunlight), and water it every week or two weeks.
While a bouquet of flowers is a great addition to any room, why not have one that would last longer, like the pretty bloom of the Urn Plant Bromeliad? The leaves of this plant form a vase-like figure where the bud emerges.
Care: To get it to bloom, place the plant in an area where it gets plenty of bright indirect light, and try to keep its soil moist (be careful not to overwater though). You can do this by putting water in the vase-like portion of the plant and just water the soil when it is visibly dry.
Want more pretty bromeliad colours? Try the Bromeliad Collection!
With their cute size and easy care, succulents have been a go-to plant for a lot of people who want to put a little bit of green in their small office or living space.
From the different cacti to the flower-like echeverias, succulents are so loved that they often are purchased as a collectible. Consider shelves when you feel like growing your succulent collection!
Care: Place them in the window sill to get plenty of bright light and water them thoroughly every two weeks to keep them looking their best.
Hang on to your leaves for the last 3 stunning window plants – these are ideal for suspension and a cascading effect.
Boasting luxuriant and elongated foliage that is reminiscent of pearls, the string of pearls offers a lush mossy appeal to any space - its distinct tendrils providing windows with an ethereal veil. They are ideal for evoking a tranquil and natural atmosphere in your home.
Care: Place it in a hanging planter over windows that get bright indirect light as it loves light, it can tolerate some direct sun too. This plant has succulent-like traits, so you can water it once every week or two weeks. Other plant parents grow these in a dish or in a wider pot, allowing them to creep and fill the container, making them great for tables too
This amazingly low-maintenance creeper plant can adorn your windows with its interestingly textured leaves in many ways.
Place it in a hanging planter and let it drape down or let it creep along in your window when planted outside.
Care: Spiderworts can handle a little bit of direct light, but they keep their color best in bright, indirect light. Water when the soil looks dry and be consistent in pruning excess growth as this plant can grow pretty fast.
When lush and in bloom, the goldfish plant rewards its plant parents with its red and orange blooms which look like goldfish, hence the name. The goldfish plant can be a great accent to a window, especially when its stems grow longer and lusher. Another bonus? It is also pet friendly!
Care: For that draping effect and for the plant to bloom, hang it in a window that receives plenty of bright indirect light, but keep it away from draft as it thrives in humidity. Keep the soil moist to make this plant happy. Like most hanging vines, pruning the stems encourages growth and keeps the plant tidy.
Buying Guide
When shopping for window plants, there are several factors to consider in order to choose the right one. Here are some guidelines that you can follow:
- Light Exposure : Before investing in a window plant, make sure to be aware of its light requirements; some plants might need direct sunlight, while others are suited for indirect or even shaded areas. Take the time to research and confirm whether your purchase is well-suited for its new home!
- Size: When selecting a window plant, it’s important to consider the size of your window and available space. Some plants may be massive in scale whereas others are petite enough for tighter confines.
- Hardiness: Before purchasing window plants, be sure to inspect their hardiness level. Certain varieties may not fare well in the cold temperatures while others can endure it quite nicely.
- Care: When selecting window plants for your home, think about the amount of care and attention you’re willing to give. Different varieties may require different amounts of water or maintenance. Consider how busy your lifestyle is so that you can choose plants that best fit into it!
- Cost: If you’re on the hunt for window plants, it’s essential that you find those that are within your budget (trust me, you will be tempted to buy more to add to your collection!). When browsing around, make sure you evaluate the quality-to-price ratio – this way, your purchase will be worth every penny!
Looking for more details on plants and flowers of your desire? Click here for a searchable database.
| Pro Tip: Consider auto plant waterers for effortless maintenance! |
Wrap Up
Let nature into your home with these mesmerizing window plants! Not only do these decorative accent pieces act as natural air purifiers, they come in such an array of styles that you can easily find one to match your home or office aesthetic. When making a selection, be mindful of its light requirements, size limits, hardiness levels and care instructions in order to ensure it’s just right for your abode.
Have fern window plant shopping!