What Plants Are Best For a North Facing Window?

Isn’t it nice to wake up to greenery every morning? We’re sure it is. However, not everyone has the luxury of open living space to grow their favorite plants. Our urban lifestyle has mostly compelled us to live in cramped apartments. As a result, apartment dwellers are frequently concerned about not having enough natural light for their plants.

If you are one of those concerned individuals, there is some good news for you. Not all plants require direct, bright sunlight to thrive. Many indoor plants prefer indirect sunlight and are ideal for keeping on windowsills, particularly those facing north. Furthermore, north-facing indoor plants are simple to care for and manage in your apartment.

This post is dedicated to listing 20 indoor plants ideal for a north-facing window. Some of our favorite indoor plants have been included as well. That being said, it is important to remember that, while these plants require less sunlight, they still require some light to thrive. Do not expect your plant to grow if you place it in a random dark corner on the northern side of your room.

20 Plants That Can be Placed on a North Facing Window

The northern side receives little direct sunlight. However, this direction can benefit plants that do not prefer direct sun exposure. Northern exposure is popular for receiving indirect but consistent sunlight. As a result, consider planting indoor plants that thrive in partial shade. You can be confident that your plant will not be burned and will continue to thrive happily.

Not all plants can thrive in this environment. So, here is a list of 20 indoor plants that will thrive in a north-facing window.

1. Snake Plant

The snake plant, aka Sansevieria Trifasciata, is a popular indoor plant that can be kept on the northern windowsill. These are extremely hardy and resilient plants. Although this plant thrives in direct sunlight, it can also be kept in low-light conditions. In addition, snake plants, known for their tall silky sword-like leaves, are extremely effective at cleaning the air.

The plant’s inability to survive in cold temperatures is a disadvantage. As a result, it is advised to relocate it to a warmer location during the winter months. They will also not tolerate excessive watering, so only water your plant when the soil is completely dry.

Light Requirement:

• Direct as well as low light 

2. Golden Pothos

Golden Pothos, or the ‘devil’s ivy,’ is one of the easiest indoor plants to care for. These are versatile, strong plants that are simple to keep alive. However, remember that Pothos are difficult to kill and grow in vines that add an extra layer of charm to the overall home décor. In addition, Pothos prefers filtered sunlight and shady, cool environments. As a result, keeping this plant on the northern windowsill is perfectly acceptable.

Also Read:- 13 Types of Pothos That You Can Grow in Your Garden

Light Requirement:

• Any light condition

3. Peace Lily

Choose the peace lily or Spathiphyllum Wallisii if you want a plant that can bloom even in low-light conditions. The appealing leaves and striking white flowers of this plant will undoubtedly enhance the aesthetic aura of your home.

Although flowers bloom all year, these plants grow slowly. Furthermore, young peace lily plants may only yield one flower at a time. The best thing about these plants is that they will tell you when they need to be watered by drooping or wilting significantly. However, they conceal their toxicity behind their alluring appearance. In other words, when ingested, peace lily plants are poisonous to both people and animals.

Light Requirement:

• Shade with partial sunlight

4. ZZ Plant

If you want to grow a xerophile garden indoors but don’t have enough light, opt for ZZ plants. These succulents are extremely hardy that tolerate a lot of shade. In fact, you can keep your ZZ plant in a room with no windows. These plants grow slowly but can reach a height of 3 feet if given enough time.

Light Requirement:

• Any but no direct sunlight

5. Moth Orchid

Orchids are exotic, and if you like them, choose the moth orchid, which grows fine near north-facing windows. These plants produce stunning blooms in an array of shades. Moth orchids are one of the most beautiful indoor plants that will undoubtedly put on a color show. In contrast to other orchids, Phalaenopsis blooms all year. However, ensure that the plant receives at least a few hours of daylight to prevent unnecessary harm.

Also Read:- 33 Different Types of Orchids with Pictures

Light Requirement:

• Low to medium

6. Nerve Plant

The nerve plant, also known as Fittonia, got its name from the exquisitely colored veins adorned in dark green foliage. The veins appear in various colors, most notably purple, silver, green, and white. Fittonias can make an interesting addition to your indoor garden.

Although these are low-light indoor plants, they are much fickle than other low-light floras. In addition, nerve plants can be very particular about their surroundings. As a result, it is best to place your pot in a warm, humid location that receives filtered light from the northern side.

Fittonia roots rot easily, even though they require a high moisture level to thrive. As a result, their root system must be closely monitored.

Light Requirement:

• Bright indirect light to partial shade

7. Heart-Leaf Philodendron

Heart-Leaf Philodendron plants, which resemble Pothos, make excellent houseplant starters. If you are new to indoor gardening, you should begin with this plant.

These plants are extremely hardy and adapt well to environmental changes. They can also survive in various lighting conditions, including bright sun, refracted sunlight, and shade. You should, however, avoid planting them in direct scorching sunlight and overwatering them. Heart-Leaf Philodendron plants may benefit from the filtered light from the north-facing windows.

Also Read:- 26 Different Types of Philodendron Plants (With Pictures)

Light Requirement:

• Filtered light coming from the northern direction

8. Swiss Cheese Plant

Swiss cheese plants are well-known for their distinctive foliage, but they have nothing to do with the delectable Swiss cheese. However, the plants’ small slits on the leaves have the texture of Swiss cheese. As a result, the name.

These plants are frequently found in large planters beside lounge chairs or tables as indoor plants. Their large dark green leaves create an eye-catching indoor ambiance. However, these plants thrive in tropical forests with plenty of filtered light. As a result, it’s best to keep them near north-facing windows that get sufficient soft, screened sunlight.

Light Requirement:

• Medium to bright filtered sunlight

9. Pinstripe Calathea

Pinstripe Calathea or Calathea Ornata are indoor plants that thrive in a humid, warm, and shady environment. They are excellent for plants that thrive near north-facing windows and produce stunning dark green leaves with white stripes.

Having said that, these plants have specific requirements. They are extremely particular about their growth environment. You should provide them with warm and moist surroundings, regular watering, and just the right dose of indirect sunlight. In the absence of ideal conditions, you will notice their leaves scrunching.

If you live in a dry climate, keep your plant in the bathroom or near a humidifier to increase humidity.

Light Requirement:

• Indirect sunlight with partial shade

10. Cast Iron Plant

Why is it known as the cast iron plant? Because these plants are hardy and can endure indifference. In fact, too much attention and love can be harmful to cast-iron plants. If you like plants but don’t have time to care for them, choose a cast iron plant to place away from direct sunlight, near a north-facing window. And the general rule is to leave it alone! However, do not completely avoid them. After all, these are plants that need to be watered regularly.

Light Requirement:

• Indirect light and partial shade

11. Parlor Palm

A parlor palm is a versatile indoor plant that looks like a mini palm. The plants form enticing clusters with soft-textured leaves that conceal thin trunks. Remember that these mini palms grow slowly. However, given enough time, parlor palms can grow up to 6 feet indoors. Because these plants prefer indirect light, they do well on north-facing windowsills. On the negative side, these plants have a rather delicate root system, making them susceptible to transplant shock when repotting.

Light Requirement:

• Indirect light

12. Maidenhair Fern

If you like ferns and want to grow them indoors, Maidenhair Ferns could be a good choice. These ferns would look great in a shady garden facing north. The light-green hairlike foliage will undoubtedly add grace to your indoor décor. Although visually appealing, maidenhair fern is a slow grower that can take up to three years to mature. These plants grow under the canopy of trees in the wild. Place these plants in a spot that receives indirect morning or afternoon sun to propagate them indoors successfully.

Light Requirement:

• Indirect light

13. Aluminum Plant

The Pilea cadierei, also known as the aluminum plant, is a flowering plant native to China. The vibrant silver patterns on the lime-green leaves gave rise to the plant’s name. It is a lovely indoor tropical plant that flourishes in warm, humid weather with screened or indirect sunlight. The aluminum plant grows quickly and must be pruned to maintain the desired shape. Pinch off any flowers that show up if you want toy Pileato to grow densely and bushy.

Light Requirement:

• Screened or partial light

14. Spider Plant

The spider plant, also known as Chlorophytum comosum, is a low-maintenance indoor plant. It is an evergreen perennial flowering plant that is extremely hardy. It is easily managed in a decorative planter on a north-facing windowsill. Spider plants, however, are sensitive to fluoride, which can cause their leaves to burn. A dry climate can also cause the tips of the leaves to brown. Maintain a consistent watering schedule and check for high humidity levels to help your plant grow and thrive.

Light Requirement:

• Bright indirect sunlight

15. English Ivy

Although English ivy is a pest in the wild, it makes a great house plant. It is an evergreen perennial woody vine that grows rapidly. English ivy has aerial rootlets that let it climb to heights of up to 80 feet. Keep it near a north-facing window and support it with a wire mesh or canopy to allow it to grow into a lovely crawling vine. However, because it grows rapidly, remember to prune it. English ivy prefers cool temperatures ranging from 60 to 65 degrees. Furthermore, it is prone to drying out quickly, so keep a high humidity level.

Even though ivy houseplants are fairly hardy and simple to care for, they should not be left to thrive on their own. To keep it healthy, you’d do things like fertilizing it once a month (not in the winter), washing it, and so on.

Light Requirement:

• Shade to partial light

16. Lucky Bamboo

A lucky Bamboo is one of the most sought-after indoor plants by those seeking good fortune. These plants are important in Feng Shui. Yet, if you are not into Feng Sui, you can still bring home lucky bamboo plants if you have a fetish for stunningly beautiful indoor plants. These plants can grow in both soil and water. And if you keep two to three plants beside each other on your large north-facing window, they will not detract from your indoor décor.

Lucky bamboos, which come in different sizes, are fairly resilient and pest-resistant. They are also very adaptable, allowing you to shape them in any way you want as they develop. However, this plant may be toxic to pets.

Light Requirement:

• Filtered or indirect light

17. Never-Never Plant

If you like beautiful tropical plants, you should never say NEVER to a NEVER-NEVER Plant. It is native to the Brazilian rainforests and thus requires a similar environment when kept indoors. If you bring this plant inside, plant it in well-drained soil, place it in a north-facing window with bright and filtered sunlight, and keep the temperature between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remember that while your Never-Never plant can tolerate odd bit temperature drops, it does not endure prolonged dry and cold environments. Create a hot and humid climate for your plant to grow denser and bushier.

Light Requirement:

• Bright indirect light

18. Boston Fern

Another fern on our list is the Boston fern or the sword fern. Although named after Boston, this fern is not native to the city. Boston ferns, on the other hand, can be found in humid areas such as Florida. Your fern should be kept in a decorative hanging planter or pot near a north-facing window.

These tough and resilient plants grow best in warm, moist climates with bright but indirect sunlight. Avoid a dry climate and keep the soil of these ferns moist. One thing to remember is that Boston ferns may not be suitable for pets. So keep them out of your pets’ reach.

Light Requirement:

• Bright indirect light

19. Painted-Leaf Begonia

The painted-leaf begonia, with its huge, vibrantly colored foliage, can be ideal for the north-facing window. While the leaf’s edges are dark green, their interior parts can be of different colors, like pink, red, silver, or purple. In contrast to flowering begonias, painted-leaf begonias or Rex begonias thrive in limited light settings. These plants are simple to maintain and prefer warm, moderately humid environments. As a result, you should ensure that the temperature around this plant does not fall below 64° Fahrenheit.

Light Requirement:

• Indirect sunlight

20. Bromeliads

Bromeliaceae, also known as Bromeliads, belongs to monocot flowering plants. Bromeliad plants are related to pineapples, to put it simply. There are over 3000 bromeliad plant species on the planet. And almost all bromeliads do well in low-light conditions. You can find these plants in various shades, foliage types, and styles.

However, if you intend to keep your plant near a north-facing window, choose one with darker-color foliage and comes from the rainforest. Bromeliaceae Guzmania and Bromeliaceae Aechmea are two excellent alternatives in this context.

Keep your plant in a location that gets plenty of bright light but is filtered or indirect. It is recommended that you research the type of bromeliad you want to bring home to provide it with the most appropriate hospitable environment.

Light Requirement:

• Bright indirect light

Tips for Plants on Northern Windows

There are numerous indoor plant varieties that can be easily kept near a north-facing window. However, you must keep a few things in mind for your plants to thrive. Here are some pointers to remember when dealing with indoor plants near a north-facing window.

• Learn about the extent and quality of light that your plant prefers.
• Keep your plant away from completely shaded north-facing windows.
• Choose a plant that can withstand the humidity and temperatures in your home or office.
• Select an appropriate material for the pot. Fiberglass, ceramic, wooden, and other materials are some excellent choices.
• Water the plant according to its needs.
• During the winter, move your plant from the northern side to a water spot, or install a heater a few feet away from your plant. Artificial lights are also viable options.
• Use a well-drained potting mix for the plants.

Summary

Maintaining indoor plants is an excellent way to enhance indoor air quality. Furthermore, these plants can add charm and enhance the aesthetic value of your home or office. A diverse selection of low-light indoor plants can be placed strategically on a north-facing window sill or a separate shelf near the window.

We hope our selection of the top 20 indoor plants for north-facing windows has piqued your interest. If you have any additional suggestions, please share them with us.