There are numerous north-facing window plants that you can consider to plant and let flourish inside your home.
If you are one of those gardeners who do not have their own garden, especially if you are residing in an apartment or a condo unit, worry no more because we have gathered the types of plants that you can grow inside your home.
Read the list below to get to know these houseplants and discover some tips on how to properly take care of them.
Contents
- 20 Stunning Types of North-facing Window Plants
- 1. ZZ Plant
- 2. Prayer Plant
- 3. Snake Plant
- 4. Never-never Plant
- 5. Swiss Cheese Plant
- 6. Chinese Evergreen
- 7. Golden Pothos
- 8. Cast Iron Plant
- 9. Spider Plant
- 10. Peace Lily
- 11. Sword Fern
- 12. English Ivy
- 13. Lucky Bamboo Plant
- 14. Heart-leaf Philodendron
- 15. Bird’s Nest Fern
- 16. Rex Begonia
- 17. Parlor Palm
- 18. Nerve Plant
- 19. Aluminum Plant
- 20. Peperomia Plant
- Conclusion
20 Stunning Types of North-facing Window Plants
These 20 types of plants we have listed can flourish in a north-facing window. They are easy to care for as well as easy to grow, so keeping them inside and giving them low exposure to light will never be an issue.
1. ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant is considered to be one of the most undemanding and popular house plants. Zamioculcas zamiifolia, also known as ZZ plant, Zuzu plant, Eternity plant, Aroid Palm, Zanzibar Gem, or Emerald Palm, is a single species of flowering plant from the genus Zamioculcas that belongs to the family Araceae.
These plants are native to Eastern Africa and commonly grown as ornamental plants. Because of their attractive thick and glossy leaves, they have become a favorite in offices and homes. ZZ plants typically grow in the months of April through August. Flowers bloom during mid-summer to early autumn but are quite tiny.
– Plant Care
To care for ZZ plants, you can plant them in any type of soil because fortunately, they do not require special soil. They flourish in low to bright but indirect light, so a north-facing window won’t be a problem for them. Water them when the soil is totally dry. However, they are drought tolerant, so even if you forget to water them, they will still thrive.
2. Prayer Plant
The prayer plant has the scientific name Maranta leuconeura. It is a species of flowering plant from the family Marantaceae, which nis ative to the tropical forests of Brazil.
The prayer plant is a low-growing plant that has leaves that lay flat during the daytime and fold erect at night, imitating praying hands, which is the reason why it is called a prayer plant.
– Plant Care
The prayer plant performs best in places where it receives indirect sunlight, making it one of the most ideal plants for a north-facing window. Too much sun exposure will result in the plant developing brown blotches on its leaves. Plant it in well-draining soil with high humus content, and water regularly to prevent the soil from drying out.
3. Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata or Sansevieria trifasciata, until 2017, is one species of flowering plant belonging to the Asparagaceae family that is native to West Africa.
Other common names include Snake plant, Saint George’s sword, Viper’s bowstring hemp, Mother-in-law’s tongue, and many more. This evergreen perennial has thick and stiff foliage that grows erect up to 6 inches to 8 inches tall in maturity.
– Plant Care
Snake plants are easy to grow and prefer to be situated indoors as they love a dry environment and low to bright indirect sunlight. Nevertheless, they can also tolerate full sun. Plant these in a loose, well-draining potting mix, and make sure to allow the soil to fully dry out between watering. These plants are drought tolerant and thrive in warm weather.
4. Never-never Plant
Also known as Giant bamburanta or Never-never plant, Ctenanthe oppenheimiana is one species of flowering plant that belongs to the family Marantaceae.
This evergreen plant is a unique indoor beauty because of its lovely variegated foliage in shades of green and silver stripes.
– Plant Care
Help your Never-never plant thrive by mimicking its native tropical rainforest habitat. The soil requirement is a well-draining potting mix. Water once the top soil feels dry, and maintain its moisture but avoid waterlogging. Locate it in a place with bright indirect light, and steer clear of direct sunlight. Therefore, it is a perfect selection for a north-facing window.
5. Swiss Cheese Plant
Monstera deliciosa, the split-leaf philodendron or Swiss cheese plant, is native to southern Mexico. It is a species of flowering plant that has been introduced to numerous tropical areas and is commonly grown as a house plant. Swiss cheese is popular for its broad, heart-shaped foliage that develops holes when mature.
– Plant Care
To keep your Swiss cheese alive and healthy, provide it with regular food and water. Swiss cheese loves consistent moisture, so if the soil feels very dry to the touch, then you will determine that it is time to water it.
Meanwhile, fertilization is required at least four to six months after potting or re-potting the plant. Being part of the list of north-facing window plants, Swiss cheese thrives in bright and indirect light.
6. Chinese Evergreen
Commonly known as Chinese evergreen, Aglaonema is one genus of flowering plant from the family Araceae. These evergreen perennials are native to the tropical regions of New Guinea and Asia, displaying large, oval, leathery, and variegated foliage with silver and green colors.
– Plant Care
Given that Chinese evergreens are native to humid shady tropical forests, they can tolerate low light conditions, making them perfect as one of the northwest-facing window plants.
Chinese evergreens prefer well-draining, slightly acidic potting soil, but they can tolerate any type of soil because they are not picky. Keep the plant moist but not soaked, and allow the soil to fully dry before watering again.
7. Golden Pothos
Epipremnum aureum is a species from the Araceae family commonly known as Golden pothos, Ivy arum, and Devil’s ivy because of its ability to stay alive even when kept in the dark.
It was endemic to the Society Islands located in the South Pacific Ocean but is now a popular house plant in different parts of the world. It also gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
– Plant Care
Golden pothos is particularly easy to grow indoors. These plants aren’t fussy, and they can be an option for northeast-facing window plants.They can thrive in offices, homes, and shopping malls.
To care for Golden pothos, plant them in well-draining potting soil, give them bright indirect light, and allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings.
8. Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra elatior or Cast-iron plant, also known as Bar-room plant, is native to Japan where it is known as Haran or Baran.
Cast iron plant is widely grown as houseplant, and it exhibits glossy dark green oval leaves with cream-colored flowers that typically bloom in early summer.
– Plant Care
Cast iron plants can withstand neglect, which makes them easy to grow as an indoor plant. They prefer low humidity and low light locations and irregular watering. They dislike direct sunlight as it scorches their leaves, making them ideal for a north-facing window.
9. Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum is a species of evergreen perennial flowering plant, also known as Spider plant, Spider Ivy, or Common spider plant because of its appearance that resembles a spider.
Spider plants are native to Southern Africa but have been naturalized in other places due to their variegated forms. They are easy-to-grow houseplants that produce tiny white flowers during spring or summer.
– Plant Care
Spider plant thrives in well-draining potting mix and even moisture; do not keep them too dry or too wet. They prefer bright but indirect sunlight; otherwise, too much sun exposure could burn their leaves.
10. Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii is a species of flowering plant from the genus Spathiphyllum in the Araceae family. These plants are native to America and southeastern Asia.
Peace lilies can be an option if you are seeking beautiful and tall plants for north-facing window as their leaves alone can grow up to 25 inches in height and 9 inches wide.
– Plant Care
Peace lilies are known for being undemanding. These plants do not require a large amount of water and light to flourish. Keep them out of harsh direct sunlight, as it can dry them out. Provide them with consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering.
11. Sword Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata, also known as Boston fern or Sword fern, belongs to the Lomariopsidaceae family, which is native to the Americas.
Sword ferns possess distinctive green ornamental foliage that will make a statement inside your home.
– Plant Care
Sword ferns tend to thrive in a cool area with high humidity and indirect light, which makes them excellent plants in a north facing window. This plant also prefers to have its soil moist, so give it some water if the soil feels dry to the touch.
12. English Ivy
Hedera helix is a species of flowering plant part of the ivy genus in the Araliaceae family. Its common names are English ivy, Common ivy, European ivy, or just Ivy. These plants are native to Europe and Western Asia and became popular as ornamental plants grown primarily for their evergreen foliage. English ivy is a climber and can also act as ground cover.
– Plant Care
Due to its hardy nature, English ivy can survive even without human assistance. Indoors, they need to be situated in a spot with bright light away from direct sunlight. They are not that picky with regards to the soil as long as it is well-draining.
They can also tolerate any type of soil with a wide range of pH levels. However, they thrive in the loose potting mix when indoors. Whether indoors or outdoors, they prefer evenly moist soil.
13. Lucky Bamboo Plant
Dracaena sanderiana or the Lucky Bamboo plant is native to Central Africa. Lucky bamboo is a perennial herb with fleshy stems that makes it different from real bamboo.
They are one of the popular houseplants due to their ability to grow in confined spaces and their sensitive leaves that burn when exposed to direct sunlight.
– Plant Care
Lucky Bamboo is grown as a hydroponic plant. You can keep them inside a fancy vase or container, just use pebbles to keep them in an erect position and make sure the roots are in the water. Put it in a spot with indirect sunlight and change the water weekly.
14. Heart-leaf Philodendron
Philodendron scandens or Philodendron hederaceum is the Heartleaf philodendron that belongs to the Araceae family of flowering plants.
Heartleaf philodendron is an evergreen climber bearing heart-shaped glossy dark green leaves, hence the name, and blooms white flowers in maturity. It is a popular houseplant because it is an eye-catcher and is easy to care for.
– Plant Care
Heart leaf philodendron likes an indoor plants spot with no direct sunlight. You can use a soilless potting mix with lots of peat moss and lukewarm water when watering it to avoid shocking its roots with cold water. Make sure to leave the soil to dry out fully before watering again to avoid overwatering.
15. Bird’s Nest Fern
Bird’s nest or Nest fern is the Asplenium nidus from the Aspleniaceae family, which are native to tropical regions of the world. Bird’s nest fern displays large crinkled banana-like leaves that grow up to 59 inches in height and 8 inches wide.
– Plant Care
Bird’s nest fern is best situated in a north-facing window that receives a moderate amount of shade because direct sunlight may cause burn to their leaves.
They prefer loose, rich, and well-draining soil and consistent moisture but not waterlogged as this encourage rot and mold growth.
16. Rex Begonia
Begonia rex or the King Begonia is a flowering plant from the Begoniaceae family. It was initially found in southeast China, has been introduced to different parts of the world, and is now a parent species to almost 500 cultivars of houseplants.
They are grown indoors mainly due to their unique foliage.
– Plant Care
Since Begonia rex prefers cool temperatures, a north-facing window suits them well. They like to grow in light, airy, and evenly moist soil but be warned not to overwater this plant to avoid root rot. Direct sunlight is tolerable for just a short period of time but they do well in bright indirect light.
17. Parlor Palm
Another popular and heavily sold indoor plant is Chamaedorea elegans, also known as Parlor Palm or Neanthe bella palm.
It is a species of palm tree native to Guatemala and Southern Mexico that grows with lovely light green foliage with thin trunks.
– Plant Care
Parlor palms thrive in bright filtered sunlight, perfect to be a north-facing window plant. Plant them in a high-quality peat-based potting mix when indoors and keep the soil evenly moist and not soggy.
18. Nerve Plant
From the Acanthaceae family of flowering plants, the Nerve plant is native to Peru. They are typically grown indoors for their lush green leaves consisting of nerve-like accents in white to deep pink color.
We can consider the Nerve plant as one of the north-facing window plants since they are best kept in a spot with mild sunlight.
– Plant Care
Let your Nerve plant flourish in standard potting soil with a peat moss base. Place it in a humid spot with bright indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Make sure to keep the soil fairly moist because drying it out will result in fainting spells.
19. Aluminum Plant
Pilea cadierei is commonly called Aluminum plant or Watermelon pilea. It is native to China and Vietnam from the Urticaceae family. The nerve plant became a popular houseplant prized for its foliage.
This evergreen perennial exhibit deep green oval-shaped leaves with silvery patches that resemble a watermelon.
– Plant Care
Nerve plant thrives in rich well-draining soil that is kept evenly moist. Less watering is needed during the winter season. Provide the plant with at least four hours of bright indirect sunlight per day, but take note that excessive sunlight will scorch the leaves.
20. Peperomia Plant
Typically known as the Radiator plant, Peperomia is from the Piperaceae family commonly found in various parts of the world. Peperomia has decorative foliage that boasts of thick, fleshy leaves that comes in different textures and colors.
– Plant Care
Peperomia is a perfect small plants for north-facing window because they prefer bright indirect light. Let them grow in regular potting soil or orchid potting medium.
Nerve plants are drought tolerant so they don’t need frequent watering, just make sure to allow the soil to completely dry out between watering.
Conclusion
After reading this guide, you now have plenty of choices with regards to north-facing window plants. These plants won’t require a green thumb because they are all quite easy to grow and care for, so it is ultimately up to you to decide which indoor beauty will flourish in your home, considering the tips we have mentioned above.
- You can choose from the most popular plants like Golden pothos, Peace lilies, or Philodendrons for your bare north-facing window.
- You can consider reliable plants that can tolerate neglect like Cast iron plant, Lucky bamboo plants, Snake plants, Maidenhair fern, Moth orchid, or English Ivy.
- Make your north-facing window more interesting by adding any of these lovely plants.
We bet you will have no regrets about welcoming these gorgeous and easy-to-care-for north-facing window plants into your home, so choose one from the list today!
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