When you buy a new houseplant, it will most likely come with a tag with instructions on how to care for it and how to keep it in the right atmosphere.
One of these instructions specifies how much and what sort of light your new plant requires to grow in its new home.
Both an east- and west-facing window can provide a half-day of full sun, with the distinction being that an east-facing window will provide high light in the morning while west-facing windows will provide high light in the afternoon.
This article will go through the top varieties of plants near west-facing windows, keep reading and find out all about them.
Contents
- Best Plants for West Facing Windows
- – Aechmea Fasciata (Urn Plant)
- – Aphelandra Squarrosa (Zebra Plant)
- – Araucaria Heterophylla (Norfolk Island Pine)
- – Chamaedorea Elegans (Parlor Palm)
- – Cordyline Terminalis (Ti Plant)
- – Crassula Ovata (Jade Plant)
- – Cypripedioideae (Lady’s Slipper Orchids)
- – Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
- – Dracaena Fragrans (Corn Plant)
- – Echinopsis (Hedgehog Cacti)
- – Faucaria Tigrina (Tiger Jaws)
- – Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus)
- – Mammillaria Elongata (Gold Lace Cactus)
- – Saxifraga Stolonifera (Strawberry Begonia)
- – Curio Rowleyanus (String Of Pearls)
- – Mentha (Mint Plants)
- – Dracaena Trifasciata (Snake Plant)
- Comparison Table
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Best Plants for West Facing Windows
– Aechmea Fasciata (Urn Plant)
The first plant on our list that thrives in west-facing windows is Aechmea fasciata, often known as the “Urn plant.” The majority of Aechmea plants are valued for the inflorescence and flowering bract. These are typically big, bold, exotic, and tropical in appearance.
The majority are Aechmea epiphytic, which grow on larger plants such as trees. Imagine a plant latching on midway up a tree trunk if you can imagine how it would grow in its natural habitat. Hence, below the canopy and away from the harsh direct sun, away from the very dark shadowy places at the foot of the tree.
West-facing windows provide a half-day of direct sunlight, which is not suitable for Urn plants. When growing these plants in homes, try to provide bright indirect light to reflect the naturally favored light levels. It will also thrive in light shade but avoid deep shade or places with no windows.
If you want to get the plant to the flowering stage, you’ll need more light. Avoid direct sunlight at all costs; otherwise, you risk burning the leaves and permanently destroying the plant’s beauty.
– Aphelandra Squarrosa (Zebra Plant)
When provided bright, indirect sun, zebra plants thrive. While this plant can tolerate some shade, it will flower less regularly and for a shorter period if not given enough light. Direct sunshine might scorch your plant’s leaves, so keep that in mind. Natural sunshine is not a favorite of Aphelandra squarrosa.
This plant can’t stand being in direct sunlight. Could this plant still thrive in a west-facing window, given that west-facing windows often receive a half-day of direct sunlight?
Yes, is the reply. Place a drape or curtain between your west-facing window and your plant, and you’ll have everything this plant requires to thrive: Without direct sunshine, there is a lot of bright light.
– Araucaria Heterophylla (Norfolk Island Pine)
Norfolk Island Pine Trees are well-known for their ability to produce great Christmas trees. But you probably didn’t realize they also make excellent houseplants.
While a south-facing window is recommended for Norfolk Island Pines (they prefer robust and direct sunshine), a west-facing window that receives a decent quantity of bright sunlight should also produce good results. Because these plants are light-sensitive, you should keep them near windows or sunny locations.
For development and survival, these plants require intense direct sun. So don’t be scared to put it right on the windowsill; it will thrive in the sun.
– Chamaedorea Elegans (Parlor Palm)
One characteristic that distinguishes Parlor Palms from other houseplants is its ability to survive in artificial and low-light environments.
The Parlor Palm is one of those adaptable houseplants that can thrive in low-light environments, but that does not mean any lighting conditions. This makes the Parlor plant a good choice for a west-facing window if you protect it from the direct sunshine that west-facing windows typically receive in the afternoon.
Place a curtain between your plant and the window once more, and voila, your plant will only receive filtered light.
– Cordyline Terminalis (Ti Plant)
This plant thrives in bright, indirect light; limit direct sunlight if you don’t want the leaves to burn. The lovely purple, crimson, pink, magenta, orange, cream, and yellow leaves become green if the light is too low.
Cordyline terminalis comes in various colors, including green, red, orange, and pink. While most Ti plants can thrive in low light, not getting enough light will make your plants less alive, especially if you have a variegated plant.
Therefore, it’s best to keep your Cordyline terminalis in a location that gets enough light, primarily indirect sun with some direct sunlight at specific times every day. Variegated plants require more light than their non-variegated cousins.
– Crassula Ovata (Jade Plant)
For a reason, jade plants, also known as Crassula ovata or the money plant, are among the most popular houseplants globally.
These shaped succulents are exceedingly simple to care for, making them ideal for first-time plant owners. A jade plant should be exposed to at least six hours of bright light per day.
Young jade plants are better kept in bright, indirect sunshine, but larger, well-established jade plants can tolerate more direct sunlight. It prefers medium-light with a lot of filtered light, making it ideal for exposure in west-facing windows.
– Cypripedioideae (Lady’s Slipper Orchids)
Strong sunshine is not a friend of your lady’s slippers orchid. They enjoy dappled light that resembles that of a forest. While most orchids thrive in south-facing windows, some orchids, such as Lady’s Slipper orchids, prefer less light.
As a result, you may easily keep this lovely orchid in a west-facing window. Just make sure it doesn’t get too much direct sunshine since it won’t be able to survive it. Because west-facing windows receive a lot of direct sunlight, you should use a curtain to shield your plant from it.
– Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) is one of the most popular houseplants today, and it certainly doesn’t need much of an introduction. Dieffenbachia prefers medium light when it comes to lighting requirements.
As a result, growing this plant in a west-facing window, which receives plenty of bright, indirect light, is an excellent option.
It would be really nice if the light were filtered through a curtain. This plant will grow in a bright, indirect sun environment, but direct sunlight will scorch the leaves.
The Dieffenbachia can adapt to fluorescent lights in an office setting; however, it may take some time.
An extremely crucial detail to keep in mind is that this houseplant can be incredibly dangerous for your pet, tiny ones that scurry around your house. Remember to keep this plant as far away as possible from your cats and dogs, as it is poisonous.
– Dracaena Fragrans (Corn Plant)
This plant thrives in filtered sunshine and should be kept near a window. The leaves will lose their color variegation (variety of colors) if there isn’t enough light, and the plant’s growth may be stunted.
Direct sunlight can burn the plant’s leaves, causing them to wilt. The plant thrives in a shadier environment outside. The corn plant is a forgiving houseplant that is simple to grow, especially for beginners.
Your Corn Plant is very low maintenance in terms of temperature and watering schedule, and even if your care isn’t entirely on target, your Dracaena fragrans will most likely survive.
– Echinopsis (Hedgehog Cacti)
This cactus is a light-loving plant that thrives in a location with plenty of sunlight, such as a western-facing window. These plants can withstand full sun and grow in it if given enough water. A daily dose of six to eight hours of sunlight is recommended.
Cacti, in general, enjoy being in the sun. Some of these desert inhabitants even welcome a whole day of sun. When a full day of sunlight is required, the best option is to place the plant in a south-facing window.
However, some cacti, such as our Hedgehog Cactus, need medium light and cannot withstand a full day of direct sunlight. They are content with what east-facing and west-facing windows offer: A half-day of direct sunlight.
– Faucaria Tigrina (Tiger Jaws)
Faucaria tigrina requires at least three to four hours of direct sunlight to bloom. Tiger Jaw is a succulent plant.
A general rule of thumb for most succulents and cacti is that they need minimal water but require a lot of sunlight to flourish. This holds true for the Tiger Jaw as well. Because these plants require a full day of sunlight, a south-facing window would be ideal.
On the other hand, a west-facing window is perhaps the second-best option for these succulents, as they are said to perform well even with only a half-day of sun.
– Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus)
In terms of color, there are many distinct Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis variants on the market, including pink, blue, yellow, and bicolor varieties. Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis plants prefer warm weather and thrive in it.
Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis prefers full sun but is still resilient enough to survive in partial shade. The plant produces fewer and smaller flowers the more shade it receives. If you’re overwintering, try to put it near a window that faces south or west.
It’s ideal for cultivating them near west-facing windows, where they’ll get plenty of light and some direct sunlight in the afternoon.
– Mammillaria Elongata (Gold Lace Cactus)
Mammillaria elongata is an indigenous and native species of Mexico. It is one of the most well-known species in the Mammillaria genus in the family Cactaceae.
Mammillaria elongata “Ladyfinger Cactus” is not cold-resistant; it’s recommended to grow it in a suitable container for indoor plants if you happen to live in a zone where the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.7 degrees Celsius).
It thrives in full to partial sunlight—plant at a spot in your garden that receives 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. A half-day of direct sunlight from a west-facing window will be most welcome to this lovely desert dweller.
You might also put it in an east-facing window, where it will get direct morning sun rather than the direct afternoon.
– Saxifraga Stolonifera (Strawberry Begonia)
Bright but not too direct, sunlight is perfect for strawberry begonia plants. In most cases, an east- or west-facing window is ideal; allowing your plant to receive direct sunlight might cause it to burn and develop holes in its leaves.
Saxifraga stolonifera thrives in two types of indoor environments: east-facing windows and west-facing windows. It requires bright, indirect light, and direct light in some cases. Both east- and west-facing windows can provide this.
Avoid exposing your Strawberry begonia to too much noon sun since this may cause leaf browning. In fact, not only is the Strawberry Begonia an excellent choice for west-facing windows, but many other species in the Genus Begonia do as well.
– Curio Rowleyanus (String Of Pearls)
The string-of-pearls plant is a succulent vine native to southwest Africa. Each plant’s tendrils have tiny, spherical beads or pearl-like leaf segments, giving the tendrils the appearance of a string of pearls, hence the common name.
These plants require six to eight hours of sunlight per day. They thrive in a west-facing window throughout the winter when it’s cooler. A west-facing window can become excessively hot in the summer; therefore, the plant should be moved away from it or an east-facing window with less intense morning sun.
The string of pearl plants requires direct and indirect sunshine for six to eight hours every day to thrive.
During the soft morning hours, please keep them in direct sunshine, then relocate them to a position with diffused, indirect sun or partial shade during the grueling afternoon hours.
– Mentha (Mint Plants)
While mint plants adore the sunlight, they can be scorched if they aren’t protected from the heat of the direct afternoon sun throughout the summer.
– Dracaena Trifasciata (Snake Plant)
Snake plants, famed for their ability to filter the air, are simple to grow and extremely difficult to kill.
While these plants may tolerate and flourish in low-light environments, they prefer the warmth of direct sunlight— at least for a few hours each day) And the list goes on and on and on.
Comparison Table
| Plant Name | Why Get Them |
| Aechmea Fasciata (Urn Plant) | Big, bold, exotic, and tropical in appearance |
| Aphelandra Squarrosa (Zebra Plant) | Excellent for bright indirect sunlit spaces |
| Araucaria Heterophylla (Norfolk Island Pine) | Well-known for their ability to produce great Christmas trees. |
| Chamaedorea Elegans (Parlor Palm) | Have the ability to survive in artificial and low-light environments. |
| Cordyline Terminalis (Ti Plant) | Cordyline terminalis comes in various colors, including green, red, orange, and pink. |
| Crassula Ovata (Jade Plant) | These shaped succulents are exceedingly simple to care for, making them ideal for first-time plant owners. |
| Cypripedioideae (Lady’s Slipper Orchids) | The ideal choice for dimly lit indoor spaces. |
| Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) | Dieffenbachia can adapt to fluorescent lights in an office setting |
| Dracaena Fragrans (Corn Plant) | A forgiving houseplant that is simple to grow, especially for beginners |
| Echinopsis (Hedgehog Cacti) | These plants can withstand full sun and grow in it if given enough water. |
| Faucaria Tigrina (Tiger Jaws) | Needs minimal water to thrive |
| Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus) | Variants include pink, blue, yellow, and bicolor varieties. |
| Mammillaria Elongata (Gold Lace Cactus) | Mammillaria elongata is an indigenous and native species of Mexico. |
| Saxifraga Stolonifera (Strawberry Begonia) | Thrives in low light conditions. |
| Curio Rowleyanus (String Of Pearls) | The plant’s tendrils have tiny, spherical beads or pearl-like leaf segments, giving the appearance of a string of pearls. |
| Mentha (Mint Plants) | Thrive in both direct and indirect sunlight. |
| Dracaena Trifasciata (Snake Plant) | Simple to grow and extremely difficult to kill |
FAQ
– How Does The Window’s Direction It The Impact The Plant’s Health?
A variety of factors influence plant health and growth. The quality, frequency, and intensity of light, on the other hand, are critical environmental variables for the health of houseplants.
Photosynthesis, the primary metabolic mechanism of all plants, requires light. Plants absorb sunlight through their chlorophyll and use the energy to transform carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen.
Sunlight directly impacts a plant’s growth cycle, maturation, flowering, reproduction, and health as a result of photosynthesis. Plants have evolved over the millennia to flourish in various light conditions, ranging from low-light forest floors to high-intensity places such as deserts.
Plants receive medium to high direct sunlight from west-facing windows, ranging from 250 to over thousand-foot candles. During the warm afternoon hours, an intense portion of sunshine is present.
– Are There Environmental Reasons To Grow West Facing Window Plants?
Plants can benefit from both direct and indirect sunlight from west-facing windows. Direct sunlight reaches a plant directly, whereas indirect sunlight is filtered or diffused light.
Plants placed within three feet of a west-facing window receive intense direct sunshine all afternoon. Plants receive indirect sunlight throughout the afternoon when putting about five or so feet away from a west-facing window and in front of a west-facing window that has been covered with a thin drape.
The afternoon light from an east-facing window is hotter and more powerful than the morning light. As a result, plants that can survive hotter temperatures and more intense sunshine will thrive in west-facing windows.
Conclusion
If your home, apartment, or business has west-facing windows, any houseplant that grows in bright direct or indirect sunshine and warmer temperatures is a must-have. Some key takeaways from this article to always carry with you should be:
- Quality, frequency, and intensity of light all affect how well or poorly your new houseplant will grow.
- Sunlight also directly impacts a plant’s growth cycle, maturation, flowering, reproduction, and overall health because it is a vital ingredient in photosynthesis.
- Diffused, indirect sunlight is an idea for plants whose leaves are damaged easily due to scorching heat and direct sunlight. The indirect afternoon sun is always preferable to the direct, albeit dim, morning sun.
- Keep in mind that specific sites can cause the soil and air around the plant to dry out more quickly, necessitating increased humidity or more frequent watering.
Once you’re well-versed in these points, it’s time for you to hit the road and journey to your nearby plant nursery, where you’ll find the perfect new addition to your plant family, waiting to be brought home.
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