In the colder parts of the United States, plants that can only live in warm, humid places often make great houseplants. If you want to grow tropical plants like umbrella trees, orchids, and goldfish plants, windows that face east will give them the best light that comes from their natural environment. These tropical plants usually grow in the forest, where the light is filtered and the temperature is above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. There is also a lot of humidity. These are the conditions youll want to replicate for your plants at home, as per Pennington.
With east-facing windows, you can turn one or more of your rooms into a foliage-filled oasis. Here are some of the best plants to keep on a shelf near the window, in a hanging planter, or on the sill. But before you go any further, make sure you know what your favorite species needs to grow before you buy it. This way, you can raise them right the first time.
The jade plant (Crassula argentea) is one of those houseplants that most home gardeners cant live without. According to the University of Florida Extension, this very popular succulent plant doesn’t need much care and can survive in dry conditions. It can also grow in a variety of lighting conditions. If you put your jade plant in a window that faces east, it will live for many years and maybe even bloom.
Nerve plants (Fittonia albivenis) are commonly grown indoors in colder climates. However, because they love warm weather and some sunlight, these herbaceous perennials enjoy an indirectly sunny window. Here, they will stay warm but not be burned by harsh sunshine, as per Missouri Botanical Garden.
Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum spp. ) can be identified by their glossy, oval leaves and their unique white flowers. As noted by Clemson Cooperative Extension, these plants have great air-purifying abilities, which make them wonderful houseplants. Even though peace lilies can grow in a lot of different conditions, they do best in a spot that gets indirect sunlight and is regularly watered.
Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp. ) are frequently grown as houseplants because they need specific conditions to bloom. UMD Extension says that these orchids do best with chipped bark instead of soil, a lot of humidity, and bright indirect light from a window facing east.
Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia spp. ) is a tall growing plant with lots of tropical-looking leaves, as described by Miracle-Gro. Most people grow their dumb cane indoors because they don’t live in a place where they can grow them outside. Still, it makes for a great houseplant that brightens up any room.
Calla lilies (Zantedeschia rehmannii) are grown from bulbs similar to tulips or daffodils. They develop quickly and flower throughout the spring. The calla lilies at Longfield Gardens come in a range of colors, such as yellow, rose, white, orange, and maroon.
It looks like the weedy three-leaf clover that you might find in a patch of grass. That’s because the false shamrock plant is Oxalis triangularis. Gardenia says this plant is much bigger and has a clump of green or purple leaves with small white flowers all over them in the summer. Some places think false shamrock is invasive, so it’s better to keep it inside in a window that faces east than to plant it outside.
The fruit of the goldfish plant, Nematanthus gregarius, looks like a small goldfish. This is how it got its name. According to RHS, this trailing subshrub has big green leaves and clusters of flowers in the summer. It is also known as the clog plant.
In the United States, the umbrella tree (Schefflera arboricola), a shrub from Taiwan that stays green all year, is grown, According to North Carolina State Extension, it needs some care, like pruning, but it won’t need to be watered very often. Even so, remember that the leaves of this small tree have poisonous calcium oxalate crystals in them, so keep them out of the reach of kids and pets.
Croton plants (Codiaeum variegatum) are a household favorite among many novice and expert houseplant gardeners. The species bright foliage adds color and excitement to a home filled with greenery. The Missouri Botanical Garden says that people who own croton plants should give them high humidity, bright indirect light, and regular watering for the best leaf color.
If your home is blessed with east facing windows, you have an ideal location for growing many popular houseplants. Early morning sun from the east is soft, gentle, and perfect for a wide variety of plants.
Taking advantage of these prime plant spots in your east facing windows can let you create a little indoor oasis. Read on for some of the top options when selecting plants for your east exposure.
Why East Facing Windows Are Great for Houseplants
Early morning eastern sun offers houseplants:
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Gentle, indirect light without harsh afternoon rays
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Several hours of useful sunlight for photosynthesis
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Gradual increase in brightness to energize plants
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Often the brightest locations for indoor plants
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Cooler temperatures than western or southern exposures
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Relief from hot midday and afternoon sunlight
East facing windows provide the closest thing to ideal natural light for indoor gardening. And many common houseplants thrive with an eastern exposure.
Best Low Light East Facing Window Plants
If your east windows lack close proximity to outdoor trees or other obstructions, even plants suitable for low to medium light can grow there beautifully. Choose from:
- Snake plants
- Cast iron plant
- Chinese evergreens
- Ponytail palm
- Peace lily
- Pothos
- Philodendrons
- ZZ plant
- Norfolk pine
These plants tolerate lower light levels if needed, but will absolutely flourish and grow quicker with extra early morning brightness.
Best Medium to Bright Light East Facing Plants
For east windows with limited outdoor shade, try these indoor plants that relish increased sunlight:
- Spider plant
- Prayer plant
- Dracaena
- Begonia
- Peperomia
- Palm trees
- Ficus
- Ferns
- Jade plant
- Croton
- Umbrella tree
Aim for plants with variegated foliage to take advantage of the bright, dappled eastern light. Just be sure to rotate plants occasionally for even growth.
Avoid Plants That Require Intense Light
Some popular houseplants demand intense sunlight from a southern or western exposure. Avoid placing these in east facing windows:
- Succulents like echeveria and aloe
- Cacti
- Orchids
- Fruiting plants like citrus or peppers
- Sun-loving herbs like rosemary and thyme
While east light offers several hours of sun, it lacks the intense rays these plants need. Supplement with grow lights or choose more shade-tolerant varieties.
Best Flowering Plants for East Facing Windows
Many flowering houseplants will happily bloom in an east facing window where they receive sufficient early light. Top picks include:
- African violets
- Orchids like phalaenopsis
- Bromeliads
- Anthurium
- Hoyas
- Geraniums
- Gardenia
- Begonias
- Bougainvillea
Rotate plants regularly for even growth and blooms. Move to a southern window in winter if bloom declines.
Where to Place Plants in an East Window
Maximize growth and blooms by thoughtfully arranging plants:
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Position plants requiring more light closer to the glass.
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Keep sun-lovers near the sides where light beams in.
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Place lower light plants further back or in peripheral areas.
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Use taller plants to permit light to reach dwellers behind them.
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Rotate plants every few weeks for even sun exposure.
Observe and adjust based on each plant’s needs for optimal vitality.
Caring for East Facing Window Plants
Aside from sunlight, east facing window plants need:
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Water when the top few inches of soil become dry.
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Increase humidity with pebble trays or humidifiers.
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Apply balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during spring and summer.
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Dust leaves periodically to maximize light absorption.
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Monitor for pests like spider mites that can plague indoor plants.
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Repot when roots become crowded, using fresh potting mix.
Getting these fundamental elements right, along with the eastern sun, will keep plants thriving.
Ideal East Facing Window Plants
Here are some of the top all-around choices to spotlight in your home’s east facing windows:
Pothos
A classic houseplant, pothos handles both low and bright light. Let its trailing vines cascade from shelves or hanging baskets.
Philodendrons
Similar to pothos, philodendrons add visual interest and come in many leaf varieties like Brasil, Micans, and Heartleaf.
Peperomia
With hundreds of species, peperomia offers unique textures from rippled leaves to red stems. Keep soil slightly moist.
Ferns
Lacy ferns lend an earthy, woodland feel. Avoid direct sun on delicate fronds. Boston ferns and bird’s nest ferns top the list.
Schefflera
Also known as umbrella plants, schefflera displays glossy, oval green leaves. It tolerates both lower and brighter light levels.
Dracaena
Known as dragon plants, dracaena showcase sword-shaped leaves in green, red, or variegated patterns. They handle varying light.
Tips for Maximizing Health in an East Window
Follow these tips to overcome common east window plant issues:
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Rotate plants to prevent leaning toward light (phototropism).
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Prune leggy growth resulting from low light levels.
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Move struggling plants closer to the window or add supplemental lighting.
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Introduce air circulation to prevent mildew on leaves in humid conditions.
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Mist plants to boost moisture in dry indoor air, especially in winter.
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Wash dusty leaves to optimize light absorption and prevent pests.
Plants in east windows may need periodic adjustments, but overall thrive with this exposure.
East Window Garden Inspiration
By thoughtfully selecting an assortment of plants suited to eastern light, you can create a stunning plant display.
Create layers and height
Place taller plants like dracaena in back and cascade ivy vines in front for depth.
Repeat shapes or colors
Use similar pots or combine plants with rounded leaves for harmony.
Mix textures
Combine smooth and glossy with fuzzy, crinkled, or ruffled leaves.
Use favorite plants as accents
Let special plants like orchids shine by placing alone in unique planters.
Take advantage of prime real estate in east facing windows to craft your own indoor oasis. Both you and your plants will reap the benefits of this ideal exposure.
Common Questions About East Facing Window Plants
Here are some frequently asked questions:
How much sun do east facing windows get?
East windows receive gentle morning sun for 2-6 hours depending on obstructions, location, and time of year before light shifts overhead.
Are north or east facing windows better for plants?
East is better than north for plants due to receiving several hours of useful morning sun. North offers only indirect brightness.
What direction gets the most sun?
South facing windows get the most sun overall in northern hemisphere climates, followed by west or east depending on landscape obstructions.
Should you rotate houseplants in east windows?
Rotating prevents phototropism which makes plants lean toward light. Rotate plants every week or two for even, upright growth.
Why are my east window plants getting leggy?
Leggy, stretched out growth results from plants not getting sufficient light. Move plants right up to the glass or provide supplemental lighting.
Optimizing the prime plant real estate in your east facing windows results in healthy, thriving indoor greenery. Take stock of your current plant placement and make adjustments to enhance their sun exposure. With a bit of trial and error, you can orchestrate the ideal east window plant display.
1 Swiss cheese plant
According to the University of Connecticut, the monstera plant (Monstera deliciosa), which is also called the swiss cheese plant, is a climbing vine. When kept inside, though, the vines grow in a cluster that makes the plant look like a shrub. The Swiss cheese plant is easy to spot because its big leaves have lots of holes in them, which is how it got its name.
Bloom Season: Rarely flowers indoors
USDA Growing Zone: 10 to 12
Growing Conditions: Bright to medium indirect light
Soil Type: Well-draining, organic potting mix
Size: Up to 15 feet tall indoors
Areca palms (Dypsis lutescens) grow quite tall in nature, but when kept as houseplants, they tend to stay only a few feet tall. The areca palm leaves are fan-like and require high humidity to stay green and waxy. In the summer, this palm may produce yellow flowers that give way to yellow-orange fruits, though this is unlikely to occur indoors, explains North Carolina State Extension.
Bloom Season: Summer
USDA Growing Zone: 10 to 11
Growing Conditions: Bright indirect light
Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix
Size: Up to 10 feet tall
The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata Bostoniensis) is chosen again and again for its broad evergreen fronds that grow up to 4 feet long, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The plant grows well in a container and looks even better in a hanging planter. Depending on your USDA zone, you can hang it outside during the summer in a sunny location.
Bloom Season: Does not flower
USDA Growing Zone: 9 to 11
Growing Conditions: Bright indirect light
Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
Size: Up to 7 feet tall