These Houseplants Love Direct Sunlight.
As the days get longer and the sun shines a little brighter in the northern hemisphere, it’s worth paying a little more attention to our indoor plants. Some of these may need to be changed around the room to avoid direct light, as it can damage the leaves or dry out the roots. On the other hand, some houseplants like direct light and do not suffer from overexposure to sunlight. Here are some plants to keep in the brightest window all year round.
Types of sun-loving indoor plants
When the sun’s rays hit the plant, it builds up chloroplasts to trigger photosynthesis. Plants with a lot of chloroplasts are those sun-loving plants that will enjoy the brightest spot in your home. According to Flora Grubb Gardens , several popular houseplants that tolerate direct sunlight well are:
- Adenium
- Alluaudia
- Anigosantos (kangaroo paw)
- Pineapple (pineapple)
- Succulents
- Cactus
- Jade
- Some palms
- Ficus plants
- Gardenias
- Clusia
- Cordilin
- Croton
Some other unique (and edible) plants that love the sun are the pink-flowering hibiscus (which makes a spicy tea) and the root vegetable yucca. Spruce has a complete list of sunshine-loving plants and the amount of light that helps them thrive.
Of course, keep watering each plant as needed; while the leaves will enjoy the heat of mid-summer, the roots and soil may need extra attention to keep the plants growing .
Direct sunlight versus diffused light
Direct sunlight means the sun’s rays are falling directly on the leaves (use this handy diagram from Flora Grubb Gardens to see the different gradients of light rays shining in a room). Basically, keep in mind that direct light is closest to the light source, and as you move away from a light source (such as a window) it becomes diffuse light even if the plant is still “in the sun.” Remember to be close to a window or door when it comes to controlling light levels for your plant.