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Growing Plants at a North Facing Window

By Rupert Foxton-Smythe

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Discover the hidden advantages of growing plants at a north-facing window and create a lush green oasis in your home.

TL;DR

The north-facing window offers ideal growing conditions for plants that prefer lower light levels. Choose the right plants for a deep green color and healthy growth.

  • Advantages of the north window for plant growth
  • Choosing the right plants for a north-facing window
  • Creating a luxuriant green environment with lower light levels

Many people fail to realize the advantages of the north window, when they begin to create a luxuriant green environment in their homes. The north window offers ideal growing conditions for many plants that prefer lower light levels. The key is to choose the right ones. The limited amount of light that comes through your north window will, for some plants, be just sufficient to give them a deep green colour and keep them healthy.

Colourful, sun-loving plants will not thrive in a north window, so they will not be worth trying here.

Choose your plants carefully and you will find that the north-facing window is the greenest window in the room.

Plants with similar needs should be your choice. It is no good trying to grow plants that like to be constantly moist and in high levels of humidity, with plants that prefer drier conditions. Similarly, plants that like warmth should not be planted with those that prefer cool conditions.

Care of plants

Most shade-loving plants are easy to look after on a daily basis. Always avoid dry atmospheres. Improve the level of humidity by misting the plants frequently with tepid water and standing them on moist pebble-filled trays. This also discourages harmful insects.

Plants for the floor

If the floor space in front of a north-facing window is not taken up with furniture, use it as a plant stage. Larger specimens which make dramatic architectural statements will be ideal for this situation. Also bear in mind it will be difficult to move them around frequently.

Climbing and hanging plants

Most house plants become large with age, and trimming them back may become tedious. If so, why not grow hanging plants? They will appear as clearly defined silhouettes against the light. Choose wisely to create a different level of green cover.

  • Ivy
  • Wandering Jew
  • Spider plant
  • Rosary plant
  • Prayer plant
  • Philodendron
  • Purple heart
  • Sword fem

The small window

If the north-facing window is a small one, make a feature of small plants. Fix one or two small shelves across the window if it is one that is not opened frequently and display 2-3 rows of small plants. Ferns and flowering plants such as cyclamen should be used as single specimen plants.

Plants for a small window

  • Adiantum
  • Aglaonema
  • Miniature cyclamen
  • Rhoeo
  • Spanish pepper
  • Sword fern

Large windows

If you happen to have a large north window you will have the chance to grow many larger, more exciting foliage plants which prefer to be out of the brightest sun.

Plants for large windows

Flowering plants

A north-facing window with foliage plants is attractive, but try adding flowering plants to make it more interesting.

You will not be able to keep the same ones all year round, but you can use seasonal favourites to make the window look different every month.

Flowering plants

Many people fail to realize the advantages of the north window, when they begin to create a luxuriant green environment in their homes.

More Information on Growing Plants At A North Facing Window

The north-facing window provides a unique opportunity for plant enthusiasts to create a thriving green oasis in their homes. While many people may overlook the advantages of this window orientation, it offers ideal growing conditions for plants that prefer lower light levels. By carefully selecting the right plants, you can enjoy a deep green color and maintain their health. One interesting fact about north-facing windows is that they are not suitable for colorful and sun-loving plants. These plants require more direct sunlight, which is abundant in south or west-facing windows. However, the limited amount of light that filters through the north window can provide just enough illumination for certain plants to flourish. When choosing plants for a north-facing window, it's essential to consider their specific needs and preferences. Plants with similar requirements should be grouped together, avoiding combinations of species that have conflicting moisture and temperature preferences. This thoughtful selection ensures that each plant receives the ideal environment for its growth. Additionally, caring for shade-loving plants is relatively easy on a daily basis. To maintain a suitable level of humidity, misting the plants with tepid water and placing them on trays filled with moist pebbles can be beneficial. Not only does this improve humidity, but it also helps deter harmful insects. By making the most of the unique growing conditions provided by the north-facing window, you can transform it into the greenest window in your home. Selecting the right plants and providing them with the necessary care will result in a luxuriant green environment that brings joy and tranquility to your living space.

About the author

Rupert Foxton-Smythe

Rupert Foxton-Smythe is a seasoned horticulturist and avid plant enthusiast with over three decades of experience in the field of botany. As a leading expert at Houseplant Guru, Rupert brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for all things green.

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