The Best Plants for South-Facing Windows

A south-facing window is a precious asset in Vancouver, offering the brightest light and a front-row seat to those glorious, sunny summer days. While this intense light can scorch delicate plants, it’s the perfect environment for sun-worshipping species to thrive. For those sun-drenched spots in your home, choosing the right plant is key to creating a vibrant, sunlit jungle.

At The Bloomerie, we recommend these sun-lovers for your brightest windows:

• Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) – This tropical stunner needs bright light to flourish. It will happily soak up several hours of direct sun per day, bringing a touch of the exotic to your home. Best kept away from pets.
  • Light: Bright indirect to several hours of direct sun.
  • Water: Keep soil consistently moist during the growing season.

• Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata) – While known for its low-light tolerance, the Snake Plant will grow much faster and more robustly in a bright, sunny spot. Its tough leaves can handle the direct sun. Keep away from pets who may nibble.
  • Light: Low light to direct sun.
  • Water: Allow the soil to dry out completely.

• Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) – This quirky, desert-dwelling plant loves the sun and is incredibly drought-tolerant. It’s a fun, low-maintenance choice for a sunny windowsill and is non-toxic to pets.
  • Light: Full sun.
  • Water: Water sparingly, letting the soil dry out.

A Tip from The Bloomerie: Our summer sun can be surprisingly intense. On the hottest days, you might want to pull your plants back a foot or two from the glass to prevent their leaves from getting scorched.Let the sunshine in! Find the perfect sun-loving plant on our Plants Shop page.