Horticulture Magazine

30 Houseplants That Thrive In Direct Sunlight With Growing Advice From Jane Perrone

a houseplant with green and red variegated leaves growing in a pot indoors
By JONATHAN SWEET
Jonathan Sweet, Gardener

Jonathan is a gardening writer and passionate environmentalist from Edinburgh. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2009 with an MA (Hons) degree in English Literature.

 / Updated September 21st, 2024
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin Skelly, MHort (RHS), MCIHort - Horticulturist

Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.

 / Meets Our Editorial Guidelines
Contributions From SARAH GERRARD-JONES
Sarah Gerrard-Jones - The Plant Rescuer

Known online as 'The Plant Rescuer' and having published a book with the same name, Sarah is a houseplant enthusiast with a passion and skill for reviving imperfect plants. She has an online following of almost 300,000 people and won a Gold Medal at the 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

, JANE PERRONE
Jane Perrone, Houseplant Expert

Jane Perrone is a Journalist turned Houseplant Expert who has over 25 years of experience. Jane published a book on Houseplants at the start of 2023 and is the founder of On The Ledge podcast, with more than 250 episodes to date. She is a member of the RHS Advisory Committee on Houseplants.

IN THIS GUIDE

When selecting houseplants to brighten up your home, aesthetics should only form part of your decision-making process.

Another factor is the amount of natural light the space receives and which plants are capable of coping with those conditions.

“In my experience, most houseplant issues are due to a lack of light,” shares Sarah Gerrard-Jones, The Plant Rescuer.

“Get the lighting right and your plant stands a much better chance of survival. Just because we think a room looks bright, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is providing your plant with lots of bright light.

“Position your plants close enough to a window so that they can sense the light.”

If you’re lucky enough to live in a particularly sunny location, you may find that many houseplants have wilted on you in the past.

However, that doesn’t mean that all is lost, since there are plenty of varieties which do well in direct sunshine.

“A lot of cacti and succulents will be happy in as much sun as you can give them indoors and they are fine if the air in a room is dry,” shares Jane Perrone, a Houseplant Expert.

“A lot of them do need a cooler, drier period in winter, so be aware of that when the central heating is on in the cooler months.

“The more light you can give them, the better.”

Here are some of my personal favourites below:

1) Aeonium

aeonium houseplants with fleshy leaves
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Aeonium arboreum
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: loam or sand; any pH

Not only does aeonium achieve the impressive feat of squeezing all five vowels into a seven-letter word, but it also, unusually for succulents, can exceed 90cm in height.

“There are Aeonium that grow to 1m or more height and width and those that grow no more than 15-20cm,” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly.

“In the height of summer, they may close their rosettes and enter dormancy.

“They will re-enter active growth in autumn but you can prevent dormancy by providing some shading on the hottest summer days.

“Although drought tolerant, they may also enter dormancy if they dry out in summer.”

The small yellow blooms are a nice touch, but it’s the rosettes of waxy, fleshy foliage that are the real draw here.

2) Aloe Vera

aloe plants growing in a container outside with long, spiky green leaves that are thick and waxy
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Aloe vera
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: green and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: loam or sand; any pH

Natives of the desert, it’s no surprise that Aloe vera can’t get enough of that heat.

Bring some of those sultry vibes into your home with this cheerful little plant, which can easily be propagated through the plentiful pups they produce.

In my experience, while they can cope with direct sunlight for most of the year, you do need to watch them in summer as their leaves can begin to scorch in very strong sunlight.

Move them into a more shaded spot if you start to find the fleshy leaves of your aloe turning red.

3) Avocado

an avocado plant sprouting from a stone in a large round wicker pot
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Persea americana
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: green
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: loam; neutral pH

Avocado plants are surprisingly easy to cultivate from a pit in a cup of water, as I found out to my delight during a lockdown project.

While it would be quite optimistic to expect fruit from a homegrown variety, you will be able to coax lush vegetation from this pleasing houseplant with the minimum of fuss.

4) Basil

basil plant growing in a container on a windowsill indoors
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Ocimum basilicum
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
  • FLOWERS: white and pink
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: loam or sand; any pH

One edible plant that is far from just ornamental is basil.

A highly versatile herb, it’s great for adding flavour and colour to salads, soups, pizzas, pasta sauces and more.

It’ll also exude an intoxicating aroma in any environment, so make sure you have a plentiful supply on your kitchen windowsill.

5) Bird Of Paradise

orange and blue flower head from a bird of paradise plant that resembles a birds head
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Strelitzia
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: orange, blue and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: chalk, loam, sand; any pH

One of the most spectacular plants on this list and indeed in the entire botanical kingdom, the bird of paradise plant is so named for the flowers which resemble the crest of its avian namesake.

It won’t produce those famous flowers without sufficient sunlight, however, so find a south-facing window for this beauty.

In the UK, you may need to wait a significant number of years for it to flower spontaneously.

In fact, some wait many years only for it never to happen – but it is truly a sight to behold (and worth the wait!) when it does take place.

6) Croton

green, yellow, pink and black variegated croton leaves growing outside
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Codiaeum
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: white
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: loam; any pH

This colourful sun-lover always puts me in mind of prehistoric climes such as those featured in Jurassic Park or similar films.

The variegated patterns of its leaves, alongside the myriad of unusual colours which adorn them, make it a great option for adding intrigue to any sunny corner.

7) Crown Of Thorns

Euphorbia milii with pink flowering clusters growing amongst green leaves outside
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Euphorbia milii
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: yellow and red
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: chalk, loam, sand; any pH

These succulents are so named for their sharp, spiny stems.1Sutton, C. (2019, April 20). Real story of Christ’s crown of thorns. News.com. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/the-real-story-of-jesus-christs-crown-of-thorns/news-story/ec56fd4a5016c533aabcc08e8bcdd72d

Despite that, their real attractions lie in the tiny clusters of yellow blossoms which are almost invisible against the backdrop of blood-red bracts that last almost all year round.

“Euphorbias really love as much sun as you can give them and are great for a sunny spot,” says Jane.

8) Desert Rose

desert rose plant with a thick trunk and woody stems bearing star-shaped pink flowers growing in a large container
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Adenium obesum
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
  • FLOWERS: pink, white and red
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: loam or sand; alkaline to neutral pH

The desert rose is another succulent, which may come as a surprise to many people due to the fact that it has no spines or thorns and its leaves are not fleshy like many of its brethren.

Instead, water is stored in the bulbous trunk, somewhat reminiscent of a bonsai tree, while the trumpet-shaped red blooms catch the eye.

9) Donkey’s Tail

Sedum morganianum with waxy thick green leaves cascading over the edge of its pot
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Sedum morganianum
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: purple
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: loam or sand; any pH

Variously known as donkey’s tail, burro’s tail and horse’s tail depending on which part of the world you live in, this sedum has masses of fleshy leaves which swell with water and resemble a quadruped appendage.

They can become quite weighty when full, so choose a sturdy pot to house them.

10) Dragon Tree

dragon tree with long thin green leaves growing in direct sunlight on a windowsill
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Dracaena marginata
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: white and green
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • FRUIT SEASON(S): autumn
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH

Despite its fearsome name, this statement plant is more fashionable than formidable.

However, it can reach an impressive height of over 2m if allowed to stretch its roots, so consider that when repotting.

Other than keeping the soil moist and feeding it biannually, it’ll do well enough on its own.

11) Dwarf Umbrella Tree

green and cream variegated leaves from a potted dwarf umbrella tree
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Schefflera arboricola
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: loam or sand; any pH

The dwarf variety of this Schefflera is perfect for placing in a sunny spot in your home to add some architectural interest and vibrant greenery to a room.

While it will thrive in direct sunlight, too much of a good thing can turn its leaves brown, so keep an eye on its development.

12) Mexican Snow Ball

Echeveria albicans plants with red and green waxy leaves
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Echeveria albicans
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: pink and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter / spring
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: loam or sand; any pH

This happy little succulent comes in a variety of shades, from green to grey to even blue and purple.

For that reason, it’s become a hugely trendy hit on social media – and there’s no denying its aesthetic attributes, especially if it’s treated to adequate sunlight.

13) Fiddle-Leaf Fig

sunlit drenched large green leaves from a fiddle leaf fig tree growing inside on a wooden laminated floor
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Ficus lyrata
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH

The oversized leaves and tall stature (around 1.8m) are what immediately capture the attention of this attractive tree, but that’s nothing compared to the 20m height it can reach in the wild.

It is more demanding than some other options on this list, but you’ll be pleasantly rewarded for your efforts.

14) Cape Jasmine

cape jasmine plant with oval green leaves and white ruffled flowers growing in a pot in front of a window
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Gardenia jasminoides
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: white
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: clay, loam, sand; acidic to neutral pH

Despite its name, gardenia will do just fine indoors and, in fact, its subtropical origins mean that an interior setting is actually preferable in many parts of the UK.

The large glossy leaves are complemented by stunning white blossoms, so it’s no surprise it’s increasingly popular with homeowners today.

15) Geranium

pink and red flowering geraniums growing in a large container outside
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Pelargonium
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: varies
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: chalk, loam, sand; alkaline to neutral pH

Geraniums are available in a wide variety of colours, all of which bring vibrancy and joie de vivre to any location.

That includes al fresco spots in the summer, so feel free to move your potted geraniums outside.

16) Golden Barrel Cactus

golden barrel cacti with spiky brown foliage growing in pots outside with other potted plants in the background
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Echinocactus grusonii
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: loam or sand; any pH

Faintly resembling a spiky pin-cushion, the golden barrel is your quintessential cactus.

That means it requires very little in the way of water, it doesn’t play nice when you accidentally touch it and yes, it will happily absorb all of the sunlight you can throw at it.

17) Hens And Chicks

waxy green Sempervivum soboliferum plants
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Sempervivum soboliferum
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: green and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH

This mat-forming succulent is so named for the ease with which it self-propagates; over the space of a couple of years, it can form colonies that spread over 50cm in length.

The ‘hen’ is the main central rosette, while the multiple offspring (‘pups’) sprouting from its vicinity are the ‘chicks’.

18) Hibiscus

pink flowering hibiscus plants with light green foliage growing in bright sunlight
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
  • FLOWERS: varies
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; neutral to alkaline pH

These tropical lovelies have some varieties with flower heads almost 25cm in diameter!

While you might not be (and I personally haven’t been) able to lay your hands on a specimen of that size, whichever one you do manage to find will bring vibrancy, energy and a pleasant smell to your home.

19) Jade Plant

waxy green leaves from a jade plant growing in a pot on a bright windowsill
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Crassula ovata
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: pink and white
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: loam and sand; any pH

In many Asian cultures, Jade plants are thought of as a sign of luck and prosperity, so fill your house with them to encourage financial success.

Even if you don’t end up quids in, you’ll have a home full of beautiful and easy-to-maintain greenery.

Jade plants range in size from smaller options all the way up to full-size trees.

20) Jasmine

star jasmine with clusters of star-shaped flowers and light green leaves
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Trachelospermum jasminoides
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: white
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: chalk, loam, sand; any pH

Jasmine bears a striking resemblance to gardenia, but while the latter is a shrub, jasmine prefers to climb.

Situate it near a trellis or other support structure and let it fill your room with its intoxicating perfume, but just make sure it has enough sunlight to keep it happy.

21) Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana plant with red flowers and dark green leaves growing in a container
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: red
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: loam or sand; any pH

There are over 100 different species which fall under the kalanchoe umbrella, but only a handful of them are cultivated in the UK.

Like most succulents, it is a little demanding, though it will appreciate full sun and indeed will not flower to its full potential without it.

22) Kumquat Tree

dark green foliage and rounded orange fruits of kumquat trees growing in pots
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Citrus kumquat
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: white
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
  • FRUIT SEASON(S): summer / autumn
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH

If you’re anything like me, you’ll associate the kumquat with exotic parts of the world and the warm climes they foster.

While that’s true to an extent, kumquat trees are among the hardiest of citrus varieties, so you should be able to coax fruit from an indoor plant within a few years.

A tangy treat with edible skin to boot!2McCulloch, M. (2018b, July 2). What Are Kumquats Good for and How Do You Eat Them? Healthline. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/kumquat

23) Chinese Money Tree

Pilea peperomioides with round green leaves growing on long thin stems from a pot on a windowsill
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Pilea peperomioides
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: cream, green and pink
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: chalk or sand; any pH

Like the Jade plant, Chinese money trees are revered as capable of bringing fortune to a home if situated in a southeastern location.

They boast attractive trunks and large, rounded leaves, which are prone to sunburn if exposed to the midday heat for too long, so keep an eye on your tree if you choose to grow this one.

24) Moon Cactus

three moon cacti plants growing in a row with orange and red heads
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Gymnocalycium mihanovichii
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: pink, green white and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: sand; any pH

Moon cacti are invariably one of the most eye-catching specimens in any garden centre or plant nursery display.

With their red globular domes set atop a chunky green spike, they’re a great conversation starter in your home.

Interestingly, the two composite parts are actually separate species that have been grafted together to create a new one.

25) Nivosa Cactus

many Mammillaria nivosa cacti growing in a pot with yellow spiky pines
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Mammillaria nivosa
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: sand; any pH

Nivosa features heaped mounds with densely woolly axils and radial spines.

This is a unique plant that will look great in any home.

26) Papyrus

papyrus plant with long thin green leaves growing outside with tiny white flowers
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Cyperus papyrus
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: brown
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • FRUIT SEASON(S): autumn
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH

Associated with the first writing scrolls from Ancient Egypt, papyrus loves baking heat and plentiful sunshine.

It’ll survive just fine in ambient house temperatures, bringing its lazy sophistication with it, but don’t expect indoor varieties to produce the same flowers as their outdoor counterparts can.

27) Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea recurvata growing in a container inside in front of a window and wall with frilly green leaves
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Beaucarnea recurvata
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: white
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH

Although not actually members of the palm family (they belong to the agave tribe and hail from Mexico), ponytail palms do behave in much the same way as their conventional namesakes.

This means that as long as they’re treated to an abundance of direct sunlight, they can tolerate a fair amount of neglect in other areas.

28) Sago Palm

birds eye view of a potted sago palm with glossy leaves
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Cycas miquelii
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: brown and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: loam; acidic to neutral pH

Another misnomer, the sago palm hails from the cycad family, not the palm one.

Whatever its lineage, it looks like something right out of the Triassic period and will add oodles of character to your home.

With its coconut-like bulb atop a chunky trunk and green, feathery foliage fanning out from the centre, it’s a real show-stopper.

29) String Of Pearls

string of pearls plant with beaded appearance growing in a wicker basket
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Senecio rowleyanus
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: white and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: chalk, loam, sand; neutral pH

With cascading stems that teem with orb-shaped leaves, this trailing succulent looks magnificent in a sun-facing hanging basket.

There are plenty of variations on the theme, too, including a string of dolphins and a string of bananas.

As the names suggest, these feature differently shaped leaves but are every bit as attractive.

30) Yucca

yucca shrub with long thick spiky green leaves growing outside
  • BOTANICAL NAME: Yucca
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
  • FLOWERS: cream and white
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
  • SOIL PREFERENCE: chalk, loam, sand; any pH

Everyone’s favourite starter plant, the yucca can attain spectacular heights in the wild, but indoor specimens will probably not exceed 90cm.

It benefits most from the full sun but will tolerate partial shade, while its other demands are extremely modest – a fortnightly watering should be sufficient throughout the year.

References

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