Easy plants for your windowsill

Whether you're living on the second floor of a flat or in a multi-storey house, windowsills are pretty much everywhere. And what better way to brighten one up than with a lovely plant?

A windowsill plant adds privacy and cosiness. But how do you know which plants are a good match for a spot by the window? Keep reading! We’ll walk you through it!

This popular houseplant does well in low to medium light, making it a great choice for a north-facing windowsill. Just keep in mind: Monsteras can grow quite big! If you're short on space, pop a Monstera cutting on the windowsill instead – it’ll grow more compactly.

Also known as Devil’s Ivy (or Epipremnum aureum, if you want to sound fancy), this plant loves indirect light to partial shade. A north-facing window gives it the perfect lighting to stay lush and green.

The ZZ plant isn’t fussy at all when it comes to light. In fact, it thrives on a north-facing sill. Just remember to rotate it every now and then so it doesn’t start leaning towards the light.

Yuccas like plenty of light – but not direct sunlight, which can scorch their leaves. A north-facing windowsill gives them just enough light to stay happy without the risk of leaf burn.

Alocasias love bright light, but direct sun is too harsh for them. An east-facing windowsill is perfect – around 5 hours of morning sun is ideal. Not enough light? Your Alocasia might get leggy, with tall stems that snap easily.

This quirky hanging plant loves bright spots but needs protection from strong sunlight. An east-facing window is perfect. You can also hang it just next to the window. it’s a real show-off in a hanging pot.

Ficus plants need a good amount of light but can’t handle direct sun on their leaves. An east-facing window gives them what they need without the sunburn risk. Around 5 hours of morning sunlight and you're good to go.

These can grow quite big, but smaller ones fit nicely on a windowsill. They love lots of light – just not direct sun, or the leaves might burn. Again, an east-facing windowsill is the perfect middle ground.

Banana plants (or Musa, to be official) come from sunny tropical areas, so they love light. A full-grown one might be a bit too big, but a small plant or cutting fits just fine. A south-facing windowsill is perfect for giving it all the sun it craves.

Aloe vera is pretty chill about its light situation – it’ll grow in partial shade or full sun. South-facing sill? No problem. Just let it adjust slowly if it’s coming from a darker spot, or the leaves could burn.

Kalanchoe is a type of succulent, which means it thrives in dry, sunny spots. It’ll be right at home on a south-facing windowsill.

Also known as snake plant, this one is super low-maintenance. It doesn’t mind loads of sun and does well on a bright, south-facing windowsill.

This one loves lots of light but doesn't like harsh, direct sun. A west-facing window gives it the right balance. Bonus: It’ll grow fast and full here – though it might outgrow your windowsill pretty quickly!

In the wild, Rhipsalis grows under big trees in tropical forests – so it’s used to indirect light. A west-facing windowsill gives it just what it needs to feel at home.

Cacti are slow-growing, easy-going plants that love a bit of sun. A west-facing windowsill gives them just enough light without going overboard.

These chunky succulents love the light. A west-facing window gives them all the brightness they want. If you move yours to a sunnier south-facing spot, let it adjust slowly to avoid sun damage.

Sometimes you just don’t have the space for wide, bushy plants on the windowsill. That’s where tall and narrow plants come in. Here are 10 that fit perfectly – and look great too:

1. Sansevieria

2. Cactus or Euphorbia

3. Succulent

4. Ficus Ginseng bonsai

5. Pineapple plant

6. Spider plant

7. Chinese money plant

8. Aloe

9. Zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa)

10. Peperomia obtusifolia