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While designing your interiors, think of houseplants; they can be a small yet great addition to your indoors. Various plants can grow indoors with very little effort from your end. The amount of sunlight that lightens up your home can help you list down the plants you want to invest in. If you are one of those lucky people with great ventilation and large windows, then you can go for these!
In this article, you will find a list of the best indoor plants that grow well in direct sunlight. These plants thrive and flourish in direct sunlight, and most houseplants need very little attention from you. We’ve covered everything for you here to add a tropical touch to your house, whether you are looking for small house plants with beautiful leaves, flowers, basket plants, pleasant scents, etc.
Houseplants That Thrive In Direct Sunlight
1. Ponytail Palm
Ponytail Palm, which goes by the botanical name “Beaucarnea Recurvata”, is an indoor plant that originated in Mexico. This indoor plant is known to withstand direct sunlight for days without water. When watered, the trunk of the plant, shaped like a bulb, stores water for weeks inside it and protects the full sun houseplant. When exposed to direct sunlight, Ponytail palms grow faster than those in the shade. While keeping them in the shade doesn’t harm the plant, direct sunlight can help these full-sun houseplants grow 3-4 feet in a few months. They also require minimal water, and watering them regularly can fade the plant.
2. Desert Rose
Though desert roses fall under the succulent plant family, they don’t have any features that resemble succulents. Desert roses are perfect indoor plants that don’t have thorns, spines, or thick leaves. Botanically known as Adenium Obesum, they bloom pink, white, and red flowers. Desert Roses are full sun houseplants storing water in their thick, swollen trunks. Watering the plants only when dry will keep them healthy and full growth. They grow up to 15+ feet even indoors, quite unusual for houseplants with little to no maintenance.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera plants need no introduction; they are popularly grown indoors worldwide and are known for their unique appearance. These full-sun houseplants have several benefits and belong to the succulent plant family. They need almost no maintenance and help as a first-aid kit to relieve skin irritation or burns. Aloe Vera plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight to survive and grow well, so place it near a window where sunlight thrives. In harsh summers, you can water them once in a couple of weeks; in other seasons, you can even water them once in a few months.
4. Croton
Crotons come in yellow, orange, pink, and other colour leave. However, this full-sun houseplant soon becomes a statement piece in your interior decor, giving it a rich and exquisite look. Crotons need direct sunlight for at least 8 hours throughout the day to stay healthy. Since sunlight is an important factor for Croton’s growth, observe and understand that the better the sunlight is, the brighter the leaves will be. If these plants don’t get enough sunlight, their colourful leaves slowly become black from the centre. These full-sun houseplants must also be watered frequently as they don’t store water.
5. Jasmine
The strong scent of jasmine plants can fill a garden with a great fragrance. Imagine those indoor plants; they can cover your house with a pleasant smell that no artificial perfume can bring in. Unlike other full-sun houseplants, they bear large flowers, especially during the summer season, because of great exposure to sunlight. Known as Oleaceae botanically, these plants have beautiful white flowers, mostly with orange stripes. Jasmines grow better in humid conditions, warm weather, and in the presence of continuous sunlight. Though sunlight is a must for this full-sun houseplant, keeping them in the shade won’t harm the plant, making them perfect for every season throughout the year.
6. Basil
Basil, botanically known as Ocimum Basilicum, is an indoor plant with many benefits for daily cooking. Basil is a full-sun houseplant that blooms small white and pink flowers in summer. Basil needs extreme sunlight for at least 6 hours daily to be healthy. Though this is easy in the summer, it’s a major task to maintain the basil leaves in the winter season. As Basil house plants tend to adapt to more humid conditions, place them near the kitchen to help them sustain.
7. Hibiscus
Hibiscus or Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis is a unique flowering plant that is widely popular, with a few varieties of larger flowers going up to 20 cm in diameter. These plants have several medical benefits, can be used in cooking, and fill the indoors with their pleasant smell. Hibiscus plants from the Malvaceae family are mostly found and grown in tropical regions, as they need direct sunlight. Even if the plants are grown indoors, exposure to direct sunlight for at least two hours daily will keep them healthy. The plants can be watered according to the soil moisture, and with little maintenance, you will get some stunning flowers.
8. Jade Plant
The Jade plant, or Crassula Ovata, is an indoor plant commonly seen in Asian households. They believe that Jade plants are a sign of luck, happiness, and prosperity, just like the money plants. Jade plants are also gorgeous and can amplify your indoor decor’s beauty. They hail from the succulent family and need very less maintenance. These tropical full-sun houseplants need at least four to six hours of direct sunlight daily to stay in shape. Jades are versatile; they can fit in a small pot or be fully grown trees.
9. Gardenia
Gardenia, botanically known as Cape Jasmine, is a shrub that originated in China but is grown indoors or in small outdoor areas. The flowers of these Gardenia plants are white and yellow, and the leaves are dark green. The flowers are beautifully bloomed throughout the year, and their strong scent makes them perfect houseplants. Gardenia can be typically seen in tropical areas as it requires at least four hours of full and partial sunlight throughout the day to sustain. Though these need little care in summer, be careful about how much you water them in Winter.
10. China Doll
These plants are becoming more popular houseplants by the day, originating from Taiwan and China. These china doll houseplants grow up to 4-6 feet and are perfect for placing anywhere near the light in the indoor scene. These China doll plants, though small in size, look like trees due to their stem and leaves. Full-sun houseplants require up to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily and need humid conditions to survive. If placed in shade or not exposed to enough sunlight, the leaves will soon start to fade, stretch, and bulge.
11. Echeveria
One of the most beautiful and popular types in the succulent family, these echeveria plants are a statement piece when added to your indoor decor. Echeveria comes in various colours, and the unique colours make them a beauty. The plant leaves make it look like roses and comes in different colours. They can grow up to 30 cm in height, and hailing from the succulent family, they are easy to care for. They need sunlight most of the day and live better in humid conditions. The fading of leaves is a sign of insufficient sunlight, and you can water the plants whenever the soil becomes too dry.
12. Sago Palm
These sago palm plants have a great history and are a perfect way to add a beautiful touch to your indoor decor. These plants are often called “fossil plants” as they haven’t changed much in ages. The plants are from the Cycadaceae family and are unrelated to the palm family. Sago Palm plants grow best indoors if exposed to sunlight for at least a few hours a day, and the side that faces the sunlight usually grows faster in height. While growing, the plants may need regular watering, but once they reach their typical size, you can water them once a week.
13. Crown Of Thorns
This name comes from the strong stems with spines all over the plant. And at the same time, these plants are a great addition to your houseplants as they bear attractive small flowers that last all year. The flowers are often red and yellow. Belonging to the succulent family, these plants need very little maintenance. Crown of thorns, botanically known as Euphorbia Milli, full-sun houseplants need direct sunlight. They grow best with 6-8 hours of daylight every day and water them only when the soil in the pot is completely dry.
14. Burro’s Tail
Botanically known as Sedum morganianum, this plant goes by many names, such as donkey’s tail or horse’s tail, according to the region. The plants are unique in appearance and certainly grab a significant spot in your house decor. Hailing from the succulent family, the leaves have a different texture as they bulge and store water. These are full-sun houseplants and need to stay in the direct effect of sunlight as much as possible. Since they store water in their leaves, watering the plants once every couple of weeks is required to keep them healthy.
15. Snake Plant
Snake plants are other houseplants that belong to the Asparagus family and are commonly found in Southeast Asia’s tropical forests. Also known as the mother-in-law’s tongue, “snake” originates from its dark-coloured, quite long, sharp, and strong leaves. Snake plants are common in indoor decor as they are adaptable to any conditions but best grow with direct sunlight. These full-sun houseplants flourish, thrive in daylight, and are vulnerable to excess water. Check the soil and water the plant only when it’s completely dry.
16. Papyrus
Botanically known by the name Cyperus Papyrus, they bloom small and beautiful yellow-brown mixed flowers that amplify the beauty of your indoors where it’s placed. Popularly known as the paper reed plant, they bloom flowers during the summer. The stems of the plant are quite long, and to grow well; these plants need high temperatures. Originating from Africa, the tropical climate best suits this full-sun houseplant, and the yellow colour in the leaves explains that there isn’t enough sunlight for the plant to grow.
17. Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe, scientifically known as Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana, the blooming of bright red flowers in batches during the spring certainly adds a pleasant touch to the indoors. Associated with the succulent family, the plants flower only when they get enough sunlight. These full-sun houseplant flowers are usually red but can also be yellow, pink, orange, or white. While the plants are very adaptable to any temperature, keeping them in the shade will restrict their development. A direct ray of sunlight will brighten the flowers and help in rapid growth. Ensure that the flowers don’t get wet when you occasionally water them.
18. Yucca
Yucca is among the least demanding yet most versatile ones you will find among various indoor plants. These are generally tall with long yet thin leaves. The leaves are usually green but can be seen in yellow and white. Yellow and white colours typically depict the deficiency of sunlight in the plant. While the plant can grow in partial to no shade, you will see a growth of up to 90 cm if the plants are exposed to sunlight frequently. The plants can grow in any soil and need watering only when the soil is extremely dry.
19. Chinese Money Tree
Chinese money tree, botanically known as Pilea Peperomoides, is a plant from the money plant family. Originating and popularly seen in Southeast Asia, this plant, when grown indoors, is believed to bring money, luck, and prosperity to one’s home. This plant doesn’t need much attention and can grow in shade and sunlight. The rays of direct sunlight can help in the growth, and they must be exposed to direct sunlight for at least half a day to stay healthy. Yellow leaves depict insufficient sunlight to the plant, and money plants need very low amounts of water.
20. Kumquat
Botanically known as Fortunella Japonica, these plants belong to the citrus family. They can grow in various environments and produce fruits, a rare quality in indoor plants. These plants bear orange-looking fruits that are smaller in size and sour. These edible fruits taste similar to oranges, a perfect home-grown healthy snack. These plants are full sun houseplants, i.e., they need direct sunlight to thrive and bear fruits. These plants don’t fruit until they are mature, and this takes a couple of years from sowing it.
21. Geranium
Geraniums belong to the Geraniaceae family and are also known as Perennials. The astonishing variety of flowers this plant gives is why these are so adored and used as houseplants. These full-sun houseplants need enough sunlight; otherwise, flowers won’t develop. They need sunlight throughout the day for healthy growth and watering occasionally. Excessive watering or excessive use of fertilizer can both harness the growth of plants and the development of flowers.
22. Mexican Snowball
Mexican snowball plants are an instant hit on social media for their striking resemblance and contrasting colour combinations. Botanically known as the Echeveria Albicans, these plants have various leaves, from blue-purple to green-grey. The texture of the leaves is so distinctive as they are swollen in nature and symmetrically form the shape of rose flowers in batches. They are a great addition to your home decor. They thrive in direct sunlight and need very little water occasionally.
23. Areca Palm
Known by several names like yellow palm, butterfly palm, and golden cane palm, these areca palm plants are very common indoor plants. Belonging to the succulent plant category, very few palm plants need direct sunlight to develop. The leaves of these plants are wide and dark green, and they turn yellow when exposed to healthy sunlight. They also require no maintenance, starting with minimal need for water and sunlight throughout the day and zero need for fertilizer.
24. Dwarf Umbrella Tree
Botanically named Scheffelra Arboricola, this plant is a great addition to your indoors and can elevate the look of the place with its charming bright-coloured leaves. These plants are also popularly known as Octopus trees. These plants usually grow the best in sunlight and warmer temperatures. While the plant needs a good amount of water, watering them frequently would lead to pale leaves. Keep these full-sun houseplants in direct contact with the sun all day, and you will see them glowing by the day.
Decide Your Plant Buddy!
While these are a few of the many full-sun houseplants we have for you, do not overwhelm yourself with the amount of work these plants bring in. Also, though all these plants need sunlight to thrive, don’t worry about providing artificial light at night; natural sunlight during the day is perfect for any plant.
As mentioned, they only need little attention to fill your house with their pleasant scent and touch. Just place them in an area with direct sunlight, and they are good to go with little watering occasionally.
You can add an exotic and exquisite touch to your home with just a few plants. After this, we hope you are ready to turn your abode into a little tropical paradise.
