The Best Indoor Plants for East-Facing Windows

Indoor plants can get some natural light depending on what window they are closest to. The best plants for east facing windows will be the ones preferring indirect light with cooler temperatures. East window houseplants will get their sun in the mornings when it isn’t as warm and their shade during the afternoon.

Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum spp.) is from the Araceae family. This is a climber that needs semi shade or bright light, so facing an east side window for indoor use. It needs regular watering except in winter. Misting is preferred. Propagate via spring or summer stem cuttings or by spring or summer layering.

Blunt Leaved Peperomia

Blunt leaved peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia) is from the Piperaceae family. It is an evergreen perennial. Leaves are 1 to 6 inches and the white tiny greenish white flowers bloom on spikes 2 to 4 inches tall. Plant this in light organic soil with filtered light with an east side facing window for indoor use. Propagate via division, stem cuttings, or leaf cuttings.

Spider Plant

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is from the Liliaceae family. It is a fast growing perennial. Leaves are 8 to 16 inches with tiny white flowers and seed capsules. Baby plants are on the ends of the stalks. Plant in bright light without midday sun, such as near an east facing window. Propagate via division of the root mass or via plantlets at the end of stalks.

Dumb Cane

Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia spp.) is from the Araceae family. It is an evergreen perennial that is easy to grow. It can reach over 5 feet tall. Plant a dumb cane in partial summer shade and bright winter light, or indoors near an east facing window. Water it regularly. Propagate via stem cuttings, layering, or by potting up daughter plants.

Plants For East-facing Gardens

Gardeners with acres of land have plenty of locations for plants that need full sunlight, but gardeners with less spacious estates may find placing shrubs and perennials requiring full sun more difficult. As the Earth turns on its axis, seasons change. During summers, the rays of the sun go through less of the insulating atmosphere, making them more direct and hotter. Afternoon sun combines with the heat that builds up all day to create drought conditions. Because the sun rises in the east, many sun-loving plants find an east-facing garden ideal. Northern bayberry is aromatic. Lilies, irises, ranunculus and other bulbs and corms grow well facing the morning sun. Daisies and day lilies flower prolifically in morning sunshine. Sun-hogs like zinnias might produce new blooms more slowly after deadheading, but petunias, marigolds and most annuals bloom repeatedly in east-facing gardens when kept tidy.