7 Plants For Every Type Of Windowsill (Shady, Sunny, Etc)

I write a lot about gardens for someone who (shhh) doesn’t actually have one.

While I grew up surrounded by luscious greenery, I’ve remained a member of the backyard-less minority since I moved to go to uni.

But that doesn’t mean I (or you) have to give up greenery for good. Here are the best plants that would rather sit pretty on your windowsill than struggle in some deeper soil:

The prickly plants are designed to last in the literal desert, so perhaps it’s no wonder they can handle the white ledge you put your picture frames on pretty well.

They don’t need much water, but they do thrive best in a sunny, bright room. Water infrequently and ensure the soil can drain.

If your room is giving more “shady cove” than “greenhouse”, the lower light needs of Streptocarpus will prove ideal. They produce pretty flowers across several months and will flourish on an east or west-facing windowsill.

If you want a trailing, Swiss cheese-level-holey plant that won’t outgrow your little ledge any time soon, this is perfect.

Its massive leaves are light and lacy, but its maintenance is relatively simple: keep it in bright (but indirect) light, and make sure it’s in a humid environment. Your loo windowsill is perfect.

Bright and sunny windowsills will look even more cheerful with pelargoniums trailing down them. They come in pinks, oranges, reds, and white, too. The RHS noted that “on a sunny windowsill or in a heated conservatory, these evergreen perennials and shrubs can flower virtually year round”.

Yes, that does say banana. And while you might think that makes its presence on your windowsill an inconvenience at best, and an impossibility at worst, this smaller version of the plant has actually been bred indoors since Victorian times.

Some small (and big) caveats, though. It’s not a beginner plant: it needs a lot of watering, a spacious pot, and relatively high temperatures. And while it will fit on your windowsill for a good few of its early years, it will eventually reach two metres tall.

They grow upwards rather than outwards, making them great for the narrow ledge by your window. And, the RHS said, because their gel has traditionally been used to manage minor burns, they’re a great addition to the kitchen.

Water when the leaves turn reddish.

The “tough” plant can take shade and even neglect in its stride. It’ll trail prettily off your windowsill and comes in a variety of different colours and patterns.