West Facing Window Plants

If you have a west facing window, you have a fantastic spot for growing plants. West facing window plants get abundant, direct sunlight in the afternoon and evening, which many sun-loving species need to thrive.

This light is strong and warm. It’s perfect for creating a vibrant indoor garden. But you need to choose the right plants and care for them properly. The intense light can be too much for some species, leading to scorched leaves.

This guide will help you make the most of your sunny window. We’ll cover the best plants, how to care for them, and solutions to common problems. You’ll learn how to turn that bright spot into a lush, green haven.

This section lists some of the best plants that will do well in your west window. These plants are known for their ability to handle several hours of direct sun. They often come from sunny, dry climates naturally.

Flowering Plants for Brilliant Color

These plants will reward your bright window with stunning blooms.

Geraniums (Pelargoniums): These classic favorites need at least 4-6 hours of direct sun. They bloom constantly in red, pink, white, and purple. Let the soil dry out between waterings.
Jasmine (Jasminum spp.): Star Jasmine or Arabian Jasmine love a west window. They produce beautifully fragrant flowers. Provide a trellis for them to climb on for support.
Orchids (Certain Types): Cattleya and Dendrobium orchids enjoy bright, filtered light. A west window with a sheer curtain can be ideal. They need high humidity and specific watering.
Hibiscus: A tropical shrub that loves all the sun it can get. It will produce large, showy flowers all summer long. It needs consistent watering and feeding during the growing season.
Kalanchoe: A succulent with clusters of small, bright flowers. It thrives on neglect and bright light. Water only when the soil is completely dry to the touch.

Foliage Plants for Structural Interest

Not all great plants need flowers. These offer amazing shapes and leaf colors.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria): Incredibly tough and adaptable. It tolerates low light but grows faster and stronger in bright, indirect to direct light. It’s very drought-tolerant.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica): With its large, glossy leaves, it loves bright, indirect light. A west window is perfect, but watch for leaf scorch in peak summer. Wipe the leaves to keep them dust-free.
Yucca: A dramatic, architectural plant that loves full sun. It’s very slow-growing and needs infrequent watering. It’s perfect for a statement corner in a bright room.
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum): Its leaves are a riot of red, orange, yellow, and green. The colors become most vibrant in bright, direct light. It prefers consistent moisture and humidity.
Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata): Not a true palm, but a succulent. Its bulbous trunk stores water. It loves direct sun and needs very little care, making it a great beginner plant.

Succulents & Cacti for Easy Care

These are the ultimate sun lovers. A west window is their paradise.

Aloe Vera: Useful and beautiful. The gel inside its leaves can soothe minor burns. It needs very well-draining soil and plenty of sun.
Echeveria: Forms beautiful rosettes in blues, greens, and pinks. They need at least 6 hours of sun to maintain their tight shape and color. Water deeply but infrequently.
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): A symbol of good luck. It grows into a miniature tree-like form over time. Let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
Various Cacti: Barrel cacti, prickly pears, and saguaros all crave intense light. A west window provides the energy they need. They need a gritty soil mix and careful watering.
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): A trailing succulent with bead-like leaves. It does best in very bright, indirect light or some direct sun. The pearls can burn in the most intense afternoon rays sometimes.

Herbs for Your Kitchen

Grow your own fresh flavors right by the window.

Rosemary: A woody herb that needs full sun and excellent drainage. It prefers to be on the drier side. It can even spend summer outdoors.
Thyme: Another Mediterranean herb that thrives in sunny, dry conditions. It’s perfect for a small pot on a west-facing sill.
Oregano: Loves heat and sun. The more you harvest it, the bushier it gets. Use well-draining soil for best results.
Basil: While it likes warmth, it also needs consistent moisture. In a very hot west window, it may need watering daily. Pinch off flower buds to encourage leaf growth.
Lavender: Needs as much sun as possible to bloom and stay compact. It must have fast-draining soil. Overwatering is the quickest way to harm it.

Understanding Your West-Facing Light

Not all west windows are exactly the same. The light intensity changes with the seasons and your surroundings.

In summer, the sun is higher and the light may be more direct for longer. In winter, the angle is lower and the light is weaker but still valuable. An unobstructed window gets more light than one shaded by a tree or building.

Observe your specific window throughout the day. Notice how the light moves. Does it hit the floor, the shelf, or the ceiling? This will help you place your plants at the correct distance.

Essential Care Tips for Success

Plants in a bright, warm window have specific needs. Here’s how to keep them healthy.

Watering Practices

Sunlight increases water use. Plants in west windows often dry out faster than those in other locations.

Check Soil Moisture: Don’t water on a schedule. Push your finger an inch into the soil. If it’s dry, it’s time to water. For succulents and cacti, wait until the soil is completely dry.
Water Thoroughly: When you water, do so until water runs freely from the drainage holes. This ensures the entire root ball gets moisture.
Use the Right Pot: Always use pots with drainage holes. This prevents roots from sitting in water, which causes root rot. Terracotta pots are great because they allow soil to dry more evenly.
Adjust with Seasons: Water less frequently in fall and winter when plant growth slows and sunlight is less intense. Your plants will need more water during the active spring and summer growth period.

Fertilizing for Growth

Plants using lots of light to grow also need nutrients.

Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (like a 10-10-10) during the growing season (spring and summer).
Follow the instructions on the label, and often it’s wise to use half the recommended strength to avoid burning the roots.
Most plants do not need fertilizer in the fall and winter. They are resting and too much food can harm them.
Flowering plants may benefit from a fertilizer with a higher middle number (phosphorus) to encourage blooms.

Managing Temperature and Humidity

Afternoon sun can make a window quite hot. This can be a challenge.

Some plants, like succulents, love the heat. Others, like some foliage plants, might suffer. If leaves start to brown or curl, the plant might be too hot. You can move it a few feet back from the window or use a sheer curtain to diffuse the strongest rays.

Hot air is often dry air. Increase humidity for tropical plants by grouping them together, using a pebble tray with water, or running a small humidifier nearby. Misting is a temporary solution but isn’t always the most effective.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even with the right plants, issues can arise. Here’s how to fix them.

Leaf Scorch

This appears as brown, crispy patches on the leaves, often on the side facing the window.

Solution: The plant is getting too much direct sun. Move it back from the window or to the side of the window frame. Filter the light with a sheer curtain. Acclimate new plants slowly to strong light over a week or two.

Leggy Growth

The plant grows tall and spindly, with large gaps between leaves. It’s stretching for more light.

Solution: Surprisingly, this can happen even in a west window if a plant is placed too far back in the room. Move it closer to the light source. Prune back the leggy stems to encourage bushier growth.

Soil Drying Too Fast

You’re watering constantly, but the plant still wilts.

Solution: The pot may be too small, or the soil mix may not retain enough moisture. Repot into a slightly larger container. For non-succulent plants, use a standard potting mix that holds some water. Adding a little compost can help with moisture retention.

Pests

Spider mites and mealybugs can be more common in warm, dry conditions.

Solution: Increase humidity. Regularly inspect your plants, especially under leaves. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth. For infestations, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, applying it thoroughly according to the product directions.

Styling Your West-Facing Window

Creating a beautiful display is part of the fun. Use plant stands, shelves, or hanging planters to create layers. This allows you to fit more plants and gives each one the light it needs. Taller plants can go at the back or sides, with trailing plants like String of Pearls on shelves to cascade down.

Rotate your plants a quarter turn every time you water. This ensures all sides get even light and the plant grows symmetrically. It prevents it from leaning too much toward the window.

Keep the window glass clean. Dust and grime can block a significant amount of precious sunlight from reaching your plants.

Seasonal Adjustments

Your care routine should change with the seasons. In spring, increase watering and start fertilizing as you see new growth. This is also a good time to repot any plants that have outgrown their containers.

Summer is peak growing season. Monitor water needs closely, as soil can dry very quickly. Provide some shade during heatwaves if necessary. Some plants might benefit from a vacation outdoors in a similar bright spot.

In fall, begin to reduce watering and stop fertilizing. This helps plants prepare for their slower winter growth. Move any plants that spent the summer back indoors before nighttime temperatures drop.

Winter light is weaker. Your plants will grow very slowly or not at all. Water much less, allowing the soil to dry out more between waterings. Keep plants away from cold drafts from the windowpane, as temperatures can drop there at night.

FAQ Section

What are the best low-light plants for a west window?

West windows aren’t for low-light plants. However, if you have a sheer curtain or the window is deeply set, some medium-light plants might work on the periphery. Try ZZ plants or Peace Lilies further into the room, not directly on the sill.

Can I put any plant in a west-facing window?

No. Plants that prefer low or medium light, like ferns or many types of Philodendron, will suffer. Their leaves will scorch and turn yellow. Always check a plant’s light requirements before placing it in direct afternoon sun.

How many hours of sun do west facing window plants get?

Typically, a west-facing window receives direct sunlight from mid-afternoon until sunset. This can range from 4 to 6 or more hours of direct light, depending on the time of year and your location. It’s some of the strongest light available indoors.

Do I need a curtain for my west window plants?

It depends on the plant. For succulents and cacti, usually not. For flowering plants like geraniums, they often thrive without one. For tropical foliage plants like the Rubber Plant, a sheer curtain is a good idea to filter the most intense summer sun and prevent leaf burn.

Why are my plant’s leaves turning yellow in my west window?

Yellow leaves can have a few causes. If they are dry and crispy, it’s likely sunburn. If they are soft and yellow, it might be overwatering (even in bright light, overwatering is possible). Check the soil moisture to diagnose the problem correctly. Nutrient deficiency is another possibility if you haven’t fertilized in a long time.

What is the difference between east and west facing light?

East-facing windows get gentle morning sun. West-facing windows get stronger, hotter afternoon sun. Plants that like “bright indirect light” often do better in east windows. Plants that need “full sun” or “direct light” are better suited for west windows.

Choosing the right west facing window plants can turn a challenging spot into your home’s greenest corner. By selecting sun-loving species and adjusting your care for the intense light and heat, you’ll be rewarded with vigorous growth and beautiful blooms. Pay attention to your plants’ signals—they will tell you if they’re happy or need a change. With this knowledge, you can create a thriving, sunny oasis that brings life and color to your home for years to come.