Eight house plants for a sunny spot
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Thursday, 21 March 2019 at 9:24 am
We've picked eight of the best sun-loving house plants to grow indoors.
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The key to success with house plants is to match the right plant to the right spot, and to provide appropriate growing conditions.
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A bright sunnny windowsill, porch or conservatory is perfect spot for desert cacti and succulents. They thrive in dry air and can cope with direct sunlight – conditions that wouldn't suit many house plants.
More on growing house plants:
Browse our list of the best plants for a dry, sunny spot, below.
Red desert rose
House plants for a sunny spot - red desert rose
Commonly known as the desert rose, Adenium obesum is native to many countries south of the Sahel, which spans Africa from Mauritania in the west, to Eritrea in the east. A popular bonsai plant, water it as you would cacti.
Height x Spread: 1m x 1m
Aeonium
House plants for a sunny spot - Aeonium 'Zwartkop'
The best aeoniums to grow in direct sun are the darker cultivars, such as 'Zwartkop'. Don't discount the greener varieties altogether, though. They prefer a bit more shade, so are useful for growing in areas that don't receive full sun all day.
H x S: 60cm x 60cm
Aloes
House plants for a sunny spot - Aloe 'Bill Baker'
While most of us are familiar with Aloe vera, it's far from being the only aloe to grow indoors. 'Bill Baker' (pictured), a gasteraloe (Aloe x pachyveria), is just one of the aloe hybrids you could grow, on top of other species aloes like Aloe aristata and Aloe rauhii.
H x S: 30cm x 30cm
Cacti
House plants for a sunny spot - Rebutia krainziana
Diverse and easy-to-grow, cacti are some of the best house plants for sunny spots. There are many varieties to choose from, including Rebutia, Mammillaria, Echinocactus and Cereus species. Plus, most will produce beautiful blooms without much effort.
H x S: 30cm x 30cm
Crassulas
House plants for a sunny spot - Crassula 'Budda's Temple'
This group includes long time house plant favourite, Crassula ovata, or the jade tree. Popular Crassula cultivars to grow include 'Hobbit', 'Gollum' and 'Buddha's Temple' (pictured). Grow them in cactus compost and water sparingly.
H x S: 35cm x 20cm
Echeverias
House plants for a sunny spot - Echeveria
These pretty succulents form neat rosettes of fleshy leaves, in frosty blues, pretty pinks and fresh greens. Echeverias are simple to propagate from leaf cuttings, too, so you're assured a steady supply of new plants.
H x S: 25cm x 25cm
Haworthias
House plants for a sunny spot - Haworthia truncata
If you're after something truly curious, the Haworthia genus deserves some attention. Some of the more unique haworthias to grow include Haworthia truncata (pictured) and Haworthia cooperi, which has pretty, translucent leaf windows.
H x S: 35cm x 35cm
Pachyphytums
House plants for a sunny spot - Pachyphytum viride
Pachyphytums are largely similar to echeverias in that they also form rosettes of succulent leaves. There are numerous Pachyphytum hybrids to grow, too.
H x S: 50cm x 30cm
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Succulent hybrids to grow
- Graptoveria
- Sedeveria
- Pachyveria
- Gasteraloe
- Graptosedum
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