10 Best Sun Loving Indoor Plants for Bright and Cheerful Spaces

[Marina Castanos]

What are Sun Loving Indoor Plants?​

Sun loving indoor plants are indoor plants that love and thrive on bright, direct sunlight. These are usually rooms that have south facing windows or west facing windows. And, while these rooms can usually feel like hot saunas, adding plants can add a touch of warmth and cheer. They’ll also thrive indoors in the warmer temperatures and bright light.

Top view of a Ponytail Palm​

Choosing the Right Sun Loving Indoor Plants​

When choosing sun loving indoor plants, consider the amount of direct sunlight your home receives and ensure they get as much sun as possible. While a vast majority of plants can handle that amount of sunlight, it's good to know which plants will truly thrive. Also, consider the level of maintenance you are willing to provide. Some sun loving indoor plants may require more care than you’re willing or able to provide.

Top 5 Sun Loving Indoor Plants for Direct Sun​

When you hear “direct sunlight” think of this as sunlight directly touching the foliage. There’s no curtain or tree or anything blocking the way of the sun. The plant has a complete, direct view of the sky and the sun. It’s also important to keep in mind, that you may have to slowly acclimate your plant to brighter light. If your plant was previously growing in a dimly lit area, you’ll need to get it use to the brighter light over the course of the next few weeks to prevent excess foliage burn. Placing these plants near a sunny window can help maximize their growth potential.

Jade Plant​

Jade plants are low-maintenance succulents that thrive in direct sunlight and can tolerate high temperatures and infrequent waterings.

Thick, succulent leaves of a Jade Plant​

Snake Plant​

A versatile plant that is usually recommended as a low light plant but can easily handle full sun. Snake plants also come in a variety of textures, colors and sizes so you can have fun collecting them all.

Snake plant on Cactrella wood support by Treleaf​

Aloe Vera​

Aloe vera plants are a succulent type that loves direct sunlight. Over time, Aloe Vera can grow massive and take up a lot of space, making them a fun statement plant. You can also use the leaves to soothe skin irritations and burns. Or, blend them up and add them to smoothies or food.

Little baby Aloe Vera plants in nursery pots​

Bird of Paradise​

A unique plant known for its beautiful, bird like blooms. They thrive on direct sunlight and can grow over 6ft tall indoors.

Close up of a massive Bird of Paradise leaf​

Yucca Plant​

A tough and drought-tolerant plant that loves direct sunlight and can thrive in a sunny spot next to a large window or door.

Top 5 Sun Loving Indoor Plants for Bright Light​

Take your plant and put it in front of your south facing window and step a few feet away. The plant doesn’t have a direct view of the sky or the sun but it’s still receiving plenty of sunlight. This is considered indirect sunlight or bright light. Additionally, placing these plants near a west facing window can be optimal, as it provides the bright, direct sunlight that certain houseplants, like string of pearls and snake plants, thrive on.

String of hearts​

A succulent type vining plant with little hearts as leaves, that thrives in bright indirect light. This plant is great with infrequent waterings and can grow feet long with proper care.

Close up a vine of lush String of Heart leaves​

Echeveria​

A trendy succulent that needs lots of bright sunlight to grow well. Without proper care, these plants will grow leggy and start looking lanky. However, Echeveria are a great way to get into propagation. Echeveria propagate through their leaves. Simply pluck off a leaf and place it onto of the soil. In 6-8 weeks, you'll see a little baby Echeveria start to form.

A small Echeveria baby starting to grow off an Echeveria leaf​

Croton​

A colorful plant that thrives in bright indirect light and can grow up to 6 feet tall indoors. Crotons are known for their fall like colors as their leaves are painted with colors ranging from black to red to orange.

Croton leaves ranging in colors of green, yellow and orange.​

String of Pearls​

A charming vining succulent that looks exactly like it's name. A string of tiny green pearls trailing down. This plant thrives in bright indirect light and can be grown in a hanging basket or container.

String of Pearl vines trailing out of a hanging pot​

Fiddle-Leaf Fig​

A popular tree that is labelled as a houseplant. Fiddle-leaf figs can be a bit of a diva. But with the proper lighting and watering can grow massive indoors.

The top half of a lush Fiddle Leaf Fig​

Caring for Sun Loving Indoor Plants​

Caring for these type of sun loving plants really depends on the type of plant you have. Are they tropical plants or desert dwelling succulent plants? It's important to do some type of research to know how often your plant would like to be watered. Keep in mind, however, these rooms that receive full sun, tend to run on the warmer side which means your plants may be drying out faster. Remember to regularly check the soil, and don't let your plant go thirsty for too long.

Make sure to continue to provide bright light if you notice your plant is thriving. But if you notice too much foliage burn, consider moving your plant a few feet away from the window of adding a sheer curtain to the window.

Next, don't forget to fertilize your indoor plant regularly or as long as your notice new growth.