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Will succulents grow in north facing window?

Author

Olivia House

Updated on February 14, 2026

Will succulents grow in north facing window?

North windows will give your plants the least amount of light. Windows facing north sadly never get direct sunlight, and because of this aren't good candidates for plants like succulents and cacti. Just because north windows don't get a whole lot of light doesn't mean there aren't plants that will do well near one.

Keeping this in view, what plants do well in north facing window?

21 Beautiful North Facing Window Plants (With Pictures)

  • Epipremnum Aureum (Golden Pothos)
  • Sansevieria Trifasciata (Snake Plant)
  • Spathiphyllum Wallisii (Peace Lily)
  • Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid)
  • Aglaonema Modestum (Chinese Evergreen)
  • Calathea Ornata (Pinstripe Calathea)
  • Aspidistra Elatior (Cast Iron Plant)
  • Bromeliacea (Bromeliads)

Likewise, can you put succulents in the window? As much light as possible

Outdoors they generally need about 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. However, indoors, you'll want to place your succulents near a window that gets light all day. If this isn't an option, place your succulents near the brightest window or brightest area of your home or office.

Correspondingly, what direction window is best for succulents?

Most succulents prefer at least 6 hours of sun per day, so try to place them near a south- or east-facing window. You may notice your succulents becoming spindly or stretching toward the light if they don't get enough sun.

Can I put my succulents in direct sunlight?

Succulents love light and need about six hours of sun per day, depending on the type of succulent. Newly planted succulents can scorch in direct sunlight, so you may need to gradually introduce them to full sun exposure or provide shade with a sheer curtain.

Do North facing windows get sun?

North-facing windows tend to not have much direct sunlight at all, and therefore will be a more darker but even-lit room. North facing windows are perfect for people that don't like too much direct sunlight. South/North-facing windows will have more of a cooler-toned light.

Are north facing gardens good?

North-facing gardens

This garden will have areas of shade for much of the day. Though, north-facing surfaces, like back of the house, will get decent evening sun from May-Oct. All but the most heat-loving plants enjoy midday shade, which also stops pale colours burning out.

Do plants like North facing windows?

Many people find growing houseplants in a north-facing window challenging. Yet, they can help clean the air, add visual interest to a room, and help you concentrate better. In almost all homes, the window facing the north lets in the least amount of light. The great news is that many plants thrive in these windows.

Is light through a window direct sunlight?

Is light through a window considered direct sunlight? It depends. If the sun's rays directly hit the plant – such as through a south-facing window – this is considered direct sunlight. If the sun is bright but the rays don't directly hit the plant, this is considered indirect light.

How much sun does a north facing window get?

Windows which face North never get sunlight coming through them. If the window is facing North East, or North West you'll get some in the mornings / evenings especially during Summer. However even then for most of the day you'll have the typical North facing aspect.

Which direction window is best for plants?

  • South facing windows are the best with bright sun all day, good for any plants with variegation or trees like citrus and banana.
  • West windows get a long period of direct sun, but usually miss the hottest most intense part of the day, which can damage some plants with medium light requirements.

What plants best facing north?

However, if you would like more certainty, here are some of the best plants that grow in a north facing garden.
  • Erythroniums.
  • Snowdrops.
  • Snakes' head fritillaries.
  • Rhododendrons.
  • Lily of the Valley.
  • Astilbes.
  • Hostas.
  • Hydrangea Vine.

Which direction gets the most sun?

As the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the south side of any house will see the most hours of sunlight during the day – especially in the Northern Hemisphere – so a south-facing garden takes advantage of this.

Is morning or afternoon sun better for succulents?

Succulents by nature do better with a lot of sun exposure, but they do need protection from direct sunlight or intense heat. You can start with morning sun which is less intense and better tolerated by most succulents and work your way up to the more intense afternoon sun.

Why are North facing houses better?

For houses, in general an orientation capturing sunlight from the north is the most desirable because it will deliver radiant heat into the house. Essentially this will act as passive solar heating in winter, but in summer it is easy to shade the northern facades of the house to stop the heat from penetrating.

Are Succulents good in low light?

Most succulents prefer bright but indirect sunlight. Succulents are highly adaptable and some can still thrive even in the shade. If you are growing succulents and your lighting conditions are less than ideal, there are succulents that can tolerate low light.

What color LED light is best for succulents?

For stimulating succulents growth, the best color temperature is 6500k. If you want your plant to bloom, a 3000k light is better. Just be careful if your plant is a monocarpic succulent, it may bloom with too much of the light provision. You will not need to turn the lights on all the time.

Do succulents attract bugs?

Keep your succulents pretty dry. Keeping soil wet for long periods of time may attract mealy bugs, gnats, and other pests too. Then there are systemic pesticides, which get absorbed into the roots of the plant to poison the bugs that feed on the plants.

What kind of light is best for succulents?

Like plants growing outdoors, indoor plants grow well under full-spectrum bulbs, which imitate natural sunlight and provide a balance of cool and warm lights. The optimal color temperature for succulents is at least 5,000 kelvins which will give your succulents full spectrum light that resembles sunlight.

How long do succulents live?

Some succulents don't live long but grow offsets to replace themselves. A great example is Chicks and Hens. The main plant only lives around 3-4 years but sends out lots of offsets during its life.

What's The Average Succulent Lifespan?

Jade Plant70-100 years
Christmas Cactus30+ years

How do I know if my succulent needs more light?

Signs Your Succulent Needs More Light

We've all seen succulents grow long stems and keel over. That is an advanced form of etiolation — when the succulent is stretching for more light.

What succulents dont need sunlight?

Good Succulents for Shade

Some of the most beloved succulents which tolerate lower light outdoors and bright but indirect light indoors include burn plant (Aloe vera), jade (Crassula), devil's backbone (Pedilanthus), the many different kinds of Sansevieria, and florist's Kalanchoe.

When should succulents be repotted?

Repotting summer-dormant succulents in the fall and winter-dormant ones in the spring with give them time to get used to the new pot and soil before growth season. On average, you should repot your succulents every two years to make sure the soil is fresh and fertile and there is enough space for the plant to grow.

How long can a succulent go without water?

Some types of succulents, such as Graptopetalum or Crassula, can go up to three months without water before they are shriveled enough to be unable to recover. However, there are also certain species of cacti that are capable of surviving six months or more without water.

Can a succulent get too much sun?

When succulents are getting the right amount of sun they'll often “blush” or change colors. This is such a beautiful transformation to see! If they start to get too much sun however the leaves will actually burn. Instead, try to move your plant to an area with less hot, direct sunlight and wait for new leaves to grow.

Why do my succulents keep dying?

While dead leaves at the bottom of your succulent are perfectly healthy, dead leaves on the upper parts of new growth are a sign of a problem–usually over- or under-watering. If your plant's leaves are starting to look yellow and transparent, and feel soggy or mushy to the touch, it's likely suffered from overwatering.

Why is my green succulent turning purple?

If your succulent's leaves are turning red, orange, blue, or purple, it means that your plant is a little stressed! Anthocyanin turns succulents blue or purple, while carotenoid turns plant red, orange, or yellow. This stress response may sound a little worrying, but it's not!

Do all succulents like full sun?

Despite widespread belief, most succulents do not thrive if blasted with the hottest temps and the fullest sun exposure. While they appreciate a lot of light (and very few survive in full shade), most succulents need sun protection, especially if the temperature hits the 90-degree-mark, or if they're small.

Do succulents grow better inside or outside?

You may have noticed that succulents growing outdoors often seem to be healthier and prettier than those grown indoors. The two biggest reasons for this are more sunlight (which prevents stretching) and better airflow (allowing the roots to dry out more quickly).

How do you water succulents without drainage?

In addition to soil moisture levels, you need to know how much water you are pouring into your succulents. Since the container has no drainage, we recommend that you try wetting the top of it only, about 2.5 inches of soil.

How do you regrow succulents?

How To:
  1. Remove Some Leaves or Behead. Randomly remove a few leaves from your succulent plant, twisting gently to remove the entire leaf without tearing.
  2. Callus Off. Set the cuttings aside in any type of container or tray.
  3. Grow Roots. Watch for the growth of roots over the next few weeks.
  4. Plant.
  5. Water and Feed.

Do succulents need special soil?

All succulents need lightweight, well-draining soil. Improve the planting area by mixing one part Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Cactus, Palm & Citrus with one part native soil. This will improve the soil density and add nutrition to give succulent plants a boost.

How do you take care of a succulent for beginners?

Get into a regular watering schedule to help plants thrive. Water succulents when the top inch of soil feels dry by pour water into the pot until it flows through the drainage hole. Remove all excess water. Soak up the sun – Most succulents love light.