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Top 5 houseplants for sunny rooms

Bright sunny rooms are great for people but can be challenging for some houseplants. So be sure to pick a true sun-lover that will really thrive in the conditions

Plants are rather like people in certain respects. While some can't get enough of the sunshine, others will always prefer to be sheltered from the harsh light of the midday sun. It’s a select group of houseplants that will be totally at home in south-facing windows, all year round.

As a general rule, plants with silvery leaves,

succulents and cacti will all be happy in the limelight. Fleshy, waxy leaves like those of kalanchoes and aloes are perfectly suited to sunny spots. Think desert plants rather than rainforest ones (see Houseplants for shady rooms). Avoid ferns and lush-looking plants with thin, soft leaves like calatheas. Here are 5 plants that will thrive in bright, sunny spots indoors.

Cacti

Combine different shapes of cacti for maximum impact
Some species such as Rebutia have attractive flowers
Many cacti show striking patterns
As they mostly originate in scorching deserts, many cacti are well adapted to the hot, dry conditions of a south-facing windowsill. There are hundreds of varieties available, often un-named. Be kind to them and they'll often reward you with pretty flowers, and some can grow surprisingly quickly. Water from above once a week during the growing season. Let the water run through the pot; never leave them standing in water. Feed fortnightly with a high-potash plant food from May to August.

Aloe vera

Great for kitchens, aloe vera is a useful burn remedy
Aloe vera is a succulent plant with striking, spotty leaves. It's a traditional remedy for the occasional minor burn; simply snap off a leaf and squeeze the cooling gel directly onto the wound. This makes it a useful plant to grow on the kitchen windowsill. Plants will often produce offsets which are easy to pot up and share with gardening friends. If your plant turns a reddish colour it's a sign it needs more water.
Top tip!

Use glazed or plastic pots (rather than unglazed terracotta) as they won't dry out as quickly in hot, dry conditions.


Echeverias

Echeverias are a beautiful, very variable group of succulents. They come in a range of shades, from purple through powdery blues and greys to striking green-and-yellow variegated varieties. When they're happy they will often throw up tall spikes of orange flowers. They're easy to propagate by taking leaf cuttings in summer – simply snap off mature leaves and plant them (snapped end down) in a pot of sandy compost.

Kalanchoe

With their bright flowers in a range of colours, kalanchoes are one of the showiest succulents
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana – also known as flaming Katy – is a plant known for its brilliant flower colours. These come in shades of red, pink, yellow, orange and cream and can last for many months. Kalanchoe tomentosa is known as the panda plant and is grown for its attractive soft, velvety grey leaves. It makes a lovely contrast to other succulent plants and cacti.

Hippeastrums

These dramatic flowers make a strong statement
Hippeastrums come in a wide range of colours
Also known as amaryllis, hippeastrums are some of the most dramatic flowering plants you can grow indoors. With their huge blooms in shades of pink, red, green or white, they're a popular Christmas gift. Bear in mind that they're bulbs, so will naturally die back over the summer and begin re-growing again in autumn. Feed with high potash liquid feed such as tomato food when in growth to encourage abundant flowering. 

More houseplant advice

How to care for your aloe

How to care for your aloe

All about houseplants

All about houseplants

 
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