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Best plants

144 best plants for a north-facing window

A north-facing window gives soft, steady, indirect light all day and never the harsh direct sun of a south window. That suits plants that want bright light but scorch in direct sun — a different, larger set than true deep-shade plants. These are the species in our library documented to thrive in exactly those bright-but-indirect conditions.

How this list is built: houseplants documented to want bright, indirect light with no direct sun (the bright-indirect and medium-indirect light tiers) — the exact light a north-facing window provides— filtered from Growli's structured plant-care library, not hand-picked, so it stays consistent and checkable.

PlantLightWaterPets
African violetMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top of the soil feels just dry, every 5-7 daysPet-safe
Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)Medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 2-3 cm (1 inch) of compost is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in growthToxic to pets
Air plantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Soak weekly for 20-30 minutesPet-safe
AlocasiaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 5-7 daysToxic to pets
Alocasia Black VelvetBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When top 2-5cm of soil dries, roughly weekly in summerToxic to pets
Alocasia Frydek (Green Velvet)Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top third of the soil dries; roughly weekly in summer, fortnightly in winterToxic to pets
Alocasia PollyBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly every 5-7 days in summer and every 10-14 days in winterToxic to pets
Alocasia ZebrinaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of mix is dry, about every 7-10 days in growthToxic to pets
AnthuriumBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 3 cm of soil is dry, every 5-7 daysToxic to pets
Anthurium clarinervium (Velvet Cardboard Anthurium)Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly every 5-7 days in summer and every 10-14 days in winterToxic to pets
Areca palmBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 5-7 daysPet-safe
Arrowhead plantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
Asparagus fernBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
Baby rubber plantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of compost is dry, roughly every 7-14 days in summer and every 2-3 weeks in winterPet-safe
Banana CrotonBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 1-2.5 cm (half to one inch) of compost is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in summerToxic to pets
BegoniaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Weekly wateringMildly toxic to pets
Bird's Nest FernBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of compost is dry, roughly every 7-10 daysPet-safe
Blue Star FernBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of mix is just barely dry, about every 5-7 days in growthPet-safe
Boston fernMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 1 cm of soil is just dry, every 3-5 daysPet-safe
BromeliadBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Keep the central cup filled, soil barely moistPet-safe
Burro's tailBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When soil is dry, every 14-21 daysPet-safe
Button fernMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysPet-safe
CaladiumBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 1-2 cm of soil is dry, every 4-7 daysToxic to pets
CalatheaMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 1-2 cm of soil is just dry, every 4-7 daysPet-safe
Calathea orbifoliaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of compost is just dry, roughly every 5-10 days in growthPet-safe
Calathea White FusionBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3cm of soil feels dry, roughly every 5-10 daysPet-safe
Cattleya orchidBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the bark mix is nearly dry, every 5-10 daysPet-safe
Cebu Blue PothosBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When top 2-3cm of soil is dry; roughly every 7-14 days indoorsToxic to pets
Chinese money plantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysPet-safe
Chocolate orchidBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the mix is nearly dry, roughly every 5-9 daysPet-safe
Christmas cactusBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysPet-safe
CliviaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 10-14 daysToxic to pets
Coffee PlantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of compost feels dry, roughly every 5-7 days in summer and less in winterToxic to pets
ColeusBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 1-2 cm of soil is dry, every 4-7 daysMildly toxic to pets
CordylineBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysToxic to pets
Corn plantMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top half of the soil is dry, every 10-14 daysMildly toxic to pets
Corn PlantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2.5cm (1in) of compost is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in summerToxic to pets
Creeping figBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 1cm (half-inch) of compost driesToxic to pets
Crocodile fernMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 1-2 cm of soil is dry, every 4-7 daysPet-safe
Crossandra (firecracker flower)Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil starts to dry, often every 4-7 days in growthPet-safe
CrotonBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 5-7 daysToxic to pets
Crystal AnthuriumBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3cm of compost dries, roughly weekly in summerToxic to pets
Cupid PeperomiaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Roughly every 7-10 days in spring and summer, less in winter — always led by the soil, not the calendar.Pet-safe
Dendrobium orchidBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the bark approaches dryness, every 5-10 days in summerPet-safe
DieffenbachiaMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysToxic to pets
DracaenaMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top half of the soil is dry, every 10-14 daysMildly toxic to pets
Dragon treeMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top half of the soil is dry, every 10-14 daysMildly toxic to pets
Dragon's tongueBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm is just dry, roughly every 5-9 daysPet-safe
Easter CactusBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3cm of compost dries, roughly weekly in growthPet-safe
Elephant bushBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of compost is fully dry, roughly every 10-14 days in summerPet-safe
Elephant earBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Soil should stay consistently moist during the growing seasonToxic to pets
Emerald Ripple PeperomiaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of mix is dry, about every 7-14 days in growth and far less in winterPet-safe
English ivyBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysToxic to pets
False AraliaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in growthPet-safe
False shamrockBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 1-2 cm of soil is dry, every 5-7 daysMildly toxic to pets
Ficus AudreyBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
Fiddle leaf figBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-10 daysToxic to pets
Fishtail palmBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 5-7 daysMildly toxic to pets
FittoniaMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 1 cm of soil is dry, every 3-5 daysPet-safe
Flowering coleusBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Twice-weekly wateringMildly toxic to pets
Forget-me-notMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)Weekly wateringPet-safe
GardeniaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3cm of compost feels dryMildly toxic to pets
Golden pothosMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
Goldfish PlantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of compost is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in growthPet-safe
GuzmaniaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Keep the central cup filled; water soil weeklyPet-safe
HaworthiaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the soil is dry, every 2-3 weeksPet-safe
Heartleaf philodendronMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
HelleboreMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)Weekly watering until establishedToxic to pets
Hindu Rope PlantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 3-4 cm of compost is dry, roughly every 10-14 days in summerPet-safe
HostaMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)Keep evenly moist; roughly weekly in the ground, more often in pots or heatMildly toxic to pets
HoyaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the soil is mostly dry, every 10-14 daysPet-safe
Hoya pubicalyxBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in summerPet-safe
HyacinthBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Weekly watering during growthToxic to pets
HydrangeaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Deep watering 1-2 times per week, more in heatToxic to pets
ImpatiensMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)Twice-weekly wateringPet-safe
Iron Cross BegoniaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2.5cm of compost dries, roughly weeklyToxic to pets
Kentia palmMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 10-14 daysPet-safe
Kimberly queen fernMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 5-7 daysPet-safe
Lady palmMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysPet-safe
Lemon button fernMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 1-2 cm of soil is dry, every 4-7 daysPet-safe
Lipstick PlantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in growthPet-safe
Lucky bambooMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)Change water every 1-2 weeks if grown hydroponicallyMildly toxic to pets
Maidenhair fernMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)Keep evenly moist — often every 2-3 daysPet-safe
Majesty palmBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Keep soil consistently moist, every 4-7 daysPet-safe
Manjula PothosBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 25-50% of the mix is dry, roughly weeklyToxic to pets
Marble queen pothosBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
Ming araliaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
Money treeBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-14 daysPet-safe
MonsteraBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
Monstera adansonii (Swiss cheese vine)Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in growthToxic to pets
Monstera Thai ConstellationBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-12 daysMildly toxic to pets
Moon CactusBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Only when the mix is fully dry, roughly every 10-14 days in summer and far less in winterPet-safe
Moonlight CactusBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top few centimetres are dry, roughly weekly in summer and around monthly in winterPet-safe
Moth orchidBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Roughly weekly; let the bark approach dryness firstPet-safe
Mother of thousandsBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 5 cm (2 in) of soil is dry, roughly every 1-2 weeks in growthToxic to pets
Neon pothosMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
Norfolk Island pineBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysPet-safe
OrchidBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Once a week — soak the medium thoroughly, then drainPet-safe
Parlor palmMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysPet-safe
Peace lilyMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)As soon as the leaves start to droop slightly, usually every 5-7 daysMildly toxic to pets
Peacock PlantMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 2-3 cm of compost dries; roughly weeklyPet-safe
PeperomiaMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the soil is almost fully dry, every 10-14 daysPet-safe
PhilodendronMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
Philodendron BirkinBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, about every 7-10 days in spring and summerToxic to pets
Philodendron BrasilMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
Philodendron micansBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
Philodendron Pink PrincessBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2.5cm of compost is dry, roughly weekly in summerToxic to pets
Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron)Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3cm of compost feels dry, roughly weekly in summerToxic to pets
Philodendron XanaduBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of compost feels dry, roughly weekly in summerToxic to pets
Polka dot begoniaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of mix is dry, roughly every 5-7 days in summer and every 10-14 days in winterToxic to pets
Polka dot plantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 1-2 cm of soil is dry, every 4-7 daysPet-safe
PothosMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top half of the soil is dry, every 7-10 daysToxic to pets
Prayer plantMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 1 cm of soil is just dry, every 4-6 daysPet-safe
PrimroseMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)Weekly wateringPet-safe
Rabbit's foot fernBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 1 cm (about half an inch) is dry, roughly every 5-7 days in growthPet-safe
Rattlesnake plantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of compost is just dry, roughly every 5-7 days in summer and every 10-14 days in winterPet-safe
Rex begoniaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 1-2 cm of soil is dry, every 5-7 daysToxic to pets
Ric Rac CactusBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-4 cm of compost is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in summerPet-safe
Rubber plantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysToxic to pets
Sago palmBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top half of the soil is dry, every 10-14 daysToxic to pets
Satin PothosBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of mix is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in summerToxic to pets
ScheffleraBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysToxic to pets
Silver pothosBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
Snake plantMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the soil is bone dry, every 2-3 weeksMildly toxic to pets
Spider plantMedium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)When the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysPet-safe
Staghorn fernBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Soak the mount weekly in summer, every 2-3 weeks in winterPet-safe
String of bananasBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When soil is dry, every 14 daysMildly toxic to pets
String of dolphinsBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When soil is dry, every 10-14 daysMildly toxic to pets
String of heartsBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When soil is dry, every 10-14 daysPet-safe
String of RaindropsBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the compost is dry right through, roughly every 10-14 days in summer and every 3-4 weeks in winterToxic to pets
String of TurtlesBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of mix is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in summer and far less in winterPet-safe
Stromanthe TriostarBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3cm of compost feels dry, roughly weekly in growthPet-safe
Swedish IvyBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of compost feels dry, roughly weekly in summerPet-safe
Sweetheart plantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When soil is dry, every 14-21 daysPet-safe
Swiss cheese vineBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 5-7 daysMildly toxic to pets
Tradescantia 'Nanouk'Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in summer and less in winterMildly toxic to pets
Tree philodendronBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
Tropical pitcher plantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Keep the compost damp at all times, never bone-dry; in practice water with pure water every 2-4 days depending on warmthPet-safe
VrieseaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)Keep central cup filled; water soil weeklyPet-safe
Wandering dudeBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 5-7 daysMildly toxic to pets
Watermelon PeperomiaBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of compost is dry, roughly every 7-14 days in summer and every 2-3 weeks in winterPet-safe
Wax plantBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the soil is dry, every 10-14 daysPet-safe
Weeping figBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets
White bird of paradiseBright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)When the top 3-4 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 daysMildly toxic to pets

Best plants for a north-facing window — frequently asked questions

What makes a plant one of the best plants for a north-facing window?

This list is not hand-picked for looks. It is houseplants documented to want bright, indirect light with no direct sun (the bright-indirect and medium-indirect light tiers) — the exact light a north-facing window provides, drawn from Growli's structured plant-care library so the selection is consistent and checkable. 144 plants qualify today.

How many plants for a north-facing window are there?

Growli currently lists 144 plants that meet the criterion (houseplants documented to want bright, indirect light with no direct sun (the bright-indirect and medium-indirect light tiers) — the exact light a north-facing window provides). The list updates as the plant-care library grows; each entry links to a full care guide.

Are these plants safe for cats and dogs?

Not necessarily — this list is selected by houseplants documented to want bright, indirect light with no direct sun (the bright-indirect and medium-indirect light tiers) — the exact light a north-facing window provides, not by pet safety. Each plant is tagged with its pet-safety status below, and links to a full ASPCA-sourced pet-safety guide. If you have pets, see the dedicated best pet-safe houseplants list.

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