East Facing

EAST-FACING PLANTS

East-facing windows provide morning sun, with light that is strongest earlier in the day and gradually softens as the day progresses. This makes east-facing windows a useful location for many indoor plants, from plants that prefer moderate light to those that can use stronger light closer to the window.

Start by considering both the direction of the window and how far the plant will sit from it. Plants with higher light needs will generally need to stay closer to an east-facing window, while plants that prefer lower light can often sit farther into the room. Trees, awnings, neighboring buildings, window screens, window size and seasonal changes can all reduce the amount of light that actually reaches your plant.

Use foot-candles to determine how much light is reaching the leaves rather than relying on distance alone. Foot-candles measure the amount of usable light reaching the plant, so two east-facing windows can provide very different growing conditions even when the plants are placed the same distance away.

If natural light is not enough, a 5000K–6500K grow light can supplement or replace window light. Kelvin describes the color of the light, not its strength. Use the plant’s recommended foot-candle range to determine placement rather than relying on one universal distance from the fixture.

SHOP PLANTS THAT MATCH YOUR LIGHT

The plants below are selected for growing conditions commonly found near east-facing windows. Use each plant’s description to compare its preferred light level with the conditions in your home.