14 Houseplants You Should Never Grow in Direct Sun
South-facing windows that receive lots of bright light every day are the perfect place for sun-loving houseplants like cacti and succulents, but growing plants that prefer lower light conditions in too much sun can cause sunscald, faded leaf colors, and other issues. Here are 14 houseplants that shouldn’t be grown in direct sun, plus simple workarounds you can use to grow low-light plants in a sunny home. Pothos Jacob Fox Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are famously forgiving plants, but one thing they won’t tolerate is too much sun. If you keep these plants in a bright window, there’s a good chance they’ll develop sunburn, bleached-out leaves, and other signs of damage. However, you can keep your pothos plants safe by positioning them a few feet away from bright windows or installing sheer curtains to soften the light. African Violets Marty Baldwin African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) grow best in bright, indirect light; their fuzzy leaves can turn yellow or brown in too much sun. East- or north-facing windows are the best places for these plants, while sunny south-facing windows are likely to cause sunburn, especially in summer when the light is more intense. Peace Lily Blaine Moats Although peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) grows well in low-light homes, it can tolerate brighter spots as long as the light is filtered and indirect. Blazing hot sun can scorch tender peace lily leaves, but it can also cause these moisture-loving plants to dry out quickly. If your peace lily’s uppermost leaves are yellow or faded, it may be receiving too much light. Snake Plant Marty Baldwin Many people keep snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) in low-light homes, but these plants do best in bright, indirect light. Just be sure to protect any type of snake plant from direct sun. It can cause plant stress, yellowing or browning leaves, and leaf burn. Rubber Plant Rubber plants (Ficus elastica) are prized for their big glossy leaves that come in dark green and variegated shades. However, these plants can be damaged by too much sun, so keep them away from overly bright windows. For best results, provide your rubber plants with about six to eight hours of bright, indirect light daily, and consider adding a supplemental grow light if your plants aren’t receiving enough sun. ZZ Plant Kindra Clineff When it comes to houseplants that grow well in low light, ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) are always at the top of the list. However, intense sun can scorch ZZ plant leaves and cause their rich colors to fade. Sunburn is particularly problematic with these plants because they grow slowly, and it takes a while for them to recover after damage. Cast Iron Plant Named for their nearly indestructible nature, cast iron plants (Aspidistra elatior) were incredibly popular during the Victorian period when they were commonly kept in low-light parlors. Today, these foliage plants are still popular. They grow best in low to medium light. Bright sun can damage their lush green leaves and ruin the look of these classic plants. Nerve Plant Marty Baldwin Nerve plants (Fittonia albivenis) need lots of moisture; they droop dramatically when their soil is dry or the humidity level is low. Keeping these water-lovers in bright windows is certain to cause drooping stems, and it can also make their colorfully veined leaves turn brown and crispy. Growing nerve plants in a terrarium under a grow light or in bright indirect sunlight is the best way to protect their leaves and enhance their growth. Spider Plant Dean Schoeppner Like pothos and cast iron plants, spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are prized for their easy-going nature. However, too much sun can bleach their leaves and turn them brown. Bright, indirect light is ideal for spider plants and encourages them to produce flowers and baby spider plants or “spiderettes.” Moth Orchid Matt Clark Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis spp.) is an understory plant that naturally grows in dappled light beneath a canopy of tall trees. Keeping these plants in direct sun causes leaf scorch, and it can also make orchid leaves crack along the centers from low humidity. That’s why it’s always best to keep moth orchids and most other orchid species in bright, indirect light. Calatheas and Marantas Denny Schrock These two closely related plants are famous for their colorful and uniquely patterned leaves. To preserve the look of your calatheas (Calathea spp.) and marantas (Maranta leuconeura), also known as prayer plants, keep them out of bright sun. Intense sun can cause leaf bleaching, while bright indirect light and high humidity keep these tropical plants in tip-top shape. Most Ferns Brie Passano Most ferns grow in relatively shady spots in the wild, and they love consistently moist soil. Although you can find a few indoor ferns that tolerate higher light levels, classics like Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum), and maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) grow best in bright, indirect sun. Keeping these plants near a humidifier or in a steamy, well-lit bathroom helps them grow even better. Chinese Evergreen Jacob Fox Bright indirect or low light is ideal for Chinese evergreens (Aglaonema commutatum), while higher light levels can cause leaf bleaching, browning, and discoloration. East or west exposures are usually the best choices for Chinese evergreens, but these plants can also be kept in northern exposures as long as they receive enough natural light. Waffle Plant Dean Schoeppner Like nerve plants, waffle plants (Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’) are sensitive to sun