Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
A north window needn’t be dull. Here, Tolmiea, Davallia fejeensis, pachysandra, philodendron, wax begonias and African violets all flourish in my bright but sunless kitchen window. Click to enlarge.
What, exactly, would I grow in a north window that receives not one hour of direct sun, but stays bright for most of the day? Almost any foliage plant will thrive there. For flowers – and I must have flowers – there are African violets, wax begonias and impatiens. Florist’s plants, too, if fully budded and ready to bloom, can provide long-lasting color. Or, sun-loving plants can be brought to the budding stage under fluorescents, and then moved to the window as they bloom. The following list, arranged in a seasonal-sequence, shows the glorious possibilities for the sill and frame (and, if you have them, the shelves and brackets) of a bright but sunless window garden.
September-October
Frame (all seasons). Philodendron scandens or Grape Ivy, Cissus Rhombifolia
Sill. Ageratum (lifted from the garden); ferns (Boston, Rabbit’s Foot, Asparagus); pachysandra cuttings, rooted in a handsome China bowl; Chrysanthemums and Asters from the florist.
Shelves. Impatiens, Wax Begonias, African Violets, stems of philodendron in colorful glass vases.
Brackets. Maranta, Tolmiea menziesii, Hedera helix, Tradescantia
November-December
Sill. Narcissus paperwhites, forced in bowls of pebbles and water; ferns, pachysandra. For the holidays, arrange Poinsettias, Paperwhites and African Violets on a bed of evergreen boughs.
Shelves. Miniature poinsettias, impatiens, African violets, kalanchoe
Brackets. Maranta, Tolmiea menziesii, Hedera helix, Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncate)
January-February
Sill. Azalea, ferns, pachysandra, forsythia branches, forced in a big vase, primroses (Primula obconica, P. senensis), Chinese Sacred Lily forced in pebbles and water. Pots of tulips and hyacinths obtained from the florist.
Shelves. Primula malecoides (the “fairy” primrose), cyclamen, wax begonias, kalanchoe
Brackets. Maranta, Tolmiea menziesii, Hedera helix, Ceropegia woodii, Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgessii)
March-April-May
Sill. From the florist: Easter lily, gardenia, gloxinia. Ferns, pachysandra, caladium. Forced branches of apple, crabapple.
Shelves. African violets, wax begonias, impatiens, coleus. Also, any of the myriad shade-tolerant annuals available from the florist or garden center at this time.
Brackets. Maranta, Tolmiea menziesii, Hedra helix, Ceropegia woodii, Oxalis
This list, of course, is by no means complete. But I can only write of the plants which I have grown myself, successfully, in a bright, north window.
Related Posts:
November Brilliance: Schlumbergera Truncata (Thanksgiving Cactus)
Setting Up a Window Garden
Indispensable Vines
African Violets: My Easy, Always-In-Bloom Program
Tender Bulbs in Pebbles & Water
Irresistable Flowers to Brighten the Indoor Winter Garden
Tom says
Mr. Jacobs, I just found your site on yahoo. GREAT information.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Tom – Welcome! I'm glad you find this site useful.
Holly says
Kevin, its good to know that paperwhites will bloom at a north window, because that's exactly where mine are!
roger says
I hope that as the season comes along you will provide us photographs of all the different combinations you have just described for window sills and frames.
Samantha says
Kevin, you mentioned primroses for a north window. I love the fairy primrose – so beautiful and fragrant. Do you raise yours from seed?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Holly – I order my primroses already in bud from a local florist. But all primula can be raised from seed; you just have to start the seeds very early in the spring if winter bloom is your goal.
Gayle says
I didn't know that impatiens or wax begonias could be grown indoors! Is it too late to dig mine up from the outside garden? Frost hasn't hit them yet.
Gardenlady says
Here's one for a bright (or even not so bright) north window: Aspidistra elatior. I have it in a very dim window, and although it grows slowly, it does grow. And it is absolutely no trouble at all. Very decorative, too.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Gayle – nice to meet you! Impatiens and wax begonias make marvelous houseplants. My advice is not to dig up the plants at this time, but to take tip cuttings from them. You will find directions for rooting these in the August archives.
Gardenlady – Thanks for reminding me about Aspidistra. I have not owned one for many years. I do remember that it was very beautiful, and that it tolerated the heat and dry air of my NYC apartment. Hence its nickname, “The Cast-Iron Plant!”
Gardenlady says
That's right! I think it was christened “Cast-Iron Plant” in the early 1900s, because it was one of the few plants that would tolerate the new fangled convenience called “Central Heating.”
World War Z Online says
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
Any way I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
www.gamezebo.com says
Thank you for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting
for your next write ups thanks once again.