Top 9 Indoor Plants for East-Facing Windows

There’s a certain magic to waking up in the soft glow of morning sunlight glistening through an east facing window. This light provides plant lovers the perfect opportunity to grow a vibrant indoor garden.

I remember the first plant I placed near my east-facing window; within weeks, it thrived, its blooms brightening my mornings.

Plants that thrive in east facing window light include Chinese money plants, peace lilies, alocasia, snake plants, purple shamrock, fiddle leaf figs, rex begonia, Boston ferns, hoya, Swiss Cheese plants, string-of-pearls, calatheas, and bird’s nest ferns.

Choosing the correct type of plants for east-facing windows is crucial—too much sun can scorch the leaves, while too little sunlight leaves them dull and lifeless.

Understanding your window’s light is the first step to creating a lush and healthy indoor haven. Your next step is to choose one of the nine unique or common plants listed below!

9 Best House Plants for East Facing Windows

The beauty of east-facing windows is their ability to accommodate various plants. I’ve selected a list of nine plants, including common houseplants and more unique varieties. Whichever you choose, waking up to these beauties awash with morning light is a good way to start your day.

#1. Chinese Money Plant

Known as the friendship plant, as it’s easy to propagate and share, the Chinese money plant’s pancake-shaped leaves on long stalks make it a fun and trendy choice.

It loves bright, indirect light, so you can place it near your east-facing window but not necessarily on the windowsill.

In the right conditions, a Chinese money plant can double its size within a year but rarely flowers indoors. It’s a low-maintenance option and is believed to bring good fortune, too. What’s not to love?

#2. Peace Lily

Peace lilies love the gentle morning light from east-facing windows. Their spathe-like glossy green leaves and elegant white blooms bring peace and beauty to your space.

My teacher friend has one in her classroom as the “class plant;” the kids in her class love to greet it when they arrive at school while it basks in the morning rays.

Water your peace lily when its soil feels dry, but avoid overwatering it, as its glossy leaves help it retain water.

With a name like “peace lily,” it’s understandable that these plants symbolize tranquility and have been used as houseplants for centuries.

#3. Elephant Ears

Alocasia plants are showstoppers with dramatic arrow-shaped ears that remind some of elephant ears.

They prefer bright, indirect light and enjoy moist but not soggy soil. The morning sun from your east-facing window will give them the boost they need to flourish.

Elephant ears are part of the arum family and originate from Asia and Australia’s tropical and subtropical regions with plentiful rainfall.

They’ll bring a tropical vibe, making your space feel exotic and lush, but it’s good to remember they are moderately poisonous and can be toxic if ingested.

#4. Snake Plant

If you’re looking for a plant that adds height to your east-facing window plant collection, the snake plant is an excellent option.

This plant thrives on neglect, so if you regularly forget to water your plants, it will remain your friend.

Morning light from an east-facing window keeps its upright, sword-like leaves healthy. This plant also releases oxygen at night, making it a great choice for bedrooms.

#5. Purple Shamrock

When I was in high school many years ago, my teacher had a thing for purple. Everything was purple, including her clothes, makeup, and even plants.

One plant that stuck out was her purple shamrock atop her piano, below an east-facing window.

Purple shamrocks are also called love plants because their purple leaves resemble angular hearts. They thrive in gentle morning light and add a pop of color to your space, even more so when they flower. The leaves close at night, giving the plant a dynamic, ever-changing appearance and a top rating in my books.

#6. Fiddle Leaf Fig

The fiddle leaf fig (banjo plant) is a statement plant. Its large, glossy leaves soak up morning sunlight beautifully, so placing it near your east-facing window is one of the best things you can do for it.

To keep your fiddle leaf fig happy, water it only when the top soil dries out and rotate the pot occasionally to ensure even growth. With tender care, it can mature into a dramatic, tree-like focal point.

#7. Painted Leaf Begonia

Painted leaf begonias are prized for their textured and patterned leaves with gradient shades of purple and green.

They thrive in bright, indirect light, making your east-facing window the perfect place to soak up the morning sunlight.

Water Rex begonias sparingly when the top layer of soil is dry, and avoid getting their leaves wet, as this makes them susceptible to disease.

These plants add a vibrant, artistic touch to any room, whether they’re flowering or not.

#8. Boston Fern

Boston ferns are a type of sword fern that bring tropical vibes indoors.

My friend created a lush mini forest with them in her east-facing living room, and it feels like a bohemian getaway whenever I visit her for a catch-up.

Boston ferns are sub-tropical plants that thrive in humid conditions with soft, filtered light. This means they’d do well in bathrooms or kitchens with east-facing windows.

Keep their soil damp and mist the leaves often to emulate their tropical origins. With their feathery fronds, Boston ferns are like a little piece of the rainforest in your home.

#9. Hoya

Hoyas plants (wax plants or porcelain flowers) are known for their thick, waxy leaves and star-shaped flowers that grow in clusters.

What’s super cool about them is that they send out vines, so you can train them along or around a window frame.

These plants love bright, indirect sunlight, meaning your east-facing window is an excellent place to call home. Since hoyas have a protective waxy layer, overwatering them is unnecessary.

Instead, let the soil dry out between waterings, and enjoy the delightful and rewarding addition to your indoor garden.

Final Thoughts

An east-facing window with its glorious morning light is a gateway to a thriving indoor garden. The beautiful plants listed here are excellent choices for creating a whimsical space to wake up in. So pick a plant or plants of your choice today and enjoy the serenity and cheeriness that they bring to your home.

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