Bright Light Houseplants Brighten Moods!

Brightly Lit Rooms Need Bright Light-Loving Houseplants!

For all of the many benefits that they bring, it’s no secret why houseplants continue to trend. Between their air purifying capabilities and the way that they naturally tie a room’s decor together, houseplants truly do it all. Specifically, these plants that fall under the “Bright Light” category stand out in your home of office the best. They take the spotlight, as they thrive under higher exposure to bright, indirect sunlight through your windows.

Bight Light-loving houseplants generally come from tropical and subtropical locations around the globe. In their native, warm climates, they grow in open, sunny areas with only small amounts of shade. This group consists of a diverse list of species that range in size, shape, and colors. They do best closer to your windows, skylights, and outside doors, though always ensure that you keep them out of direct sunlight.

Similar to our selection of Low Light and Medium Light Houseplants, we fill our greenhouses with plenty of Bright Light Houseplants for you to choose from! Let’s take a look at some of our favorites.

Bright Light Houseplants

Schefflera (Umbrella Plant)

While there exist hundreds of Schefflera species, only Schefflera actinophylla and Schefflera arboricola classify as the “Umbrella Tree.” This trouble-free houseplant has a long lifespan indoors and goes great with just about any room design. It’s leafy, yet feels tropical, and also provides interest with its unique growth pattern. You may hear the Schefflera often referred to as the “Umbrella Tree,” because its glossy, oval leaves arranged in a palmate pattern resemble umbrella stokes.

Schefflera actinophylla grows quickly and can reach heights of up to 8 feet. Therefore, it may require some pruning to fit your desired space. In general, you can prune as much as you need to and still see new growth each Spring. Its dwarf sister, the Schefflera arboricola, has gained popularity for being a shorter, more manageable version of the actinophylla. The arboricola only reaches heights up to 5 feet, which often lend it to be better suited to your home or office. Both varieties of Schefflera can see variegation in their leaves. Water only when the soil becomes dry, and routinely but lightly dust leaves to keep them clean.

Fun Fact: The Schefflera arboricola can also be grown in bonsai form.

Ficus Lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig)

One of the most striking, popular houseplants that you can find is the Fiddle Leaf Fig. Prized for its size, glossy appearance, and leaves that resemble fiddles (hence the name), Ficus lyrata should be at the top of your list of Bight Light Houseplants to add to your collection. They can reach heights of 6 feet or higher, which allow them to fit well in entertaining spaces within your home. Due to their size, they often serve as floor plants, requiring larger pots as they grow. They have a reputation as being challenging to care for, but as long as you follow specific guidelines to ensure their happiness, they make for excellent indoor plants.

Place your Fiddle Leaf Fig close by a sunny window and rotate every few months. Make sure that the top inch of soil dries out before you thoroughly water your Fig with lukewarm water. Never let your plant sit in water, and check its leaves often for signs that you should change your watering habits. As a general rule, brown edges and leaves dropping means it needs more water, while spotting can stem from over-watering. Gently wipe your Fig’s leaves often as well to eliminate dust. Provide them with nutrient-rich potting soil, average humidity, and room temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees.

Fun Fact: Native to West Africa, in the jungle they can exceed heights of 40 feet!

Bromeliads

With both attractive foliage and stunning floral centerpieces, Bromeliads earn the admiration of many avid gardeners. Color varieties include reds, pinks, purples, yellows, oranges, greens, and even striped and spotted combinations. The key feature of these tropical houseplants is that they have “cups” in their centers that hold water inside, aiding in the plant’s nutrition.

Water should be placed among the lower leaves of plants kept indoors, and any excess in the cup can cause damage. To avoid rot, change the cup water often and mist your Bromeliad’s foliage. Both of these steps will help to prolong the life of your houseplant. As a rule, the higher light level, humidity, and temperature that you expose your Bromeliad to, the more water that is appropriate for the cup. Ideal temperatures for your plant range from 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Between waterings, allow the plant cup and soil to nearly dry out. Your pot must have drainage holes, and a well-drained soil is highly recommended.

Fun Fact: In the wild, they often cling to trees and other structures to better gather moisture and sunlight.

Ficus Elastica (Rubber Tree)

We promise, it’s real! This tropical houseplant has quite the fitting name, as at first glance you may just think it’s, well…rubber. However, that’s exactly the quality that helps it stand out among your collection. The extremely glossy, burgundy foliage of the Ficus elastica contrasts well in their its brightly-lit location in your home or office. Though they tolerate low light, growing under this condition will fade the leaves to a green color. Most say that their Ficus elastica thrives best in spots by bright windows with sheered curtains, as the curtains help filter light and heat.

Like most Bright Light Houseplants, water when the top inch of the soil becomes dry. Water thoroughly until water begins to drain, though always avoid over-watering and watering leaves. During the Spring and Summer, keep your Rubber Tree moist by taking a damp cloth to the leaves. Keep your room at average temperature and humidity, and prune the height to your liking in the Spring and Summer.

Fun Fact: The Ficus elastica is a close relative to the Ficus lyrata, the Fiddle Leaf Fig.

English Ivy

Last, but not least, English Ivy is a gorgeous, vining houseplant that works great on windowsills and in hanging baskets by brightly-lit windows. These evergeen perennials behave as both groundcover and climbers, though indoors classify as foliage plants. Your ivy can reach up to 50 feet long with slow growth in its first year, which exponentially accelerates in subsequent years. It produces heart/star-shaped, green leaves on either side of its stems, which range in size and hue.

English Ivy prefers cooler rooms with plenty of indirect sunlight. Keep the soil moist, with less waterings in the Wintertime. Since it mostly produces aerial roots that continue to grow outside of the container, it will be several years before you have to repot your Ivy. When it comes to propagation, simply remove stem tips give them as stem cuttings to friends and family!

Fun Fact: English Ivy is considered to be one of the best indoor plants for cleaning the air.

More Bright Light-Loving Houseplants:

• Aloe Vera
• Ardisa (Coffee Plant & Coral Berry)
• Asparagus Fern
• Bougainvillea
• Cacti
• Citrus Trees
• Croton
• Crown-of-Thorns
• Gardenia
• Hibiscus
• Jasmine
• Kalanchoe
• Orchids

Our greenhouses are filled will the best selection of indoor plants for beginners and experts alike! Visit today to talk to our team about which houseplants are best suited for your home, and receive additional growing tips. We’re here to help you expand your houseplant collection!

View our guide to the Best Indoor Plants for Every Room