Some popular plants for a window sill include herbs such as basil, parsley, and cilantro, as well as succulents and cacti, African violets, and the ZZ plant. These plants typically do well in bright, indirect light and do not require a lot of water. It’s also good to make sure that the windowsill is large enough to accomodate the plants you choose.

This list contains 21 best plants to grow on the windowsill.

  1. Basil
  2. Parsley
  3. Cilantro
  4. Succulents
  5. Cacti
  6. African violets
  7. ZZ plant
  8. Aloe vera
  9. Spider plant
  10. Pothos
  11. Snake plant
  12. Jade plant
  13. Thyme
  14. Oregano
  15. Rosemary
  16. Sage
  17. Marjoram
  18. Dill
  19. Chives
  20. Lavender
  21. Bamboo

These plants are known to do well in bright, indirect light and do not require a lot of water. It is important to research the specific care requirements of each plant and make sure that your windowsill can accommodate the size and needs of the plants you choose.

window sill plants
window sill plants

Basil

This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Parsley

This herb is also easy to grow and adds a fresh, green taste to dishes. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Cilantro

This herb is a bit more finicky to grow than parsley or basil but it adds a unique, fresh flavor to dishes. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Succulents

These plants are known for their ability to store water and are able to survive in a wide range of lighting conditions. They are easy to care for and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Cacti

Similar to succulents, cacti are able to store water and can survive in a wide range of lighting conditions. They are also easy to care for and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

African Violets

These plants are known for their delicate flowers and prefer bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. They require consistent moisture, and can be fertilized regularly.

ZZ plant

This plant is known for its ability to survive in low light conditions and its tolerance for infrequent watering. It is a great option for those who travel frequently or have trouble keeping plants alive.

Aloe vera

This plant is known for its medicinal properties and is easy to care for. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Spider plant

This plant is known for its long, thin leaves and its ability to purify the air. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Pothos

This plant is known for its long, trailing leaves and its ability to purify the air. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Snake plant

This plant is known for its tall, upright leaves and its ability to purify the air. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Jade plant

This plant is known for its thick, glossy leaves and its ability to bring good luck. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Thyme

This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Oregano

This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Rosemary

This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Sage

This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Marjoram

This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Dill

This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Chives

This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Lavender

This herb is known for its fragrant flowers and its ability to relax. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.Lavender is a good window sill plant because it prefers bright, indirect light, which is commonly found on windowsills. It also has a compact growth habit and doesn’t require a lot of space, making it a great option for a windowsill.

Additionally, lavender is known for its fragrant flowers and its ability to relax. Its aroma is known to have a calming effect and can be used for aromatherapy.

It also has medicinal properties, it can be used in teas, baths and potpourri. It is also a great option for drying the flowers to use in crafts or sachets.

window sill plants
window sill plants

Bamboo shoots

Bamboo is a good window sill plant because it is known for being low maintenance and tolerant of a wide range of lighting conditions. It prefers bright, indirect light, which is commonly found on windowsills. Bamboo also has a unique and attractive appearance, with tall, narrow stalks and lush green leaves.

Bamboo is considered to be a good luck charm in many cultures, and is believed to bring good fortune and positive energy to the home. It also helps to purify the air and is known to be an effective air-purifying plant.

Bamboo is also a great option for a windowsill because it is a relatively small plant and can be grown in a container. It’s also a fast-growing plant, so it can quickly add lush greenery to your windowsill.

Keep in mind that not all bamboo species are suitable for indoor cultivation, so it is important to research the specific care requirements of the bamboo variety you choose.

window sill plants
window sill plants

Herbs

In general, herbs are particulary suitable for growing on the window sill.

Here are some herbs that are well-suited for growing on a windowsill:

  1. Basil: This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.
  2. Parsley: This herb is also easy to grow and adds a fresh, green taste to dishes. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.
  3. Cilantro: This herb is a bit more finicky to grow than parsley or basil but it adds a unique, fresh flavor to dishes. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.
  4. Thyme: This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.
  5. Oregano: This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.
  6. Rosemary: This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.
  7. Sage: This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.
  8. Marjoram: This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.
  9. Dill: This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.
  10. Chives: This herb is easy to grow and adds a delicious flavor to cooking. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.

Note that some herbs like cilantro and dill can be a bit more finicky to grow than others, so it may take some experimentation to get the right conditions for them to thrive. It is also important to keep in mind that herbs need consistent moisture and fertilizer to keep them healthy, so make sure to keep an eye on their water and fertilizer needs.

window sill plants
window sill plants

Depth of window sill container

The depth of the container needed to grow herbs in a windowsill will depend on the type of herb you are growing. However, in general, most herbs prefer a container that is at least 6 inches deep to accommodate the roots. This will allow the herb to have enough room to grow and develop a strong root system.

Herbs have relatively shallow root systems, so a container that is too deep can hold too much water, which can lead to root rot. It’s also important to use a well-draining potting mix and make sure that the container has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

If you are using a container that is too shallow, it may dry out too quickly, making it difficult to maintain consistent moisture levels for the plant. Keep in mind that herbs need consistent moisture to thrive, so make sure to regularly check the soil moisture level and water as needed.

In summary, a container that is at least 6 inches deep with drainage holes would be ideal for growing herbs in a windowsill.