Discover some fantastic summer flowers you can grow on a windowsill for an indoor garden that’s both fragrant and beautiful!
How about having a colorful patch in your home that screams the arrival of the bright, sunny summer days? If this idea excites you, try growing these flowers on your windowsill and cherish their vibrant presence throughout your home!
Summer Flowers to Grow on a Windowsill
1. African Violets
Botanical Name: Saintpaulia
African violets love consistent temperatures and bright, filtered sunlight, so they would be perfect in a south—or west-facing window indoors. Plus, their petite size makes them ideal for a windowsill, where you can line a couple of them to create a lush, mini-garden effect.
Just remember to rotate the pots weekly to ensure even growth and flowering, as they tend to grow towards the light.
2. Geraniums
Botanical Name: Pelargonium
Geraniums are particularly suited for sunny windowsills where they can get 4-6 hours of morning sunlight. They are drought-tolerant and prefer drying out a bit, making them suitable for forgetful gardeners.
Pinch back the stems to encourage bushy growth, and deadhead regularly to improve their blooming throughout the summer.
3. Marigolds
Botanical Name: Tagetes spp.
These robust plants are excellent for windowsill gardens as they can handle the heat reflected by the glass when placed in full sun. Marigolds repel pests, making them a practical companion for other plants in your collection.
4. Zinnias
Botanical Name: Zinnia
Zinnias are best for wider windowsills where their bushy growth can be accommodated. They require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, like that on a south-facing window. Dehead the dry flowers regularly for a bushy yet tidy look.
Remember that these potted flowers require more frequent watering than those in the garden, especially in the dry, warm conditions near window glass.
5. Orchids
Botanical Name: Orchidaceae
Orchids are a sophisticated choice and best suited for a shady part of a windowsill, away from direct sunlight. While they prefer the morning light, the harsh afternoon sun can scorch their delicate petals pretty badly.
You can also place these tropical flowers in a bright room, where they can bloom for several weeks, offering long-lasting beauty with minimal fuss.
6. Jasmine
Botanical Name: Jasminum
If you want fragrant blooms, Jasmine could be your pick. However, they require a good dose of sunlight, which can only be provided by a south-facing window. For the best blooms, keep the soil slightly moist and provide a support structure like a small trellis for the vines to climb.
7. Kalanchoe
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Kalanchoe blooms in bright shades of purple, pink, orange, and red and does well even under indirect light in an indoor setting. All you need to do is avoid letting the soil dry out completely between waterings and deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
8. Chrysanthemums
Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum × morifolium
While mostly associated with autumn, chrysanthemums can successfully be grown indoors over the summer. They require a bit more care, needing at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight daily, so a south-facing windowsill is ideal. Also, keep the soil consistently moist and provide good air circulation around the plants to prevent disease.
9. Lavender
Botanical Name: Lavandula
Lavenders need plenty of sunlight to bloom; hence, a south-facing window is the only option you have. Plus, the herb emits a calming fragrance that intensifies with the heat and will fill your room with a sweet scent. However, remember that it does not prefer wet feet at all, so let the medium dry out in between.
10. Cape Primrose
Botanical Name: Streptocarpus
Ideal for a spot that gets gentle morning or late afternoon light, the Cape Primrose does best on east or west-facing corners. It loves the steamy conditions often found in kitchens and bathrooms, benefiting from the high humidity in these spaces. Keep its soil consistently damp for the best colors.
11. Nasturtium
Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus
Nasturtiums feature cheerful red, orange, and yellow blooms that you can even toss into a salad! They love the sun but are pretty adaptable and can handle some shade, making them flexible for various spots in your home.
You can let their trails spill beautifully over the edge of pots or guide them up a trellis to fill up the vertical space.
