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Succulents and Cacti – The Perfect Plants for Sunny Windows

Are you struggling to find houseplants that can withstand a sun-drenched window? Very few plants tolerate, and even more so, thrive in a south-facing window flooded with sunlight on hot summer days. However, cacti and succulents (known in Swedish as “fetbladsväxter”) not only tolerate, but actually love these conditions. In nature, these plants are found in some of the world’s driest and brightest environments, making them ideal green companions for bright spots at home or at the office.

Decorative, Low-Maintenance and On-Trend

In recent years, succulents and cacti have become increasingly popular thanks to their numerous decorative forms and minimal care requirements. The very name “succulent” comes from the Latin “succulentus,” meaning juicy or fleshy, which refers to the plants’ water-storing ability. Many succulents feature striking shapes—like the Aeonium arboreum (“tree houseleek”), the propeller plant, and the intriguing Madagascar palm. With their fascinating colors, textures, and structures, it's easy to create a visually exciting window display made up entirely of different succulents.

To add height to your arrangement, position some tall columnar cacti alongside something bold and leafy like the Madagascar palm. For lushness and movement, include summer ivy with its white-streaked foliage—let it trail over the edge of the windowsill or climb up a simple trellis.

The classic jade plant (Crassula ovata), with its thick, dark-green canopy, adds gravitas, while zebra aloe and haworthia form miniature jewels in shallow bowls, thanks to their sculptural rosettes and subtle leaf patterns. For lower-growing, round, and spiny accents, members of the Mammillaria genus are both decorative and—if you’re lucky—flower freely, but even their colored spines are attractive.

If you want blooms throughout most of the year, the little crown-of-thorns (Euphorbia milii) comes in a multitude of colors, though it is rather prickly. Prefer something less spiky? Kalanchoes like the popular flaming Katy and mother of thousands offer months of color, though you may need to refresh your plant now and then for continuous display.

Try letting a starfish flower (Stapelia) overflow from a pot and enjoy its striking, often hairy, five-pointed blossoms. While the scent (designed to attract pollinating flies!) can be strong, the buds and unique flowers more than make up for it when not in bloom.

Hanging Varieties and More

For hanging displays in sunny windows, “string of pearls” (Senecio rowleyanus), with its bead-like trailing stems, is a classic choice. Try pairing it with heartleaf ice plant (Aptenia cordifolia), known as a “luck lamp” for its tiny gas-lamp shaped blooms, and its beautiful grayish leaves with a subtle red tint underneath. Many trailing cacti also thrive and look fantastic as hanging plants in a sunny spot.

Important: Not All Cacti Love Full Sun

One important exception are the so-called “leaf cacti,” such as Christmas and Easter cacti (Schlumbergera spp.). These should not be placed in direct sunlight! In the wild, they grow as epiphytes under the canopy of South American rainforests, protected from harsh rays. Too much sun can actually damage their leaves.

Origins and Cultural Uses

While all cacti hail from the stony deserts of the Americas, most succulents (fetbladsväxter) trace their origins to Africa’s dry grasslands and steppe regions. Interestingly, the first cacti to reach Europe were prickly pears (Opuntia ficus-indica), reportedly brought back by Columbus – most likely for their spiky-yet-delicious fruit.

Throughout history, these plants have also served humans in practical and sometimes surprising ways: agave leaf tips, complete with attached fibers, worked as ready-made sewing needles and thread; aloe’s sap treated wounds; and certain cacti or succulents found use in rituals or as sources for traditional intoxicants.

Survival Specialists

Cacti are the ultimate drought survivors: their leaves are reduced to spines, minimizing water loss by shading the plant body and reducing wind exposure. Additional adaptations—like a waxy surface, fuzzy “old man” hairs, or a pale, silvery color—further limit evaporation.

Growing Tips

For best results, always provide cacti with as much sunlight as possible. Use a free-draining soil mix, ideally with added sand and a layer of expanded clay at the bottom of the pot for drainage. Specialized cactus soil, lower in nutrients than regular potting mix, is ideal. These plants are not heavy feeders and should only be fertilized in summer.

Watering: In summer, water your cacti whenever the soil has fully dried out; in winter, water sparingly—especially if the plants are kept cool. Cool winter conditions (like a frost-free summer cottage) often encourage better flowering in spring.

Succulents generally require a touch more water than cacti, as many are adapted to periods of rainfall followed by long dry spells—they “tank up” when moisture is available. Care for them much like cacti, but don’t let them go bone-dry for as long.

Stress-Free Holidays

One of the greatest advantages of growing succulents and cacti is their forgiving nature. Thanks to their remarkable water-storage abilities, you can take a weeks-long vacation without worrying about their well-being. For more tips on how your plants can enjoy a care-free summer when you’re away, check out Krukväxternas sommarlov.

Can Cacti Survive Outdoors?

Did you know that it’s possible to grow certain cacti outdoors in the garden as far north as hardiness zones III-IV (Sweden and similar climates), provided you protect them from rain in fall and winter? Cold is not the danger—cold plus moisture is. Hardy types include various prickly pears (Opuntia compressa, Opuntia phaeacantha), creeping prickly pear (krypopuntia), and some globe cacti, all of which can overwinter outside if kept relatively dry.

Create your own desert planting with tree houseleek, Mammillaria, Kalanchoe and species of Crassula.
Photo: Peter Gunnar

By mixing forms, colors, and heights, you can easily create a vibrant and sculptural oasis on your sunny windowsill—one that is both beautiful and remarkably easy to care for. Whether you’re at home or off on holiday, your succulents and cacti will reward you with both style and resilience.