17 Must-have Greenhouse Plants: Green Sunroom Decorating Ideas

Are you dreaming about adding vibrant indoor plants to your solarium or sunroom? This post will guide you in choosing the most suitable sunroom plants for your cozy indoor greenhouse. No matter its size, it can provide your greenery with a controlled and protective environment, keeping it safe and happy in the cooler months. Moreover, live potted plants make the best sunroom decor, adding aesthetics and acting as natural air purifiers. With the right selection of greenhouse plants, your sunroom can become a peaceful green space to relax.

So, what is the best plant for a sunroom? Most indoor plants prefer indirect bright light and stable warm temperatures, which a multiple-window room offers. Thus, you can be easily spoiled for choice when it comes to growing flowering perennials in pots, hanging plants, succulents, or lush tropical greenery.

Best Plants for Sunroom: How to Turn a Sunroom Into a Winter Greenhouse? 

Whether you have a brightly lit cozy room with multiple large windows or a purposefully built solarium with a glass roof for enjoying natural light indoors, both are ideal for growing plants. Indoor gardening enthusiasts can transform such a space into a winter greenhouse by selecting the right plants. Some of the best plants for sunrooms flourish in bright, filtered light, from exotic greenery to various flowering plants. For instance, tropical plants, like philodendrons and monsteras, love warm and humid environments, making them a great option for a winter sunroom greenhouse.  

Sunroom Decorating Ideas With Plants: Factors to Consider

Can your plants survive in a sunroom? What do you have to keep in mind? When decorating a sunroom with plants, think about the design and size of the room. Also, consider the direction of the windows and the amount of daylight hours your space receives.  

Here are some factors to keep into account when choosing the plants:

• Size: Choose plants and pots that fit the space. Some small sunroom ideas include adding shelves or using hanging planters to maximize space.
• Light: North-facing sunrooms are ideal for low-light plants, while all-glass solarium rooms provide plenty of light for tropicals.
• Heating: Ensure proper heating in winter, or select hardy plants that can withstand lower temperatures, especially during overcast days when natural sunlight is scarce. 
• Placement: For a stylish look in a more compact indoor solarium, use plant stands, trellises, and hanging baskets.
• Ventilation: A well-ventilated attached greenhouse sunroom ensures medium humidity, which many potted plants prefer.
• Pets: If you have curious dogs or cats that can access the sunroom, consider pet-friendly plants or place your green companions strategically out of reach. 

Let’s explore 17 beautiful sunroom plants that can bring life to your indoor greenhouse.

17 Best Greenhouse Plants to Transform Your Sunroom

What is the best plant to put in a greenhouse sunroom? Depending on the size of your space and light conditions, consider some of these top 17 modern sunroom plants. From the much-loved and popular orchids to easy-care colorful bromeliads, there’s something for every plant lover.

1. Orchids - Elegant Blooms with Delicate Beauty 

Orchids are undoubtedly the most popular flowering plants worldwide, boasting beautiful blooms in various colors. In the wild, these perennial epiphytes are often found growing on other trees, absorbing nutrients from the air. Orchids are pet-safe, making them ideal for homes with pets. 

2. Air Plants - Soil-Free Wonders for Any Space

The world of Air Plants (Tillandsia) is truly captivating. Belonging to the Bromeliad family, Tillandsias live without soil and bloom only once in their lifetime. Display these soil-free beauties in seashells or terrariums, or simply mount them on driftwood. 

3. Palms - Touch of Paradise 

There are many reasons to add a Palm tree to your indoor greenhouse, provided you’ve got the space. Palms purify the air and enhance indoor humidity. In addition, a palm tree’s lush, tropical appearance creates an exotic ambiance, making your sunroom feel like a tropical paradise and an inviting urban jungle.

4. Mini Succulents - Small Plants, Big Personality

Green up your small sunroom with the beautiful Mini Succulents. Decorating with these versatile small plants, as part of your porch sunroom ideas, can be a rewarding and fun experience. Whether you choose assorted mini succulents or a succulent dish garden, these cuties will surely brighten your sunroom effortlessly. 

5. Jade and Pearl Pothos - Elegant and Easy-Growing Greenery

The Jade and Pearl Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Pearls and Jade') is one of the most sought-after pothos variety for solarium rooms. It showcases green foliage marbled with white and silver-gray patches. Moreover, the plant is spiritually significant and believed to attract positive energy and prosperity to your home, according to Feng Shui. 

6. Indoor Olive Tree - Mediterranean Vibe at Home

If you want freshly harvested olives at home, get an Indoor Olive Tree (Olea Europaea 'Mission') for your indoor greenhouse. The tree is also known as the “Tree of Eternity,” and is culturally and symbolically associated with peace, positivity, and wisdom.  

7. Flamingo Flower - Crimson Beauty

Want to bring cool vibes to your home with another great sunroom plant? Meet the Flamingo Flower (Anthurium andraeanum) with its bold red blooms. A tropical plant from the rainforests of Central and South America, Anthurium can survive in low light, but medium to bright, indirect sunlight keeps it happiest.

8. Christmas Cactus - Exotic Holiday Vibes

The Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) enjoys bright light and warm temperatures. A beautiful epiphyte, it features fleshy, flat leaves and exotic flowers in red, pink, or white. Not a true cactus, this beautiful succulent with striking blooms can enhance your sunroom and is entirely safe for your pets.

9. Umbrella Plant - Tropical Favorite with Lush Green Leaves

The Umbrella Plant (Schefflera Gold Capella), native to tropical rainforests, is known for its glossy, umbrella-shaped leaves. It can add elegance to any sunroom with plants, complementing them seamlessly. Schefflera grows in indirect sunlight and can easily reach 6 ft, which makes it a perfect choice for larger attached greenhouse sunrooms.  

10. Bromeliads - Bright Blooms with Exotic Charm

Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) are beautiful epiphytes with vibrant long-lasting blooms. Native to South America, they adapt well to sunroom greenhouse conditions with bright, filtered light. These beauties can elevate your solarium room, whether you get a Guzmania Bromeliad or the popular Pineapple plant. 

11. Peperomia Plants - Compact Beauty with Varied Leaves

Peperomia (Peperomia spp.) is a compact perennial plant with diverse leaf patterns, from rippled to variegated. Originating in Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean, this air-purifying plant is suitable for both big and small indoor greenhouses. Its thick, fleshy leaves are attractive and can help the plant survive in dry conditions. 

12. Philodendrons - Classic Greenhouse Companion

Philodendrons (Philodendron spp.) belong to the Araceae family and come in many vining and non-climbing varieties. Vining varieties can reach several feet, while non-climbing types, known as self-headers, grow upright. Some variegated philodendrons need brighter light conditions, so consider carefully the best placement for them in your sunroom.

13. Hawaiian Ti Plant - Symbol of Prosperity and Protection

Symbol of prosperity and protection in Hawaiian culture, the Hawaiian Ti Plant (Cordyline terminalis) is an evergreen shrub with palm-like leaves. You can grow it both indoors as a potted plant or outdoors in the ground in warmer climates. Known for its adaptability, the plant will do well in a bright solarium. 

14. Dieffenbachia Camouflage - Bold Patterns and Lush Foliage

Native to Mexico, the Dieffenbachia Camouflage (Dieffenbachia ‘Camouflage’) is another widely popular greenhouse plant. It’s commonly called “Dumb Care”, and has striking, variegated leaves that give it a unique camouflage look. Named after Herr Joseph Dieffenbach, it thrives in USDA zones 10-12 and prefers bright, indirect light. 

15. Hoya Plants - Wax Plants with Starry Blooms

Hoya plants (Hoya spp.), or wax plants, originate from Southeast Asia and Australia. Recognized by their thick, waxy leaves and aromatic star-shaped flowers, Hoya plants bring elegance to any small indoor greenhouse. Hoyas have strong air-purifying properties, too. 

16. Monstera Thai Constellation - Variegated Showstopper

The Monstera Thai Constellation (Monstera deliciosa) is a rare beauty with large, glossy leaves with creamy-white variegation. Native to Central America and Mexico, this unique variety was first cultivated in Thailand, giving it its name. The plant is a member of the Araceae family and loves humid environments with bright, indirect light - an ideal pick for any tropical greenhouse or cozy sunroom with plants.

17. Bird of Paradise - Flower of Royal Elegance

The Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is a tropical gem from South Africa. It's famous for its vibrant orange and blue blooms that resemble a bird in flight. Although slow-growing, it can reach up to 5-6 ft. tall and needs consistent watering and ample sunlight to flourish, apart from warm temperatures. One of the best tropical greenhouse plants, it symbolizes love, joy, and freedom.

Sunroom Plants: FAQS

Q: Can you keep plants in a sunroom in winter?

A: You can keep sunroom plants in winter, provided the space stays warm enough. Remember that you can’t rely on the sun alone to keep your solarium or attached greenhouse warm on cloudy days. Choose hardy plants or use a heater to maintain the desired temperature. Adding insulation can also help protect your sunroom plants.

Q: How do you keep a sunroom warm in the winter?

A: To keep a sunroom with plants warm, provide sufficient heating. Double-glazed windows with thick curtains or thermal blinds can help preserve the heat at night. In addition, radiant floor heating is often the best choice for attached indoor greenhouses. 

Q: Is it worth getting a mini greenhouse?

A: Getting a small greenhouse is worth it if you enjoy gardening year-round. It’s perfect for starting seeds, growing herbs, or protecting delicate tropical greenhouse plants. Moreover, a small indoor greenhouse is space-efficient and great for patios or balconies.

Q: Can you grow tropical plants in greenhouses?

A: Absolutely! A greenhouse creates a warm and humid environment for tropical plants like orchids, mini monsteras, and banana trees. Ensure your indoor greenhouse stays above 65°F with proper heating and ventilation for healthy growth.

Q: What's the difference between a sunroom and a solarium?

A: A sunroom is typically part of the house and features multiple windows. A solarium may or may not be attached to the main building and usually has a glass roof. Both can be used for relaxation and are perfect for growing plants.

Conclusion

Transforming your sunroom space into a winter greenhouse will help you enjoy a lush indoor garden all year round! A sunroom combines aesthetics and function, allowing you to grow various plants even in the cooler months. 

Whether you choose exotic bromeliads, hardy succulents, or palm trees, greenery will enhance your relaxation space. Protected from the elements, you’ll enjoy the view outside while benefiting from the air-filtering properties of your green companions inside. But remember to provide proper heating and ventilation to ensure your sunroom plants thrive.