Let’s be honest: a sunroom or conservatory is just a glass box until you add the greenery. The right plants are what transform that space into a year-round tropical escape or a Mediterranean retreat. To help you get started, I’ve rounded up seven of the most popular plants for your sunroom, plus a “secret” tip for those of you who want to grow something truly exotic.
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++Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)
If you’re dreaming of a Mediterranean vibe, the Windmill Palm is your go-to. These beauties can reach heights of 6 to 12 feet, making a real statement. They feature fan-shaped fronds on sturdy stems (watch out for the tiny thorns along the edges!). As the older leaves drop off, the palm develops a cool, textured trunk covered in dark, hair-like fibers. Starting in May, you might even see yellow flower clusters that eventually turn into dark, bean-shaped berries.
++Lemon Tree (Citrus limon)
Coming from the subtropics, lemon trees are absolute sun-worshippers. A bright sunroom is basically their happy place! Here, they can grow into their natural, slightly sprawling shape. The best part? When the sun hits those oval leaves, the whole room smells like a fresh citrus grove. From May through the summer, they produce white blossoms that eventually turn into tangy, aromatic lemons you can actually use in your kitchen.
++Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea)
This stunning climber uses its thorny stems to scramble upward, making it perfect for covering a sunroom wall or a trellis in front of a window. During the summer, Bougainvillea explodes into a sea of white, orange, pink, red, or purple. The “flowers” (which are actually colorful bracts) are so dense they often hide the green leaves entirely. It’s a total showstopper.
++Olive Tree (Olea europaea)
For many of us, the olive tree is the ultimate symbol of the sunny South. It does great in sunrooms that don’t get too hot. Since it’s a slow grower, it usually tops out around 5 feet indoors. I love the foliage—the leaves have a silvery-gray underside with tiny hairs that give the tree a soft, shimmering look. Just be patient: it takes about six years for them to produce those tiny yellowish flowers, with fruit following a year later.
++Passion Flower (Passiflora)
If you want something exotic but low-maintenance, the passion flower is a winner. As long as it gets a few hours of direct sun every day, it’s happy. Give it a trellis for support, and depending on the variety, it can climb anywhere from 2 to 13 feet. In a sunroom, they start blooming in May and keep going well into autumn. If the flowers get pollinated, you might even get some delicious, edible passion fruit!
++Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus)
Eucalyptus has become a major trend lately, and for good reason—it looks modern and is surprisingly easy to care for. The bark is often a pretty light gray that peels off in strips, adding great texture to your space. Plus, the blue-gray leaves release essential oils that make your sunroom smell like a spa. Just remember: it needs full sun year-round and likes to stay warm (keep it above 55°F even in winter).
++Orchids (Orchidaceae)
Exotic orchids are sunroom classics. In the wild, they usually grow under the canopy of trees, so they love being nestled among other plants that provide a bit of dappled shade. They also appreciate the higher humidity levels found in a sunroom. Since different species have different temperature needs, just check the tag to make sure your variety matches your room’s climate.
%%Mango Tree (Mangifera indica)
Here is my secret tip: homegrown mangoes! If you have a heated sunroom, you can actually make this happen. Mango trees love heat and light, so they thrive in a glass-enclosed space, reaching up to 13 feet. Starting in June, they produce clusters of white flowers. Depending on the variety, it takes about three to five months for the fruit to ripen. With their long stems and yellow-red skin, the hanging mangoes look just as good as they taste!