Recommendations needed: small indoor plant that likes direct sunlight

[teaandcake246]

I need a plant to fit in a 13cm pot to go in a place that gets direct sunlight (in front of kitchen window). It needs to be something that doesn’t attract flies - I’ve previously had mint and basil plants, but they attracted lots of tiny flies. Apparently lemon trees like bright sunlight but also attract insects. A plant that grows mainly upwards, rather than trailing, would be ideal. Very grateful for any recommendations!

A money plant might fit the bill. Relatively slow growing, can be kept really neat and likes direct sun. I've only had fly issues when all my plants were suffering.

It may be the soil that's attracting the flies not the plant, that is if you're talking about little black flies that crawl over the outside of the pot and fly up if disturbed, in which case try a soil based compost or cover the surface with gravel.

What about a tender or half hardy lavender? They are upright, can flower year round and need the sunshine. You just need to prune a bit to keep under control.

downderry-nursery.co.uk/shop/tender-lavender/

Sansevieria plant sounds like it fits. I have two and love them

Thank you very much for the suggestions!

DFil always grew orchids on a south facing windowsill (right on top of a radiator too) so worth trying - there are often reduced ones in supermarkets.
But as PP have said, the flies are in the soil not on the plants.

Thank you!

Try Peperomia quadrangularis, common name peperomia

Thank you!