How to Find the Right Light for Your Plants - Made Easy!
Alright, plant friends, let’s get the low-down on light. Light is food for plants, making it a vital resource for all things green. You’ve probably heard of plants that need low light, medium light, bright light, or indirect light, but what does that actually mean? Knowing how to find the right light for your houseplants is key to keeping them happy, healthy, and thriving.
DIRECT LIGHT
Also known as direct light or full sun, this type of light is for our plant babies that love to soak up the sun. Direct light plants need around 6–8 hours of direct sunlight. Be sure to give them a home on the sill of a sunny window with no curtains, blinds, outside trees, or buildings throwing shade. Windows facing south or southwest receive the most direct sunlight throughout the day.
Some Bright Light plants we love: Aloe Vera, Succulents, Cacti
INDIRECT LIGHT
Bright Indirect Light
Indirect light can be tricky to understand. Plants that thrive in bright indirect light need bright light; however, it’s important to make sure that no sunlight falls directly on the foliage. The best way to ensure your bright indirect light lovers are getting the right balance of light is to place them next to or below south-facing windows, rather than directly on the window sill. Even though these plants don’t need direct light, they still need about 5–6 hours of love from the sun each day.
Some Bright Indirect Light plants we love to include: Monstera, Rubber Tree, Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
Medium Light
Medium light-loving plant babies need light, but not too much of it. Like bright indirect light plants, medium light plants also need about 5–6 hours of quality time in the light. Just be sure they aren’t getting too much harsh light that could damage their foliage. Medium-light plants thrive best when placed 3–5 feet from a southeast or west-facing window.
Some Medium Light plants we love to include: Fern, Alocasia, Calathea
Low Light
Got some shady spots in your home? No need to fear! There are plenty of plant babies that can add some green to your darker spaces. North-facing windows or windows blocked by trees or buildings won’t allow as much light into your home, making these places only low-light plants can survive. Low-light plants also do well in offices or other locations where natural light is scarce.
Some Indirect Light plants we love to include: Snake Plant, Pothos, ZZ Plant
Another key thing to keep in mind: as the seasons change, so will the amount of sunlight entering your home. Be sure to check in on your plants, especially during the winter, you may have to move them around a bit throughout the year to make sure they’re still getting enough sunshine. Also, rotating your plants once a week will ensure even growth and prevent one side of the plant from getting too much light.
That’s all you need to know to help your plants find just the right light!
Do you still have light questions? Book a consultation with us.