Indoor Plant Lighting 101: Everything You Need to Know 🌼🌟

Ok, you've just brought home a beautiful new houseplant, and now you're wondering where it should live.

 Should it bask in the sunlit glory of your living room, enjoy the humid ambiance of your bathroom, or add a touch of green to your bedroom? 

The answer unfortunately isn't always straightforward, but don't worry, we’ve got you! From our experience, light is the key to a happy and healthy houseplant.

So in this comprehensive guide, you'll learn everything about indoor plant lighting. We'll explore:

• Why Do Indoor Plants Need Light? 🌞
• What Plants Need What Light? 💡
• Choosing the Right Spot at Your Place 🏡
• Is Your Houseplant Happy with Its Light? 😊
• Mastering Light Intensity with a Lightmeter 🌟

And there's more!

You'll find a handy and practical FAQ section to answer your burning questions.

So, are you ready to become a pro at indoor plant lighting?

Keep reading! 👇

#1 Why Do Indoor Plants Need Light? 🌞

Without adequate light, plants can't survive.

Why?

This is because they need it for the process called photosynthesis. Let’s dive in below 👇

Photosynthesis - the Miracle of Self-Sustenance 🌱

Unlike us, plants have the remarkable ability to create their own food.

This process, known as photosynthesis, is what sets them apart in the natural world. It's like having an in-built kitchen where they cook their meals, using light as the primary ingredient!

The term 'photosynthesis' comes from the Greek words 'photo', meaning light, and 'synthesis', meaning putting together. It perfectly describes how plants use light to synthesize or put together, their food.

The Venue: Where Does Photosynthesis Happen? 🍃

This process primarily occurs in the leaves of the plant. Leaves are like mini-factories where all the magic happens.

Chlorophyll: The Green Pigment 🌿

Ever wondered why most plants are green? It's because of a pigment called chlorophyll, which is crucial for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll absorbs light, particularly blue and red wavelengths, and reflects green light, which is why leaves appear green to our eyes.

The Ingredients of Photosynthesis 🌤️

For this process to occur, plants need:

• Light: The energy source. Think of it as the electricity needed to power the kitchen.
• Water: Absorbed through roots, it's like the raw material in the cooking process.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Sourced from the air, it acts like a key ingredient mixed with water.

The Delicious Output: Starches and Sugars 🍬

Through photosynthesis, plants produce starches and sugars. These are the equivalent of complex and simple foods that plants store and use as needed. Just like we store food in our pantry, plants have storage systems too!

What Happens Next: Storage and Usage 🔋

Plants cleverly store these sugars and starches for times when the light might not be enough (think of a cloudy day or during the night). They can then tap into these reserves to continue growing and performing necessary functions.

By understanding this process, we see why light is not just important, but essential for plant life. 🌱💡

Next up, we'll match your plants with their perfect light!

#2 How Much Light Do Your Plants Need? 3 Houseplant types 🌞🌱

Every houseplant falls into one of three main groups based on its light preferences. 

Direct Light (Lots of Sunlight) ☀️

Sunlight Hours Per Day: At least 3 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Common Indoor Plant Types:

• Cacti and Succulents: Adapted for intense, direct desert sunlight. 
• Flowering Plants: Geraniums, African Violets, and others bloom best in bright light.

Placement at Your Place:

• South-Facing Windows (Northern Hemisphere): These spots receive the most consistent and intense sunlight, perfect for these sun-loving plants.

Bright Indirect Light (Less Sunlight) 🌤️

Sunlight Hours Per Day: No more than 1-2 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Common Indoor Plant Types:

• Tropical Foliage: Monsteras, Philodendrons, Orchids, Peace Lilies, Bird of Paradise, Rubber Plants, Fiddle Leaf Figs, Alocasias, Pothos, Prayer Plants, and Anthuriums.
• Ferns: Boston Ferns, Maidenhair Ferns, and others.

Placement at Your Place:

• East-Facing Windows (Northern Hemisphere): They receive 1-2 hours of gentle morning sunlight.
• West-Facing Windows: Get 1-2 hours of more intense evening sunlight.
• Use Sheer Curtains: We noticed that evening sunlight is in general more harsh than the morning ones. If you are worried about burning your plants, protect them from potentially harsh sunlight with a sheer curtain and ensure a balanced light environment.

Low Light (Even Less or No Sunlight) 🌑

Hours of Sunlight per day: No direct sunlight.

Common Indoor Plant Types:

• Low Light Plants: Dracaena, Peace Lily, Calathea, Aglaonema, Parlor Palm, Chinese Evergreen, Spider Plant, Snake Plant, and Lucky Bamboo. Boston Ferns, English Ivy, and others are suited for understory conditions.
• Note: All of these plants can also grow in bright indirect light. However, avoid direct sunlight

👉 You Might Also Like: 10 Low Light Indoor Hanging Plants (You Will Love Them) 💚

Placement at Your Place:

• North-Facing Windows (Northern Hemisphere): Receive minimal direct sunlight.
• Interior Rooms: Can work if there's adequate ambient light.

Other Factors Impacting Light Intensity at Your Place

Seasonality 📅

• Sun Angle Changes: Resulting in lower light intensity during winter.
• Day Length Variations: Shorter daylight hours in winter means less light for plants.

Nearby Obstructions 🏢

• Buildings and Trees: Can cast significant shadows, affecting light quality.

Immediate Surroundings 🛋️

• Wall Colors and Reflective Surfaces: Lighter colors and mirrors can amplify light in a room.

Proximity to the Light Source 💡

• Square Law of Light: Light intensity reduces significantly with distance. Positioning plants closer to windows can make a big difference.
• Artificial Lighting: Using grow lights effectively counters low natural light, especially in rooms without windows.

Now let's move on to discovering the perfect spots in your home to place them. 🏡🌿

#3 Placing the Plant at Your Place 🏡🌿

So, you've got that perfect spot in mind for your new plant, right?

Well, while it's great to think about how it'll decorate your space, there's something else super important to consider – the amount of light that it will receive (that we covered in the last chapter) and the acclimation process.

The Acclimation Process 🌱

Plants are creatures of habit and prefer stability. Once you find a spot for your plant, it's best to keep it there.

Here's why:

• Adjustment to Light ☀️: Plants adapt to their light environment. In bright light, they develop 'sun leaves' with a thick cuticle, less chlorophyll, and reduced photosynthesis efficiency. These leaves can appear lighter in color.

• Adaptation in Low Light 🌑: In darker areas, plants produce 'shade leaves', which are darker due to increased chlorophyll, enhancing their ability to capture light.

This adaptation, known as acclimation, involves significant physiological changes in the plant's leaf tissues.

👉 Fun fact: Did you know that many plants we typically keep indoors under bright, but not direct sunlight, can actually thrive outdoors in full sun? Take the Fiddle Leaf Fig as an example. In its natural habitat, it's used to soaking up a lot of sun, growing tall and strong. It's a neat reminder of how versatile and adaptable our green friends can be! 🌳✨

Just look at this huge Fiddle Leaf Fig growing under full sun 🤯

Changing the Location of Your Houseplant 🚚

If you must move your plant (especially with a drastic light intensity change), it's crucial to do it gradually. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Start with Short Intervals ⏳: Initially, move the plant to the new location for just a few hours each day.

• Gradually Increase Exposure ⬆️: Slowly increase the time your plant spends in the new spot over a week or two.

• Monitor the Plant's Response 👀: Keep an eye out for signs of stress, like drooping or discoloration, and adjust accordingly.

• Final Transition 🏁: Once your plant seems to have adapted, it can remain in the new location permanently.

Outdoors vs. Indoors Placement 🌤️ ↔️ 🏠

This gradual acclimation also applies to moving plants outdoors in the summer or bringing them back inside in the fall.

Transitioning Outdoors 🌳:

• Start by placing the plant in a shaded, protected area.

• Gradually expose it to more light over several days or weeks.

• Avoid direct midday sun initially to prevent sunburn.

Bringing Indoors 🚪:

• A few weeks before moving inside, place the plant in a less intense light to prepare it for the lower indoor light conditions.

• Ensure the indoor spot closely matches the light conditions it was getting outdoors.

• Gradually reduce the outdoor time over a week or two before moving it inside permanently.

Now, let's explore how to tell if your plants are getting just the right amount of light in their current spots. 🌱💡

#4 How Do You Know If Your Houseplant Likes the Amount of Light It Receives? 🌱💡

Did you know that the plants have their language of telling us whether they are happy with the current light conditions or not?

Here is how to read it:

Signs That Your Plants Receive Too Little Light 🌚

When plants don't get enough light, they have a few ways of letting you know:

• Leggy Growth : If your plant is stretching towards the light source and becoming tall and thin, it's trying to get closer to the light.
• Smaller Leaves 🍃: New leaves may be noticeably smaller than older ones, indicating they're not getting enough light to grow to full size.
• Leaves Turning Yellow or Pale : A classic sign of light deprivation, especially if it's the older, lower leaves that are affected.
• Slowed Growth or No Growth 🛑: A sudden slowdown in growth or a complete halt is a clear signal your plant needs more light.
• Dropping Leaves : Older leaves falling off is another way plants react to insufficient light.

What to Do: If you notice these signs, try moving your plant to a brighter location, ensuring it gets more indirect sunlight.

Signs That Your Plants Receive Too Much Sun ☀️

Conversely, here’s what to look out for if your plant is getting too much sun:

• Scorched or Sunburnt Leaves: Brown, dry spots on the leaves are a tell-tale sign of sunburn.
• Color Fading 🎨: Overexposure to light can cause leaves to lose their vibrant color, turning them pale or bleached.
• Wilting 🥀: A plant that wilts despite proper watering could be suffering from heat stress due to too much sunlight.
• Crispy Edges : Dry or crispy leaf edges are a classic symptom of excessive light.
• Increased Water Consumption: Too much sunlight can overheat your plant, resulting in its drinking more than usual to cool itself down.

What to Do: If you observe any of these signs, relocate your plant to a spot with less direct sunlight or create some shade using sheer curtains or blinds.

Now, let's check out how lightmeters can help us get even more accurate with their light exposure. 🌞📏

#5 Using a Lightmeter for Understanding the Light Intensity 🌞

Getting the light just right for your plants doesn't have to be guesswork. A lightmeter can be a game-changer in understanding the exact light conditions in your home.

Lightmeter Types 📏

• Digital Lightmeters 🔍:

• How They Work: Digital lightmeters use sensors to measure light intensity, displaying the results on a digital screen.
• Accuracy: Generally very accurate and reliable, making them a top choice for indoor plants parents.
• Result Display: Shows exact numerical values of light intensity in lux or foot-candles.

• Analog Lightmeters 📊:

• How They Work: These meters use a needle dial to indicate light levels.
• Accuracy: Less precise than digital meters but still effective for a general understanding of light conditions.
• Result Display: The needle points to a scale that corresponds to light intensity.

• Smartphone Apps 📱:

• Examples: Apps like 'Lux Light Meter Pro' or 'Light Meter - Free' are popular choices.
• How They Work: They use your phone’s camera to approximate light levels around your plant.
• Accuracy: While convenient, they are less accurate than dedicated lightmeters and should be used for casual monitoring.
• Result Display: Provide an estimated reading of light intensity on your phone's screen, usually in lux.

Units of Measurement

You can most often find the results in 2 units: 

Lux 💡:

• Meaning: Measures lumens per square meter.
• Usage: More commonly used in scientific and professional settings.

Foot-Candle 🕯️:

• Meaning: Measures lumens per square foot.
• Usage: Often used in the United States and for more general lighting assessments.

Converting Foot-Candles to Lux 🔄

Here’s how to do it:

• Conversion Formula: 1 foot-candle equals approximately 10.764 lux.
• How to Convert: Multiply the foot-candle value by 10.764 to get the equivalent in lux.
• Example: If your lightmeter shows 50 foot-candles, the conversion would be 50 foot-candles x 10.764 = 538.2 lux.

Here’s a quick reference table for light intensity:

Light Intensity	Lux Range	Foot-Candle Range	Most Common Houseplants
Low Light	500 - 2,000 Lux	50 - 200 Foot-Candles	Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, Dracaena, Peace Lily, Pothos, Parlor Palm, Spider Plant, Cast Iron Plant
Medium/Bright Light	2,000 - 10,000 Lux	200 - 1,000 Foot-Candles	Monstera, Spider Plant, Philodendron, Prayer Plant, Boston Fern, Peperomia, Dieffenbachia, English Ivy, Bird of Paradise, Rubber Plant
High Light	10,000+ Lux	1,000+ Foot-Candles	Succulents, Cacti, Croton, Geranium, Jade Plant, Aloe Vera, Yucca, African Violet,

Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Lightmeter 📖

Here's how to get the most accurate and useful measurements:

Time of Day ⏰

• Best Time for Measurement: The ideal time to measure light intensity is during the brightest part of the day, which is usually around midday. This ensures you're capturing the maximum light your plants might receive.
• Proper Positioning: Hold or place the lightmeter at the level where your plants are situated. This means if your plants are on a table or shelf, the lightmeter should be at that height.
• Correct Orientation: The sensor of the lightmeter should face directly towards the primary light source. If measuring natural light, point it towards the window. For artificial light, aim it towards the lamp or light fixture.

Multiple Readings 🔄

• Different Times and Spots: Take measurements in the morning, midday, and late afternoon to get a full picture of the light variations throughout the day. Measure in different areas where your plants currently are, and where you might consider placing them.
• Consistency: For the most accurate assessment, repeat this process over several days, especially if the weather varies. This consistency will give you a more comprehensive understanding of the average light conditions your plants are experiencing.

Final Thoughts 💭

Let’s do a quick recap of what we've learned:

• Photosynthesis is Key 🌿: Remember, your green buddies make their own food through photosynthesis, and light is their secret ingredient.
• Right Light for the Right Plant 💡: We explored how different plants need different light – from sun-loving cacti to shade-seeking ferns.
• The Art of Placement 🏡: We learned that plants are pretty set in their ways when it comes to their spot in your home, so choose wisely!
• Reading the Signs 🕵️‍♂️: We became detectives, learning to spot the tell-tale signs of too much or too little light.
• Lightmeters to the Rescue 🔍: And, of course, we dived into the world of lightmeters, making us almost pro at this, right?

I hope you found these insights helpful.

If you did, don’t keep all this newfound knowledge to yourself! Share it with your fellow plant parents who might be interested too. 

Happy Planting! 🌱💚

FAQ

Q1: Can I use regular LED bulbs for my plants?

A: Yes, LED bulbs can be used, especially if they emit a full spectrum of light. 

Q2: How do I know if my plant is getting too much light?

A: Look for signs like leaves turning yellow or brown, dry or crispy leaf edges, and general wilting. These are indicators that your plant might be getting too much sun.

Q3: Can plants get enough light from artificial sources?

A: Absolutely! Artificial lights, especially grow lights, can provide sufficient light for photosynthesis, especially in environments lacking natural sunlight. 

Q4: How long should I leave the grow lights on each day?

A: It depends on the plant, but generally, 12-16 hours of light per day is a good rule of thumb. Make sure to give your plants a dark period, as they need it to rest and respire.

Q5: What's the difference between direct, indirect, and low light?

A: Direct light is sunlight that shines directly on the plant without any obstruction. Indirect light is bright but not direct, like near a window with sheer curtains. Low light is found in areas further from windows or in rooms with little natural light.

Q6: Is morning light better than afternoon light?

A: Morning light is generally gentler and less intense than afternoon light. Many plants prefer morning light to avoid the harsh midday and afternoon sun.

Q7: How can I measure the light in my home?

A: You can use a lightmeter, which comes in digital, analog, or as a smartphone app, to measure the light intensity in lux or foot-candles.