What is direct sunlight for plants?

Direct sunlight for plants is when the sunlight falls directly on the plant, without any obstacles or shade.

What is indirect sunlight for plants?

Indirect sunlight for plants refers to when the sunlight is filtered or partially blocked by an obstruction, such as a curtain or tree, resulting in a softer and less intense light.

What is low-light sunlight for plants?

Low-light sunlight for plants is when the plant receives minimal or weak sunlight, usually due to being placed in a shaded or dimly lit area.

Which plants prefer direct sunlight?

Plants that prefer direct sunlight are typically sun-loving plants that thrive under intense light conditions, such as succulents, cacti, and most flowering plants.

Which plants prefer indirect sunlight?

Plants that prefer indirect sunlight are usually those that can't tolerate intense or direct sunlight. Examples include ferns, snake plants, and peace lilies.

Which plants can survive in low-light conditions?

Plants that can survive in low-light conditions are often known as low-light or shade-loving plants. They have adapted to thrive with minimal sunlight, such as pothos, ZZ plants, and spider plants.

Why is direct sunlight important for some plants?

Direct sunlight is crucial for some plants because it provides them with the necessary energy for photosynthesis, allowing them to grow and thrive.

Can indirect sunlight be harmful to plants?

Indirect sunlight is generally not harmful to plants, as it provides a more diffused and gentle light. However, certain plants may still require some direct sunlight to maintain their health and growth.

How can I determine if my plant is getting enough sunlight?

You can determine if your plant is getting enough sunlight by observing its growth and appearance. If it's growing well, producing vibrant foliage, and flowering (if applicable), then it's likely receiving adequate sunlight. If it's showing signs of stretching towards the light, wilting, or having pale leaves, it may need more or less sunlight.

How should I adjust sunlight exposure for my plants?

You can adjust sunlight exposure for your plants by moving them to a brighter spot if they're not getting enough light, or providing shade or filtering the light if they're being exposed to too much direct sunlight. It's important to find the right balance based on your specific plant's needs.

What is the difference between direct, indirect, and low-light sunlight for plants?

Most plant care guides mention terms like "direct sunlight", "indirect sunlight", and "low-light" when they're helping you to find a good spot to put your plant. But what do these terms really mean? In this plant care guide, we're going to look at the different types of sunlight exposure and see what this means for you and your plants!

You might have read plant care guides before to figure out how you can best take care of your plant. You might have looked at the type of light is best for your plant. In these plant care guides, you'll often see terms like "direct sunlight", "indirect sunlight", and "low-light". But what do these terms really mean?

When you know what the different levels of exposure mean, you can help your plant to stay in the level that it prefers. However, it also helps you when you want to adjust the level of sunlight exposure, because your plant might prefer a bit more or a bit less sunlight. It also makes teaching others about which level of sunlight exposure helped for you a lot easier.

These are the topics we're going to look at:

How can I change a room's lighting to help my plants?

How different types of windows let through sunlight

Let's learn more about the different levels of sunlight exposure and which plants generally do well in which level!

Direct sunlight levels

Direct sunlight, like the term suggests, means that the sunlight touches the leaves of the plants directly, without something being in the way. This level of sunlight is very bright and you'll generally find this type of light in windows that face west or south, if you live in the northern hemisphere. If you live in the southern hemisphere, you'll find this light in west and north-facing windows. These windows get several hours of bright sunlight during the day, especially in the summer.

There are a few plants that do really well in direct sunlight, like succulents, cacti, sansevierias, and tropical trees like crotons. This direct sunlight is too harsh for most tropical houseplants, because these plants often grow on the ground or on tree trunks. The sunlight that reaches the ground or tree trunks is indirect sunlight, because it gets filtered through leaves and is almost never direct sunlight.

This brings us to indirect sunlight!

Indirect sunlight levels

Let's move a little away from the window, in the space where you no longer get direct sunlight. This space is still very bright, but the sun rays don't directly touch your plant anymore. This type of sunlight exposure is called indirect sunlight. You get indirect sunlight if you've got a bright spot, the sunlight is blocked, but the space is still quite bright. The sunlight could be blocked by a thin curtain or another plant. It could also just be blocked, because the sunlight doesn't come far enough into the room to directly shine on your plant.

You can find this type of light in a few different spots, like in a room with a thin curtain that has west and south-facing windows (for those in the northern hemisphere, or west and south-facing in the southern hemisphere), but also in front of windows that never get any direct sunlight. A spot right in front of the window of a north and east facing window (if you're in the northern hemisphere), don't get any (strong) direct sunlight, so you can place any "indirect sunlight" plants by these windows without any issues.

This type of sunlight is perfect for most of the plants you can buy, this includes: Monsteras, Alocasias, Palms, Philodendrons, Pothos, etc. All of these plants need a bright space to grow, but get sunburns on their leaves when they're exposed to direct sunlight. We can take a few more steps back into the room to get in the low-light sunlight exposure zone.

Low-light sunlight levels

Now that we're even further away from a window, we've found ourselves in the low-light zone. Low-light is a spot in your house where the sun can't reach and they're often a little "shadowy". These spots in your house is where you would need to turn on a light to be able to find something.

You might be wondering whether you can actually grow plants in these dark places, because surely all plants need some sunlight exposure. But you can actually grow a few nice plants in these darker places of your house. These plants include: Peace Lilies, ZZ plants, English Ivy's, Sansevierias, and several more. You might have notice that I said Sansevierias again. These plants can quite literally grow anywhere! They're incredibly tough. These plants thrive in direct sunlight, but tolerate low-light spots too. It just won't grow any bigger.

Measuring the sunlight levels

So how do you more accurately figure out if a spot is bright or low-light? By measuring! Light has a big impact on your plant's growth, health, and overall happiness, so you'll want to spend some time to figure out what kind of light you have.

You don't need fancy tools to get started! To figure out what kind of sunlight your plants are getting, start by observing your space at different times of day. Pay attention to how light interacts with your space throughout the day. For example, if you notice a clear and sharp shadow cast by your plant around midday, it's a good sign that your plant is likely getting direct sunlight.

On the other hand, a soft shadow or the absence of a shadow shows that your plant might be growing in a space with indirect light. To spot low-light conditions, look for areas in your home where the light is spread or very minimal. You'll often find these spots in corners far from windows or in spaces with heavy drapes.

If you want to go "high-tech", you can get a light meter. It's a game changer and takes all the guess work out of it. There are plenty of easy-to-use options online or at your local garden center that can measure the intensity of the light in your space without making it into a big project. A simple light meter can pinpoint exactly how much sunlight your plants are receiving without adding any stress to your plant-care routine!

How can I change a room's lighting to help my plants?

If you've found the perfect spot for your plant, but it's not getting the right type of sunlight, you might feel a little stuck. Luckily, there are still ways to use that spot for your plant, but adjusting the lighting in the room.

If the space is too bright, think about using curtains or blinds. Thin fabrics can filter bright sunlight and provide some protection for more sensitive plants. These thin curtains still allow enough light to brighten the room. On the flip side, if your plants are getting too much harsh light, you can add blackout curtains or shades that you can adjust throughout the day, controlling the intensity of the sunlight.

For low-light areas, adding artificial lighting can do wonders. LED grow lights are a fantastic solution. These lights emit a spectrum of light ideal for plant growth and are energy-efficient. Put these lights above or around your plants and leave them on for 12-16 hours a day to mimic natural sunlight. This is especially helpful during winter months when there isn't a lot of natural sunlight.

Finally, you could experiment with reflective surfaces like mirrors or light-colored walls. These can bounce light around the room, so you don't need to use lights.

How different types of windows let through sunlight

Not all windows let through the sunlight in the same way, which could have an impact on how well your plant grows in a certain spot. It's pretty easy to only look at the the direction of your window (north, east, south, west), but the window's material, tint, and design can make a world of difference. Let's look at some of the most common types of windows!

Clear glass windows

The most common type, clear glass windows allow the maximum amount of sunlight to get to your plants. If you have a south-facing window made of clear glass, it will provide the most direct light, making it ideal for sun-loving plants like succulents and cacti. However, direct light through clear glass can be intense, especially during the hotter months, so keep an eye on your plants for signs of stress or sunburn.

Tinted windows

Tinted glass adds a layer of protection by reducing glare and UV rays. However, they also block some of the light from reaching your plants. While some plants, like ferns and peace lilies, love this type of light, others will grow better in brighter spots. If you have tinted windows, consider placing your light-hungry plants closer to the glass or find a few nice grow lights to give them some extra light.

Frosted windows

Frosted or etched glass creates a soft, diffused light that's great for plants that thrive in indirect light. This type of glass reduces the intensity of sunlight, while keeping the space quite bright. When you have these types of windows, make sure to monitor your plants closely. If they seem to be stretching or losing their deep green color, they may need a brighter spot.

Low-E (Low Emissivity) windows

These windows have a special coating that reflects heat, but allowing natural light in. They're especially great for keeping your home energy-efficient, but they can sometimes filter out some of the sunlight's warmth. For your plants, this means you should check if they're getting enough light, especially during the winter months.

Double or triple-pane windows

While these windows provide excellent insulation and are great for consistent temperatures, they also block some of the sunlight from reaching your plants. These panes will still let through enough sunlight for most plants, but it's never a bad idea to keep an eye out and consider grow lights if you notice they're not getting enough light.

Seasons and sunlight changes

The light in our homes changes during the year: Bright and warm in the summer, cool and dim during the winter. This change in sunlight makes a big difference for your plants during the different seasons as well.

When it gets closer to summer, the days become longer and the sunlight is more intense. This intense sunlight is perfect for sun-loving plants, providing them the energy they need to grow. But, it can also put your plants at risk of being exposed to too much sunlight and this can lead to leaf burn or stress. The more sensitive plants should be a little further from any windows in the summer to prevent any damage.

On the other hand, winter brings shorter days and less intense sunlight. This lack of sunlight can be quite tough for many indoor plants, especially those that thrive on bright light. During this time, you might find that certain plants begin to stretch toward light sources or their leaves might start to turn yellow. Generally, you should move your plants closer to the window in the winter to give them enough sunlight to stay healthy.

So to summarize, move your plants close to the windows in the fall and winter when it's darker outside. Move them further away from the windows in spring and summer when the sun becomes brighter outside.

Signs your plant isn't getting the right amount of sunlight

In this section, I'll quickly go over a few signs your plant isn't getting the right amount of sunlight.

These are the most common signs something is wrong:

Yellowing leaves
Leggy growth
Plant leaning to one side
Slow growth
Leaf drop
Changing leaf colors
Burn marks

I've gone into much more details about these symptoms in What are signs of too much sunlight on plants?, so if you're looking for more information to help your plant recover from too much, or too little light, have a look at that guide.

If you've noticed your plant isn't getting enough sunlight, and you don't have any brighter spots to put your plant in, you could have a look at using grow lights. Grow lights are great to help give your plant some extra light, even in the darkest spot of your home. I've written more about using grow lights in this guide: Can you use regular lamps instead of growing lights for indoor plants?.

Common misunderstandings about sunlight for plants

Let's clear some confusion about plant lighting! The world of indoor gardening is filled with myths and misconceptions about sunlight and how it affects your plants. Let's debunk some of these myths to clear up any confusion.

Myth: All plants need direct sunlight to thrive

Truth: There are many plants that love direct sunlight, but most houseplants actually don't like direct sunlight very much. There are several plants, like ferns, snake plants, and peace lilies, that actually prefer indirect or low light. These plants are used to growing in shadier environments, making them perfect for the darker corners of your home.

Myth: More light is always better

Truth: More light definitely isn't always better. Sunlight is very important for photosynthesis, but too much of it can lead to sunburn, leaf scorch, and overall stress for many plants.

Myth: If a plant is not thriving, it needs more sunlight

Truth: This myth makes it very easy to misdiagnose a plant's problems. A lack of sunlight can definitely be an issue, but other factors that make a plant struggle include overwatering, pests, or nutrient deficiencies. Before moving a struggling plant to a brighter spot, it's a good idea to really look at your plant to see what else could be wrong. If you'd like a guide to help you, have a look at: What is wrong with my plant? 10 common problems explained!.

Myth: Sunlight is the only light that matters for plants

Truth: Yes, sunlight is super important for your plant, but it's not the only light that can keep your plant healthy. If you've got a dark home, grow lights, either fluorescent of LED lights, can be the solution you're looking for. You don't need to rely on just sunlight. Artificial light can definitely help to keep your plant happy as well.

Myth: Window tinting or frosting blocks all sunlight

Truth: Tinted or frosted windows do block some of the intensity of sunlight, but they don't block it entirely. Instead, they diffuse the light, which transforms any direct sunlight to a nice indirect light source. So if you've got windows like these, you can still grow plants next to them without any issues.

Myth: Plants can survive in complete darkness

Truth: Most plants need some level of light to perform photosynthesis and grow. Yes, some plants can tolerate low-light conditions, they still need some sunlight. Complete darkness will ultimately kill the plant, as it can't perform it's natural functions without the energy it gets from sunlight.

Why can some plants survive in low light while others cannot?

Some plants can handle low light way better than others, and that's mostly because of where they come from. Plants that do well in the shade, like snake plants and pothos, have developed features like wider leaves and better pigments that help them soak up whatever light they can find.

These low-light plants usually grow more slowly, focusing on just surviving rather than shooting up quickly. They've got a knack for photosynthesis, making the most out of the little light they get. Plants that love the sun tend to grow fast in bright, direct light, so they struggle in shadier spots.

Their natural habitats also matter a lot. Many of these low-light plants come from the forest floors, where they've learned to thrive under the tall trees and deal with filtered sunlight. Meanwhile, sun-loving plants are usually from open, sunny areas and are used to no shade at all.

So their native environment tells you a lot about what kind of sunlight your plant likes best.

Conclusion

In this plant care guide, we've gone over the three main levels of sunlight exposure: direct, indirect, and low-light. Knowing the difference is super important for placing your plants right and meeting their specific needs. For example, if you know which plants love direct sunlight and which ones do better in low-light conditions, you can create the perfect indoor setup for them.

With this info, you'll be ready to make smart choices about picking, positioning, and caring for your plants.

Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.