It’s no secret that green plants need some light to thrive. The question is how much? While light requirements vary, foliage plants generally need less light than blooming or fruiting ones, and variegated foliage plants require more light than those with all-green leaves.
A kitchen windowsill is an ideal spot for a planter of light-loving herbs.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Replace an under-cabinet light with a fluorescent one that has a full-light spectrum (often called a “grow light” or “plant light”).
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
When it comes to houseplants and lighting, both light intensity (the amount available) and duration (the length of exposure) are integral parts. Plants are broadly categorized according to their light requirements: high, medium or low. Fortunately, you can probably find an area in your home that has the perfect indoor garden lighting for your particular plants’ needs.
The first thing you need to consider is orientation – the direction a window faces. An east-facing window is generally a good location for a plant that requires high-light conditions. This area receives direct sun in the morning and bright light the remainder of the day. For plants that need the most light, like succulents and cacti, a west-facing window is a good location. During most of the year, this window receives good light throughout the day, with direct sun in the afternoon.
For plants that do best in bright but indirect light, a window that receives good light all day is ideal. The light will be strongest in front of the window; place plants that need medium light away from the window.
Rooms with less exposure to the sun are best for plants that require low light levels. Light is medium in intensity right in front of these windows but drops off considerably once you move a distance away from them.
The next factor to consider when it comes to indoor garden lighting is light intensity and duration. Intensity can be affected by a variety of factors, including how clean the window is and your window coverings. Light coming through an uncovered window will be more intense than light shining through curtains (even those that are sheer). The amount of sun each window location receives – as well as the duration – varies, depending on the season. Watch your indoor conditions carefully and note any light changes throughout the year.
When natural light is insufficient for the type of plants you want to grow, consider supplemental indoor garden lighting. There are three main types: fluorescent, grow lights and High Intensity Discharge (HID) light systems.
Fluorescent lighting comes in tubes and is installed in shop lights. With houseplants and lighting, use full-spectrum fluorescent lights that simulate sunlight and place the plants 6-12 inches from the light. To provide plants with more usable light, try grow lights made with metal halide filaments. These can be screwed into standard electric light sockets, and since the light they emit is more intense, they can be placed up to 2 feet away from plants.
HID light systems have traditionally been used by commercial greenhouses and hydroponic plant growers. These lights include a bulb, ballast and reflector to duplicate the type of light the sun emits. You can use them to grow just about anything indoors, including tropicals, fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, there are drawbacks for home use: HID systems draw lots of current and produce substantial amounts of waste heat.
Giving plants the best growing conditions possible is a key step in green-thumb success – whether you’re growing out in the flower beds or inside your home. For your indoor garden, make sure your houseplants and lighting agree with each other’s terms. The following photos and captions offer a few guidelines to help ensure that your indoor plants see the light.
Lighting Houseplants
Lighting Houseplants - Step 1
Place plants that require high light in a spot near an area with many windows that receive bright sun throughout the day. Use only neutral-colored, sheer curtains to diffuse the sun’s direct rays.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Lighting Houseplants - Step 2
Add more light in marginal areas by placing plants near a white or light-colored wall that will reflect light.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Lighting Houseplants - Step 3
For medium-light plants, add vertical or horizontal blinds to help filter direct sunlight that falls near a window.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Lighting Houseplants - Step 4
East- and west-facing windows naturally receive about 1/3 the total sunlight of windows that face the noonday sun. With little or no window coverings, they’re ideal for medium-light plants.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Lighting Houseplants - Step 5
The middle of rooms, corners opposite windows and areas shaded by furnishings are suitable locations for plants that have low-light needs.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Lighting Houseplants - Step 6
If necessary, add full-spectrum plant lights (or “grow lights”) to boost the amount of available light for your indoor plants.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
