Our basic needs as humans are food, water and shelter. Light is to plants as what food is to humans. They depend on light to thrive.
Knowing your plant's light prerequisite is fundamental. While choosing your indoor plants, you should already have an idea where the plants will be placed before you bring it into your home.
If you look at all the Care Tips or Care Manuals all over the internet, it will say low light, medium light, bright light but will always leave you confused as to what exactly these mean. Yes, what?
There is no straightforward response to this inquiry. The most ideal approach to decide how much light a given space gives is to get a light meter and measure the foot candles. You can also test light the old school way, the shadow method.
On a bright day walk around 5-10 feet from your window and hold your hand up to the divider or table surface.
- Light Gray, 10-20% shadow, this is low light
- If your shadow is more visible, around 50% gray, its medium light.
- If your shadow is 80% gray, it is a bright area.
You should do this test at various good ways from your light source to decide the best position of your indoor plants.
What is Direct Light?
Direct light is when rays of sun are directly touching the plant. If your plant is starting show burnt or schorched leaves, it is getting too much direct light and you should move your plants farther away from the direct light.
The rays of the sun are much stronger during the summer. Some plants may need to be moved away from South and West facing windows. Windows can amplify the sun’s heat and may cause irreversible damage if not protected adequately. During the colder season, put your light loving plants back near the window to better help them undergo photosynthesis.
What is Photosynthesis?
During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) from the air and soil. This transforms the water into oxygen and the carbon dioxide into glucose. The plant then releases the oxygen back into the air, and stores energy within the glucose molecules (source: National Geographic). This is their food. Light is everything to a plant, and this should always be
Plants absorb light and produce sugar through a process known as photosynthesis. This is their food. Sunlight is everything to a plant, and this should always be consistently be at the center of your decisions on care.
Plant is getting Thin and Leggy
If your plants are thinning out or are not generating any growth, this is a sign that your plant is not getting proper light. If your home is not getting enough light, try moving your houseplants closer to a window or supply them with grow lights.
Yellowing Leaves and Smaller leaves growth
If you notice that your plants are getting yellow and producing smaller leaves than usual, on some varieties, this is a sign that it is getting too much sunlight. Try exposing your plants less during the day by moving them away from bright, direct sunlight and into a more shady spot.