How to Choose the Right Light for Your Houseplants
Low light, indirect light or direct sunlight?
Low light, bright indirect light or direct sunlight: every plant has its preferences!
We often hear that one plant loves indirect light, another tolerates lower-light conditions and a third thrives in direct sunlight. But what does all of that actually mean?
Because the difference in light intensity between a plant placed right in front of a window and one sitting three metres away can be enormous!
Light is one of the most important factors in keeping our plants healthy. It allows them to carry out photosynthesis, an essential process for growth.
And contrary to what you might think, just because a room looks bright to us doesn't necessarily mean it receives enough light for a plant.
So how do you know where to place your plants? Let's break it all down together!
Low light: for less sunny corners
Low light refers to a spot that receives relatively little natural light without necessarily being completely dark.
For example, this could be an area farther away from a window, a north-facing room or a place where natural light is filtered by nearby buildings or trees.
Some plants can tolerate these conditions, but there's one important thing to understand: tolerating low light doesn't mean preferring darkness!
A plant receiving less light will generally grow more slowly and use less water.
A few plants that can tolerate lower-light conditions include:
- Zamioculcas (ZZ plant)
- Snake plants (Sansevieria)
- Aspidistra (cast iron plant)
- Some Aglaonemas, particularly green varieties
- Some green Pothos varieties
These plants can be good choices for less sunny spaces, but they still need light to survive and grow. Explore more options in our collection of easy-care plants.
Indirect light: a favourite among tropical houseplants!
This is probably the term we hear most often when discussing indoor plants.
Bright indirect light refers to a well-lit spot where a plant receives plenty of natural light without prolonged exposure to intense, direct sunlight.
You can find these conditions near a well-exposed window, behind a sheer curtain or a little farther back from a very sunny window.
Some plants that appreciate bright indirect light include:
- Anthuriums
- Philodendrons
- Monsteras
- Alocasias
- Scindapsus
- Many Hoyas
- Colourful Aglaonemas
Why do so many tropical plants enjoy this type of light?
In their natural habitats, many grow beneath the forest canopy, where they receive abundant light that is partially filtered by the surrounding vegetation.
That's the kind of environment we try to recreate in our homes.
Direct sunlight: for plants that love to soak up the sun!
Direct sunlight means that the sun's rays reach the plant's foliage directly, without being filtered by a curtain or another obstacle.
Depending on the season and surroundings, this is often the case in front of south- or west-facing windows.
Some plants love these conditions and need plenty of sunlight to maintain compact growth or encourage flowering.
Some plants that appreciate direct sunlight include:
- Many cacti
- Echeverias and other sun-loving succulents
- Crassulas
- Many Aloes
- Some Hoyas, with proper acclimatization
Window orientation: a detail that changes everything!
In Canada, particularly in Quebec, the direction our windows face has a major influence on the amount and intensity of natural light entering our homes.
North-facing windows
These generally receive softer indirect light with little direct sunlight. They can work for plants that tolerate moderate light, provided the window is relatively unobstructed.
East-facing windows
These usually receive morning sunlight, which is often gentler than afternoon sun. They're an excellent choice for many tropical houseplants.
South-facing windows
These generally receive abundant light and several hours of direct sunlight when nothing blocks the rays. They're ideal for sun-loving plants, but some tropical houseplants may need a sheer curtain or a little distance from the window.
West-facing windows
These mainly receive afternoon and evening sunlight. This light can be quite intense, especially during summer.
Of course, trees, neighbouring buildings, balconies and even window height can affect how much light actually enters a room.
How can you tell if your plant is getting enough light?
Plants have several ways of letting us know when their location isn't quite right.
- Very slow or almost nonexistent growth.
- Stems stretching toward the window.
- Smaller leaves or less compact growth.
- Reduced variegation in certain varieties.
- Little or no flowering.
- Dry, pale or brown patches on the leaves.
- Foliage that looks faded or bleached.
- Leaves drying out quickly.
- Damage appearing mainly on the sun-exposed side.
Keep in mind that these symptoms can have other causes too. It's important to consider all growing conditions before drawing conclusions.
Light changes with the seasons
In Quebec, a window that provides lovely indirect light during summer may receive much less light in fall and winter.
Days become shorter, the sun sits lower in the sky, and some plants naturally slow their growth.
On the other hand, a window that receives very little direct sunlight in summer may get more in winter as the sun's angle changes.
That's why a spot that's perfect in July may not be ideal in January!
If you'd like to make up for reduced natural light with a grow light, check out our article How Many Hours of Light Do Houseplants Need?
What to avoid if you want happy plants
- Confusing low light with no light. Even shade-tolerant plants need light to survive. A windowless bathroom won't magically become a jungle just because you put a Pothos in it!
- Moving a plant from shade to full sun overnight. Even sun-loving plants need time to adjust. Make the transition gradually!
- Relying only on window orientation. A south-facing window blocked by a large tree may provide less light than an unobstructed east-facing window.
- Keeping the same watering schedule regardless of light conditions. Plants receiving less light generally use less water, so watering frequency should be adjusted accordingly.
A little note from Roxanne
Personally, I think understanding light is one of the things that can most transform the way we grow houseplants.
You can have the best potting mix, an excellent fertilizer and a perfect watering routine, but if a plant doesn't receive enough light, it will have a much harder time thriving.
At Zarits, we love observing how plants respond to different locations. Some surprise us with their ability to adapt, while others quickly make it clear that they'd rather be somewhere else!
And that's exactly what I find so fascinating about plants: we can experiment, move them around, observe their growth and learn to understand their needs better.
My advice? Don't rely only on what a plant tag says. Observe your plant, pay attention to how natural light enters your home, and don't hesitate to adjust its location as the seasons change.
Because ultimately, finding the right light isn't necessarily about choosing the spot where your plant looks best in your decor. It's about finding the place where it can truly thrive!
