How much sunlight does a indoor plant need?

For most plants an essential ingredient to grow: light. Although not all plants need the same amount of light. For example, the Banana plant prefers to grow in direct sunlight, just like in nature. A Monstera thrives better in indirect sunlight, and a Dracaena prefers the half shade.

So many different plants, with so many different requirements when it comes to light. How do you know exactly what your plant needs? And what kind of light enters your house?

How do you know if your plant gets too much or too little light?

In most cases, plants make it very clear that they are not in place. This can mainly be seen by the color of the leaves. Too much light will burn the leaves of the plant. In most cases the leaves will turn yellow and in later stages brown.

If your plant doesn’t get enough light you can see this mainly from its position. For example, plants often hang down a bit. What also stands out? A plant that doesn’t get enough light will grow considerably less. A plant needs sunlight to grow, and if it gets too little it will stop growing.

Different kinds of light

Step 1: What is bright direct sunlight?

Direct sunlight is the light coming in directly from the window. Plants that love direct sunlight are true sun worshippers. They need at least 5 hours of sunlight a day! Plants that like direct sunlight are often large plants in nature. These plants often get sunlight directly on their crown. We recommend to place sun lovers directly at the window. Or on the windowsill of course! It is best to place the sun worshippers near a window facing south. In the south the most sunlight comes in.

Step 2: What is medium indirect sunlight?

Indirect sunlight is filtered light. In nature, indirect sun lovers are mainly plants surrounded by larger plants. Plants that like indirect sunlight get a maximum of 5 hours of sunlight per day. Indirect sunlight is certainly not the light coming in through the window. The pitch is at least 3 meters from a window. Don’t have this space? Then you can also choose to place the plant next to the window. As a filter you can use a transparent curtain.

Step 3: What is partial shade?

Partial shade is filtered light in which a plant gets a maximum of 3 to 4 hours of sunshine. Plants that like to be in the half shade are often less large houseplants. In nature they stand in the shade of large trees and plants. Literally! The most important thing is that the sunlight is filtered. Put a plant that enjoys half shade not 4 hours next to the window, and then in a place without sunlight. This is something a plant really is not happy about. In these 4 hours the plant will get direct sunlight, which can even damage its leaves.

Step 4: What is full shade?

Shadow does not mean that there is no light at all. This is absolutely not true! Even plants that enjoy the shade get sunlight. However, this is very filtered. Shadow plants prefer to get a maximum of 2 hours of sunlight per day. The location of shadow plants is usually around a corner, behind a cupboard or other large piece of furniture. This blocks most of the light. It is certainly not advisable to put shady plants at the window for 2 hours, and then move them after a place without sunlight.

Doesn’t the kind of light come a bit unexpected? Put all your plants together and look for the light they need. Is there a houseplant in direct sunlight, but does it need half shade?

From that much light to much less can be a big shock for your plant. Therefore, do not immediately switch to a new location. Let yourself and your houseplant get used to the new spot. Always a few meters to the back for the right new spot.