Are you in the dark about lighting?
Fear not! Let us help you step into the light with confidence. Our helpful guide will breakdown the types of lighting, with provided examples and included suggestions to make your plants happy and healthy.
Lighting Overview
Drawing by LÉON & GEORGE showing examples of the different light levels you can find in a home. ©Léon & George.
Bright Light
Direct sunlight. Long sun exposure.
- South or Southwest-facing windows up to 10 feet away.
- East or West facing windows up to 10 feet away.
Note: Intense, direct sun can burn plants.
We suggest placing your plants further away from the window or in a shady spot.
Medium Light
Partial, Filtered or Indirect sunlight.
- Partial sunlight –direct sunlight during the day for a couple of hours in the morning or late afternoon from east or west facing-windows.
- Filtered sunlight – direct sunlight in your space all day but it is filtered, but NOT blocked, by curtains or blinds.
- Indirect sunlight– is a shady area next to a sunny spot.
Low Light
Minimal natural light or artificial light. No sunlight in your space at all.
- North-facing windows.
- A room where the sunlight is blocked by a building nearby.
- An area where there is not enough natural light but plenty of fluorescent light throughout the day.
Note: If in your space in the middle of the day you can’t read a book without turning the light on, then it is too dark for any plant. We recommend moving your plants away from this area, to a new location in your space.
Choosing the right location
These are the 3 main factors that will help you determine lighting:
Factor One
How far the spot is from a window?
Factor Two
Which direction that window is facing?
Factor Three
What’s in front of the window (i.e. is there direct or partial light coming in?)
The Noon Daylight Test
When the sun is brightest — stand in the spot where you want your plant to live. Look down at your shadow, and if it’s a...
Strong, well-defined shadow, then you’re swimming in Bright Light.
Weak shadow but you can still make out the silhouette, you’re working with Medium Light.
Faint shadow without much definition, it’s a Low Light spot.
Light Type: Bright Indirect
Strong, well-defined shadow, then you’re swimming in Bright Light.
Plant Type: Bright Indirect
Example(s): Bird of Paradise, Alocasia, Stromanthe, Peperomia, Philodendron, Hoya.
Light Type: Medium
Weak shadow but you can still make out the silhouette, you’re working with Medium Light.
Plant Type: Medium
Example(s): Aglaonema, Anthurium, Dracaena, Monstera, Schefflera.
Light Type: Low
Faint shadow without much definition, it’s a Low Light location.
Plant Type: Low
Example(s): Pothos, Sansevieria, Dieffenbachia, ZZ Plant, Spider Plant.
Still unsure?
Reach out to us!
Dull and boring spaces are so last year. Adopt, don’t shop (for plants that is).