# light

Plants harvest energy from the light to grow, so setting plants in proper light conditions is essential. In the natural world, plants can try to find light all around them. In an indoor condition, light comes from a vertical window and is suspect to a dizzying array of potential conditions. We can create semi artificial if not completely artificial lighting environments for plants as well, so our lighting limitation really comes down to budget, space, and creativity.

# characteristics of interior light

Interior light primarily comes from the windows. While large windows admit more light than small ones, all windows in some fashion can accommodate a plant. The orientation of the windows with respect to the path of the sun will greatly influence the types of plants we can grow.

In the northern hemisphere, south facing windows give the greatest availability of lighting conditions, followed by west, east, and finally north. In southern hemispheres, the flip side is true.

Materiality and reflection play a big part in possible plant spots, especially in dense urban areas. Light paint and materials will bounce more light around the space. Adjacent glass clad buildings and bodies of water can reflect light into our spaces. The glass itself will filter some light, and many modern windows are treated with film that reduce the amount of light overall. Interior light will (and should) never be as intense as outdoor exposure.

# window direction and light

# south

South facing windows generally are best for house plants. Plants against the windows enjoy bright direct light. light should penetrate deep enough for medium and low light plants throughout an apartment. In the summer, be careful of plants touching the glass. It can get hot under sunlight and burn plant leaves.

# east

East facing windows get high quality direct morning light and medium light through the day. Morning light is more mild. Light does not penetrate as deeply so some spots may only be reserved for lowlight plants.

# west

western windows get bright indirect light most of the day with intense direct sun in the afternoon. Plants may need protection from the afternoon sun if it gets too hot.

# north

northern windows get the least light. However, they get an even dose of lighting and can be great for low light plants.

# measuring light

There should be tons of free smart phone apps that will approximate a foot candle measurement from the light sensor of the front of most phones. A photography light meter will work the same way. For casual home use, foot candle measurement should be enough. For more serious measurements, a PAR meter will provide more precise measurements.

# general categories of light

We can often find care labels on plants we purchase at the store. The sharpness of a shadow can give us an indication to the strength of light. Sharp shadows indicate strong light while softer shadows indicate lower levels of light. Lighting quality and strength can change throughout our space through the seasons, so be aware and move plants when needed.

# full direct light

2000+ foot candles

A south facing window is great to work with as it provides the most access to bright direct light. In a dense city, the light may be blocked by an adjacent building, but usually the window sills will receive direct light at some time during the day.

Not getting direct light will prevent some plants from flowering, fruiting, or growing vigorously. Be careful when placing plants against windows as placing leaves against the glass may cause burn scars on the leaves. Avocado and pepper plants love direct light and will not thrive if not given the right conditions.

Access to direct overhead sunlight on a small patch of outdoor space such as a patio or a balcony can be a great asset. The difference between direct light indoor and direct light outdoor can be a few thousand foot candles depending on the rating of the glass. Transition plants from indoor to outdoors slowly to allow them the time to acclimate to the drastically different light conditions.

# bright indirect light

700 - 1200 foot candles

Bright indirect light also needs to be available all day, but plant leaves are not exposed to direct sun light. Light bouncing off a bright wall or behind a sheer curtain will provide the protection plants need from direct sun. Most plants are able to do well in bright indirect light. Plants that need bright indirect light can be placed farther away from the windows. Banana leaf and fiddle leaf figs do well in bright indirect light.

# medium light

300 - 600 foot candles

Medium light is differentiated from bright light in that a plant is only exposed to bright light part of the day. East and west facing windows provide great medium light. East light will tend to be cooler as it is the first light in the morning. West light will be dryer and hotter and will be better fit for desert plants.

# low light

<300 foot candles

low light conditions are missing what plants need in abundance to produce food. However, there are many plants that that can thrive in lowlight.

# lighting tips

As our plant collection grows, something to consider is allowing larger plants to create more amenable light conditions for smaller plants, emulating a more natural relationship. A larger banana leaf plant can provide great dappled or indirect light for the plants underneath.