Houseplant sunlight 101 | Everything you need you need to know about plant light | ELI5: Sunlight

Ever casually strolled past the houseplants at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s? You see plant care instructions that read bright indirect light? What the hell does that mean?

First, let’s talk about sunlight. Sunlight is basically our version of food. It gives plants the energy they need to live and grow similar to how food helps us. Not all plants need the same sunlight just like we all don’t need the same food to survive. The reason each plant requires different levels of sunlight has to do with their natural habitat or home. If those plants grew up under shade, that means they are used to having less light.

Let’s break down the three different types of sunlight found on houseplant care instructions using this illustration of a room with a window. The closer you are to the window, the more bright and direct your sunlight is. This is also the case if you have a south or west facing window. You’ll want plants within 2-3 feet of it. Plants such as cacti and succulents do best under these conditions, because they can handle intense sunlight without being sunburnt. It’s as if they have natural sunblock.

The further away from the window you are, the less intense your sunlight is. If your plant is 5 feet away, you have something called bright indirect sunlight. This is also the case if you have an east facing window. Plants such as philodendrons, alocasias, and anthuriums. These plants can handle some direct sunlight but not for prolonged periods of time. Think of yourself directly underneath the hot sun, you probably could only handle a few hours, but not 12-15 hours.

Lastly, we have low light. This is 7 or more feet away from the window or if you have a north-facing window. There aren’t necessarily no light plants, but they can tolerate low light. They just won’t THRIVE under low light. Think of your pothos.
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