Light Requirements for Houseplants (5610)

Light is one of the most important factors to consider in the care of houseplants. All plants require light because their energy source is photosynthesis. This is the way green plants manufacture food. Without adequate light, food supplies dwindle and plants die.

Often plants become spindly and appear to reach toward the source of light. They may shed leaves, especially older ones. Variegated plants may revert to solid green. Flowering plants may fail to produce buds. On the other hand, plants exposed to too much light may become scorched, bleached, and limp.

In order to grow houseplants successfully, you need to know the light requirements of specific plants, and how to evaluate light levels. There are three factors to consider when you evaluate light.

1. LIGHT DURATION refers to the number of hours of light per 24-hour period.

2. LIGHT QUALITY refers to the wavelength, or color, of light. Plants use basically two colors, red and blue. The sun supplies both of these.

3. LIGHT INTENSITY refers to the brightness of light.

These three factors together form endless combinations of light levels that fall into three basic groups: low, medium and high light.

Generally, a LOW LIGHT area receives no direct light; for example, a north window exposure in the winter. MEDIUM LIGHT areas are well-lit areas in the home; for example, areas facing east or west windows.

HIGH LIGHT areas are brightly lit locations, generally facing south or southwest.

In choosing an indoor plant, evaluate the light level in the place the plant will live; then select a plant whose light requirements match what you have to offer.

Some plants that do well in LOW LIGHT are Aglaonema (Ag la nee muh), Aspidistra (Ass pid is tra), Dracaena (Dra'cee na), Pothos, Philodendron, and Sansevieria (San-suh-verr’-ee-uh).

Some plants that do well in MEDIUM LIGHT are ferns, begonias, Schefflera, ficus, peperomia, and African violets.

Some plants that do well in HIGH LIGHT are cacti and succulents, citrus, hibiscus, ficus trees, and velvet plants.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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