Plants are part of our lives. They are living organisms that essentially provide us food, clean water, clean air, and influence us to positively contribute to a healthy ecosystem. This is why it’s only fair to have them in our home – whether it be in the backyard or in the kitchen, plants are an essential part of our lives. If you opt to have plants in your home, regular care and your attention are just some of the many factors they require. This is especially true for the light requirements. And since our eyes are very adaptable, it may be hard for us to judge the right light intensity the plants need.
Why Does Light Play a Role in the Health of the Plant?
One word – Photosynthesis. Lighting is very important to the health of the plant because of the process of photosynthesis. Wherein, light together with oxygen and water, are converted to carbohydrates or energy the plant needs to bloom, grow, or produce seeds. A point of fact, animals also rely on light to survive. Without it, it can cause low vitamin D and even succumb to depression.
What Does North, South, East, and West Facing Mean?
The facing of the plants can make or break their survival. Depending on the facing, they can either get enough light or not. In that context, knowing the differences between North, South, East, and West Facing is important.
North Facing – When a room is facing north, it’s typically the coolest room in the house. It also allows the plant to receive just an ample soft light which is usually the case for snake plants, fern, spider plants, etc.
South Facing – Aloe Vera, Cacti, and Succulents are just some of the many plants that can survive a south-facing lineup. This is because it mostly receives the strong rays of the sun as compared to other rooms of the house. Also, the light in the south is usually consistent and bright – particularly when it’s summer.
East Facing – Nothing beats a cozy, morning light, especially when partnered with a green plant. East-facing plants are a great spot for warm morning lights and cool evening time.
West Facing – West-facing plants without a doubt can receive the best warm afternoon lights. Although the light is more direct in the evening, west facing lineup is perfect for plants requiring natural sources of heat without being too hot or too cold.
With careful selection and placement, knowing where the right face to place your plants can provide shade, reduce soil erosion, and help with water retention.
Lights Required for Outdoor Plants
If you want your outdoor plants to thrive and produce healthy foliage or flowers, the right amount of care, nutrients, and lights are a must. Here’s how you can provide your outdoor plants with the perfect amount of sunlight:
FULL SUN: Full sun outdoor plants requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. If not, they will not be able to carry out their natural functions and may suffer from stunted growth or even die. Some full sun plants that can take hot afternoon sun rays are petunia, sunflower, marigold, and Black-eyed Susan.
PART SUN/PART SHADE: Part sun/part shade plants means they need direct sunlight but not to the point where they’d be roasted. Generally, these plants require 3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight every day and once they got that, a shady spot is adequate for part sun/part shade plants. Keep in mind that these plants may only survive with morning or afternoon light.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Just in case your plant states full sun/part sun, it means that they can both survive full sun or part sun/part shade as both of these light requirement works.
FULL SHADE: Full shade light requirements are especially important for those types of plants that need protection from direct sunlight – meaning, they don’t want any of that. Without enough shade, these plants can become stressed and even die due to overexposure to the sun's harsh rays. Some plants that are marked with full shade may still require sun light under 3 hours. It’s best to do your due diligence to research to ensure that you are giving the right light requirement for full-shade plants.
Lights Required for Indoor Plants
Indoor plants are a great way to bring life and color into your home. But in order to keep them healthy, they need the right kind of light. Here are some important things to remember to do just that:
DIRECT LIGHT: The amount of direct light required for indoor plants depends on the type of plant and its environment. But, it’s best to pick a room that offers great direct light. Doing so will avoid leaf burn and the plants will be able to absorb enough energy to grow and remain healthy.
BRIGHT INDIRECT LIGHT: Most indoor plants require bright indirect light to ensure proper growth and development. This type of lighting can be provided through windows, skylights, or artificial lights like fluorescent bulbs. These plants love a bright place but out of the direct heat of the sun. If you are not sure what type of light to give, just try to enter comfortably read the room and assess if the light strains your eyes. If so, the indirect light for your plants is too much at this point.
MEDIUM INDIRECT LIGHT: Medium indirect light is the perfect amount of light for some indoor plants, as it provides enough brightness without being too harsh. This type of lighting is ideal for plants in apartments and other enclosed spaces, as it can be easily managed and adjusted to suit their needs. To know if you have absolute medium indirect light, it may strain your eyes a little but is tolerable.
LOW INDIRECT LIGHT: Not a lot of plants want low indirect light, but some of them can survive in it. Just make sure that it provides enough intensity to support growth without causing any damage. A great example of a room with low indirect light is a bathroom with no windows at all.
Conclusion
Whether you’re growing plants indoors or outdoors, it is important to understand the different light requirements for each type of plant. With this information in hand, you'll be able to optimize your indoor or outdoor garden for maximum success!
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