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Image Credit: Anna Blazhuk / Getty ImagesNot all plants benefit from direct sunlight. For species that thrive in indirect light, creating the right environment is crucial. Experts share insights on what indirect sunlight entails and how to position your indoor plants for optimal light conditions.
What Is Indirect Sunlight?
"Indirect sunlight occurs when your plant has a view of the sky but not the sun itself," explains plant educator Paris Lalicata. To fully grasp indirect light, it's essential to also understand direct light. "Direct sunlight happens when your plant has a clear view of the sun in the sky, receiving morning light from the east, intense afternoon light from the south, and evening light from the west," Lalicata adds. This means a plant in an east-facing window gets direct sun in the morning and indirect light for the remainder of the day.
Most houseplants can suffer if exposed to direct sunlight all day. "Direct light can scorch leaves or stress the plant," notes plant expert Angalena Malavenda. "Indirect light is the best option for plant growth, offering sufficient brightness without the intensity of direct sunlight."
Indirect light can be categorized into bright indirect light, which is closer to the brighter side of the spectrum, and medium or low indirect light, which includes gentler sunlight or spaces without windows.
Some plant care guides mention filtered light, which Lalicata describes as a form of indirect light, often achieved through sheer curtains. "The level of diffusion can determine whether the light is bright indirect, medium, or low, depending on the curtain's thickness."
Why Some Plants Need Indirect Sunlight
Many houseplants originally grew in the wild, so it's important to mimic their natural habitat at home. Plants that thrive in bright indirect or filtered light often come from tropical or forest environments, where they grew under the shade of trees or larger plants. For example, certain orchids naturally grow on tree trunks, shielded by the canopy above.
Research your plant's natural habitat to understand its needs and choose the ideal location in your home.
How to Position Plants for Indirect Light
There are various strategies to ensure your plants receive the right amount of light, whether they need bright indirect light or filtered light.
Take advantage of eastern light.
To achieve indirect light, position your plant near a window with gentle sunlight. "Most houseplants thrive in the soft morning light from an east-facing window, as it’s less intense. This allows them to enjoy some direct morning sun followed by bright indirect light throughout the day," explains Lalicata. Alternatively, a north-facing window with minimal direct sunlight can also work well.
Measure the light.
If you're unsure about the light levels, consider using a light meter or a light meter app (such as Lux Light Meter) to assess the light in your chosen location. Be sure to check the light at various times of the day, as morning light may differ significantly from afternoon light.
Light intensity is measured in foot candles or lux. (One foot candle equals the light from a candle on a square-foot surface one foot away, and approximately 10 foot candles equal 1 lux.)
Here are the ideal light measurements to ensure your plant gets the right amount of light:
- Direct light: Over 1,000 foot candles
- Bright indirect light: 500-1,000 foot candles
- Medium indirect light: 100-500 foot candles
- Low light: 25-100 foot candles
Use window shades and curtains.
Sheer or lightweight curtains can soften the light for plants that need indirect exposure. "If your only available window faces south or west, sheer curtains or blinds can reduce the intensity of direct sunlight, making it suitable for your plants," advises Malavenda.
Unless you’re growing low-light plants exclusively, avoid blackout curtains, as they block too much light.
Place your plant further away from the window.
If the light in a particular spot is too intense for your plant, consider moving it to a location farther from the windows. For bright indirect light, position your plant one to two feet away from a window with direct sunlight, such as those facing west or south. Plants needing medium or low indirect light can be placed even further from windows or in rooms with curtains or no windows at all.
Opt for grow lights.
If your preferred plants are in a room with inadequate natural light, a grow light can help. Grow lights come with customizable timers and intensity settings to replicate ideal growing conditions.
How to Tell if Your Plant Is Getting Too Much Light (or Too Little)
Your plant will show visible signs if the light is too strong or insufficient, allowing you to adjust its placement accordingly.
Signs of excessive light exposure include:
- Rapid drying of soil
- Leaves turning brown, curling, or appearing burnt
- Slow or halted growth
Indicators of insufficient light for your plant may include:
- Leggy, uneven, or slowed growth
- Leaf drop
- Fading or loss of variegation in new leaves
