All houseplants need natural light to thrive, but not all require the same amount. Here's everything you need to understand how light affects your plants and how to make the most of the light in your home.

Start With Your Light Levels

Before picking out your plants, figure out the kind of light your space offers.

• All plants need light to survive — it's how they create energy through photosynthesis.

• If you have a mix of bright and shaded areas, you can grow nearly any plant.

• Low-light rooms can still support greenery—you’ll just need to choose wisely.

• Light changes with the seasons—it’s stronger in summer, weaker in winter.

• Plants can’t grow in a room with no windows unless you provide artificial light with grow lamps.

Light levels vary from room to room, but it's easy to test what you have using your hand.

How to Test Your Light

At midday (when the sun is strongest), stand in the spot where you plan to place a plant and face the nearest window. Hold your hand or arm out in front of you:

• Bright Light: You can feel the sun’s warmth on your skin.

• Medium Light: You can see the light on your hand, but don’t feel heat.

• Low Light: Your hand stays mostly in shadow.

This quick method gives you a good idea of what kind of light your plants will receive.

How Much Light Does a Plant Need?

It depends on the plant’s natural habitat:

• High-light plants (e.g., cacti and succulents) come from sunny deserts and love direct sun.

• Medium-light plants (e.g., monstera, fiddle leaf figs, calatheas) are native to tropical jungles and prefer filtered or indirect light.

• Low-light plants (e.g., ferns, pothos, ZZ plants) are used to growing on forest floors and do well with less light.

Understanding Light Levels

• Bright Light (Direct Sun): Typically found next to a south- or west-facing window. Some plants love it, but others may burn with too much exposure.

• Medium Light (Indirect Light): A bright room without direct sunbeams. This suits most indoor plants.

• Low Light: A spot that gets little natural light, often deeper into the room, away from windows.

Can Plants Use Artificial Light?

Yes—plants can absorb visible light from artificial sources, but regular household bulbs aren’t usually strong enough. For windowless or very dim rooms, use LED grow lights, which provide the full spectrum of light your plant needs to photosynthesize.

Does Window Direction Matter?

Yes, the direction your home faces affects how much light a room receives:

• East-facing: Morning sun—gentle and ideal for most houseplants.

• South-facing: Sun all day, especially midday. Great for sun-lovers, but too intense for some plants near the window.

• West-facing: Afternoon sun—warm and bright. Good for many plants.

• North-facing: Soft, consistent light, but no direct sun. Ideal for shade-tolerant species.

Signs of Not Enough Light

Watch for these clues that your plant needs more light:

• Leggy growth: Tall stems with few leaves.

• Pale or faded leaves: Especially noticeable in colourful plants like calatheas.

• Leaf drop: A survival response to low energy.

• Yellowing leaves: A general sign that your plant is stressed.

Signs of Too Much Light

Excess light—especially direct sunlight—can cause leaf scorch:

• Brown, crispy patches, often on leaf tips.

• Sunburn looks charred, not just dry.

If you see these signs, move your plant further from the window or diffuse the light with sheer curtains.

Seasonal Light Changes

• In summer, sunlight is intense and lasts longer. Move sensitive plants away from windows or filter the light.

• In winter, days are shorter and the light is weaker. Shift plants closer to windows to help them soak up as much light as possible—they won’t get sunburned during this time.

With the right knowledge and a little observation, you can give your houseplants the light they need to grow and thrive, no matter what kind of space you have.