Too little or too much light can easily stress your plant. Find out how to solve this toughest challenge of plant parenthood.
Let’s be honest, being a plant owner has its own drawbacks and perks. Since we have been staying at home for more than half a year, we have been becoming more interested in indoor gardening, particularly millennials. A survey has been released by Article shares that the toughest challenge of plant parenthood is finding proper lighting, especially during the fall and winter season. If you’re a plant parent, you know that too little can make your plant weak, which makes them prone to diseases and pests. While too much light can burn the leaves of your plants.
Luckily, the solution is simple: Research the type of plant you have. Most tropical plants need bright, indirect light for at least 4-6 hours per day to thrive well. However, some plants can do well in low light conditions, such as Peace Lily or Snake plant. Pothos or Philodendron can also do well under any type of light, which makes it perfect for beginners.
Before you bring a plant home, it’s best to figure out what type of light it needs and what type of light you have in your home.
Types of Indoor Plant Lighting
There are three main types of indoor plant lighting:
- Bright Light: The best type of sunlight for your plants since they can receive light for 5-6 hours per day. It’s usually located in a sunny southern or western facing window. The toughest challenge of plant parenthood during winter is shorter days and colder temperatures indoors. However, avoid placing your plant closer to the window since most plants cannot tolerate cold drafts. If possible, place your plant under grow lights.
- Indirect Light: This type of light can be found in rooms with an east-facing window.
- Low Light: Most homes have this type of light, especially in fall and winter. This type of light can be found in rooms with north-facing or partially shaded windows. Low light indoor plants are best for this type of situation.
Other Indoor Plant Needs
Aside from determining the right amount of light for your plants, there are also other factors that you need to consider, such as humidity, temperature, duration of sunlight, and seasonal changes.
Duration of Sunlight: Most indoor plants need a full day’s worth of sunlight. However, a lot of plants also go dormant during winter, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need light. If possible, place your light under grow lights to help them thrive throughout winter.
Humidity and Temperature: These two factors always go together. A low level of humidity can negatively affect your plants, such as they can be prone to diseases and pests. It’s the same with your home’s temperature. Hotter or colder temperatures can make your plants wilt. It’s best to place your plants away from cold drafts or heating vents. Also, we recommend that you mist your plants regularly or provide them with a humidifier. You can also group your plants to create a microclimate.
Seasonal Changes: Winter is the toughest season for indoor plants because this means shorter days, cold temperature, and dry air. It’s best to limit watering and feeding during the winter season. Clean your windows to allow maximum light transmission. If that’s not possible, you can add artificial light like fluorescent bulbs. Position bulbs 4 to 12 inches away from your houseplants for effective results. Avoid relocating your houseplants close to a frosty window.
If you want to know how much light your plant is getting, simply do a shadow test. Take a sheet of paper and hold it up to the light source around midday since this is when the sun is high. Take your free hand and position it a foot above the sheet of paper. A sharp shadow means bright light while a softer shadow means medium light. So if your plant is a few feet away from the light source or window, then that means it’s receiving low light.
Always remember that light is food for plants. It’s important to check how much light your home can provide since it can help you choose the right plant and overcome this toughest challenge of plant parenthood.
Check out our Plant Care blog to learn more about different houseplants and tips on how to keep your plants alive and healthy.
Whatever houseplant you choose to transform your home into a lively oasis, you’ll definitely need a stylish planter to display your plant baby in. No matter what your style, there’s an Omysa planter that will be perfect with your garden and home’s décor. From ceramics to fiberstone, check out Omysa’s Shop and add it to your cart!
