The right amount of sunlight is crucial to houseplant survival. Too little light and a plant will turn pale and fail to thrive. Too much sunlight and the plant will become a wilted, crispy mess. Each houseplant has its own sunlight requirements, and finding the right spot in your home for a specific plant is one of the biggest challenges of plant ownership. Here’s what you need to know to determine sunlight levels for houseplants.

Types of Sunlight

Sunlight is broken down into several categories. Sunlight can change throughout the year as the earth’s position changes, so keep that in mind and move plants accordingly.

• Bright Direct: Bright direct sunlight can be found most of the day in the south-facing window or during the afternoon and evening in a west-facing window. To receive bright light, a plant must be on the window sill or directly in front of a south- or west-facing window. 
• Bright Indirect: Bright indirect sunlight is available when something diffuses bright direct light. For instance, sheer curtains or a tree outside a window will turn bright direct light into bright indirect light.
• Medium: You’ll find medium light a few feet from a south- or west-facing window or directly in front of an east-facing window.
• Low: The opposite side of a room with south-facing windows will receive low light. Near a north-facing window will also have low light. A space has low light if you cannot read a book on a sunny day with open blinds or curtains and the lights off.

Very few houseplants can handle bright direct light. Croton is the only one that comes to mind, but this colorful beauty can live just as happily in bright indirect light. Most plants that prefer bright indirect light need at least 6 hours of daily sunlight.

Measure Sunlight Levels for Houseplants

Observing the space is the best way to understand how much light an area receives. Pay attention throughout the day to sunlight and shadows and the overall brightness. These observations can help you determine sunlight levels for houseplants. Get a second opinion by downloading an app that allows your phone to measure sunlight. You can also purchase a light meter to measure the available light. Some moisture meters include a light meter to better understand the light available in a spot.

Know Your Space

Other factors in your home will influence your plants, so while sunlight matters, consider the entire space before deciding where to locate a plant. Heating and cooling vents create drafts that can be problematic for most plants. An end table a few feet away from a south-facing window may be the perfect spot in terms of light for a  sun-loving plant like a Hoya, but if there is a heating vent directly behind the table, it may not be the best spot.

Make Your Space Work

If you have your heart set on a houseplant that needs bright indirect light, but there is none to be found in your home, or if you want to tone down a sunny space for some low-light lovers, you have options. You can make modifications to your home to modify sunlight levels for houseplants.

Block Light

Hanging sheer curtains can diffuse bright direct light and turn it into medium light. This curtain hack makes it possible to place medium indirect-light-loving plants in a macrame hanger directly in a south-facing window or place a fern in a location that is typically too sunny. There are also window clings or films that can be applied to a window to dim direct sunlight.

Grow Lights

If you want to turn a low-light area into a plant haven for sun-loving plants, then you need to invest in a grow light. A grow light provides consistent light at the right color spectrum so the plant can conduct photosynthesis. Plenty of grow lights are available, so research what you need and find the best option for your space. Grow lights can be used year-round or seasonally to provide the ideal sunlight levels for houseplants in any area of your home.

Keep Tabs

Even the most laidback of houseplants require some attention, and routinely inspecting your plants can help you find minor problems before they turn into big problems. Check-in on your houseplants monthly to make sure they are happy and healthy. Look for signs of water stress and pests, but also look for signs of light issues. Plants that receive too little light may fade, while plants that receive too much light may wither. Or, a plant could receive the proper amount of light, but it’s growing and leaning towards the light.

A spot that was the perfect home for a Bird of Paradise in the summer may not make the best winter home. The plant may need to migrate closer to a sunny window to account for reduced sunlight during the colder months. Or the solution about be as simple as you need to rotate your plant to ensure each side receives even light. Giving the plant a quarter turn each time you water will provide relatively consistent light to each side.

Problem Solve

Houseplants that are light-starved should bounce back with the proper light. Move the plant to a spot that receives more light and give it time to acclimate to its new home. Plants that receive too much light may have sunburn, which starts as yellow spots that later turn brown or black. Remove damaged leaves and relocate the plant to a more suitable area.

Know Your Plants

Make sure you understand what your plants need. If you are working under the assumption your anthurium needs medium indirect light, but it really needs bright indirect light, what you think is the best spot will not work. Some plants can vary in their specific needs, so while most succulents need bright indirect light, ZZ Plants can live in low light levels. Take a minute to double-check what your particular plant needs so that you can find the perfect spot.

Understanding Sunlight Levels for Houseplants

Sunlight is a crucial part of plant care, and it can take some trial and error to figure out the right spot for your houseplants. Make your best guess, routinely inspect the plant for signs of distress, and start over with a new place if things aren’t working out. You’ll know once you find the best spot because your plant will thrive.