Almost all tropical plants need a lot of indirect light, but the amount and type of light varies from plant to plant. Therefore, it is important to adjust the location of your plant accordingly. It should be kept in mind, however, that this location may vary from season to season because the strength and position of the sun changes from season to season.
Types of light
Whether the plant thrives best in direct sunlight, indirect sunlight, semi-shade or shade depends on what the plant is naturally accustomed to. The specific light requirements for each plant can be found in the description on the plant page. This light requirement should be met as much as possible for the plant to flourish. Give a plant too much light and it can be damaged. Too little light will prevent the plant from achieving optimal growth.
Below we briefly explain the possible light requirements:
Direct sunlight
This is the light that shines directly through the window on the houseplants. This is suitable for the real sun worshippers among the plants. They prefer to be in the sun all day just as they would in nature. These plants need at least 5 to 6 hours of sunlight a day. They will grow best when they have a window location.
A south-facing window usually receives the most sunlight during the day. Note that the sun will provide more light intensity in the summer than in other seasons. This intensity can also be affected by any window decorations.
Indirect sunlight
This is filtered natural light and light from the sun that does not hit the plant's leaves directly when it shines. In nature, the plants that like this are often surrounded by larger plants that the sunlight bounces off. These plants receive up to 5 hours of brighter but indirect sunlight per day.
They will be most comfortable in a spot about 3 meters from the window or, if this is not possible in a spot next to the window. A filter could be created with window decoration by using, for example, a transparent curtain or net curtain.
Semi-shade
Plants that like to be in partial shade like to receive filtered light with occasional direct sunlight. Often these are the smaller houseplants that naturally shade large trees and plants. Be sure these plants receive no more than 3 to 4 hours of full sun per day. And avoid direct sunlight.
Plants that like partial shade are best placed 3 to 5 feet from the window or in a spot next to the window. A north-facing spot in front of the window is also a possibility because little to no direct sunlight penetrates here.
Shade
This does not mean that the plant wants to be in full shade, but in a place where it can receive very filtered sunlight. Ideally, they should receive up to 2 hours a day of brighter, yet indirect sunlight.
The ideal placement for these plants is usually around a corner or behind a large piece of furniture. Note that this plant can never be completely dark.
Seasons
The number of sunlight hours and the intensity of sunlight varies throughout the year and changes significantly from season to season. Therefore, the plant's light requirements should be taken into account throughout the year and the location adjusted accordingly. Thus, the plant placed in front of the window in the fall may no longer be happy here in the spring and may even be damaged. However, try not to move a plant too often, as a plant needs time to acclimate to new conditions. It is best to move the plant at most once every six months, if necessary.
As the days get shorter and less light falls in, it may be wise to move plants a little closer to the window to still meet light needs. Another option is to use a grow lamp, but more on this next time....
