Is Your Houseplant Getting Enough Light? Here's How to Tell

Is your houseplant struggling? Learn to spot the signs of low light and save your leafy friend!

Plants bring life, color, and a touch of nature into our homes. But just like us, they need proper care to thrive. One of the most crucial factors for plant health is light. Without enough of it, your leafy friends can struggle to grow and may even show signs of distress.

This guide will help you understand the importance of light for your plants and teach you how to spot the telltale signs of light deficiency. We’ll also explore how to improve your home’s light conditions to ensure your plants flourish.

(Posts on stacyling.com may contain affiliate links. Click HERE for full disclosure.)

A cozy living room corner with a light gray armchair, draped with a green throw, and a brown patterned pillow. Nearby, a wooden side table holds a potted plant. Behind, a dresser with sunflowers and more plants add a fresh touch. Natural light streams in.

Why Light Matters for Your Houseplant

Light is the foundation of a plant’s energy system. Through a process called photosynthesis, plants use light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into the sugars they need to grow. Without sufficient light, this process is hindered, impacting their ability to produce energy and thrive.

Matching Indoor Plants to Your Home’s Light

Before you bring a new plant home, it’s essential to assess the light conditions in your space and choose plants that are well-suited to those conditions. This will significantly increase your chances of success and save you from the frustration of a struggling plant.

Take a look around your home. Do you have mostly bright, sunny windows, or are your rooms filled with soft, indirect light? Once you have a good understanding of your home’s light profile, you can select plants that will thrive in those environments.

Embrace the Shade: If your home is light-challenged, you have beautiful growing options! There are many beautiful plants that thrive in low-light conditions. Consider Snake Plants, ZZ Plants, Peace Lilies, and certain types of ferns.
Bask in the Brightness: For sunny homes, the options are plentiful. Cacti, succulents, citrus trees, and flowering plants like hibiscus will soak up the rays and reward you with vibrant growth.
Find the Middle Ground: Many popular houseplants prefer bright, indirect light. This is the kind of light you find near east- or west-facing windows or a few feet away from a south-facing window. Philodendrons, Monstera deliciosa, and Prayer Plants are excellent choices for these spaces.

Brighten Up with Artificial Light

Don’t worry if your home isn’t naturally flooded with sunlight. You can supplement natural light or even create a completely artificial environment with grow lights. These specialized lights provide the specific wavelengths of light that plants need for photosynthesis.

Full-spectrum LED grow lights are a popular choice because they are energy-efficient and emit a balanced spectrum of light that mimics natural sunlight. These are the artificial grow lights I’ve been using so I can place my plants in spaces where they don’t get enough light. It works great, has a timer and is height adjustable!

Close-up of a Tradescantia zebrina plant with vibrant green, purple, and silver-striped leaves. The foliage is lush and dense, showcasing the unique patterns and colors of the leaves.

Decoding Your Windows: A Guide to Light Direction

Your windows act as gateways for sunlight, each offering a unique light profile depending on its orientation.

North-Facing Windows: Receive the least amount of direct sunlight, offering mostly indirect or diffused light. They are perfect for low-light tolerant plants like the Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) and certain ferns.
South-Facing Windows: Receive the most direct sunlight, making them ideal for sun-loving plants.. They are great spots for growing citrus trees, cacti, and succulents will soak up the rays in this location.
East-Facing Windows: Receive gentle morning sunlight and bright, indirect light for the rest of the day. They are a happy medium for plants like Prayer Plants (Maranta leuconeura) and African Violets.
West-Facing Windows: Receive intense afternoon sunlight, which can be beneficial for some plants but also quite hot. Jade Plants (Crassula ovata), Yucca, and Aloe Vera can handle this like of intensity.

Keep in mind that these are general guidelines. Factors like time of year, weather, and obstructions outside the window can affect the light your plants receive.

6 Signs Your Houseplant Is Crying Out for More Light

Now that you understand the basics of plant light requirements, let’s learn how to recognize the signs of light deficiency.

Leggy growth: If your plant is stretching towards the light with long, thin stems and sparse foliage, it’s a classic sign it’s not getting enough. This happens as the plant tries to reach for more light.
Smaller leaves: New leaves that are smaller than usual can indicate insufficient light, as the plant can’t produce enough energy for robust growth.
Leaf drop: While some leaf drop is natural, excessive shedding, especially of older leaves, can be a sign of inadequate light.
Slow or stunted growth: If your plant seems stuck in slow motion, lack of light might be the culprit. Photosynthesis fuels growth, so less light means less energy for development.
Leaning towards the light: Plants are naturally drawn to light sources. If your plant is leaning dramatically in one direction, it’s trying to maximize its light absorption.
Loss of variegation: Variegated plants, with their beautiful patterns of different colors, may lose their vibrancy in low light. This happens because the plant increases chlorophyll production (the pigment responsible for green color) to capture more light energy.

A potted plant with vibrant pink flowers sits on a wicker stand by a window. The plant’s branches drape over, adding a lush touch to the bright indoor space with tiled flooring.

Giving Your Indoor Plant the Light It Needs

If you suspect your plant isn’t getting enough light, there are several ways to improve its situation.

Relocate your plant: Move it closer to a brighter window or to a different window with more favorable light conditions.
Supplement with artificial light: Invest in grow lights, especially during winter months or for plants in naturally dim locations. Full-spectrum LED grow lights are a great option.
Prune and rotate: Pruning leggy growth can encourage bushier growth, and rotating your plant regularly ensures even light exposure.

A potted Begonia Rex plant with large, textured leaves in shades of green, pink, and burgundy sits on a wooden surface. Behind it is a decorative ceramic pot and some books, with leafy plants in the background.

Final Thoughts About the Finding the Best Light for Your Houseplant

Light is essential for plant life, fueling the process of photosynthesis that allows them to grow and thrive. By understanding the different light needs of various plants and learning to recognize the signs of light deficiency, you can create an environment where your indoor garden flourishes. Remember to consider your home’s unique light conditions, including window direction and any potential obstructions, when selecting and placing your plants.

And don’t forget, even if your home isn’t naturally bright, you can always supplement with artificial grow lights to provide your plants with the energy they need. I use them in a few locations throughout my home and they work great!!!

A potted green plant sits in a white ribbed planter on a woven tray, placed on a wooden table. The background features a beige chair and a window with a view of leafy greenery and pink flowers.

For more information about light conditions for your houseplants, read this article from the University of Florida Cooperative Extension.

To drill down on houseplant care basics and growing an indoor garden that thrives, please read my articles:

Thank you for visiting the blog today!

Enjoy your day! xo

A houseplant in a white pot on a table next to a large apple-shaped ornament. The text reads, "IS YOUR HOUSEPLANT GETTING ENOUGH LIGHT? Here's How to Tell!" Sunlight streams through nearby windows.

The Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy Care Flower Garden

Have you never met a plant you couldn’t kill?
Have you dug around in the dirt with nothing to show for it except a sunburn and a sore back?
Do you currently enjoy growing flowers, but are looking for more tips and ideas to level up your gardening game?

Then the Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide is for YOU

Buy Now