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Houseplant Light Requirements: A Beginner's Guide 

By stacy ling

Gardening Tips & Tricks

Is your plant getting enough light?  Learn how to assess your home's lighting conditions and choose the right plants for each location with this beginner-friendly guide.

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Why Light Matters  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.

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.

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Follow along to learn more about learning your home's light conditions and what plants will thrive.

Gardening Tips & Tricks

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