There is a wide variety of light preferences for houseplants, just as there are for outdoor plants. Some thrive in bright windows. Some suffer leaf scorch from direct sunlight and prefer lower light levels. There are even some plants that can survive in a corner with little light.
Especially for apartment dwellers and gardeners with small yards, sunlight is a major constraint in fruit, vegetable and herb gardening.
In order to grow properly, edibles need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight, preferably some of it during midday when the sun is the brightest.
There are three types of light conditions: shade, part sun, and sun. As a result of their position relative to houses, hillsides, and other natural and man-made structures, plants that grow in different locations receive varying amounts of sunlight. In general, the light conditions of plants depend on their location.
Also read : Best potting mix for container gardening and Best container for container gardening.
Based on the amount of sunlight a part of the house receives, we can classify various areas into 8 categories. ( Area 1 – 8 ).
SUNNY AND BRIGHT AREAS
Plants can flourish in these areas, which include rooms with south-facing windows, rooms with large west- or east-facing windows, and below skylights.
Particularly during spring and summer, indoor container plants enjoy the maximum amount of natural sunlight.
PART SUNNY
AREAS
Rooms with east or west-facing windows should be occupied with plants that can withstand partial shade such as Lettuces.
Sun-loving plants can produce fruit on a windowsill, but not as much as in an area with more direct sunlight.
The use of grow lights in gloomy locations, such as north-facing rooms, will improve results.
COOLER AND SHADY
AREAS
Plants with flowers and fruit trees can be grown on unheated windowsills, hallways and unheated rooms. In their native habitat, these fruit trees are dormant during the winter.
You can download the below chart by clicking HERE (image PNG file) and HERE (print ready PDF file).
It is the natural characteristics of plants to perform better with different levels of sunlight. To simplify things, think of a plant’s native habitat.
For instance, consider a plant which is native to dense jungles. It is naturally adapted to partial sun as it is most of the time covered by a canopy of trees. If you provide this plant with too much sun, it might experience sunburn.
Alternatively, think of a plant which thrives in abundance of sunlight. When placed in too much shade, their foliage might become spindly and mildewed.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Your climate may also influence how you define shade and sun.
Especially near the coast, where the weather is often cool and overcast, part-sun plants are more likely to thrive in full sun, while plants that normally prefer shade may thrive in part sun or full sun.
Likewise, the converse is true. A plant which grows well in full sun under cooler climates might require more shade when grown in dry, hot and sunny climate.
Sunny and bright areas
The majority of indoor plants that produce fruit, edible flowers, and herbs will thrive by a south-facing window.
However, salad plants may get damaged by the heat and bright sunlight.
In summer, these areas receive ample sunlight, which is necessary for healthy leaves or for ripening fruits.
PREFERRED PLANTS
Fruits (except Alpine strawberry)
Vegetables
Herbs
Edible Flowers
The sun won’t shine all day on this area, but these areas offer many hours of bright light in spring and summer when the plants are ripening.
Listed below are a few plants that you can grow in this area.
Keep your curtains or blinds open so that indoor plants receive maximum sun exposure.
PREFERRED PLANTS
Fruits
Vegetables
Herbs
Edible Flowers
Sprouts ( The room should not be too hot )
Leaves ( The room should not be too hot )
Roots ( The room should not be too hot )
A skylight promotes healthy growth throughout the day, because it provides consistent top light.
A skylight will increase the room’s brightness and make it an ideal environment for crops that love sunlight, such as fruits and vegetables. However, leafy vegetables might get damaged in too much direct sunlight.
PREFERRED PLANTS
Fruits
Vegetables
Herbs
Edible Flowers
Sprouts ( The room should not be too hot )
Leaves ( The room should not be too hot )
Roots ( The room should not be too hot )
You can download the below chart by clicking HERE (image PNG file) and HERE (print ready PDF file).
Throughout the growing season, you will notice how the shadows change. If a spot was fully in the sun in June, it may now be partially shaded in August. This can be due to the sun getting lower in the sky and trees, buildings, or structures may be blocking it.
The portability of containers, however, is one of the most useful things about them. If you notice shadows blocking the light from a full-sun loving container, move it to a brighter location.
Part sunny area
Choosing plants for your wall unit or shelf depends on its orientation and proximity to natural light.
Walls facing east, west or north receive just a few hours of sunlight per day. Very selective plants can be grown here.
However, a south facing wall with a south facing window comes under bright sunlight area 1.
PREFERRED PLANTS
Alpine strawberry
Sprouts
Lettuce
Small root crops
Shade tolerant herbs
A gloomy area with minimal to no direct sunlight will only grow mushrooms. However, you can widen your choices of plants if you decide to use grow lights.
The majority of grow lights are suitable for small plants, so you can grow compact plants such as herbs, lettuce, and bush tomatoes.
PREFERRED PLANTS
Mushrooms
Chile peppers
Herbs
Edible Flowers
Sweet peppers
Microgreens
Lettuce
In the center of a room with an east or west facing window, lettuce, sprouts, and root crops will do quite well. During the day, this window can receive some sunlight.
The middle of a room with a window facing south comes under area 1, while the middle of a room with a window facing north is too dark for most crops.
PREFERRED PLANTS
Alpine strawberry
Leaves
Sprouts
Edible spring flowers
Shade tolerant herbs
Roots
Edible orchids
You can download the below chart by clicking HERE (image PNG file) and HERE (print ready PDF file).
During the heat of summer, it’s crucial to keep lettuce and spinach shaded to prevent them from bolting (forming flowers and seeds).
As for root vegetables like carrots and beets, they can tolerate some light shade, as well. This means you can still grow something even if you don’t have a spot in full sun.
Some may advise getting a “photometer” or a “lightmeter” to precisely measure the light of a location to determine if the spot is good for a plant or not. I usually refrain from giving that advice to new gardeners.
To keep it simple :
If the light is too dark to read a book, chances are it’s too dark to grow anything.
Cooler and shady areas
The climate in this area is perfect for growing plants like strawberries, herbs, leafy vegetables and roots all year.
In order to produce fruits the following year, most fruit trees require lower winter temperatures, including figs, citrus, peaches, and nectarines. At this time of year, it is crucial to move them from a warm, heated room into a cooler one.
PREFERRED PLANTS
Fruits
Leafy plants
Herbs
Root vegetables
The windowsill can also be useful to a gardener.
Plants that are normally pollinated by insects flourish here.
Additionally, the increased air circulation deters some plant fungal diseases.
It is not recommended to plant tender crops outside until all risk of frost has passed in late spring, such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.
Make sure that the windowsill can withstand the weight of the plant container. (You can use metal brackets under the windowsill for extra support.)
PREFERRED PLANTS
Strawberry
Cucamelons
Herbs
Leafy plants
Sweet peppers
Bush tomatoes
Chiles
You can download the below chart by clicking HERE (image PNG file) and HERE (print ready PDF file).
Signs that your plant is getting too much or too less sunlight
Observe how plants respond after planting and take note of the sunlight requirements for each type of plant. You can tell when plants are getting too little or too much light by the way they behave.
Signs if plants receive too much light
- Burned spots on leaves that are white or light brown in color (more pronounced on edges)
- Wilting of foliage
- Yellowing of leaf tips
- Flowering plants won’t be able to produce flowers or fruits
Signs if plants receive too less light
- Stunted foliage growth
- Weak blooming
- Plants may develop elongated stems with wider spaces between leaves
- Leaves will be smaller than normal
- The color of the plants can fade
One of the advantages of container gardening is that you can always change the sunlight settings of a plant by changing its location.
Plants that thrive in a shady corner during the summer will probably do better if they’re placed nearby a window during the winter.
You may eventually find that many of your plants lean toward the window because leaves turn toward light (because of photosynthesis). Ensure that pots are turned every week or two if you want them to look more symmetrical. However, it may not be worth bothering with turning the 8-foot rubber tree in the corner, since nobody sees it from the other side.
