Light is a plant's food. Get the spot right and most care problems disappear on their own.
How bright is each spot? (typical lux)
Dark corner~50 lux
Mid-room~300 lux
Near a window~2,000 lux
Sunny windowsill~8,000 lux
Outdoors, shade25,000+ lux
Which window for which plant?
| Window | Light | Great for |
|---|---|---|
| North | Low, gentle | Snake plant, ZZ, pothos, ferns |
| East | Soft morning sun | Calathea, peace lily, philodendron |
| West | Warm afternoon sun | Monstera, rubber plant, succulents |
| South | Bright all day | Cacti, herbs, citrus, aloe |
💡
‘Bright indirect light’ = a spot where you could read a book comfortably, but the sun's rays don't land directly on the leaves.
Too much vs too little light
🔆 Too much sun
- Bleached or scorched patches
- Crispy brown tips
- Leaves curl away from window
🌑 Too little light
- Long, leggy stems reaching out
- Small, pale new leaves
- Variegation fading to green
Rotate for even growth
Give the pot a quarter-turn each week so every side gets its share and the plant grows upright instead of leaning.
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