Water + Fertilizer + Light = Healthy Plants

Every plant owner knows that the key to nurturing a healthy plant lies in the trio of care elements: water, fertilizer, and light. Interestingly, improper lighting is the second most common cause of plant failure, right after overwatering. While measuring water and fertilizer is straightforward, light can be a bit trickier to gauge.

Optimizing Plant Placement for Best Light

Traditionally, plant placement has been guided by the orientation of windows in your home. In the northern hemisphere, south-facing windows provide the strongest (high) light, while north-facing windows offer lower light. East- and west-facing windows supply medium light. However, factors like shadows from outdoor structures or large trees, and the size of your windows, can significantly impact the amount and type of light your plants receive. For instance, a large glass patio door might provide more light than a small south-facing window with an overhang or nearby tree.

How to Measure Light

What if you could measure the light in your home? You can! Light meters and smartphone apps allow you to measure light intensity in any room. The term "foot candle" (FC) is used to measure light intensity, much like ounces measure liquids. One foot candle is the light required to illuminate a one-foot square area with one lumen. Knowing the foot candle measurement of a room helps you determine the best plants for that space.

Use a Phone App

Several light meter apps are available for download on your phone. I tested a free app in my living room, which has porches with low overhangs blocking direct light and large trees outside. The foot candle reading on my mantle (where I have a small dracaena) was 100 FC, the minimum for low-light plants like ZZ Plant. Dracaenas need at least 200 FC, so my dracaena needs to be relocated to a brighter spot.

Match Houseplants to Foot Candles

Indoor plant light requirements range from 100 to 800 FC. Here's a guide to help you match your plants to the right light conditions:

LOW LIGHT (100-200 Foot Candles)

  • Low-light areas: Far from windows or near heavily shaded windows. Overhead indoor lights can also provide low light.
  • Suitable plants:
  1. Bamboo Palm
  2. Kentia Palm, Monstera
  3. Peace Lily
  4. Philodendron
  5. Pothos
  6. Snake Plant
  7. ZZ Plant

MEDIUM LIGHT (200-400 Foot Candles)

  • Medium-light areas: Near windows without direct sunlight. Typically found in unshaded north-facing windows or shaded east- or west-facing windows.
  • Suitable plants:
  1. Peperomia
  2. Pilea
  3. Asparagus Fern
  4. Chinese Evergreen
  5. Christmas Cactus
  6. Corn Plant
  7. False Aralia
  8. Dracaena, Monstera
  9. Orchid
  10. Philodendron
  11. Pothos
  12. Prayer Plant
  13. Rubber Plant
  14. Snake Plant
  15. Spider Plant
  16. Tradescantia
  17. ZZ Plant
  18. Calathea
  19. Lady Palm
  20. Maidenhair Fern
  21. Peace Lily
  22. Staghorn Fern
  23. Zebra Plant

HIGH LIGHT (400-800 Foot Candles)

  • High-light areas: Near windows with some direct light softened by a shade or curtain, typically found in unshaded east- or west-facing windows or shaded south-facing windows.
  • Suitable plants:
  1. Jade Plant
  2. Peperomia
  3. Succulents
  4. Hoya
  5. Air Plants
  6. Christmas Cactus
  7. Corn Plant
  8. Kalanchoe
  9. Norfolk Island Pine
  10. Philodendron
  11. Pilea
  12. Pothos
  13. Prayer Plant
  14. Snake Plant
  15. Spider Plant
  16. Tradescantia
  17. ZZ Plant

Read more about optimizing light for your houseplants:

  • The Light Must be Right
  • Lighten Up with Artificial Lights