Lighting Up Interiors
BY Nicola Jayasundera
Indoor plants flourish under minimal lighting conditions but these do need some form of sunlight in their lives at specific times of the day. Since lighting is a critical requirement for interiors to nurture healthy and attractive indoor greenery, there are some optimal locations around the house where your plants will flourish. The trick is to understand the natural habitat of your plants!
Low Light Some plants find their havens in fairly dark corners that don’t come into contact with too much direct sunlight. Monstera, ferns, Aglaonemas and Zanzibar gems are perfect low light plants. Comfy reading corners and dark rooms with few windows or window blinds are ideal for options such as snake plants and peace lilies.
Medium Light Plants that need a relative amount of light thrive in places where the gentle morning sunlight falls. Darker corners of a bright sunny room are great for palms, begonias and peacock plants. As long as the place is well lit but has some shade near an east or west facing window, your plant will be content. Options that show growth with height such as climbing vines, small trees and cane-type plants generally enjoy bright indirect light for a few hours of the day.
High Light Brightly lit locations around the house that get sunlight for most of the day are great for plants that survive on warmth. Varieties of palms, jade plants, crotons, aloes and geraniums thrive in direct light. South or southwest facing windows provide the perfect location for all-time favourites such as cacti and succulents, homegrown herbs and even varieties of orchids. Windows that receive around 12 hours of sunlight are excellent.
Artificial Light Artificial lights such as LEDs and fluorescent bulbs are helpful in places that lack natural sunlight. Supplementing these spots with additional lighting will maintain plants in a location of your choice without having to focus only on areas brightened by sunlight.
Grow Lights These are artificial lights that help stimulate photosynthesis in houseplants. They come in various colours with light intensity options that cater to the needs of diverse types of plants. These lights convert electrical energy into photons, which are light particles that stimulate photosynthesis. Styles of lighting such as grow lamps, a panel of lights or a reflector, lighting levels, temperature and timing must all be considered when installing your grow lights.