As a professional lighting designer, I know that lighting for indoor plants is critical to their growth and health. In this article, I will discuss in detail the lighting guidelines for indoor plants, including indirect and direct sunlight, the three light levels, artificial lights, and modern LED lights.
I hope this article will help you provide the best lighting environment for your own indoor plants.
The Benefits of Indoor Plants and How to Keep Them Growing Healthy
Indoor plants not only add beauty to home decoration, but also have a positive impact on people’s physical and mental health by absorbing harmful substances, regulating air humidity, purifying air and increasing oxygen levels. However, for indoor plants to grow healthy and strong, it is crucial to provide sufficient light.
The importance of lighting for indoor plants
Light plays a vital role in the growth and development of plants. If indoor plants lack sufficient light, they are susceptible to pests, insects and diseases, as well as affecting the form and growth rate of the plants. Therefore, providing sufficient light is necessary for healthy and thriving indoor plants.
Indirect Sunlight and Direct Sunlight
Indirect sunlight and direct sunlight are two common types of sunlight that have different effects on plant growth. Indirect sunlight occurs when there are objects that restrict sunlight from penetrating windows, such as curtains. These objects diffuse and filter the sunlight, making the light softer. Therefore, indirect sunlight is suitable for plants that do not require a lot of direct sunlight, such as peace lilies, ferns, African violets and Chinese evergreens.
Direct sunlight refers to unfiltered or diffused light, and it is the easiest way to expose plants to natural light. Simply place the plant near a window to receive bright, unfiltered light. It is important to note that some plants are more sensitive to direct sunlight, such as orchids and fiddle leaf figs.
Three Light Levels
Different light levels also have different effects on plant growth, so choose plants that are suitable for different light needs. Depending on the light level, indoor plants can be classified into three types: low light, medium light and high light.
- Low light: This light level is suitable for plants that do not require exposure to sunlight or artificial light to thrive. Low-light plants need to be grown in rooms with several windows where the curtains are often closed, such as reading rooms and bathrooms. Some examples of these plants include peace lilies, ferns, serpentine plants, African violets and Chinese evergreens.
- Medium light: This light level is suitable for plants that prefer indirect light or sunlight. You can place these plants in rooms covered with curtains, blinds, awnings or trees, or you can place them behind houseplants that need direct sunlight. Some examples of medium-light plants include Mona Lisa, Baldwins, Calathea, Anzulas and Dandelions.
- High Light: This light level is for plants that require direct sunlight or artificial light to fully grow and develop. High light plants include orchids, jade, fiddle leaf fig, sweet basil, geranium and money tree. However, be sure to check the condition of your plants, especially in the summer when temperatures are higher than usual and plant sunburn is common.
Artificial Light
In the absence of sufficient natural light, artificial lights can be used to meet the light needs of plants. Depending on the type of light source, incandescent, fluorescent, light-emitting diode (LED) and high-pressure sodium lamps are available.
Incandescent lamps are not suitable for lighting indoor plants because they emit a high level of heat that will require plants to move away from them and reduce the amount of light they receive. In addition, incandescent lamps do not efficiently convert electrical energy into light energy.
Modern LED lights
In addition to traditional artificial lights, modern LED lights are an increasingly popular artificial light source for indoor plants. LED lights are an efficient, low-energy light source, and they can provide customized light to meet the light needs of different types of plants.
Track lights
Track lighting are a common type of LED light that can be moved and adjusted on a track to accommodate plants in different locations and with different lighting needs. Track lights often have the ability to adjust brightness and color temperature, which allows them to provide a spectrum suitable for plant growth.
Downlighting
Led downlights are another common type of LED light, and they are typically used to provide high intensity light for plants that require high levels of light. Downlights are often required to be equipped with reflective materials or mirrors to ensure maximum reflection and utilization of light.
Strip Light
Led strip lights are a more flexible type of LED light; they are often cuttable, adjustable in brightness and color temperature to accommodate a variety of plant growth needs. They can also be installed in hard-to-reach areas, such as at the base or back of plant stands, to provide a full range of light.
Indoor plants are beautiful, healthy and relaxing, but for them to thrive, the right lighting is critical. When choosing the type and level of light, you need to consider the type of plant and its light needs. Traditional artificial lights such as fluorescent and LED lights, as well as modern track lights, downlights and strip lights can all provide the right amount of light to ensure your indoor plants are healthy and thriving.
If you are thinking of adding some plants to your home or want to open a flower store and don’t know how to pick the right fixture, contact us and we can not only provide you with quality led light fixtures, but also design your own personal lighting solution.
