Bright Indirect Light Explained

Providing your houseplants with proper lighting is going to be crucial to their happiness, and their survival, but if you’re newer to owning indoor plants it may be a bit confusing to figure out so we’re here to help break it down for you.

Bright Indirect Light is probably the most desired lighting for most of your houseplants. This is important to know and to abide by because plants that are sensitive to direct sun are likely to sunburn if exposed to too much of it. If you’ve ever put a plant outside in the summer, or directly in a window that gets a lot of sun, and it’s leaves turned brown, that’s sunburn. And sadly, once a plants leaves are damaged in this way, there’s no fixing them.

So what does Bright Indirect Light actually mean? The best way that we can explain it is like this: A space inside that is receiving the brightest light, and the sunlight isn't directly touching. The space may be touched by some direct sun throughout the day, but not for more than a few hours. Here are a few examples of where you can find the bright indirect light in your space:

• In front of a window that is slightly obstructed from the sun, or that has sheer curtains.

• In front of a window that gets a few hours of morning or evening sunlight, but not the hot afternoon sun. This would usually be a window that receives light from the East or North.

• A few feet back from, off to the side of, or below a window that does get direct sunlight. This would usually be a window that receives light from the South or West.

• Larger plants can also be used to provide a canopy of shade for plants that are wanting bright indirect light.

Plants that prefer this type of lighting typically grow beneath the canopies of tropical rainforests where they are protected from the direct sunlight. A few examples of plants that thrive with this type of lighting are:

• Philodendrons

• Tradescantias

• Anthuriums

• Syngoniums

• Peace Lilys

• Spider Plants

• Begonias

• Calatheas

• ZZ Plants

• Pileas

• Alocasias

• Caladiums

It’s important to keep an eye on your plants and observe the signs they may be giving you. Leaf browning can be an indication that your plant is getting hit with too much light. If you’re noticing this, consider the light that your plant is receiving and if it may be better suited for a space with Bright Indirect Light. As always, we hope this helps you feel more confident in taking care of your houseplants.