Do Your Homework
Step1
Know your plants. Before you acquire new houseplants, study up on their growth requirements. Pay attention to their needs for light intensity and duration.
Step2
Know that there are three levels of light requirements:
a. Full Sun-about six hours of direct, unscreened light.
b. Half Shade-only a few hours of direct, unscreened light, usually in the morning or late afternoon, with the rest of the day in the shade.
c. Full Shade-very little or no sun, or in the shadows all day.
Step3
Know which days of the year are longer than others, and how far and how long the sun reaches into your windows.
Step4
Consider the shading provided by nearby trees, trellises, tall hedges, window awnings, tints, screens, nettings and blinds. These will affect the amount of light the plants receive.
Step5
Know that in North America, the south-facing window receives the most light all year round. This will be the ideal place for houseplants that require full sun. Half shade plants will do best next to east or west-facing windows. North-facing windows will be the best place for full shade plants.
Be Sensitive to Plants' Needs
Step1
Check your plants often for signs of light deprivation. These include thin shoots stretching out for a light source; leaves that yellow, wither, and fall off; the whole plant facing towards the source of light; the plant remaining small and retarded.
Step2
Consider plant rotation or relocation. Have several pots of the same plant and rotate them indoors and outdoors every few weeks.
Step3
Consider artificial lighting. The most effective artificial lighting, providing the closest to the range of sunlight, are fluorescent lights and high-pressure mercury lamps. Grow lights are commercially available.
Comments
SunflowerOcity said
on 11/30/2007 Bravo!
I enjoyed your article and rated it with five stars! Please check out plant light article at the following link:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2143383_providing-plants-proper-light.html
Thanks!
Chris