How to Grow Indoor Plants With Limited Lighting

Some plants perform well in low light conditions in the home.

Without adequate light plants cannot perform photosynthesis to make the food they need to thrive. The amount of light a plant need depends on the specific species. Sun-loving plants may require six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. Many tropical plants from the understory of the rainforest have adapted to low light conditions by developing leaves with a large surface area, enabling them to gather the light necessary for photosynthesis. Fortunately, many houseplants originate in the tropics and thrive on low light conditions inside the home.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fluorescent lights
• Plant lights
• Mirrors

1. Choose houseplants known to thrive in low light conditions. Trying to grow a sun-loving plant in a house that receives only northern light may spell disaster, but many low light plants will thrive. According to Don Janssen, extension educator from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, if you can read a book during the day without a lamp, the area provides enough natural light for low-light plants, such as philodendron, pothos, devil's ivy, peace lily and spider plants.

2. Add supplemental lighting for plants that require more light. Incandescent bulbs do not provide the light needed for plant growth as the majority of their light comes from the red portion of visible light. Fluorescent bulbs are a better choice as they produce light from a broader spectrum, primarily blue, and may be sufficient for some plants. Special grow lights produce the best supplemental lighting for plants, but can be expensive. Experiment with fluorescent lighting first, as it may provide enough extra light for your plants.

3. Use mirrors to reflect natural lighting in dark areas. Place the mirror in a location where natural light from the window falls across the broadest section of the mirror and direct it into the area where you wish to grow your plants. Use caution not to reflect direct sunlight as this can burn delicate leaves.

References

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension; Houseplants and Low Light Conditions; Don Janssen
• Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research: Plant Adaptations
• House Plants Guru: Plant Display Ideas -- Reflections Using Mirrors; Rupert Foxton-Smythe

Resources

• University of Minnesota Extension; Indoor Plants; February 2005and Low-light Conditions;