Welcome to part three in our four-part series on lighting for houseplants. Catch up on Part One and Two!
Medium Light: The Perfect Balance
Imagine a shady spot under a lush tree canopy, bathed in filtered sunlight. That's the ideal environment for medium-light plants. It's brighter than low light but not as intense as direct sun exposure. Many houseplants come from these kinds of settings.
Finding the Right Spot
In most areas, east-facing windows provide the best source of medium light. Avoid placing your plant directly on the windowsill. Instead, position it a few feet back where sunlight comes in but is diffused.
Plant Picks for Medium Light Champions
- Calathea: These beauties feature stunning patterned leaves and prefer a bright, indirect spot without harsh sun.
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria): A low-maintenance favorite, the Snake Plant thrives in medium light and can tolerate lower light conditions too.
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Another superstar for beginners, the ZZ Plant is known for its glossy, dark green leaves and tolerates a wide range of light levels, including medium light.
- Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema): With its vibrant foliage, the Chinese Evergreen prefers medium light and enjoys slightly higher humidity levels.
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): This easy-to-care-for plant produces cascading spiderettes and does well in medium light.
4 Tips for Medium Light Plant Care
- Light Monitoring: Not all rooms are created equal. Observe how much light your plant receives throughout the day.
- Leaf Watch: Yellowing or scorched leaves could indicate too much light. Move your plant further from the window if needed.
- Rotation is Key: Just like us, plants don't want to be sunburned on one side only. Give your plant a quarter turn every time you water it to encourage even growth.
- Water Wisely: Medium-light plants may need watering more often than low-light varieties, but avoid overwatering. Always check the soil moisture before watering and add a squirt of Grow to feed these light loving babes.
By understanding medium light and these simple tips, you'll be well on your way to becoming a confident houseplant pro!
