Garden chart
Houseplant Light Level Chart by Window Exposure
Plant tags describe light in vague terms because light intensity depends on window direction, distance from the glass, and what's blocking it outside. This chart converts those labels into concrete placement guidance for a typical mid-latitude home.
| Light label | Approx. foot-candles | Typical placement | Example plants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low light | 50–250 fc | North-facing window, or 8+ ft back from any window | Snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos |
| Medium light | 250–1,000 fc | East-facing window, or 4–8 ft back from south/west window | Peace lily, philodendron, calathea |
| Bright indirect | 1,000–2,500 fc | Near (2–4 ft) an east or west window, or back from an unobstructed south window | Monstera, fiddle-leaf fig, most tropical foliage |
| Direct/full sun | 2,500–10,000+ fc | Within 1–2 ft of an unobstructed south or west window, or outdoors | Succulents, cacti, citrus, most flowering herbs |
Notes
- South-facing windows give the most light in the northern hemisphere; north-facing give the least. Reverse this in the southern hemisphere.
- Sheer curtains, tree cover, and even clean vs. dusty glass can shift a spot down one full light category.
- If a plant's leaves stretch toward the window or new growth is pale and small, it's asking for more light, not more water.
Put this into practice
- Houseplant Light MatcherWhich houseplants suit this window?
- Grow Light CalculatorHow high and how long should my grow light run?
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