Difference Between Indirect Sunlight And Direct Sunlight for Plants

📷: @dabito

How do I know if my plants are getting enough or too much light?

Too much light: One of the main symptoms of a plant receiving too much light is the leaves becoming burnt. This looks like brown spots and scorched leaves. If your plant is being burned, be sure to move it into an area of lower light immediately.

Not enough light: A plant that is not receiving enough light often has trouble growing at a normal rate because it is not getting the energy it needs from photosynthesis. This often results in a plant that is weak and droopy and doesn’t produce as many leaves or flowers as it should. It will also be a dull colour and not as bright and colourful as it once was.

📷: @madedotcom

Tips & tricks:

1. Shadow technique
To gauge what sort of light your plant is receiving, pay attention to the shadow that the plant is making on the wall/ furnishing. If the shadow is fuzzy and weak, it means the plant is in indirect sunlight. If the shadow is sharp and clear, it means the plant is in direct sunlight.

2. Light meter 
There is a tool you an purchase called a light meter, this will measure how much light your plant is getting through a measurement of ‘ foot-candles.’ Bright indirect light is usually around 800-1200 foot- candles.

3. Put some sheer curtains up
If you are so stubborn as to leave your plant where it is because it looks fab there but its receiving too much light in that position, pop a sheer curtain up to give it that dappled indirect light.

4. On the other foot, use a grow light
Grow lights are artificial sunlight lamps that can make up for the lack of natural sunlight in that position or room. The most common types of lighting include LED and fluorescent bulbs but can differ depending on what you require.