Different Types of Plant Lighting
There are four different categories of sunlight types you can categorize for houseplants. The first type is Type 1, Direct Sun. Then there is Type 2a, Filtered/Diffused Sun, Type 2b, Reflected Sun, and Type 3, Sky Light.
Type 1 is when the plant has a direct line of sight to the sun. This is the most intense light a plant can receive, and most tropical foliage plants cannot tolerate it for more than three to four hours. When choosing a full-sun indoor plant, think about plants that grow in dry, desert climates, or tall foliage plants that might make up the canopy layer of a rainforest. As well as succulents and palms you can also try growing herbs indoors as they will thrive on a sunny windowsill.
Type 2a is when the plant has a partially obstructed view of the sun. For example, the sun might be shining through trees or a translucent curtain. The best low-light plants can thrive on little to no direct sunlight and can even survive in the dark long term (like throughout the entire winter). Snake plants and Zanzibar plants are known for being two of the best houseplants for low light. Type 2b is when the plant sees shiny objects or surfaces that receive direct sun, even if the plant itself cannot see the sun. Reflected light is best only to keep plants growing vegetatively.
Finally, Type 3 is when the plant sees a blue sky on a clear day. This is an easy metric because while the intensity of the light will change through the day, the amount of sky the plant sees from one position will not. Some of the most common houseplants that will do well with a skylight that gets full sun are Croton, cordyline, ficus benjamina, and Hoya.
You can even invest in a light meter that can measure the amount of light on a surface or area. In the past, only serious growers would invest in a light meter (you can buy a good one for less than $50). Now there’s also an app for that. Smartphone light meter apps—which range from being free to costing a few dollars—are not as accurate as dedicated light meters, but they are adequate to show you how light intensity varies from place to place.
50-150 foot candles (a unit of illumination), are considered low light. 200-800 foot candles are considered a medium light, which is good for tropical plants. 800-1,000-foot candles are considered bright indirect light. Lastly, 8,000+ foot candles are considered very intense light that only cacti and succulents can usually withstand.
Happy planting!
Understanding Light for Houseplants- https://savvygardening.com/light-for-house-plants/#:~:text=House%20plants%20and%20light&text=We%20have%20vague%20expressions%20that,indirect%20light%2C%20and%20low%20light.
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There's more than one type of sunlight?? This is complete news to me.
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