Growli

Light library

How much light does your plant need? — the real answer for 200 species.

Pick a plant for its exact light requirement — the footcandle and lux band, the window and room to put it in, the signs it is scorching or etiolating, and how the need shifts in winter. No generic advice: a full-sun succulent page reads nothing like a low-light snake plant page, because the requirement is built from each plant's real needs.

Full direct sun

Succulents, cacti and sun-craving bloomers. They want the brightest, most direct light you can give them indoors and slowly etiolate in the "bright indirect" most houseplants enjoy.

How much light does jade plant need?

Crassula ovata

At least 4-6 hours of direct sun. A south or west-facing windowsill is ideal; insufficient light causes leggy stretched growth.

How much light does aloe vera need?

Aloe barbadensis

A south-facing window with several hours of direct sun. Leaves stretch and pale in low light.

How much light does bird of paradise need?

Strelitzia reginae

The brightest spot in your home — several hours of direct sun. Insufficient light prevents flowering and produces leggy growth.

How much light does string of pearls need?

Curio rowleyanus (formerly Senecio rowleyanus)

4-6 hours of bright light, with some direct sun. A south or east-facing window is ideal; insufficient light produces sparse strands and shrivelled pearls.

How much light does yucca need?

Yucca elephantipes

Bright indirect to direct sun. A south or west-facing window keeps growth tight and compact.

How much light does ponytail palm need?

Beaucarnea recurvata

Bright indirect to direct sun. A south or east-facing window is ideal.

How much light does kalanchoe need?

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

4-6 hours of bright light, with some direct sun. Insufficient light prevents flowering.

How much light does christmas cactus need?

Schlumbergera bridgesii

Bright indirect light, with some morning sun. Avoid hot midday sun.

How much light does cacti (general care) need?

Cactaceae

4-6 hours of direct sun for most desert species. South-facing windows or grow lights produce the strongest growth and the best flowering.

How much light does echeveria need?

Echeveria

4-6 hours of bright light, including some direct sun. Insufficient light causes the rosette to stretch and flatten.

How much light does sedum need?

Sedum

4-6 hours of bright light. Indoors a south or west window is ideal; outdoor garden sedums want full sun.

How much light does haworthia need?

Haworthiopsis attenuata

Bright indirect light. Tolerates an hour of gentle direct sun but burns in harsh midday light.

How much light does lithops need?

Lithops

5-6 hours of direct sun. South-facing windows or grow lights are essential for healthy leaf pairs.

How much light does lavender need?

Lavandula angustifolia

6+ hours of direct sun for strong flowering and oil content.

How much light does chamomile need?

Matricaria chamomilla

Full sun to light shade.

How much light does rose need?

Rosa

6+ hours of direct sun for the best flowering and disease resistance.

How much light does tulip need?

Tulipa

Full sun while in growth and flower.

How much light does daffodil need?

Narcissus

Full sun while in leaf and flower; happy in dappled spring sun under deciduous trees.

How much light does hibiscus need?

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

6+ hours of direct sun for heavy flowering.

How much light does geranium (pelargonium) need?

Pelargonium × hortorum

6+ hours of direct sun for the heaviest flowering.

How much light does petunia need?

Petunia × hybrida

6+ hours of direct sun for heavy flowering.

How much light does marigold need?

Tagetes

6+ hours of direct sun.

How much light does zinnia need?

Zinnia elegans

6+ hours of direct sun. Shade encourages mildew and weak stems.

How much light does dahlia need?

Dahlia pinnata

6-8 hours of direct sun for heavy flowering.

How much light does peony need?

Paeonia

6+ hours of direct sun for heavy flowering. Tolerates light afternoon shade.

How much light does sunflower need?

Helianthus annuus

6-8 hours of direct sun; the name says it all.

How much light does white bird of paradise need?

Strelitzia nicolai

Bright indirect light with several hours of direct morning or afternoon sun.

How much light does iris need?

Iris germanica

6+ hours of direct sun for best flowering.

How much light does crocus need?

Crocus vernus

Full sun to dappled shade in winter; goes dormant in summer.

How much light does snapdragon need?

Antirrhinum majus

6 hours of direct sun.

How much light does pansy need?

Viola × wittrockiana

Sun to part shade; cooler conditions are better.

How much light does nasturtium need?

Tropaeolum majus

6 hours of direct sun; tolerates light shade.

How much light does cosmos need?

Cosmos bipinnatus

6 hours of direct sun.

How much light does salvia need?

Salvia splendens

6 hours of direct sun; tolerates light shade.

How much light does lupine need?

Lupinus polyphyllus

6 hours of direct sun; tolerates light shade.

How much light does sweet pea need?

Lathyrus odoratus

6 hours of direct sun with cool roots; light shade in hottest part of the day.

Full sun (outdoor crops)

Outdoor edibles and sun herbs. Yield is directly limited by light — these need 6–8 hours of unobstructed direct sun, far more than any windowsill provides.

How much light does tomato need?

Solanum lycopersicum

6-8 hours of direct sun daily. Less than 6 hours produces leggy plants with poor fruit set.

How much light does pepper need?

Capsicum annuum

6-8 hours of direct sun. Peppers slow visibly below 18°C and stop flowering above 32°C.

How much light does basil need?

Ocimum basilicum

6+ hours of direct sun or a strong grow light indoors. Low light produces leggy plants with weak flavour.

How much light does cucumber need?

Cucumis sativus

6-8 hours of direct sun. Less light produces fewer female flowers and smaller fruit.

How much light does lettuce need?

Lactuca sativa

4-6 hours of sun; afternoon shade in heat extends the harvest window.

How much light does bean need?

Phaseolus vulgaris

6+ hours of direct sun. Beans slow visibly below 18°C.

How much light does garlic need?

Allium sativum

6+ hours of direct sun once growth resumes in spring.

How much light does pea need?

Pisum sativum

6+ hours of sun; a little afternoon shade is fine in warmer zones.

How much light does squash need?

Cucurbita pepo

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does carrot need?

Daucus carota

6+ hours of sun.

How much light does herb garden need?

mixed culinary herbs

6+ hours of direct sun for most culinary herbs; parsley and mint tolerate a little less.

How much light does strawberries need?

Fragaria × ananassa

6-8 hours of direct sun. Insufficient sun produces small, pale fruit.

How much light does blueberries need?

Vaccinium corymbosum

6-8 hours of direct sun. Shaded plants crop poorly.

How much light does raspberries need?

Rubus idaeus

6+ hours of direct sun produces the heaviest crop. Tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates.

How much light does mint need?

Mentha

Full sun to part shade. Afternoon shade keeps the leaves tender.

How much light does rosemary need?

Salvia rosmarinus

6+ hours of direct sun. Shade weakens flavour and encourages mildew.

How much light does thyme need?

Thymus vulgaris

6+ hours of direct sun. Shade reduces essential oil content and flavour.

How much light does oregano need?

Origanum vulgare

6+ hours of direct sun for the best flavour. Tolerates light shade.

How much light does parsley need?

Petroselinum crispum

Full sun to part shade. Afternoon shade in hot climates keeps the leaves tender.

How much light does cilantro / coriander need?

Coriandrum sativum

Full sun to part shade. Afternoon shade in hot climates delays bolting.

How much light does sage need?

Salvia officinalis

6+ hours of direct sun for strongest flavour.

How much light does zucchini / courgette need?

Cucurbita pepo

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does onions need?

Allium cepa

6+ hours of direct sun.

How much light does spinach need?

Spinacia oleracea

Full sun in cool weather; afternoon shade in warmer months delays bolting.

How much light does kale need?

Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

Full sun to part shade.

How much light does cabbage need?

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

6+ hours of direct sun.

How much light does broccoli need?

Brassica oleracea var. italica

6+ hours of direct sun.

How much light does radish need?

Raphanus sativus

Full sun; tolerates light shade.

How much light does potato need?

Solanum tuberosum

6+ hours of direct sun.

How much light does lemon tree need?

Citrus limon

6-8 hours of direct sun. Indoor citrus needs the sunniest window or grow lights.

How much light does avocado need?

Persea americana

6-8 hours of direct sun for fruiting trees; bright indirect light for foliage-only indoor pit growers.

How much light does pumpkin need?

Cucurbita pepo

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does butternut squash need?

Cucurbita moschata

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does acorn squash need?

Cucurbita pepo

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does spaghetti squash need?

Cucurbita pepo

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does delicata squash need?

Cucurbita pepo

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does eggplant / aubergine need?

Solanum melongena

6-8 hours of direct sun; needs warmth as much as sun.

How much light does okra need?

Abelmoschus esculentus

6-8 hours of direct sun; needs heat above 24°C.

How much light does sweet potato need?

Ipomoea batatas

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does bell pepper need?

Capsicum annuum

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does jalapeño need?

Capsicum annuum

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does habanero need?

Capsicum chinense

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does corn need?

Zea mays

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does pole beans need?

Phaseolus vulgaris

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does lima beans need?

Phaseolus lunatus

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does snap peas need?

Pisum sativum

6+ hours of direct sun in spring.

How much light does snow peas need?

Pisum sativum

6+ hours of direct sun in spring.

How much light does watermelon need?

Citrullus lanatus

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does cantaloupe need?

Cucumis melo

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does honeydew melon need?

Cucumis melo

6-8 hours of direct sun.

How much light does asparagus need?

Asparagus officinalis

6+ hours of direct sun.

How much light does rhubarb need?

Rheum rhabarbarum

6+ hours of direct sun; tolerates light afternoon shade.

How much light does swiss chard need?

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla

6 hours of direct sun; tolerates light shade.

How much light does beet need?

Beta vulgaris

6 hours of direct sun; tolerates partial shade.

How much light does turnip need?

Brassica rapa

6 hours of direct sun.

How much light does parsnip need?

Pastinaca sativa

6+ hours of direct sun.

How much light does brussels sprouts need?

Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera

6 hours of direct sun.

How much light does cauliflower need?

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

6 hours of direct sun.

How much light does fennel need?

Foeniculum vulgare

6+ hours of direct sun.

How much light does arugula / rocket need?

Eruca sativa

4-6 hours of direct sun; tolerates light shade.

How much light does dill need?

Anethum graveolens

6+ hours of direct sun.

How much light does chives need?

Allium schoenoprasum

6 hours of direct sun; tolerates light shade.

How much light does french tarragon need?

Artemisia dracunculus

6 hours of direct sun.

How much light does sweet marjoram need?

Origanum majorana

6 hours of direct sun.

How much light does lemon balm need?

Melissa officinalis

Partial shade to full sun; tolerates shadier spots than most herbs.

How much light does catnip need?

Nepeta cataria

6 hours of direct sun; tolerates partial shade.

How much light does lemon verbena need?

Aloysia citrodora

6 hours of direct sun.

How much light does lemongrass need?

Cymbopogon citratus

6+ hours of direct sun.

How much light does stevia need?

Stevia rebaudiana

6 hours of direct sun.

How much light does bay laurel need?

Laurus nobilis

6 hours of direct sun.

How much light does fenugreek need?

Trigonella foenum-graecum

6 hours of direct sun.

How much light does summer savory need?

Satureja hortensis

6 hours of direct sun.

How much light does winter savory need?

Satureja montana

6 hours of direct sun.

How much light does wormwood need?

Artemisia absinthium

6+ hours of direct sun.

How much light does anise hyssop need?

Agastache foeniculum

6 hours of direct sun; tolerates light shade.

Bright indirect light

Lots of light, but filtered or off to the side. They scorch in harsh midday sun and stretch in dim corners — the classic both-extremes plants.

How much light does monstera need?

Monstera deliciosa

Bright, indirect light is the sweet spot. A spot a metre back from a south or east window, or directly in front of a north window, produces the strongest fenestration. Direct midday sun scorches leaves; deep shade keeps leaves small and solid.

How much light does fiddle leaf fig need?

Ficus lyrata

The brightest indirect light in your home — directly in front of a south or east-facing window. Rotate weekly so growth stays even. Tolerates an hour of gentle morning sun but burns in direct midday rays.

How much light does rubber plant need?

Ficus elastica

Bright indirect light keeps leaves glossy and well-spaced. Variegated cultivars need brighter light; burgundy forms tolerate slightly less.

How much light does schefflera need?

Schefflera arboricola

Bright indirect to a little direct morning sun. Insufficient light produces leggy stretched growth with sparse leaves.

How much light does hoya need?

Hoya carnosa

Bright indirect light, with some morning sun. Insufficient light prevents flowering.

How much light does anthurium need?

Anthurium andraeanum

Bright indirect light produces the most flowers. Direct sun bleaches the spathes; deep shade stops blooming.

How much light does alocasia need?

Alocasia macrorrhiza

Bright indirect light. Direct sun scorches leaves; low light slows growth dramatically.

How much light does bromeliad need?

Bromeliaceae (various genera)

Bright indirect light, with a little morning sun. Variegated forms tolerate slightly less light.

How much light does croton need?

Codiaeum variegatum

Bright indirect light with a few hours of direct sun. Insufficient light fades the colours back to green.

How much light does areca palm need?

Dypsis lutescens

Bright indirect light, with some morning sun. Insufficient light causes pale leggy fronds.

How much light does english ivy need?

Hedera helix

Bright indirect light keeps variegation crisp. Tolerates a few hours of direct sun in winter; not midday summer sun.

How much light does wandering dude need?

Tradescantia zebrina

Bright indirect light keeps the purple striping vivid. Insufficient light produces leggy green growth.

How much light does elephant ear need?

Colocasia esculenta

Bright indirect to filtered sun. Direct midday sun scorches the leaves.

How much light does orchid need?

Phalaenopsis spp.

Bright indirect light. An east-facing window is ideal; a sheer-curtained south or west window works. Insufficient light is the most common reason an orchid stops reblooming.

How much light does money tree need?

Pachira aquatica

Bright indirect light. Tolerates lower light at the cost of slower growth; direct sun can scorch the leaves.

How much light does staghorn fern need?

Platycerium bifurcatum

Bright indirect light. A little gentle morning sun is welcome; harsh midday sun scorches the antler fronds.

How much light does air plant need?

Tillandsia

Bright indirect light. Tolerates an hour of gentle morning sun. Silvery xeric species take more light than greener mesic types.

How much light does cattleya orchid need?

Cattleya

Bright filtered light — brighter than Phalaenopsis. East or shaded south windows. Insufficient light is the most common cause of non-flowering.

How much light does dendrobium orchid need?

Dendrobium

Bright indirect light to gentle direct morning sun. East-facing windows are ideal.

How much light does norfolk island pine need?

Araucaria heterophylla

Bright indirect light, with a few hours of gentle direct sun. Insufficient light causes lower branches to drop.

How much light does rex begonia need?

Begonia rex

Bright indirect light. Direct sun bleaches the colour patterns out of the leaves.

How much light does chinese money plant need?

Pilea peperomioides

Bright indirect light. Direct sun scorches the leaves; deep shade slows growth and produces leggy stems.

How much light does hydrangea need?

Hydrangea macrophylla

Morning sun with afternoon shade in warm climates; near-full sun in cool climates. Deep shade reduces flowering.

How much light does weeping fig need?

Ficus benjamina

Bright indirect light with some gentle direct morning sun. Insufficient light causes leaf drop.

How much light does clivia need?

Clivia miniata

Bright indirect light or a couple of hours of gentle morning sun; deep shade reduces flowering.

How much light does guzmania need?

Guzmania lingulata

Bright indirect light. Direct sun bleaches the bract; deep shade fades the colour.

How much light does polka dot plant need?

Hypoestes phyllostachya

Bright indirect light keeps the speckles bold. Too little light and the leaves revert to plain green.

How much light does arrowhead plant need?

Syngonium podophyllum

Bright indirect light brings out pink and variegated colours. Tolerates medium light at the cost of vibrancy.

How much light does cordyline need?

Cordyline fruticosa

Bright indirect light keeps colours saturated. Tolerates morning direct sun.

How much light does sago palm need?

Cycas revoluta

Bright indirect light to direct sun. Tolerates lower light at the cost of growth.

How much light does majesty palm need?

Ravenea rivularis

Bright indirect light, ideally several hours of direct sun. Low light kills it slowly.

How much light does fishtail palm need?

Caryota mitis

Bright indirect light with some morning direct sun.

How much light does ming aralia need?

Polyscias fruticosa

Bright indirect light; tolerates some direct morning sun.

How much light does sweetheart plant need?

Hoya kerrii

Bright indirect light with some morning direct sun. Tolerates lower light but grows extremely slowly.

How much light does wax plant need?

Hoya carnosa

Bright indirect light with some direct morning sun encourages flowering.

How much light does string of hearts need?

Ceropegia woodii

Bright indirect light with some direct morning sun; pale-leaf etiolation in low light.

How much light does string of bananas need?

Senecio radicans

Bright indirect light with several hours of direct morning sun.

How much light does string of dolphins need?

Senecio peregrinus

Bright indirect light with hours of direct morning sun; low light flattens the dolphin shape.

How much light does burro's tail need?

Sedum morganianum

Bright indirect light with hours of direct morning sun; pale washed-out look in low light.

How much light does marble queen pothos need?

Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen'

Bright indirect light is needed to maintain the white variegation; medium light reverts toward green.

How much light does silver pothos need?

Scindapsus pictus

Bright indirect light enhances silver markings. Medium light is tolerated; deep shade dulls.

How much light does swiss cheese vine need?

Monstera adansonii

Bright indirect light. Direct midday sun scorches; low light reduces fenestration.

How much light does philodendron micans need?

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum

Bright indirect light brings out the bronze shimmer. Tolerates medium light at cost of colour.

How much light does tree philodendron need?

Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum

Bright indirect light with some morning direct sun.

How much light does caladium need?

Caladium bicolor

Bright indirect light. Some cultivars (sun-tolerant types) take morning direct sun.

How much light does coleus need?

Coleus scutellarioides

Sun cultivars take direct sun outdoors; shade cultivars want bright indirect light indoors.

How much light does ficus audrey need?

Ficus benghalensis

Bright indirect light with some direct morning sun.

How much light does asparagus fern need?

Asparagus aethiopicus

Bright indirect light with some direct morning sun.

How much light does vriesea need?

Vriesea splendens

Bright indirect light. Direct sun bleaches the bract.

How much light does false shamrock need?

Oxalis triangularis

Bright indirect light with some direct morning sun. Insufficient light flattens the colour.

How much light does hyacinth need?

Hyacinthus orientalis

Sun to part shade outdoors; bright indirect indoors when forcing.

How much light does begonia need?

Begonia × hortensis

Part shade to morning sun; tolerates fuller sun in cooler climates.

How much light does flowering coleus need?

Plectranthus scutellarioides

Sun cultivars tolerate full sun; shade cultivars want bright indirect.

Medium indirect light

The adaptable, forgiving middle. Happy a couple of metres from a window — if you can read there by day without a lamp, they are content.

How much light does pothos need?

Epipremnum aureum

Bright indirect light keeps variegation crisp on golden, marble queen and N’Joy cultivars. Will survive low light but variegation fades and growth slows dramatically.

How much light does peace lily need?

Spathiphyllum wallisii

Medium to low indirect light. Bright, filtered light promotes more flowering; harsh direct sun bleaches leaves.

How much light does philodendron need?

Philodendron hederaceum

Medium to bright indirect light gives the best leaf colour and vine length. Tolerates low light at the cost of slower growth.

How much light does dracaena need?

Dracaena fragrans / marginata

Medium to bright indirect light. Variegated cultivars need brighter light to hold their markings; plain green forms cope well in lower light.

How much light does peperomia need?

Peperomia obtusifolia

Medium indirect light is ideal. Tolerates lower light at the cost of slower growth; direct sun bleaches the leaves.

How much light does prayer plant need?

Maranta leuconeura

Medium indirect light, never direct sun. Too much light bleaches the patterns; too little stops the nightly folding behaviour.

How much light does calathea need?

Calathea (Goeppertia) spp.

Medium indirect light, strictly no direct sun. Too much light fades the patterns; too little slows the daily leaf movement.

How much light does parlor palm need?

Chamaedorea elegans

Medium indirect light, never harsh direct sun. Tolerates surprisingly low light at the cost of slower growth.

How much light does spider plant need?

Chlorophytum comosum

Medium to bright indirect light. Direct sun bleaches leaves; deep shade slows growth.

How much light does dieffenbachia need?

Dieffenbachia seguine

Medium to bright indirect light. Direct sun scorches the leaves.

How much light does african violet need?

Saintpaulia ionantha

Bright indirect light, ideally on an east or north windowsill. Direct sun bleaches the leaves; too little light prevents flowering.

How much light does boston fern need?

Nephrolepis exaltata

Medium to bright indirect light. Direct sun scorches the fronds; deep shade thins the plant out.

How much light does maidenhair fern need?

Adiantum raddianum

Bright but filtered light, never direct sun. North or east windows suit it best; deep shade dulls the fronds.

How much light does lucky bamboo need?

Dracaena sanderiana

Bright indirect light is best for steady growth. Tolerates low light at the cost of pale colour.

How much light does fittonia need?

Fittonia albivenis

Bright indirect light; tolerates lower light. Direct sun scorches the leaves.

How much light does dragon tree need?

Dracaena marginata

Tolerates medium light; brightest colour develops in bright indirect light.

How much light does corn plant need?

Dracaena fragrans

Medium to bright indirect light; tolerates low light at the cost of slower growth.

How much light does lady palm need?

Rhapis excelsa

Medium indirect light; tolerates low light. Direct sun yellows the fronds.

How much light does kentia palm need?

Howea forsteriana

Medium indirect light. Tolerates low light better than most palms; avoid direct sun.

How much light does golden pothos need?

Epipremnum aureum 'Golden'

Medium to bright indirect light. Brighter light intensifies the golden variegation; deep shade fades it.

How much light does neon pothos need?

Epipremnum aureum 'Neon'

Medium to bright indirect light keeps the neon colour bright. Too much direct sun scorches; deep shade dulls.

How much light does philodendron brasil need?

Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil'

Medium to bright indirect light. Brighter light enhances variegation.

How much light does heartleaf philodendron need?

Philodendron hederaceum

Medium to bright indirect light. Tolerates low light better than most trailing plants.

How much light does lemon button fern need?

Nephrolepis cordifolia

Medium to bright indirect light; avoid direct sun.

How much light does button fern need?

Pellaea rotundifolia

Medium to bright indirect light; avoid direct sun.

How much light does kimberly queen fern need?

Nephrolepis obliterata

Medium to bright indirect light; avoid direct sun.

How much light does crocodile fern need?

Microsorum musifolium

Medium to bright indirect light; avoid direct sun.

How much light does forget-me-not need?

Myosotis sylvatica

Part shade to morning sun; tolerates full sun in cool climates.

How much light does primrose need?

Primula vulgaris

Part shade; full sun in cool climates only.

Low-light tolerant

The famous "low light" troopers. They survive a north room or dim corner, but tolerate dimness rather than prefer it — and the real risk in a dark spot is overwatering, not the darkness.

Shade / woodland

True shade and woodland plants. The rare species that genuinely prefer shade to sun and scorch in bright light — a sunny spot is the wrong answer for these.

Not sure how bright your spot really is?

Open the Growli app and point it at where your plant sits — it reads the real light level, compares it to what the plant needs, and tells you to move it, keep it, or add a grow light. Prefer a manual method? Use the light meter guide.

Open Growli