Mahoney's Garden Center / Houseplants  / How to Understand Indoor Lighting for Houseplants

August 12, 2025

How to Understand Indoor Lighting for Houseplants

(And Why It’s Key to Helping Your Plants Thrive)

Let’s face it: when a plant tag says “bright indirect light”, what does that really mean? Indoor lighting can be confusing, especially when you’re trying to figure out where to place your new plant baby. Is that sunny corner too bright? Is the shady bookshelf too dark?

The truth is, light is one of the most important factors in houseplant success—and it works hand-in-hand with water. Let’s break down the basics, so your plants can live their best life.

lighting for houseplants

What Are the Four Types of Indoor Light?

Think of your home like a natural light map. Light changes depending on distance from the window and direction the windows face.

1. What Is Bright Direct Light?

  • What it means: Sunbeams hit the plant directly for several hours a day.
  • Where to find it: South-facing windows, right on the sill.
  • Best for: Cactus, succulents, and sun-loving tropicals like Fiddle Leaf Fig and Bird of Paradise.

2. What Is Bright Indirect Light?

  • What it means: The space is well-lit all day, but the sun doesn’t hit the leaves directly.
  • Where to find it: A few feet back from a sunny window, or filtered by sheer curtains.
  • Best for: Monsteras, Peperomias, and many common tropical houseplants. This is the sweet spot for most.

3. What Is Medium Light?

  • What it means: Some natural light, but not consistent or intense. Often east or west-facing windows or across the room from a sunny window.
  • Best for: Pothos, ZZ Plants, and Philodendron.

4. What Is Low Light?

  • What it means: Rooms that stay dim most of the day, or spots farthest from any windows.
  • Best for: Snake Plants, Cast Iron Plants, or anything billed as “low light tolerant.”

Quick tip:
If your window faces south, it’s your sunniest exposure—ideal for most light-hungry plants. North-facing windows offer gentler light, great for shade lovers and trailing vines like Pothos or Heartleaf Philodendron.

Light + Water: The Relationship You Need to Know

Here’s the secret most people don’t realize: The more light your plant gets, the more water it needs.

That’s because light drives photosynthesis, which fuels growth. More growth = more water use. A plant sitting in a bright window will dry out faster than the same plant in a shady nook.

Likewise, a plant in low light will stay damp longer. That’s why it’s so easy to overwater low-light plants—there’s less photosynthesis happening, so the soil dries out more slowly.

Your best strategy?

  • Always check the soil before watering.
  • Adjust your watering habits based on both light levels and seasonal changes.

Light Isn’t Everything—But It’s Close

If your plant isn’t thriving, it’s often due to light mismatch. That trailing vine might be stretching toward the window? It’s asking for more light. Yellow leaves? Could be too much water… but often, it’s a sign the plant is too far from its preferred lighting zone.

🌿 Still unsure where your plant fits? Check out our blog “Houseplants Aren’t As Thirsty As You Think” for watering tips, or stop by your local Mahoney’s Garden Center—we’ll help you find the right spot for your plant and your home.