Light is one of the most important things a plant needs. Chlorophyll in green plants absorbs sunlight. Using this as an energy source, the plant can then produce the sugar and the oxygen it needs in order grow. This process is called photosynthesis.  If you have a spot in your home where you can read a book during the day without turning on the light, there is a live plant that can live there.

Plants get the light they need from natural sources; the sunlight outside, or from artificial light; the light bulbs in your house. East and west facing windows provide the best natural light. The light from a south facing window is often too intense and may burn the plant; while the light from a north facing window may be insufficient. However, plants will do just fine 8-10 feet from a window or even in a hall with only artificial light if you select the right plant and watch how much you water.

Plants tell you if they are not getting enough light; Variagation in leaf color disappears on the new leaves, an ivy that had green & white leaves will have solid green leaves. The bright leaf colors of a coleus or croton fade. Stems start to stretch toward the light and become leggy with smaller & smaller leaves further & further apart. Eventually leaves start to fall off. This is a plant’s way of trying to help itself. If there are less leaves, a plant can survive on less light. Plants make it obvious when they have too much light. Direct sun burns the leaves, causing ugly brown or white spots or a bleached out look. Intense heat & light, magnified by the glass in a window, encourages mites to appear on grape ivies, palms, and other susceptible plants. Plants also tell you when the light is perfect by exhibiting strong stems, good color, and well-spaced appropriately sized leaves.

The more color in the leaves of a plant the more light it needs. A croton with leaves of bright yellow, red, and orange is a high light plant. A heart shaped philodendron with dark green leaves is a low light plant. A golden pothos with greenish yellow leaves needs more light than a green jade pothos with solid green leaves. A dracaena Lisa survives where a dracaena warneki cannot.

Flowering plants need very bright light to bloom indoors. If your lighting is extremely good, try a goldfish or a lipstick plant, both can serve as a table arrangement or as a hanging plant.