To understand the ideal light for growing us as houseplants, you must first understand our fundamental nature. We are not low-light plants; we are understory shrubs. In our natural habitat, we thrive in the dappled, bright shade beneath the canopy of larger trees. This means we crave abundant light, but we are physiologically adapted to avoid the intense, direct scorch of the midday sun. Our leaves are not equipped with the same protective mechanisms as a cactus or succulent. Providing the right light is the single most important factor in keeping us healthy, promoting vibrant blooms, and maintaining our elegant form.
Our ideal condition is a location that receives bright, indirect light for most of the day. This means a spot where we can see the sky clearly but are shielded from the sun's rays directly hitting our foliage. An east-facing window is often perfect, as it provides the gentle warmth and light of the morning sun, which we can typically tolerate for a few hours. A north-facing window can also be suitable if it is bright and unobstructed. A west-facing window will work, but we must be set back from the window or filtered through a sheer curtain to protect us from the harsher afternoon sun, which can quickly lead to leaf scorch, evidenced by brown, crispy patches.
Placing us in direct, hot sunlight is a common mistake. Our leaves will wilt rapidly as we lose water faster than our roots can absorb it. Prolonged exposure will cause sunburn, bleaching the beautiful green color from our leaves and stunting our growth. We will become stressed, our flowering will cease, and we will be far more susceptible to pests like spider mites. Conversely, placing us in a deep, dark corner is equally detrimental. In low light, our stems will become long, weak, and leggy as we desperately stretch towards any available light source. Our growth will be sparse, our leaves may turn yellow and drop, and we will produce few to no flowers. We simply cannot photosynthesize efficiently without sufficient light energy.
You must be mindful of the changing seasons. The low angle of the sun in winter may mean we can tolerate, and even appreciate, a few hours of direct sunlight through a south-facing window during these shorter days. However, as the sun's intensity increases in spring and summer, you must pull us back. If your home lacks adequate natural light, do not despair. We respond very well to artificial lighting. A simple full-spectrum fluorescent or LED grow light placed 12 to 18 inches above our canopy for 12-14 hours a day can provide an excellent substitute for sunlight. This is an effective way to keep us thriving through dark winters or in interior rooms.
We will tell you clearly if our light conditions are not ideal. Observe us closely. Are we producing an abundance of plump, colorful flower buds? This is a sign of perfect light. Are our leaves a uniform, deep green and our stems sturdy? This is another good sign. If we are stretching out with large gaps between leaves, we need more light. If our leaves are pale, yellowish, or have brown, scorched marks, we are getting too much direct sun. You may need to rotate our pot a quarter turn every week to ensure all sides receive even light and we grow symmetrically, rather than leaning heavily towards the light source.
