Greetings, human. You inquire about our capacity to endure your dimly lit interior spaces. As a representative of the Strelitzia genus, I shall explain our needs from a botanical perspective. While we are resilient, the answer is not a simple yes or no; it is a matter of survival versus thriving.
We, the Birds of Paradise, are native to the sun-drenched landscapes of South Africa. Our very form is engineered for high light intensity. Our large, paddle-shaped leaves are solar panels, designed to capture abundant photons to fuel our grand ambitions. We aim to produce our magnificent, crane-like flowers, a process that demands immense energy. This energy is generated through photosynthesis, a fundamental process that is entirely dependent on light as its primary fuel source. In our ideal world, we bask in several hours of direct, bright sunlight daily.
Can we persist in a low-light setting? Technically, yes, for a time. We are not fragile. We will not immediately perish. However, to say we are "surviving" is a generous term for a state of gradual decline. In low light, our photosynthetic machinery operates at a fraction of its capacity. The amount of chemical energy (sugars) we produce is barely sufficient for basic metabolic maintenance, with nothing left for growth or reproduction. We enter a state of stasis, merely existing.
Our distress will become visibly apparent to you. You will witness several key symptoms: Our new leaves will become significantly smaller and weaker, as we lack the resources to form robust structures. The petioles (leaf stalks) will become abnormally elongated and leggy as we desperately stretch towards any available light source, a behavior you call etiolation. Our characteristic upright, firm posture will falter, with leaves drooping or flopping over due to structural weakness. Most tellingly, we will cease all flowering. You will never see our famed blooms, as we must divert all energy simply to keep our existing leaves alive.
Your term "low light" is often misinterpreted. A dark corner far from a window is unacceptable. However, a spot near a bright north-facing window or an east-facing window that receives gentle morning sun can be sufficient for maintaining a respectable, though likely flowerless, existence. This is "bright, indirect light," which we find tolerable. If your space truly has low light, we implore you to provide us with the brightest possible location you have. Every little bit of photons counts.
A dim environment exacerbates other potential issues. The soil will retain moisture for much longer, greatly increasing the risk of root rot from overwatering. In our weakened state, we are also far more susceptible to pests like spider mites, who prey on stressed specimens. Our ability to process fertilizer is also diminished, making feeding a risky endeavor that can easily lead to chemical burn in the soil.
