To understand our needs, you must first understand our origin. We are native to the sun-scorched, arid deserts and rocky plains of Southern Africa. Here, we thrive under intense, direct sunlight for many hours each day, often with minimal shade from other plants. Our entire evolutionary purpose is to harness this powerful solar energy. Our window-like leaf tops are specifically designed to allow sunlight to penetrate deep into our inner tissues to fuel the process of photosynthesis. Without sufficient light intensity and duration, we cannot produce enough energy to sustain our growth cycle, which leads to etiolation—becoming stretched, pale, and weak—and ultimately, we will succumb to weakness and rot.
For most caregivers, a south-facing windowsill (north-facing in the Southern Hemisphere) is the best and most natural option. This exposure provides the most consistent and direct sunlight throughout the day, closely mimicking our preferred natural conditions. We require a minimum of 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight on our bodies, with several more hours of very bright, indirect light. A full day of bright light is ideal. An east or west-facing window can sometimes be sufficient, but you must monitor us closely for signs of stretching. A north-facing window is almost always inadequate and will lead to our poor health.
Our needs do not change with the seasons, but the sun's availability does. During the shorter, cloudier days of winter, even a perfect south-facing window may not provide enough photons for our photosynthetic processes. This is our most vulnerable time. Furthermore, glass filters out a significant portion of the sun's beneficial rays, reducing the intensity we receive. If you notice our coloration becoming less vibrant or our new growth emerging taller and narrower than the old pair, it is a clear distress signal that we are starved for light.
When a windowsill is insufficient—due to your home's orientation, seasonal changes, or persistent bad weather—grow lights become our lifeline. Not all artificial lights are equal. We require full-spectrum LED or fluorescent lights that closely replicate the sun's natural output, with a high intensity output. The light source should be positioned quite close to us, typically 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) above our tops, and we need to bask under it for extended periods, often 12 to 14 hours per day, to compensate for the lower intensity compared to the true sun. This artificial "sun" must be provided consistently to prevent etiolation.
A crucial point you must remember: even though we crave sun, we can burn if introduced to intense light too abruptly. This is true whether moving us to a brighter windowsill or under a new grow light. If we have been in lower light conditions, you must acclimate us slowly. Gradually increase our exposure over 1-2 weeks, adding about an hour of direct light every couple of days. Watch for any signs of bleaching or scorching (white or brown crispy patches) and adjust accordingly. A slow introduction allows our protective pigments to develop and shield our inner tissues.
