Taking care of plants in your home can bring about a host of benefits. For example, it can be a calming activity for you. Gardening is known to be a relaxing activity for many people. The greenery can also make any room increasingly more beautiful. Let’s also not forget the health benefits of having a plant or two inside: they help purify the air we breathe. Some plants give off aromatic scents that help with relaxation and reduce anxiety levels too. So what do you do when you want to grow plants but you don’t have enough sunlight to help support it?
Make use of Window Placements
Windows that are facing south will benefit indoor plants the best because of the amount of sunlight it allows into your home. If you don’t have a window that is facing south, a western window is your next best choice. If the plant variety can tolerate direct sunlight, place it on the windowsill where it will happily bask in the rays of the sun. Similarly, if you have an outdoor garden, growing plants in the southside will benefit plants that enjoy direct sunlight.
Take Advantage of Sunlight Bouncing Back
Light naturally bounces off surfaces, and light-colored walls work best to help maximize the amount of sunlight that enters your home. By placing a plant where indirect is best for it to grow and flourish, making use of lighter-colored surfaces will be of great help. You may also make use of mirrors to help reflect sunlight inside your home.
Using Artificial Light
Indoor plants may need extra help, especially during the winter months when the sun comes out for a short period of time during the day. There are specialized grow lights available, but the use of fluorescent light is enough to help sustain your indoor garden. They are much less expensive and give a good balance. Do keep in mind that artificial lighting should not be the source of light for your plants, but should only act as a supplement. You may keep the light on for as long as 18 hours a day, depending on the plant variety. Your plants also need a bit of rest from the light.
How You Know Your Plants Need Light
Light deprivation is an issue for people who own and take care of indoor plants and if you are not careful enough, your plant may be suffering from light deprivation already. Common signs that your plant needs light includes its leaves drooping, or when it has stopped growing altogether. Plants naturally crave for the light, so if it begins growing at a weird angle and it becomes long and has a weird appearance, it means it is working doubly hard to reach for the sunlight. Leaves may also take on an odd shape if it is working hard to reach for the sun. When the leaves begin to be yellow or pale, or when the leaves are small, then these are obvious signs that the plant needs more sunlight.
Reaching for the Sun
Indoor plants may need specialized care, but in the end it will all be worthwhile because a lot of benefits it brings to your home. The upgraded interior, the cleaner air, and the calm atmosphere plants provide are all worth the time and effort it takes to care for them. Remember that most plants need some sort of light during the day and no matter where you live, you can maximize the sunlight with these handy tips.