- Monstera deliciosa
- Spider plant
- Rubber plant
- Dracaena
- Parlour palm
- Boston fern
- Calathea
The shadow test (a 30-second backup)
At midday, hold your hand 30 cm above a sheet of white paper in the spot where the plant will live. The shape of your hand's shadow tells you everything:
- Sharp, dark shadow: bright light. Suitable for succulents, cacti, fiddle leaf fig, citrus.
- Defined but softer shadow: medium light. Suitable for monstera, pothos, philodendron, peace lily.
- Blurry, barely visible shadow: low light. Suitable for snake plant, ZZ plant, cast iron plant.
FAQ
How do I measure light for houseplants?
The simplest method is the shadow test on a sunny day. Hold your hand 30 cm above a piece of white paper at midday. A sharp, dark shadow means bright light. A soft, defined shadow means medium light. A blurry, faint shadow means low light. No light meter required.
What is bright indirect light?
Bright indirect light is the brightness you experience near a south- or west-facing window without sitting in the actual sunbeam. The room feels bright; you can read comfortably; but no direct sun hits the leaves.
What plants survive low light?
Snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos, philodendron Brasil, cast iron plant, peace lily and Chinese evergreen all tolerate low light, though they grow much faster in brighter conditions.