Understanding Light Levels for Common Houseplants: A Key to Thriving Indoor Gardens.

When it comes to growing healthy and vibrant houseplants, understanding the light levels your plants need is essential. Light is one of the most critical factors in plant growth, yet it’s often overlooked or misunderstood. As plant lovers and specialists in quality growing mediums, we know that the right soil and light conditions can transform your indoor garden into a paradise.

Plants typically fall into one of three categories when it comes to light requirements:

1. Low Light: Plants in this category need only minimal light. They thrive in areas with indirect sunlight or near windows that don’t get direct sun. Ideal plants for low light conditions include snake plants, ZZ plants, golden pothos and more.

   
   

2. Medium Light: These plants require moderate sunlight, ideally indirect light or a few hours of direct light per day. Some great medium-light options include monsteras, spider plants, dracaenas, and more.

   
   

3. High Light: High-light plants need bright, direct sunlight to flourish. Place them near a south-facing window, in areas that receive several hours of full sun, or directly under grow lights. Consider ficus, cactus, succulents, and yuccas for spaces that can accommodate their needs.

How Soil Plays a Role in Light Absorption

While light is crucial, it’s important to note that soil quality also plays a significant role in how plants use light. A high-quality growing medium like Maya’s indoor potting soil can help plants absorb water and nutrients efficiently, supporting healthy growth under various light conditions. Our soil blend, enriched with worm castings, ensures that your plants have a solid foundation to thrive, no matter where they are placed in your home.

For instance:

Low-light plants

These plants will typically require soil with more water retention. Since they receive less light, their growth tends to be slower, and they don't dry out as quickly as plants in brighter conditions. 

A soil mix with good moisture retention ensures that the roots stay hydrated for longer, which benefits plants in low-light environments. However, it's important to ensure the soil has proper drainage to prevent overwatering, which can lead to root rot and water only when the soil becomes dry. The best soil for this type of plant is the General mix.

Medium-light plants 

These plants typically need soil that holds moisture well enough to support steady growth and drains excess water to prevent root rot. A well-draining yet moisture-retentive soil is ideal, as it ensures the roots can access water without staying soggy. This balance allows medium-light plants to thrive without being prone to overwatering or drying out too quickly.

For this category, I would use a mix of the Aroid and General blends, depending on the plant variety; for example, plants that like climbing and have aerial roots will benefit from the Aroid mix because it provides extra aeration to the root system of the plants.

High-light plants, such as indoor plants, need less water retention in their soil. These plants are exposed to more light, which increases their evaporation rate and water usage, but this doesn’t mean you need to water more. These types of plants are typically from parts of the world with these climates, and we need to let them dry thoroughly before we water them again.

The Ideal soil is the Cactus mix; it drains well and doesn't hold too much moisture, which helps prevent root rot. A well-draining mix with less water retention is ideal for high-light plants, as it allows the soil to dry out more quickly between waterings, keeping the roots healthy.

Creating the Right Light Environment

When setting up your indoor garden, it’s essential to consider where the light comes from in your home and place plants according to their needs. Here are a few simple tips:

North-facing windows typically offer low light.

East and west-facing windows provide medium light.

South-facing windows are perfect for high-light plants, which get the most direct sunlight.

Houseplants light-needs list

Low Light

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

2. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

3. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum)

4. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)

6. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)

7. Heart shape philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

8. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

9. Satin Pothos (Sindapsus pictures)

10. Maranta 

Medium Light

1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

2. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa, monstera adasonii)

3. Dracaena (various species))

4. Peperomia (various species)

5. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

6. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

7. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

8. African Violet (Saintpaulia spp.)

9. Prayer plant (Calatheas)

10. Fiddle (Ficus Lyrata & Ficus Elastica)

    
    

High Light

1. Ficus (Ficus Amstel king, Ficus Ali, Ficus Audrey, Ficus Benjamina)

2. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae )

3. Cactus (Various species, e.g., Opuntia, Echinocactus)

4. Succulents (Various species)

5. Crotton tree (Codiaeum variegatum)

6. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

7. Citrus plants ( various species)

8. String of pearls 

9. Joshua tree (Yucca)

10. Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

At Maya Growing Mediums, we believe that the right combination of soil and light creates the perfect environment for healthy, thriving plants. If you're unsure about which soil is best for your plant’s needs or need advice on placing your plants to get the best light, feel free to reach out. We’re always here to help your plants—and your space—flourish!