Hello, I'm new to gardening and plants and am very excited about them at the moment! I will probably be on here asking questions very often! I've got a number of house plants building up, a calathea, an anthurium, a dracaena that was passed on to me and needs some tlc, and a ficus robusta and notice they all say they need lots of indirect sunlight. I'm struggling with where to put them as most windows get sun at some point in the day and elsewhere would surely be too shady! So what does indirect sunlight mean? Somewhere that the sun doesn't shine on? Well that's shady then isn't it? Confused!
I have always known direct sunlight as areas that are south facing because thats where the sun is on and shines Whereas north facing sides get indirect sunlight because the sun isnt shining on them but obviously we still get light this is why south sides of buildings are warmer and north sides are cooler So a north facing windowsill doesn't get direct sunlight but there will still be lots of light but a south facing window would get lots of direct sunlight and be really hot and warm
Hi Wren, Welcome to Gardeners Corner I think you're getting "light" and "sun" mixed up a little. Just because the sun doesn't directly shine on it doesn't mean that it's in the shade. I hope this chart below helps. I would suggest for indirect light you' put them in a position like number 3..... " Bright but sunless" Hope I've helped
Thanks everyone. It's a bit annoying as there are only so many windowsills! I've only got one that doesn't seem to get bright sun. I think it's North east and then one in the bathroom but it's quite high up where I can't see the plant so much so I don't want to put any there. I am quite new to the house so I guess I will get to know the best spots.
Hi again Wren, Just a thought..... Have any of your bright, sunny windows got net curtains up as these provide enough cover to filter out direct sunlight.
I think that those plants are not necessarily meant to be put on windowsills. That's why you're getting confused about the lighting. Near a south facing window but out of the direct sun is sufficient (doesn't have to be south facing). That gives you a lot of choices within the rooms.
House plants can be confusing as quite a lot actually can take full sun, its just that as they are grown indoors, often full sun will damage them due to them not being used to it. On the other hand, full sun in winter can be good for quite a few. So not suggesting you keep moving things, just pointing out that good indirect light is not something that is there all the year round, in most houses, so you need to experiment. Years ago, I found African violets would grow well in full sun from sept to mar, but needed shade in summer. Likewise phalaenopsis does well in full sun all winter, but gets cooked in summer.
They haven't, I'm afraid. They have venetian blinds. Thanks for the replies everyone. So as long as they have light they are ok, but they shouldn't have the sun shining on them. I will try my best! I have more questions that I will post in other threads gradually.
