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Update: How ignoring the 'max light' rule saved my plants
I've been into indoor gardening for a while now. Everyone seems to swear by giving plants as much light as they can get. But from my own trials, I've had plants like snake plants and pothos that did worse in bright, direct light. My spider plant started getting pale and weak when I followed that rule. After some research, I learned that light needs vary a lot by species. For instance, my Chinese evergreen is happy in a dim corner, which goes against common advice. Now, I use a simple chart to match plants with their preferred light levels, and now they grow much better. I don't get why this isn't talked about more often. How do you decide where to place your plants?
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patcoleman7mo ago
If light needs vary so much, why is max light the standard advice in every plant guide?
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the_hugo7mo ago
Most guides say max light because people usually give plants way too little light, not too much. Windows block a huge amount of light compared to being outside. Saying "bright light" is simpler than explaining foot-candles or how to read a plant's slow decline from low light. It's a basic rule meant to prevent the most common mistake, even if it's not perfect for every single plant.
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ellis.jennifer4mo ago
But pat, if the standard advice is meant to prevent under-lighting, doesn't that just show guides are written for newbies rather than for plants? A snake plant will literally burn in a south window given how indirect their natural light is, same as my peace lily that got crispy leaves. Doesn't that mean the "universal" advice actually shortcuts people who want to learn their plants' actual needs?
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