Bright, Indirect, Half-shade,...?
Discover how to decode your light
You’ve just bought a gorgeous plant (or three… or six — no judgment here), but then comes the real question: Where should you put your green gem?
Too much sun? Too dark? And what does indirect light even mean?No worries, plant parent — we’re here to shed some light on the situation. lichtstress weg te nemen.
A simple guide to light
Bright Direct Light
The sun is shining directly on your plant, for at least 6 hours a day.
Bright Indirect Light
Bright, but the sun isn't hitting your plants directly.
Medium / Half-shade Light
Bright for part of the day or shaded by curtains or trees.
Low Light
No direct sun, north-facing window, or rooms with artificial light only.
Bright Direct Light
Got a south-facing window that gets hours of strong sun? That’s bright direct light. Your plants get 6+ hours of full sun each day, right on their leaves.
Best plants for this light:
- Cacti (Sun lovers through and through. They thrive in bright, dry, sunny spots.)
- Hibiscus (A tropical diva that loves soaking up the sun and putting on a colorful show.)
- Succulents (Little fleshy leaves full of water reserves — the more sun, the happier they are.)
- Aloe Vera (Loves the sunshine and doubles as your personal skincare buddy. Win-win!)
- Pro tip: Even sun lovers can get a sunburn. Don’t place them too close to a hot window in summer.
Bright Indirect Light
This is that soft, well-lit glow every Instagram plant dreams of. The room is bright, but the sun doesn’t hit the leaves directly.
Best plants for this light:
- Monstera (The queen of the urban jungle. Grows fast and loves bright rooms without harsh sun.)
- Fiddle Leaf Fig (Big, glossy leaves and big personality. Gorgeous, but a little picky about light and care.)
- Kentia Palm (A graceful palm that purifies air and loves a bright corner without direct sun.)
- Alocasia (Striking arrow-shaped leaves and tropical vibes — loves light, not burns.)
- Tip: You’ll get this kind of light with sheer curtains or a spot a couple of meters away from a window.
Medium Light / Partial Shade
Not every room is a sun-drenched greenhouse — and that’s perfectly fine! Medium light means a few hours of filtered sun or softer natural light.
Best plants for this light:
- Pothos (The Epipremnum is a trailing, climbing superstar. Grows like crazy and forgives you if you forget it.)
- ZZ Plant (The ultimate survivor. Low maintenance, loves shade, and looks glossy and lush.)
- Calathea (Known for her beautiful leaf patterns and daily leaf movement — she dances!)
- Ferns (Give you those tropical, jungle vibes — and love a bit of humidity and soft shade.)
Low Light
Have a hallway, north-facing window, or a bathroom with no sunlight? That’s low light — and yes, some plants love it.
Best plants for this light:
- Sansevieria (The Snake Plant is basically indestructible. Survives neglect, shade, and your forgetfulness.)
- Philodendron (Easygoing and pretty. Will grow steadily, even in less-than-ideal light.)
- Dracaena (Tall, modern, and stylish. Doesn’t mind a darker corner one bit.)
Okay, so you might have more questions. Don't be afraid to ask on our socials or
Golden Rule: Choose the Plant to Fit the Space — Not the Other Way Around
We get it — some plants are so stunning you have to bring them home. But it’s always smarter to look at the light your space offers first, and then choose a plant that matches. That way, you won’t be shuffling your poor plant around like a confused roommate every week.
Not sure what kind of light you have? Snap a photo of your room and ask us at one of our pop-ups! We love helping you find your perfect green match.