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Light, Intensity, Duration, Quality
All Plants require different amounts of light to photosynthesize and grow. Plants require a certain wavelength of blue light for photosynthesis and a certain wavelength of red light for creation of chlorophyll. Unfortunately, the quantity and quality of light available indoors is significantly less that light in nature. There are three components to the amount of light.
INTENSITY
The brightness of light, intensity is measured in footcandles. A sunny day outside in the northeast has 6,000 to 8,000 footcandles. The average office has 50-100 footcandles.
DURATION
The amount of time per day that the plant receives light. Duration is measured in average hours per day. To some extent, increased duration can compensate for less intensity.
For Example:
Location 1: Plants in west windows (450 footcandles) in the winter (6 hours of light per day = 2,700 footcandle-hours.
Location 2: Plants in an office with all artificial light (150 footcandles) that has light from 5 AM to 11 PM (18 hours) = Total of 2,700 footcandle-hours
The same plants in location 1 and location 2 will grow virtually the same. But, often the duration of light is not able to be changed so this factor is not used as often as intensity to measure light. Also, plants need rest periods. Plants do all their respiration during non-light hours.
QUALITY
The Type of Light the Plant Receives
Direct sunlight is the best type of light. Fluorescent lighting also produces a good type of light for plants, but the plant must be no further than 8 to 10 feet from the fixture to receive sufficient light.
Incandescent lighting (normal household light bulbs) produces mostly wavelengths of light near the red end of the spectrum. Plants in incandescent light do not have sufficient quantities of blue light needed for photosynthesis.
LIGHT GUIDELINES
HIGH LIGHT
Unobstructed south, southeast, or southwest window that receives direct sunlight, atriums, window walls, or large skylights. Plant should be directly in a window with no curtains, blinds, or sheers. Their new leaves are usually thick and stiff and their new wood is well developed, that is, not weak and springy. High light plants have well developed root systems, their trunks are not wobbly. (1,200-5,000 footcandles)
MEDIUM LIGHT
Unobstructed east, west, or north window that receives direct sunlight for a few hours, a sunny window with sheers, a sunny window with fluorescent light. Plant should be within 2 feet directly back of window. New leaves will usually be somewhat thinner and flimsier, but not smaller than nursery grown leaves. Plants often grow most attractively in medium light. This is the type of light that most of our plants are in. (300-2,000 footcandles)
LOW LIGHT
Interior office lighting, north window with sheers or more than 3-6 feet back from window, or to the side of the window. Plants species must be carefully chosen for this light level. The best low light plants are those that grow acceptable under such conditions. Their leaves will be small and thin and their trunks or stems will always be loose and wobbly in the soil. (25-500 footcandles)