The Best Medium To Bright Light Indoor Plants
This is the story of my journey to find the perfect medium-light indoor plant. It's been a long and winding road, but I think I've finally found the one.
Plants that can tolerate some shade
Medium light indoor plants are perfect if you don't have a lot of space or if you want to add some greenery to your home without having to worry about them getting too much sun. Some examples of medium light indoor plants are snake plants, peace lilies, and philodendrons.
Ficus
The Ficus is a very popular houseplant because it thrives in a wide range of conditions. It can tolerate both bright light and low light, as long as it is not in complete darkness. This plant does best in moderate to high humidity and prefers to be watered regularly.
Dracaena
The Dracaena family is a great group of plants for folks who want something a little more unusual, or for those who don’t have a lot of light to work with. Most of the plants in this genus have thick, fleshy roots and can tolerate some degree of drought. They range in size from small tabletop plants to large floor specimens. While they are not fast growers, they can reach heights of 6 feet or more given time.
Dracaenas like bright, indirect light and can tolerate some direct sun, especially if they are slowly acclimated to it. They prefer slightly moist soil, but will tolerate periods of drought reasonably well. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems with these plants, so err on the side of too little rather than too much water. These plants are generally quite tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, though they may suffer leaf damage if exposed to sustained temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Philodendron
The Philodendron is a genus of about 900 species of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical America. Many of the species are abundant in the rainforest canopy. Philodendrons grow primarily in the tropical Americas, but also occur in other warm regions such as Hawaii and the West Indies. They have been introduced to Africa and Australia.
Most Philodendrons are climbers with long, aerial roots that help them attach to trees or other structures. Some have adapted to life as ground-dwellers and have rather Short internodes (the distance between two leaves on the stem). The largest member of the genus, P. obliquum, can grow 20 m (66 ft) high with leaf blades 1 m (3 ft 3 in) long by 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in) wide. Smaller species such as P. scandens and P. bipinnatifidum are common houseplants because they are tolerant of low light conditions and can be easily propagated by stem cuttings.
Philodendrons have large, often variegated leaves that may be simple or lobed, and ranging from 20 cm (8 in) to over 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in length depending on the species; leaf shape is highly variable between species. The stems bearing these leaves may be smooth or variously covered with sharp appendages; some climber forms also produce aerial roots which may help them attach themselves to surfaces for support as they grow upwards. In some species, such as P. philodendron and P. hederaceum, these appendages may be branched; other species produce them singly from each node along the stem."
Plants that need bright light
Most houseplants need bright light to grow well, but there are a few that will do just fine in lower light conditions. If you're looking for a plant that can thrive in medium or low light, consider the following varieties.
Cactus
Cacti come in all shapes and sizes, and can thrive in both bright light and medium light. When choosing a cactus for your home, make sure to pick one that is small enough to fit the space you have available. Cacti do not like to be crowded, and will do best in a pot that is only slightly larger than the size of their root ball.
Cactus need bright light to bloom, but can tolerate lower light levels during the rest of the year. If you are growing cactus indoors, place them in an east- or south-facing window. In very bright conditions, you may need to provide some shade for your cactus during the hottest hours of the day.
Cactus are low-maintenance plants, and only need to be watered every two to three weeks. Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering. During the winter months, water even less frequently, only enough to keep the plant from shrinking too much.
Aloe
Aloes thrive in bright light but can tolerate medium light. They're easy to care for and make great houseplants. Aloes need well-drained soil and should be watered only when the soil is dry to the touch.
Succulents
If you’re looking for plants that will thrive in bright light, succulents are a great option. These hardy plants are able to tolerate a wide range of light conditions, from bright sun to low light. And because they’re so easy to care for, succulents are ideal for those who don’t have a lot of time to devote to plant care.
There are many different types of succulents, so you’re sure to find one that fits your style. Popular varieties include aloe vera, cactus, and jade plant. But no matter which type you choose, you can be confident that your succulent will thrive in bright light.