Chloe Adams
Light is a vital factor in deciding which plants to keep indoors, and it can be difficult to estimate how much light each plant needs. The amount of light required by a plant varies from species to species, and there is no clear consensus on the amount of light each plant needs. However, plants classified as indoor plants are actually tropical understory plants, which have adapted to the filtered light available on the jungle floor. Therefore, too much direct sunlight can burn these plants. The light intensity of a plant's location can be measured using a light meter, and there are several smartphone applications that can help measure light levels. Light is measured in units such as foot-candles (ftc), lux, candela, and lumens. Low-light plants generally require between 50 and 250 foot-candles, while medium-light plants prefer 250 to 1,000 foot-candles. High-light plants require at least 1,000 foot-candles and are less suitable for artificial light.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of foot candles | A unit of illuminance or illumination, equivalent to the illumination produced by a source of one candle at a distance of one foot and equal to one lumen incident per square foot |
| Foot candles vs other units | Foot candles are an imprecise form of measurement, but they are still a common form of measurement in the horticulture community. Other units used to measure light for plant growth include lux, candela, and lumens. |
| Foot candles for low-light plants | 50-250 foot-candles |
| Foot candles for medium-light plants | 250-1,000 foot-candles |
| Foot candles for high-light plants | At least 1,000 foot-candles |
| Examples of low-light plants | Cast Iron Plant, Chinese Evergreen, Dracaena, Peperomia, Pothos, Sanseveria, ZZ plant, Arrowhead vine, Syngonium podophyllum, Asparagus ferns, Aluminum plant, Artillery fern, Moon valley pilea |
| Examples of high-light plants | Cacti and succulents, African violet |
| Tools for measuring foot candles | Light meters, smartphone apps, photographic light meters, PAR meters, spectrometers |
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What You'll Learn
Light intensity varies depending on the plant species
Light is a key ingredient in photosynthesis, which is central to plant productivity and growth. Light intensity, also known as Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD), directly influences the rate of photosynthesis in plants. Different plant species have different saturation points, where the rate of photosynthesis flattens out. The saturation point is the upper limit of light intensity beyond which the rate of photosynthesis does not increase.
The light compensation point marks the minimum light intensity required for a plant to survive. If a plant receives less light than the light compensation point, it may no longer be able to undergo photosynthesis and will eventually die. For instance, the maple species Acer mono has a higher saturation point and a lower light compensation point than the maple species A. pseudosieboldianum, indicating that A. mono has a stronger light utilization ability.
The light intensity required for optimal growth varies depending on the plant species. Plants that require high light intensity, such as cacti and succulents, may not be suitable for growing under artificial lights. On the other hand, plants like the cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) tolerate low light conditions very well. The Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) can tolerate light as low as 10 foot-candles.
Some plants that grow well under artificial lights include the African violet (Saintpaulia species), which thrives between 500 and 1,000 foot-candles, and the aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei), which tolerates low light levels. The arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum) grows well in low to medium light, while asparagus ferns (Asparagus densiflorus and Asparagus setaceus) grow more abundantly in medium light.
To measure light intensity, a light meter or a phone application can be used. While there is no clear consensus on the amount of light individual plants need, foot candles (FTC) are a common unit of measurement in horticulture. However, it is important to note that foot candles are an imprecise form of measurement.
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Foot candles are a unit of illuminance
Light is measured in specific units, just as distance is measured in units such as inches, meters, and miles. Similarly, there are several units for measuring light based on human eye sensitivity, including foot-candles (ftc), lux, candela, and lumens. Other units are commonly used to measure light for plant growth.
A foot candle is the amount of light required to saturate a one-foot square with one lumen of light. Foot candles can be measured using a light meter, which is a great, reliable way to measure light. There are also many phone applications that help your device measure light levels. The accuracy of these measurements varies based on the specific device and calculation method. They are usually accurate enough to determine a change in light levels but should only be used for approximations.
The number of foot candles required for plants varies depending on the type of plant. Low-light plants generally should receive between 50 and 250 foot-candles, while medium-light plants prefer 250 to 1,000 foot-candles. High-light plants generally require at least 1,000 foot-candles and are less satisfactory for growing under artificial lights in the home. However, special high-intensity lamps can be used to provide the necessary light intensity for these plants.
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There are many ways to measure foot candles
Foot candles are an imprecise form of measurement but they give a good idea of how much light a plant is getting. There is no clear consensus on what levels of light individual plants need, and foot-candle recommendations vary. However, some plants that require high light intensity need at least 1,000 foot-candles, or 20 watts per square foot of the growing area.
To measure foot candles, you can use a light meter, which is a great and reliable way to measure light. There are also many phone applications that help your device measure light levels. For example, if you have an iPhone, Light Meter is a function that can be used to measure foot candles. It costs $1.99 and is a good purchase if you are unsure about the placement of a new plant.
Calculating wattage per square foot of the growing area is another useful and easy way to estimate the light required. When using fluorescent tubes, simply multiply the wattage desired by the square feet of the growing area. For instance, if you have a 4-square-foot area of low-light plants that need 10 watts, the calculation would be 10 watts x 4 square feet, or 40 watts.
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Different light sources have different effects on plants
Plants need light to convert carbon dioxide and water into the sugars that fuel their growth. Different light sources have different effects on plants, and the intensity and quality of light have obvious influences on plants. Light intensity is usually used to measure the brightness of a light source or the intensity of a light beam. Light is measured in specific units, including foot-candles (ftc), lux, candela, and lumens.
The light we receive from the sun and light bulbs is made up of many colours mixed together. Although plants do not need all of these colours to survive, they will grow better under a broad spectrum of light. Sunlight provides a broad spectrum of colours, and bulbs labelled "broad spectrum" are also available. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants absorb light and produce sugars to grow and thrive. A major light-absorbing pigment in this process is a protein called "chlorophyll", which is why plants are green.
Plants can be grown under various light sources, but some are better than others. Incandescent bulbs, for example, are inefficient at converting energy to light and may produce too much heat and far-red light for some plants. Fluorescent lights are more efficient and last longer than incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent tubes do not produce as much light at the ends as they do in the centre, so the brightest spot under a fluorescent fixture is directly beneath the centre of the tubes.
For plants requiring high light intensity, fixtures with three to four fluorescent tubes are necessary. Most plants should be located with their tips 6 to 12 inches from the light source, as the intensity of light drops rapidly with distance. Cacti and succulents, for example, need high light intensities and are not suitable for growing under artificial lights for extended periods. African violets, on the other hand, grow well between 500 and 1,000 foot-candles, with 16 to 18 hours of light each day.
The colour of light also has a measurable impact on the amount of energy a plant absorbs. Different colours have different wavelengths, providing different energy levels. Violet and purple light has shorter wavelengths and higher energy, while red light has longer wavelengths and lower energy. Blue light is essential during germination, encouraging sprouting and root development. Red light is important during the blooming and flowering phase.
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Plants need light to photosynthesise
The amount of light a plant needs varies depending on the type of plant. Low-light plants generally require between 50 and 250 foot-candles, while medium-light plants prefer 250 to 1,000 foot-candles. High-light plants, such as cacti and succulents, need at least 1,000 foot-candles and are less suitable for artificial lights in the home. However, special high-intensity lamps can be used to provide the necessary light intensity for these plants.
It is important to note that the intensity of light drops rapidly as the distance from the light source increases. Therefore, most plants should be placed with their tips 6 to 12 inches from the light source. Additionally, the light fixture's position should be adjustable to maintain a constant distance between the light and the plant.
To measure the light intensity, you can use a hand-held digital light meter or a smartphone application. While there is no clear consensus on the amount of light individual plants need, using foot candles as a unit of measurement can give a good indication of how much light a plant is receiving. By understanding the light requirements of your plants and using the appropriate light sources and measurements, you can create optimal conditions for healthy plant growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Low-light plants generally require between 50 and 250 foot-candles. Some plants that fall into this category include the Cast Iron Plant, Chinese Evergreen, Dracaena, Peperomia, and ZZ Plant.
Medium-light plants prefer 250 to 1,000 foot-candles. Examples of medium-light plants include the Arrowhead Vine, Asparagus Fern, and Grape Ivy.
High-light plants require at least 1,000 foot-candles and perform best with higher intensities. Examples of high-light plants include cacti and succulents.
