Jessie Taylor
The Monstera plant, native to the tropical rainforests of South and Central America, has become a popular houseplant due to its striking leaves. However, its light requirements can be challenging to determine. A foot-candle, a measure of light intensity, is defined as the amount of light received by a surface that is one foot away from a candle. For proper growth, Monstera plants typically require light intensity levels between 400 and 1,000 foot-candles, although they can survive at lower levels. Exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided as it can cause leaf discolouration and damage. Therefore, it is recommended to place the plant near an east-facing or west-facing window, maintaining a distance of 1 to 2 feet to achieve bright, indirect light.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Light intensity | 400-1,000 foot candles |
| Lux | 4,000-10,000 |
| Minimum light intensity | 100 foot candles |
| Minimum lux | 1,000 |
| Maximum light intensity | 2,000 foot candles |
| Maximum lux | 20,000 |
| Light type | Bright, indirect |
| Placement | 1-2 feet from the window |
| Window direction | East or west |
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What You'll Learn
Monstera light requirements range from 100 to 1000+ foot candles
Monstera light requirements vary depending on the intensity of the light source and the distance from the plant. The light requirements for Monsteras range from 100 to 1000+ foot candles.
A foot-candle is a measure of light intensity or brightness defined as the amount of light received by a surface that is one foot away from a candle. Light intensity can be measured using a light meter, which can be placed in the area where the plant is situated. Light meters come in various types, from simple to advanced, and can be used to measure the light intensity around noon when the light is brightest.
The Monstera plant typically needs a light intensity between 400 and 1,000 foot-candles for proper growth. It can also survive in 100 foot-candles, but it will not thrive. Bright indirect light allows houseplants to get enough light without being directly exposed to the sun's rays. To achieve bright indirect light, position the plant about one to two feet away from a window. An east-facing or west-facing window is ideal for plants that require bright indirect light.
Some Monstera species have leaves with white colouring, indicating lower chlorophyll content and a greater need for light to produce energy. While Monstera can grow in low-light environments, insufficient light will negatively impact the plant's health. Signs that a Monstera needs more light include slowed growth, leaves lacking characteristic splits, and smaller leaf size compared to well-lit plants.
It is important to note that exposing Monstera to direct sunlight for extended periods can cause the leaves to turn yellow and brown and may even damage them permanently. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid placing Monstera near south-facing or west-facing windows, as these can provide too much sunlight and potentially cause stress or sunburn to the plant.
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The plant thrives at 800-1000 foot candles
The Monstera plant, native to the tropical rainforests of South and Central America, is a popular houseplant due to its striking leaves. While it can grow in low-light environments, insufficient light will impact its health. To measure the light intensity for your Monstera, use a light meter and place it in the area where the plant is situated. The ideal light intensity for a Monstera plant is between 400 and 1,000 foot-candles, and the plant thrives at 800-1000 foot-candles.
To achieve this light intensity, position the plant about 1 to 2 feet away from a window. An east-facing window is ideal, as is a west-facing window, as long as the plant is not directly in the path of the sun's hot afternoon rays. If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, avoid placing your Monstera near a south-facing window, as this will expose it to too much sunlight and potentially cause stress. Positioning your Monstera near a west-facing window could also potentially lead to sunburn.
If your Monstera is not receiving enough light, there will be some tell-tale signs. Firstly, its growth will noticeably slow down compared to a healthy plant that receives adequate light. This can be observed by the reduced length of new stems and the overall lag in plant development. Secondly, the leaves will lack the characteristic splits commonly seen in well-lit plants. Lastly, the size of the leaves will be relatively small compared to a Monstera that receives optimal lighting.
Exposing Monstera to direct sunlight for extended periods is not recommended. Too much sunlight can cause the leaves to turn yellow and brown and can even damage them permanently. Bright, indirect light allows houseplants to get enough light without being directly exposed to the sun's rays.
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Light intensity is measured in foot candles
Foot candles are used to ensure that areas requiring certain light levels are receiving them. For example, offices, manufacturing facilities, and workrooms need higher foot-candle measurements to make work easier on the eyes. Conversely, hallways and lobbies require lower foot-candle readings to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
In the US, foot candles are used by architects to calculate adequate lighting levels in buildings. They are also used in museums and galleries to preserve light-sensitive objects such as paintings and photographs. Cinematographers use foot candles to set up lighting for filming.
Foot candles are also used to measure the optimum light intensity for various plants. For example, a monstera plant requires 800 to 1000 foot candles of bright, indirect light. In general, plants that prefer medium light receive 100 to 500 foot candles, while low-light plants receive 25 to 100 foot candles. Direct light is considered to be above 1000 foot candles.
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Direct sunlight is over 1000 foot candles
Direct sunlight is considered to be over 1000 foot candles. This is a very bright light that will produce distinct shadows and be warm on your skin. It is considerably weaker than direct sunlight outdoors, which can be 2000 to 5000 foot candles. Direct sunlight is strong enough to cause sun damage to many indoor plants, unless they are specifically suited to direct sunlight. Succulents, cacti, and flowering indoor plants, for example, thrive in direct light.
If you are measuring the light in lux, direct sunlight indoors is 20,000 to 50,000 lux. Lux is essentially the same as foot-candles, but it measures the amount of light hitting a one-metre square area, rather than a one-foot square.
If you are placing a plant in direct sunlight, you should be aware that some delicate houseplants, such as calatheas, can scorch easily even with a few hours of direct sunlight. If you notice signs of excessive lighting, such as leaf yellowing, you should move your plant to a less bright location or shield it from the intense light.
If you are unsure how much light your plant is receiving, you can use a light meter app to measure the number of foot candles.
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Low light is 25-100 foot candles
A foot-candle (fc, ft-c, or ftc) is a measurement of light intensity, or brightness, defined as the amount of light received by a surface that is one foot away from a candle. In other words, it measures how much light falls on a surface. One foot-candle is equal to approximately 10.76 lux, which is typically rounded to 10 lux for convenience. Foot-candles are used in cinematography and photography to measure the intensity of light on a subject, and in horticulture to discuss the optimum light intensity for various plants.
If you are looking to provide low light for your Monstera, you are looking at 25 to 100 foot-candles. This is equivalent to a room with no windows or where the curtains are closed most of the time. If your Monstera does get some sunlight, it should be through a north-facing window. You can use a light meter to measure foot-candles and determine the lighting values in a given space.
While Monstera plants can survive in low light, they thrive in bright, indirect light. This can be achieved by positioning the plant about 1 to 2 feet away from an east-facing or west-facing window. In terms of foot-candles, this is equivalent to 500 to 1000 fc.
If you are looking to provide your Monstera with lower light, there are a few options. You can place it further away from the window, or choose a north-facing window with no direct sunlight. You can also use sheer curtains or blinds to filter the sunlight and provide indirect light.
It is worth noting that the amount of light a Monstera needs may vary depending on other factors such as the specific species, the time of year, and the climate. Additionally, the orientation of the window and the latitude can also affect the intensity of light.
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Frequently asked questions
A Monstera plant typically needs a light intensity between 400-1,000 foot-candles for proper growth. It can survive in 100 foot-candles but won't thrive.
If your Monstera is not receiving enough light, its growth will slow down, the leaves will lack their characteristic splits, and the size of the leaves will be relatively small.
Too much sunlight can cause Monstera leaves to turn yellow and brown, and can even damage them permanently.
You can use a light meter to measure the light intensity in the area where your plant is situated. Light meters come in various types, ranging from simple to advanced, and can display measurements in foot-candles, lux, or both.
