Lighting

As light is required for photosynthesis, inadequate light means that the plant is not able to grow well.  It will grow slower, conserve energy, and adapt to try and seek more light.  

Plants often become 'leggy' with long narrow stem growth. 

The stem distance between leaves (internodes) increases.

Plants may drop leaves with the older leaves being the first to be shed.

Flowering plants are unlikely to flower.

As growth is slowed, the plant will use less water so becomes more prone to overwatering.

The green colour of leaves is due to the presence of Chlorophyll.  

More chlorophyll means that less light is required for the process of photosynthesis.  So if your plant has a darker leaf colour, then it will handle lower light better.

If your plant has variegation, moving it to a position with more light will bring out the colours.  Inadequate light may cause the leaves to revert to being solid green.

Adding Magnesium (as directed) to your soil mix or as part of your fertiliser can improve foliage colour and growth.

Plant leaves become darker as their initial response to lower light conditions.  Similarly, leaves become lighter or burn when overexposed.

How sunlight comes through your windows and doors changes seasonally.  In the tropics, we see a distinct change every six months at the start of the dry and wet seasons.  Adjust the location or position of your plant if you see the plant's health deteriorate due to the season.

Plants can adapt to varying light levels if they are given adequate time.  Sudden changes in lighting are often the most detrimental.

A light meter can be used to more accurately determine light levels that are measured in Lux (Lumens per square metre).

Light levels are considered to be low, medium or high depending on the number of Lux emitted.

The type of light required for your indoor plant can be very confusing.  Terms such as bright, bright indirect, partly shaded, semi-shade, low light, full shade are commonly used.  See below pictures to help determine the ideal light level for your plant and space.

If light levels are insufficient and you are unable to move your plant, consider investing in a grow light.  

While any 'cool white' light over the counter will boost growth, grow lights are ideal and are designed to provide optimum light for plants.  For quality lights or individual globes, you will need to find a specialty shop or purchase online.

Grow lights can be bought with a lamp or put into an existing lamp or light fixture.

Grow lights emit full spectrum light that contains multiple light colours to support healthy plant growth.

The quality of a grow light is commonly referred to as Photosynthetic Photon Flux (PPF) and is measured in umol/s.  A light with a higher umol/s gives out more of the light your plant needs.