Indirect sunlight occurs when something in the path of light from the sun diffuses or filters the sunlight before it hits your plants. Examples include sheer curtains, a piece of furniture, a tree outside your window, or even another indoor plant placed in front to protect the lower-light plant.
Indirect light is light that is filtered by a shade, sheer curtains, or the leaves on a tree outside the window. It can also refer to light that is reflected off a nearby surface (a light colored wall, for example).
The light that passes through a window is considered indirect, as the rays will be diffused and won't have the same intensity. However, it depends on the window. If your window is south facing and there are no obstructions, it can be considered direct light.
The soft glow created by the multiple sources creates a more even distribution of light throughout the space without any harsh contrasts. Examples of indirect lights include wall washers, uplighter's and even spotlighting if it's pointed towards another surface.
Probably the closest to indirect sunlight outside would be a shaded porch or patio, somewhere protected at all times from direct sunlight. An area on the north side of a structure would also probably be protected from direct sunlight all day, but it could well have a higher light level than a patio or porch.
East-facing windows provide bright, indirect sunlight during the day and throughout the majority of the year. For plant lovers needing indirect sunlight, an east-facing window is your best bet.
Light. Household light varies in intensity, depending on the season and the exposure. South-facing windows provide the most light: direct sunlight within 2 to 3 feet of the window; bright, indirect sunlight up to 5 feet from the window; and semi-shade up to 8 feet away from the window.
South facing: South-facing windows are on the south side of the house, which gets the brightest light from the sun. "The amount of bright light coming through the windows can be intense, typically hotter and last a long time," says Roethling. "This is ideal for plants needing bright light."
Indirect light can be achieved through several methods, including: Reflected light: Light bounces off a surface, such as a wall, ceiling, or floor, and illuminates the room indirectly. Diffused light: Light is dispersed through a medium, such as a lampshade, or a frosted glass fixture, to create a soft glow.
Plants that need bright, indirect light do well in east-facing windows. West Facing Window (afternoon sun, hot and bright) - Western windows will receive more indirect light in the early morning and early afternoon.
Morning sun is tends to be superior to afternoon sun because it will dry dew from leaves of the plant, which reduces disease, and it is cooler. Most plants, even those that tolerate full sun, will appreciate even momentary respite from the afternoon sun.
Native to Central America, arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum) is one of the best low-light indoor plants and can tolerate many conditions. Its handsome foliage can be bright green, bronze, or variegated.
Don't forget – indirect UV reflected off surfaces means UV can still enter the shade from the sides. That is why it is a good idea to use other forms of sun protection even when in the shade. UV is still active on cool and cloudy days.
Indirect sun exposure is when something is partially protecting you from the sun, like a window. If you're not wearing adequate sunscreen, these exposures add up and lead to lasting sun damage.
Even with outdoor shading, you're still getting this inbound heat energy for part of the day as the sun's angle changes. Your solar-facing windows essentially become glass ovens, acting as ongoing heat sources for your home, whether you want them to do this or not.
Indirect sunlight occurs when something in the path of light from the sun diffuses or filters the sunlight before it hits your plants. Examples include sheer curtains, a piece of furniture, a tree outside your window, or even another indoor plant placed in front to protect the lower-light plant.
Direct sunlight reaches the Earth's surface when there is no cloud cover between the sun and the Earth, while cloud cover causes indirect sunlight to reach the surface.
In this way, the light the moon provides is indirect illumination from the sun. Indoors we experience indirect illumination when luminaires are used to aim the light source at ceilings or walls to reflect around the room. The opposite of indirect illumination is, of course, direct illumination – or direct light.
The short answer is no. Grow lights are not direct sunlight, but they serve as a suitable alternative for plants when natural sunlight is scarce. While they provide the necessary light spectrum and intensity for photosynthesis, grow lights cannot replicate the full range of benefits that natural sunlight offers.
Once you understand what direction your windows face, you can better determine how much light they're letting in: North- Low to moderate indirect light.
Full-spectrum LED or fluorescent grow bulbs designed for plants have a balance of red light and blue needed by most plants. Alternatively, a combination of red wavelength and blue wavelength bulbs will support the light needs of most plants.
East and west-facing windows provide something in between. For plants that need lots of light, south-facing is ideal. In the case of shade-loving plants, it is good to place the plant farther away from the window or move it to a place where other objects will hit the light first and have a filtering effect.
A good way to maintain Orchids and Cast-Iron Plants is by placing them near good light control. To do this, we recommend light-filtering roller blinds as they are made from translucent or sunscreen fabrics which will ensure your plants get just the right amount of soft sunlight throughout the day.