What window is best for indirect sunlight?

Author: Kameron Jones  |  Last update: Sunday, April 13, 2025

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. West-facing windows also provide indirect sunlight in the early morning and afternoon.

Does sunlight through a window count as indirect?

Indirect light is sunlight that either passes through a medium—a window shade or the leaves of a tree—or reflects off another surface before reaching a plant. Most indoor settings only provide indirect light.

What facing window gets the least sun?

“In general, the South side of a home will receive the greatest direct sunlight and for the longest time each day,” Kenin says. Homes that face in the opposite direction, North, tend to get a softer overall light throughout the day.

Do east facing windows get direct sunlight?

East Facing Window - Medium bright and indirect light. This window will have direct sunlight in the morning or evening only. This light would be good for a pothos or philodendron.

Are east or west-facing windows better for plants?

East-facing windows get the first ray of light every morning as the sun rises; these rays are usually soft and not harsh. This is great for keeping your plants healthy and well.

What is Bright Indirect Light?

What are the best windows for indirect light?

East and west-facing windows provide some direct light up to 3 feet and indirect light up to 5 feet away. East windows get sun in the morning, west in the afternoon. North-facing windows provide semi-shade up to 5 feet away.

What direction is best for bright indirect light?

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.

Is a west-facing window indirect sunlight?

Taking the whole day into consideration, west-facing windows fulfill bright, indirect light requirements.

Does east-facing get full sun?

East-facing gardens get lots of soft, gentle morning sun, but the scorching sun of the afternoon is often partially blocked. This is still a viable spot for a garden, because many plants are delicate and susceptible to heat scorch. A few hours of warm morning light each day will be enough to keep many plants happy.

Are east-facing windows hot?

North-facing windows experience the least amount of heat gain throughout the day, whereas South-facing windows collect the most heat during the day. East-facing and West-facing windows lose the most amount of heat during winter and can actually gain the most amount of heat in the summer months.

What is bright indirect light?

Bright indirect light means houseplants have access to light but aren't being hit directly with the sun's rays. To achieve bright indirect light, it's best to move the plant about 1 to 2 feet away from the window.

What direction facing window is best?

South-facing rooms are the brightest in the house and offer consistent natural light all day. South-facing rooms boost your Light Index during the winter when there is less sunlight and gives you even more access to sunlight during the summer months.

How to get indirect sunlight?

Here are some examples of bright indirect light:
  1. Near a North-Facing Window: North-facing windows receive less direct sunlight, providing more diffused light.
  2. Behind a Sheer Curtain: Sunlight passes through the curtain, softening the intensity.

Is indirect sunlight good for you?

When it comes to adults, small amounts of bright indirect sunlight helps your body make vitamin D, promotes good sleep by regulating the sleep/wake cycle, and may improve your emotional wellbeing (source: WebMD).

Does sitting in shade count as indirect sunlight?

Indirect or dif- fuse UV light is radiation that has been scattered by the clouds and other elements in the atmosphere, and/or bounced back from UV-reflective surfaces like dry sand or concrete. In fact, a large percentage of the UV light we receive while sitting under a tree or an umbrella is indirect.

Is it better to have east or west facing windows?

East-facing homes provide the best of both worlds and give homeowners a little bit of everything. This allows you to get plenty of sunlight as well as shade and heat as well as cold.

Why are south-facing windows better?

If you live in the northern hemisphere and want natural light during the day, then southern exposure is your best bet. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. This means the south side will get the most natural light during the day.

Which direction is best for windows?

The ideal direction for windows in different rooms as per Vastu Shastra are:
  • Kitchen: Windows in the kitchen should face east or north.
  • Bedroom: Windows in the bedroom should face east.
  • Bathroom: Windows in the bathroom should face north or east.
  • Living Room: Windows in the living room should face east or north.

What direction is best for indirect sunlight?

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.

Is an east-facing window full sun?

South-facing windows receive the most light and are the hottest. North-facing windows receive the least light and are the weakest and coolest. East-facing windows receive light in the morning and are weak and cool. West-facing windows receive light in the afternoon and are strong and hot.

Do hoyas like west-facing windows?

In the quest for the perfect spot for your Hoya gracilis, window direction is key. East-facing windows are the sweet spot, offering a gentle morning light that won't overwhelm your plant. West-facing windows can work too, but they're like a strong afternoon coffee—potent and potentially too much.

Which direction of the house is best for sunlight?

South-facing and east-facing houses get the most sunlight.

It's also important to note that, because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, an east-facing home will receive the most morning sun and a west-facing house will get more afternoon sun.

Is indirect sunlight in front of a window?

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.

What is considered bright indirect sunlight?

If the shadow is sharp and clear, it means the plant is in direct sunlight. There is a tool you an purchase called a light meter, this will measure how much light your plant is getting through a measurement of ' foot-candles. ' Bright indirect light is usually around 800-1200 foot- candles.

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