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Indoor Plants Grow Best With Sunlight

A home is a place of comfort and warmth. The décor is a critical part of creating the desired atmosphere and indoor plants play a major role in this. The presence of greenery and bright flowers brings a touch of the outdoors inside and adds freshness to the interiors. Not all plants are suitable for growing indoors and having the right ones, those that will bloom and grow indoors, is essential. One thing that all plants have in common is the three things they need to grow – air, water and sunlight. Air of course, is all pervasive and giving plants the water they need is simple. The problem with indoor plants is providing them with the sunlight they require.


Where to Get the Best Light

Traditionally, placing plants near windows is the way to give them the maximum exposure to sunlight. The problem with that is that the direction the window is facing is a key factor in sunlight availability. In North America, the typical light intensity based on window orientation is:
  • North facing windows. This direction tends to have the least light intensity and will usually have deep shadows beyond the limited area of direct sunlight. Plants normally do not thrive near these windows, especially in winter.
  • South facing windows. Since the sun follows an east to west arc, windows facing this direction usually have strong daylight intensity and plants placed here do well. One problem could be that excess sunlight could lead to some burning of the plants.
  • West facing windows. These get the maximum afternoon and evening sunlight. Although the amount is not as much as with south facing windows, this is the second best location for your plants.
  • East facing windows.  The morning sun that comes through these windows is good for plants that need only a limited amount of sunlight.
One problem with the light from windows is that placing plants in these fixed locations may not work with the interior décor and layout. A solution for this problem is the use of daylighting systems which collect sunlight from the roof and use special tubes to carry the light into even the most interior parts of the home, where sunlight is often very limited or not available at all. Not only will the presence of natural light make the interior look better, the placement of plants does not have to be dictated by their proximity to windows.

People Need Daylight Too

One of the biggest health issues facing city dwellers is the inadequate exposure to sunlight. The benefits of this on human health are well documented and known. Being indoors, often under electrical light even during the day, may be an inevitable part of modern life, but it is not good for health. Humans need sunlight just as plants do. Using daylighting systems to spread natural light indoors is a great way to make up for this deficiency. Besides benefiting human health, sunlight adds another level of beauty and comfort to the interiors. And, of course, the reduction in the use of electric lighting means a lowering of utility bills. Finding the right daylighting system for your home is not difficult. All you need to do is go online to find a company with a reputation for quality, state-of-the-art technology and cost effective solutions with simple and quick installation. In other words, find the brand leader. With that done, search for a dealer close to you, have a daylighting assessment done and finalize the type of system and fittings you want. It’s not just your indoor plants, everyone in the family will be happier with a daylighting system in place.

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