Question
Thank you so much for your answer, it cleared things up a lot for me. But, when writing my question to you, I made a considerable mistake, my room isnt southeast, it's just east. Thank you again. I would like to read your article on light, my email is [email protected]
Right now, I don't know which plants I am going to get, but so far I have a diffenbacchia, a ficus, an asparagus, and a "pot rose". I just got the pot rose a few days ago, and the other 3 are recovering, because I recently moved from a dark apartment. Do I have to get different fertilizers for all these plants, or is there a "general" one for all of them? Also, do soaking eggshells in water, and tea brew really help plants?
Thank you again,
Kate
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Followup To
Question -
Hello!
I have several indoor plants, I want to get more, but I don't know exactly what it means when there's "full sun", "partial", "direct sun", so I don't know which plants to get. I got confused with all these labels because in several books I looked up plants that I've had or someone else had, kept them in a relatively shady room, and they grew very well, while the  book would say that it needs a lot of sunlight. What IS a lot of sunlight? Does that mean a particular amount of direct sunlight a day? Does a  well-lit room mean one where you could see sunspots on walls and floor or one that is just not dark?  The windows of the room I want to place the plants in face the Southeast direction. In the morning, I can say that it's definetly very sunny, something I'd probably call direct sun, for about 3 hours or so. Is direct sun, full sun, bright light the same thing?  Would something like that be good for plants that are labeled "full sun", "direct sun", bright light?
Thank you for your advice
Answer -
Hi Kate,

I could write entire chapter on the subject of light and how to analyze it and I have. I will try to stay with the most important aspects, but if I overlook what you are seeking, be sure to get back to me.

Professionals measure light very scientifically with light meters in units called footcandles. They can determine the optimum amount of light intensity and duration for each species of plant. Unfortunately, none of this helps the layperson who doesn't have the equipment to do this. Laypeople don't know what footcandles are so we end up using words such as indirect, bright indirect, full, partial, lightly  shaded, shaded , low medium, and high light. All of these terms have no precise meaning and many of them overlap with one another. No wonder everyone is confused!

On top of all of this every plant species has a fairly wide range of light that is acceptable to that species. For example, many medium light plants can adapt to both low and high light. Consequently, different experts may recommend the same plant in any one of those light categories. More confusion!

Let me try to provide a few definitions for terms you have mentioned.

Direct sun is sun that shines directly on the plant on a sunny day. This would be right in front of a window where the light is streaming in. But the plant might be in direct sun for only part of the day as the sun moves across the sky.

Indirect sun is any sunlight that does not shine directly on the plant. This might be off to the side of a sunny window or it might be in a north window where the sun never shines in directly.

Filtered light is the same as indirect light. However, it is usually a situation where the direct sun is filtered through a sheer window covering.

Full sun is usaually applied to plants that are outside and planted in the open, unprotected by taller shrubs or trees or buildings.

Partial sun means a mix of direct and indirect sun during the course of the day. This would be a plant that faces east and gets the morning sun directly, but is then in shade in the afternoon as the sun moves. Partial sun can also mean direct sun coming through a window that is covered with partially opened blinds so that the plant receives a mix of direct sun and shadow.

A "lot of sunlight" means direct sun for most or all of the day.

A "well lit room" is one that is bright all day, but not necessarily with direct sun. Usually this means a room with several windows and or a skylight. This is a room where you would be able to read comfortably all day without needing artificial lights.

As for your room with southeast windows: You would get several hours of direct sun each day immedietely in front of the windows. However, later in the day, the light would be bright indirect light. Off to the side of the windows or back away from the windows the light would also be bright, indirect. If the room is large, then the area farthest from the window might be considered medium or low light, but not direct or bright.

I have written an aticle on light that elaborates on all of this in a bit more detail. I will e-mail it to you if you send a request to me at my e-mail address below my name.

If there are specific plants that you are considering for your space, let me know what they are and I will tell you what the best light and location is for each of them.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

If this information has been helpful, please remember to give me an AllExperts rating and nomination.  

Answer
Hi Kate,

If your room has east windows: You would get several hours of direct sun each morning immediately in front of the windows. However, from late morning on, the light would be bright indirect light. Off to the side of the windows or back away from the windows the light would be bright, indirect in the morning, but low light for the remainder of the day. If the room is large, then the areas farthest from the window would not be adequate even for low light plants.

Your Ficus tree needs as much light as you can provide, so try to place it right in front of and close to a window. They are notorious for dropping leaves whenever they are relocated, so expect that to happen. Pruning it back by one-third will help ease the transition.

Dieffenbachia prefers bright indirect light with a few hours of direct sun. So it would do best in front of a window. However, it can adapt to a location near the window but where the sun does not shine directly onto it in the morning.

I assume your asparagus is an aspargus fern. If so, it should be hung right in the window or placed on a windowsill because it does better the more light that it gets. It will not adapt to reduced light as well as your Dieffenbachia.

Miniature roses do not perform well indoors because they need lots of direct sun, cool temps, and high humidity. Because most people cannot provide those conditions in their homes, roses are considered to be discaradable plants after they finish flowering. Because they are hybrids, they don't usually do well when planted outdoors in the ground.

An all-purpose fertilizer is fine for all of your plants. Fertilizing is over-rated, so don't spend too much time or money with it. Light, proper watering, and not overpotting are far more important. If you do fertilize, use it at half the recommended rate and only when each plant is putting out vigorous new growth.

There are so many different teas available that it is hard to give a definitive answer because you don't really know what it is that you are adding. However any teas that are acidic should definitely be avoided. Good quality soil will have all of the nutrients that a plant needs so it is unlikely that any tea would be very beneficial.

Eggshells are a source of calcium, which is one element that plants do require. However, good soil and any complete fertilizer will have more than enough calcium. Eggshells work very well in compost, but indoors they do not degrade properly and the amount of calcium released is minimal. The eggshells may also create odors and attract pests that you don't want.

I will send you my article on light and I will also include my article on Ficus tree care.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

If this information has been helpful, please remember to give me an AllExperts rating and nomination.