African Violets | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1000-1200 FC (200-240 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/foliage/folnotes/africanv.htm | |
Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen, and several species) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 1-2 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1000-2400 FC (200-480 µmol) | Classical “low light” tolerant houseplant. Plant dies slowly below 100 FC and will look ugly after a year or two. | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/aglaonem.htm |
Air Plants (Tillandsia – many species) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 3-4 hours direct sun is tolerable | 3000-7000 FC (600-1400 µmol) | my air plant care video here https://youtu.be/sjNVLgEbvOY | https://bromeliadsocietyhouston.org/genera-intro/tillandsia/ |
Alocasia (several species) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 3-4 hours direct sun is tolerable | 2000-5000 FC (400-1000 µmol)(estimated based on ‘part shade/part sun’) | Leaves will very likely die back. Calmly repot the base into fresh soil and new leaves may sprout. | https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fp033 |
Anthurium (several species) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 1-2 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1500-2000 FC (300-400 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/anthuriu.htm | |
Aspidistra (Cast-Iron Plant) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 1-2 hours direct sun is tolerable | 2000-5000 FC (400-1000 µmol) | Classical “low light” tolerant houseplant. Plant dies slowly below 100 FC but will look fine for many months, possibly years. | https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/UF/00/08/93/74/00001/EP14700.pdf |
Areca Palm | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 3-4 hours direct sun is tolerable | 5000-6000 FC (1000-1200 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/areca.htm | |
Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podophyllum) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1500-3000 FC (300-600 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/nephthyt.htm | |
Begonia (several species) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 1-2 hours direct sun is tolerable | 2000-2500 FC (400-500 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/foliage/folnotes/begonias.htm | |
Bird-Of-Paradise (Strelitzia) | 800 FC (160 µmol) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 4-5 hours direct sun is tolerable | 2000-5000 FC (400-1000 µmol)(estimated based on ‘part shade/part sun’) | http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/strrega.pdf | |
Calathea (several species) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 1-2 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1000-2000 FC (200-400 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/calathea.htm | |
Cordyline (Ti Plant) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 3-4 hours direct sun is tolerable | 3000 FC (600 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/cordylin.htm | |
Croton (several species) | 800 FC (160 µmol) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 4-5 hours direct sun is tolerable | 3000-5000 FC (600-1000 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/crotons.htm | |
Dieffenbachia (Dumb cane; several species) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 3-4 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1500-3000 FC (300-600 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/dieffenb.htm | |
Dracaena (several species) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 3-4 hours direct sun is tolerable | 2000-3000 FC (400-600 µmol) | Very low-light tolerant – I’ve seen one last for years at 30-50 FC. It had very long, thin and dark green spindly foliage but it was alive. | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/dracaena.htm |
English Ivy (Hedera helix) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1500-2500 FC (300-500 µmol) | lower leaves will drop off – generally doesn’t look nice after a year. | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/english.htm |
Hoya (several species) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 3-4 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1500-2000 FC (300-400 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/waxplant.htm | |
Ferns (Boston Fern, Bird’s Nest Fern, Maidenhair Fern) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | Bird’s nest fern/maidenhair fern – 1-2 hours direct sun is tolerable but must keep soil evenly moist | 1500-3000 FC (300-600 µmol) | my Maidenhair fern care video here: https://youtu.be/Q1FecMy2zXE | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/bostonF.htm https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/birdnest.htm |
Ficus (Rubber plant, elastica; Fiddle leaf fig, lyrata; benjamina) | 800 FC (160 µmol) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 3-4 hours of direct sun is tolerable | 2000-6000 FC (400-1200 µmol) | if you don’t have at least 400 FC of indirect light, your fiddle leaf fig will lose most of its lower leaves. If you have small windows, save your money. | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/ficus.htm |
Fittonia (Nerve Plant) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 1-2 hours direct sun is tolerable but must keep soil evenly moist | 1500-2500 FC (300-500 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/fittonia.htm | |
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata, other Crassula) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 3-4 hours direct sun is tolerable | 5000-6000 FC (1000-1200 µmol) | Book "Tropical Foliage Plants" by Lynn P. Griffith Jr. - https://www.houseplantjournal.com/recommended-product/reference-books/ | Jade will stretch with indirect light levels below 200 FC most of the day - it won't die but you may not enjoy the stretched look. |
Maranta (Prayer Plant) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1000-2500 FC (200-500 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/maranta.htm | |
Monstera deliciosa | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1000-2500 FC (200-500 µmol) (estimated based on ‘shade/filtered sun’) | my detailed monstera care article – https://www.houseplantjournal.com/2017-1-25-monstera-deliciosa-house-plant-journal/ | https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS/HS31100.pdf |
Norfolk Island Pine | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable | 5000-6000 FC (1000-1200 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/norfolk.htm | |
Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 1-2 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1500-3000 FC (300-600 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/chamaed.htm | |
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 1-2 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1500-2500 FC (300-500 µmol) | Very “low light” tolerant – down to 50 FC, but will just barely survive and have high risk of root rot. Overall plant will gradually lose leaves and become thinner in low light. My peace lily care video – https://youtu.be/GpIsAhmWDbQ | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/spathiph.htm |
Peperomia (many species) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1500-3500 FC (300-700 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/pep.htm | |
Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1000-1500 FC (200-300 µmol) | http://www.aos.org/AOS/media/Content-Images/PDFs/GrowingtheBestPhalsPart_3.pdf | |
Philodendron Vines (Heart-leaf, Brasil, etc) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable but leaves may lose color. | 1500-3000 FC (300-600 µmol) | Very “low light” tolerant – down to 50 FC, but will just barely survive. | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/philo-hl.htm |
Philodendrons (Moonlight, Imperial Red, Prince of Orange, Pink Princess, etc.) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1500-2500 FC (300-500 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/philo-sh.htm | |
Pilea (Aluminum plant, cadierei and others; NOTE: Pilea peperomioides not specifically mentioned) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1000-2000 FC (200-400 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/pilea.htm | |
Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable | 3000-3500 FC (600-700 µmol) | should be cut back every few months to keep bushy, otherwise will grow leggy. | https://gpnmag.com/article/culture-report-hypoestes-hippo-series/ |
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum, Scindapsus pictus) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 3-4 hours direct sun is tolerable | 3000-5000 FC (600-1000 µmol) | Very “low light” tolerant – down to 50 FC, but will just barely survive. | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/pothos.htm |
Sansevieria (Snake Plant, Mother-in-law’s Tongue) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 5-6 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1000-6000 FC (200-1200 µmol) | Very “low light” tolerant – down to 50 FC, but will just barely survive and be at high risk of root rot. New leaves grown at low light levels will be long, thin and floppy. | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/sansevie.htm |
Schefflera (Mini Umbrella Tree, Schefflera arboricola; Umbrella Tree, Brassaia actinophylla) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable | 5000-7000 FC (1000-1400 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/scheffle.htm | |
Schlumbergera/Rhipsalidopsis (Christmas/Thanksgiving/Easter Cactus) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 3-4 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1500-3000 FC (300-600 µmol) | https://www.plantgrower.org/uploads/6/5/5/4/65545169/holiday_cactus_production_guide.pdf | |
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 2-3 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1000-2500 FC (200-500 µmol) | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/spider.htm | |
Staghorn Fern (Platycerium) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 3-4 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1000-2000 FC (200-400 µmol) | my staghorn fern care video here: https://youtu.be/bTM3WLwfq78 | http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg015 |
Succulents (Aloe, Echeveria, Euphorbia, etc.) | 800 FC (160 µmol) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 5-6 hours direct sun is tolerable | 5000 FC (1000 µmol) | Aloe and Euphorbia can stay looking mostly the same down to 200 FC; Echeveria will stretch when grown indoors after several months – it’s inevitable. You can propagate by taking leaf cuttings and stem tip cutting – they simply do not stay compact and cute forever. Here’s a video on succulent leaf propagation: https://youtu.be/laAtQf8kwEA | https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/floriculture/pdfs/crop_production/Cacti%20and%20Succulents_ENHFL04-006.pdf |
Yucca | 800 FC (160 µmol) | 400 FC (80 µmol) | 3-4 hours direct sun is tolerable | 6000-7000 FC (1200-1400 µmol) | often confused with Dracaena fragrans (Corn Plant), which is far more low-light tolerant. Yucca will not perform well below 400 FC. | https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/yucca.htm |
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) | 200 FC (40 µmol) | 100 FC (20 µmol) | 3-4 hours direct sun is tolerable | 1000-2000 FC (200-400 µmol) | often classified low-light tolerant, ZZ plant will survive with 50 FC but will be at high risk of root rot. | https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep252 |