Light is the number one reason houseplants struggle. Tell us which way your window faces, how far the plant sits from it and whether anything blocks the view, and we will estimate the light level in foot-candles and suggest plants that love that spot. You can also check a specific plant.
Houseplant Light Meter
Tell us about your window and we will estimate the light level and which houseplants will thrive there.
Loading the tool…
Window direction cheat sheet
- South-facing (north-facing in Australia): the brightest window, with direct sun for much of the day. Great for cacti, succulents, citrus and herbs.
- West-facing: bright, hot afternoon sun. Good for sun lovers; pull tropical plants a few feet back.
- East-facing: gentle morning sun, then bright indirect light. Ideal for most houseplants, including monstera.
- North-facing (south-facing in Australia): soft, even light with no direct sun. Best for low-light plants like snake plant, ZZ plant and pothos.
Light drops fast with distance: a plant 6 feet from a window may get only a quarter of the light it would get on the sill. In winter, move plants closer and wipe dust off the leaves. If no window is bright enough, a grow light makes a big difference; see our best grow lights for houseplants.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as bright indirect light?
A spot near a bright window where the plant sees a wide view of the sky but the sun’s rays do not hit the leaves for long. It is usually within 3 feet of an east window or a few feet back from a south or west window.
Can I measure light with my phone?
Yes. Free light meter apps give a rough lux reading (divide lux by about 10.76 to get foot-candles). They are not lab-accurate but are good enough to compare spots around your home.
Which houseplants grow in low light?
Snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos, cast iron plant, peace lily and heartleaf philodendron all cope with low light, though they grow slower there.