Most indoor plants prefer bright locations, although real sun worshipers are rare when greening living spaces. The requirements vary from species to species. Indoors, plants are mainly needed that can get by with significantly less light or only then feel really comfortable. Species with filigree and colorful foliage are particularly suitable, but also succulents and flowering plants. Some of them can be exceptionally large and space-filling.
light
How much light does a plant need?
Hardly any houseplant can do without light. In most indoor spaces it is often too dark for plants, even if we perceive it as bright. The light intensity is strongest directly at the window, depending on the orientation. Already 1 m away it decreases significantly. Already 2 m away from the window, it becomes difficult or even impossible for most indoor plants to thrive.
light ratio
In addition, the light yield in living spaces is influenced by various factors, such as the orientation of the windows, opposite buildings that provide shade or larger trees or other tall plants near the window. Houseplants that need little light are content with a few hours of sunshine per day and usually do not tolerate direct or permanent sunlight. As a result, they are in good hands in or on a north-facing window and sometimes also in places with significantly less light, such as a hallway, niches with little light or even in cool bedrooms.
light arm
Low light is not to be equated with shady or shade-loving, because shade-loving means that the plants in question can be mostly in the dark. Only very few can do that. Houseplants that also feel comfortable in locations with little light include both green and flowering species as well as ornamental foliage plants and some succulents.
species
Species that are not suitable for locations with less light show that, among other things, lack of growth, lack of flowering, yellowish leaves that fall off later and long, thin and weak shoots. It is therefore all the more important to consider the individual location requirements when choosing houseplants.
Bulrush cactus, Rhipsalis cereuscula
Blooming
Orchid (Aspasia lunata Orchidaceae)
This small, compact orchid in multiple panicles impresses with star-like, multicolored flowers measuring 4 - 7 cm in size, which appear from June to August. It gets by with less light and does not tolerate direct sun. She feels most comfortable in partial shade. It must also be kept moist after flowering or during the dormant period in winter. It is also important to ensure high humidity and good ventilation.
Orchid (Ludisia discolor)
This terrestrial orchid is particularly striking because of its long panicles of flowers, which are covered all over with small white flowers with a bright yellow heart. The velvety purple to olive-colored leaves, which also have attractive markings, are no less pretty. Ludisia discolor thrives best in shady to semi-shady places and at room temperature all year round. She does not tolerate blazing sun.
Alsobie (Alsobia dianthiflora)
- Alsobia dianthiflora is small, robust and easy to care for
- it makes extraordinary finely fringed, funnel-shaped, brilliant white flowers
- Flowers form a beautiful contrast to the medium-green foliage with velvety hairs
- Flowering time is from June to September
- Alsobia constantly develops small children in the form of plant clusters
- they take root quickly when they come into contact with the ground
- prefer a partially shaded spot
Tip: The Alsobie generally loves a humid and warm climate, which is why it is also very popular with terrarium lovers.
Flamingo flower (Anthurium × andreanum)
The flamingo flower, also known as anthurium, is popular for its magnificent flowers. These are glossy, bright red, orange, or white bracts that encase a long white-yellow spadix. The lush green leaves of these houseplants are elongated, heart-shaped and also glossy. The ideal location for the Anthurium is in the semi-shade without direct sun.
anthurium
Brown Spiderwort, Bear's Ear (Siderasis fuscata)
This plant, which grows like a rosette, owes its name bear's ear to its very hairy leaves, which are dark green on top and violet on the bottom and resemble bear's ears. Small purple-blue flowers appear between the leaves in summer. This plant grows between 15 and 45 cm high, forms rosettes, is easy to care for and has few demands on light. Strong temperature fluctuations should be avoided.
Einblatt, leaf flag (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
Single leaves are very grateful and undemanding indoor plants. What is special about them are the arum-like flowers, consisting of a pure white bract and the white spadix. They remain for up to five weeks and sit on long stalks above the dark green foliage. The single leaf feels most comfortable in semi-shady to shady locations, although it can also be brighter. High humidity is important for this plant.
A leaf
Tip: The leaves of these houseplants can filter toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air. This makes her an ideal plant for living rooms and bedrooms.
shrub veronica
Originally from New Zealand, shrub veronica, formerly known as Hebe, is perfect for partially shaded to shaded areas in the home. The decorative value of this plant is made up of the attractive pink or violet panicles of flowers on the one hand and the evergreen, sometimes variegated foliage on the other. Depending on the variety, the shrub veronica can grow to a height of between 15 and 50 cm.
shrub veronica
Green
Philodendron gloriosum
This exotic and evergreen philodendron species presents itself with beautiful foliage and white flowers in summer, although flowering is rather rare. The extremely ornamental 20-45 cm leaves of this rather creeping member of the arum family are heart-shaped and dark green with white veining, which is most pronounced with age. This plant thrives best in partial shade to shade, at room temperatures between 18 and 27 degrees and high humidity. All parts of this philodendron are poisonous.
Philodendron
House Aralia (Fatsia japonica)
With their eye-catching leaves, these attractive indoor plants bring Far Eastern flair into your home. The decorative value of these majestic plants is their up to 40 cm large, medium to dark green, long-stalked and lobed leaves. The leaf edges are light green, especially in this variety. The tops of the leaves are shiny in all varieties. The room aralie grows bushy and forms a trunk that can reach an impressive height of 150 cm after about three years. With a lot of luck, it can also develop flowers in old age. A semi-shady to bright location that is not too warm is ideal.
House Aralia, Fatsia japonica
Micah (Micania ternata)
Micahonia, which comes from South America, is also one of the ornamental foliage plants. It impresses with its dark green leaves with violet leaf veins on top and dark violet-red underneath. They have five lobes and are covered with fine white and violet hairs. Even the stems on which the leaves sit are purple in colour. Due to its climbing growth, the micania can be cultivated as a hanging plant or growing on a trellis. It can be in both light and shade.
Tip: If you want to achieve a denser growth, you can easily shorten the tendrils.
Coriander (Calathea)
The Korbmarante is a very decorative foliage plant. Their elegant leaves have different colors with distinctive drawings and patterns. In the evening they curl up, making a slight crackling noise. Some species of these houseplants develop white or yellow-orange flowers. With growth heights of 15 - 30 cm, they remain comparatively small. They prefer semi-shady locations without direct sun and high humidity.
Cork marante, Calathea zebrina
Arrow Leaf (Alocasia)
With these houseplants, too, the leaves are their greatest ornament. They are triangular and up to 45 cm long. Depending on the variety, they can be medium to dark green or bronze in color. They may have olive green or white veining, a metallic sheen, or a slightly wrinkled leaf center. The arrow leaf prefers semi-shady places without direct sunlight.
Arrow leaf, Alocasia cuprea
ferns
Moss fern, moss herb (Selaginella martensii)
There are also varieties of the not very easy-care moss herb from the moss fern family that are suitable for a living room culture, including 'Selaginella martensii'. The difference to other moss herbs kept indoors can be seen, among other things, in the color of the leaves, the growth height and, above all, the growth habit.
- Leaves are fleshy and arranged like scales
- they can be light, dark or gray green
- Moss herb shoots are richly branched
- can reach a length of up to 30 cm
- they grow upright up to a length of approx. 15 cm
- later they slope down
- Moss fern forms aerial roots that appear glassy in the lower part
- they grow towards the moist substrate
- form fine hair roots when they come into contact with the ground
- Moisture requirements in air and soil are medium to high
- can stand partially shaded and shaded as well as cool and warm
antler ferns
Antler ferns owe their name to the simply pinnate or pinnate leaves that resemble antlers. In their natural habitats, these ferns grow epiphytically as so-called epiphytes. The green, up to 100 cm long leaves only develop the somewhat bizarre, typical antler-like branching with increasing age. Their waxy surface protects them from drying out too much, so that these plants can also cope well with dry heating air. Antler fern is particularly effective as a traffic light plant in light to partially shaded locations.
Antler Fern, Platycerium
succulents
Bulrush cactus, coral cactus, rod cactus (Rhipsalis)
The rod cactus is one of the epiphytic growing cacti. It develops hanging, strongly branched shoots. The shoots can be angular, broadened like leaves or cylindrical in shape. Under optimal conditions, the rod cactus develops aerial roots and pretty greenish-white flowers at the shoot tips. This cactus does not want to be too warm or too cold. Room temperatures that remain the same all year round and high humidity are ideal. It does well in light and semi-shady locations, for example on a north-facing window.
Bulrush cactus, Rhipsalis baccifera
Easter cactus (Hatiora gaertneri)
The Easter cactus is often confused with the Christmas cactus. However, these are two different genres. Both differ in the shape of the flowers and leaves. The leaves of the Easter cactus usually have a reddish color and are not toothed. This cactus is available with different flower colors, ranging from white and soft pink to yellow and orange to red and dark purple. He likes half-shade, not too warm and not too cool.