What "Bright Indirect Light" really means: using a Light Meter | House Plant Journal

[@miahdavis9567]

This is probably the most useful video I've ever watched regarding lighting.

[@HousePlantJournal]

I'm so glad you found it helpful! Happy growing!

[@naomievlahogeorge7958]

Same - seriously thank you for explaining this in a way that makes total sense. I’m so tired of my house plants dying after spending hours checking the soil with moisture meters before I water with rain water only, using a pH meter to check the acidity/alkalinity of the soil, making sure to use the right mixture of soil media, etc. yet light is always something that’s been subjective in my mind until you explained it in a way that makes perfect sense. Obviously it’s time for me to buy a light meter. Thanks for posting!!!

[@unfortunatelyiamsane]

same

[@filmaddict1234567]

Same here!

[@stellakotsia3357]

Same here! I wish I had seen this before ordering six succulents that said "indirect light" AND a set of shelves I bought and installed yesterday FOR those plants! 😥 I thought just the fact that this wall is in a bright east facing room would be enough...

[@catmarie0119]

This comment section makes me feel so much better. I have been walking around my house asking all animals and plants what indirect light means and now I know I wasn't alone.

[@erinjoy5625]

Lol, seriously tho.!!😂.... As a new plant mom this whole Indirect sunlight thing has been making me crazy... This really makes it all make sence doesn't it.

[@marygreene9645]

For almost 50 years I've grown houseplants. But have always felt unsure, just trying to keep them from dying. As a teen the 70s, I bought Crockett's book on houseplants where he used the term foot candles and never completely understood. Finally! Some clear information. I really appreciate your simplistic approach to explaining lighting. Thank you.

[@shrewkumar]

Best 8 mins I spent on a plant care video ever. Thank-you!

[@dinaoctavina5254]

Some says that 'if you could read a book with that kind of light, then it'll do with your plants too' NO ONE explained it like you did. Thank you. As a new plants mama; this helped me SO MUCH...

[@HousePlantJournal]

So glad it helped! The problem with the notion 'if you can read a book...' is that it covers too wide a range of light levels. You can read a book with 50 foot-candles or 500 foot-candles because your eyes adjust easily for "comfortable reading". But the guidance of "let your plants see as much of the sky as possible" is concrete guidance to ensure you'll be closer to 500 FC rather than 50 FC (which would be far from the window)

[@Applegal06]

Because of your earlier video on light, I actually squatted down on my balcony imagining I'm a plant looking up at the sky 😂 Seeing you move your pothos every day makes me feel better about moving mine every day too! I put them closer to the edge of the balcony to see more sky but pull them in at night in case it rains heavily

[@AdamTillontheWeb]

I bought and read your book after watching an older video that mentioned this concept, and bought the same meter you show. Made a HUGE difference in the happiness of my plants, and let me add appropriate levels of supplemental lighting. From an engineer that loves techie solutions, I thank you.

[@HousePlantJournal]

I'm so glad to hear that I've helped you enjoy your plants! We need to bring some engineering logic to houseplant care!

[@AdamTillontheWeb]

House Plant Journal it’s always nice to be able to quantify things at first. Later the “feel” can come, but feel is hard to teach directly. Aquatic plant people take it to a whole other level with PAR and PUR, but the light meter we have is about a tenth of the price of a good PAR meter so this works for me.

[@HousePlantJournal]

@@AdamTillontheWeb let me tell you a secret: those PAR meters are only "more correct" when measuring pure red light. The spectrum of natural light and white LED light are evenly distributed enough so one can easily convert foot-candles to PAR with sufficient accuracy. Trust me, I've compared with a spectrometer!

[@AdamTillontheWeb]

House Plant Journal well that is interesting. I never investigated far enough to discover that, but it makes sense. For myself, I’d say as long as it allows me to draw comparisons between setups where I’ve been successful and ones where I haven’t, that works for me.

[@hedy_7084]

Where can the meter be purchased?

[@junglybeauty]

Clouds are dancing 💃🏻🌥️

[@HousePlantJournal]

Hehe, I just came up with that!

[@lysandrady2352]

This is so helpful! Especially when you used the fish eye! Everything makes sense! Thanks !

[@HousePlantJournal]

Glad you found it helpful! I'm all about making plant care make sense.

[@adilyamarie]

I love ur very specific way of explaining things!

[@HousePlantJournal]

I'm an engineer, I cringe from vague instructions...

[@adilyamarie]

House Plant Journal same! Except I’m a science teacher

[@lastcastproduction4030]

Finally someone who understands plant basics👍🏼👍🏼! People just buys plants not even knowing where their natural habitat are! This is the best explanation ive seen on youtube about light and plants!

[@GardeningInCanada]

I’m a soil scientist and just did a video on the idea of a window refracting light. For northern climates (like Canada) right in from of the window is best.

[@GardeningInCanada]

My plants I have only a few feet away 😂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXfGg5eHlpyFe9U

[@SmOk3dOutShoDy]

This is by far the most helpful video I've watched. Thank you so much!

[@Hopsterr]

You just made my life 8000 times easier !! Thank you (: I had no idea what “ bright indirect light “ was until I saw this video . I have been moving my plants around willy nilly! Love your video. Straight to the point . AMAZING CONTENT 🌞🪴

[@patriciakatrinabaron7639]

The dollar analogy is so helpful!

[@HousePlantJournal]

Haha - and I bet it makes you feel for your plants :)

[@Klayhamn]

this was a revolutionary video for me --- it made me re-evaluate all my plant positioning and try to make the most of my space close to my window. I have a huge window in my living room but because of a big tree outside - it really narrows the vertical "angle" that the light is coming in - illuminating only a short distance from the window. However, that space was unused by me. I tried to place plants well within the living room and supplement them with artificial light with limited success. After I saw your video i decided to utilize all my window space and the little natural light that i DO get - and bought a bench and moved some books and other decorations to make room for plants right by the windows. While it is not the "ideal location" in terms of how i would decorate my apartment if i had complete liberty --- it is much better for the plants themselves and allows them to thrive instead of barely surviving under forced agendas... Thank you so much

[@ct5625]

Excellent video! I also want to point out that most plant sellers are lazy when it comes to this. "Bright, indirect light" is basically boilerplate text, every plant is sold the same way mostly because no one knows what it's supposed to mean. They're kind of relying on this to be able to sell any plant to anyone. It took me a while to work out that it's basically a myth. All of my plants now either live by the window, or under a (nice looking) LED lamp in the right spectrum. I only move them around or add shade during the height of summer when there's a risk of them being scorched.

[@HousePlantJournal]

Agreed! Most people just want the simple answer and to take it at face value - a lot like "how often do I water this plant?" "once a week"

[@jessyflores11]

I bought the exact same light meter as you and I'm walking around my house at different times of day to measure how much light my plants are getting! THANK YOU! This video is very informative and helpful!

[@HousePlantJournal]

Nice! Once you've measured light, you will form a deeper connection with your plants!

[@becky7647]

I really appreciated the multiple ways throughout this video that you explain the concept of white for plants because it meant that people who understand information differently all could get some value out of this. Thanks for a great and informative video!

[@governmentrape]

This was so informative, thank you. I just watched this video through an article, but I had to come to your channel personally so I could like and comment. Thanks again, I know my little green dudes are gonna love it! 😃

[@TheCratsky]

Yes! Someone told me to put myself in my plant's shoes i.e. sit where your plant is going to be and if you can't see the sky, then you're not getting indirect light. Your plant needs to 'see' the sky otherwise it isn't getting indirect light

[@TahirKhan-cu6fd]

Kindly make a video about mirror reflected and redirected light for plants

[@jeremysalgado2181]

Most of my plants sit right in front of my south facing bay window and they all grow year round and just love it. I do have to fight to keep the heat down but some of my plants like it better than others. Self watering planters have become my new best friend in the summer.

[@shannonetling2616]

I love this video! I have never seen anyone break down light for plants this way. The tags can be very ambiguous. I think the next helpful step would be to provide a video which breaks down the foot candle ranges for the different light type combinations (bright, indirect, bright, medium, low). I would love if you did that!

[@HousePlantJournal]

When you have measured light indoors and understood what it means for a plant, you will see that categories like "bright, medium, and low" are misleading...I would rather describe them as "okay, poor, very poor" - but that wouldn't go over well with interior designers!

[@Miilycent]

I actually moved to a new apartment with bigger windows and my plants got so much happier, i get it now

[@karflo9245]

Thank you so much for this explanation! I have a very bright livingroom due to some high windows and - after checking with a light meter - the area where I thought my plants should be okay is actually not getting enough light. Needless to say that re-arrangements will be made ASAP.

[@glennelliott1759]

Love the nerdiness!!! I had bought a light meter a couple of weeks ago but I hadn't really learned how to use it. Now I am well on my way thank you

[@abigailhutchison2470]

This was an amazing way to describe lighting. I actually understand it now. Thank you

[@jillclifford5118]

Thank you so much for such an informative video. I also loved how you patted the plant in the beginning of the video! All the best to you !

[@brocephus1107]

I really appreciate how you explained this. Finally something that clicked

[@minutosdevida9351]

Amazing. You nailed it my friend. Thank you for this extraordinary explanation.

[@harveythecat]

Finally a good explanation of what indirect light means. Thank you!!

[@Yvette13Ruiz]

Thank you!! I’m buying a light meter asap!

[@theerosarymaker9938]

I have never thought of light in this way!! Thank you! Thank you!

[@Renee11123]

Thank you so much! This made so much sense to me. Now I can stop being anxious about my jade plant not getting enough indirect light/sky view every day. 🥰👏👏👏

[@raini_jjang]

I love this video, thank you for sharing this knowledge!!!

[@nataliejones7585]

Well, I finally realized that when we purchase plants, we're given only basic guidelines for care. But water, fertilization, potting medium, even the type of pot/planter and especially light have to be adjusted or tweaked based on the plants new home. I think that some plants were lost because of the lack of or too much light. I wonder how many plants out there are just existing and not truly thriving.... thank you👍🏽

[@Smallbootyhoe3869]

The plants thank you for making this 🙌🌞🌿🌱 as do their guardians!! THANK YOU !

[@getachofekada6211]

Thank you man! Simple direct and makes so much sense!!!! These other guys man I tell ya 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@alliwhite3941]

Wow this was informative! Also, rotating the pot every now and then is recommended, so all sides of your plant (especially when it's (getting) bigger) get the same sun exposure! 😊👍🏻

[@tommurphy4307]

good idea- but, for many phototropic plants it ends up being a waste of time.

[@HenryDelRosario]

Best video ever! Finally someone who teaches me the way I know best. Science and experimentation!

[@kissmiasma95]

This is super helpful, explaining it in this way!

[@duskadown6751]

tysm for this guide!! "bright, indirect light" felt so vague. I love the science added as a proper explaination

[@schang7129]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I finally know what bright indirect light means! No one has ever explained it the way you did in the video.

[@HousePlantJournal]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@krisshanahan3650]

Awesome demonstration. The iPad’s fisheye lens demo is brilliant. Thank you

[@PYRENEA64]

Thank you so much!!! it's the first time I hear someone explaining so clearly what bright light means and the demonstration is perfect. It's very usefull.

[@HousePlantJournal]

Glad you found it useful!

[@karenl5805]

Love how Darryl breaks down what indirect light means in a practical quantitative way, and the factory example! I've been trying to find a suitable bright, indirect light for my newer Monstera plant by moving it around the house. This is good advice!

[@no4657nono]

Didn't even know that 'footcandles' was a real thing... silly name.. thank you for the great video!

[@novathewomanking9675]

Thank you for your assessment, as a newbie in the plant world, this video was so helpful in me understanding low light vs any light at all

[@jessr5115]

this is the most interesting and informative plant channel by far, so glad to have found you ~ subscribed!

[@HousePlantJournal]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you find it helpful/informative! Welcome!

[@faerieTxn]

This is the second video of yours I’ve watched. I initially found you after looking for help for my orchid. Now I’m off to see what you have to say about caring for succulents. For a long time I couldn’t keep plants alive but after keeping quite a few succulents (but only certain types) and what’s supposed to be a bonsai tree (?) alive for 3 years now I want to step up my plant parent knowledge.

[@robbindavis4751]

Thank you for your wonderful example of how plants utilize light. I have purchase supplemental lightening and hope it will keep my plants going. Wish I had known this before purchasing so many plants.

[@joseluismunoz470]

Thanks! This was a great video. Much more informative with real data than the hundreds of plant videos who gloss over this topic.

[@KnotDude]

I bought that meter after your collab with Christian! I love checking out the FC of all my spots.

[@HousePlantJournal]

Nice! Did you make any shocking discoveries?

[@KnotDude]

House Plant Journal a few. im still not sure if im calculating everything correctly as far as light throughout the day. It really fun though and right up my alley 🤓

[@HousePlantJournal]

@@KnotDude Yeah, these light meters give you the instantaneous light intensity but in order to understand the DLI (daily light integral), you will need to measure throughout the day. There are some more advanced light meters that can log the data automatically :)

[@jennyh.7874]

I'm not very book smart.I never really enjoyed going to school but if I had a teacher like you I would of went to collage.

[@MF_ZORO]

No doubt in my mind that you're either an INTJ or INTP. Appreciate the video as a plant noob. Subbed.

[@carolk3703]

Great content as always. Your book was so helpful when I wanted to learn more. I read it from cover to cover in one sitting! Very helpful in quantifying light.

[@HousePlantJournal]

Thank you! I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@irairod5160]

Oh my goodness gracious! This was so incredibly helpful! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@apvlee5890]

light is a real game changer. killed a few and learned it the hard way. wish I had come across your video a lot earlier...

[@heatherfriedman1955]

I understand now I had to pay attention more and watch it again

[@cad0420alice]

If you want to get serious about lightning for plants, you should use PPFD and DLI instead of FC or Lux. BTW, 189FC is actually still very low for most plants. Pothos is a plant that grows outdoor high up on the trees and it can take direct sunlights for a few hours. It will survive beside your window but it will not be that happy. It is about the same needs as Monstera, if you gives it 100-200ppfd it will be happy, which is maybe around 600FC

[@user-mh6kl5dq1z]

Thank you for a brilliant explanation! I now understand why all my houseplants have died! From now on i will take on board your explanation about light.

[@spawnofsailor7158]

Wow! Thank you! As a visual learner, this is incredibly helpful!

[@jaclyna6440]

Love your video! Most of us underestimate how important light is to plants! I have seen how much my plants benefit from having more lights as they move closer to the window. The new leaves are bigger and they are just happier (thriving)! My only wish is to have more windows! 😀

[@HousePlantJournal]

Yes...the simple truth is those who have the largest windows will have the best looking indoor plants.

[@womenarewater]

Most helpful video Ever!! Frfr! You have no idea how many plants I’ve damaged trying to figure out “bright indirect light!” 🤦🏽‍♀️ thank you!

[@jet687]

I've been using a phone app to measure brightness where I put my plants after learning how unreliable eyes are at these things. Even just opening windows affect intensity so much.

[@bathos22]

Amazing and exceedingly informative content! Thank you for making a better plant parent out of me. Indoor plants everywhere thank you.

[@HousePlantJournal]

Thank you so much! I care about the plant and caretaker relationship!

[@nporter3]

I stumbled on your channel 2 days ago. I freaking love you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@jag9158]

You're amazing. My thanks to you

[@mayankgulati6557]

you explained it in the best way there could possibllllllly be !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@almostnude5pm]

Super helpful to see the fisheye example illustrated!! Thank you!

[@HousePlantJournal]

Glad you found it helpful! I've always wanted to find a use for the fisheye lens other than distorted dog photos.

[@ariikaii]

This is so helpful for scientifically minded indoor plant lovers. Thank you!

[@chikoskiii7767]

the only window in my apartment that gets light is a south facing window but my neighbors above me patio blocks some light so i really can’t tell if that’s a good spot for my plants 🥲 the suns not super strong and kinda filtered from that patio. so ty for this video i’m going to try using a light meter

[@heatherfriedman1955]

OK I think I understand now what you’re saying

[@GreatforGodMinistries]

😳 I am new to your channel and I must say that you took place t care to a whole new level for me. Plants, science and tech?! I’m here for it! 🙋🏽‍♀️ Thank you!

[@HousePlantJournal]

Welcome! Houseplant care is in dire need of some STEM thinking!

[@GreatforGodMinistries]

House Plant Journal I agree!

[@djpgrl]

I have been thinking about this and don't have the tools but I had the ideas. Thank you for showing us. Great video

[@anghud1]

Very Informative! Thank you.

[@marvelouscoachkj]

This is so helpful video ..not sure anyone can explain this more better ..short video and to the point

[@dawnmcfarland7011]

This channel is fantastic, how am I only just now finding it?!

[@plantsandpiggies7758]

Thanks so much!! I love all your videos and I loved your book. All of my plants are thriving, probably because I have north, east and south facing windows and balconies for all of my plants. (I am in the southern hemisphere). Most of my plants are in a north eastern window or balcony.

[@HousePlantJournal]

You're very welcome! Thank you for making 'The New Plant Parent' a part of your plant journey!

[@damondominique]

You just resurrected my plants

[@ruthstevens3720]

You have explained it so well! Wow! I have a big window but afternoon sun comes thru so I worry that my plants leaves will burn bc it seems that all indoor plant’s cannot be exposed to direct sun. What I did was put sheer curtains in both rooms where the sun is the strongest so I can still leave the windows open in hopes that the plants will get enough light. 🥺 i don’t know for sure if that is helping my plants. I truly loved your videos! I subscribed immediately to you channel and will continue to watch your videos. Thanks so much

[@thezerogforce]

Finally someone explains it . Thank you

[@dollworld3256]

Very, very useful. Backed by legit proof!! My plants are going to be so much more happy

[@fattykins7552]

Thank you for the information.

[@heres_the_sauce]

Thank you so much for this, that analogy is perfect! I bought one of those meters and was shocked how little light I was getting despite having 2 south and 2 west facing windows. Some plant rearrangements are in order!

[@HousePlantJournal]

Window classifications are practically useless because there are far too many sources of variance. Everything becomes clear once you've used a light meter :)

[@marciagarilli4862]

Excellent info and demo 👍🏼👍🏼

[@marciagarilli4862]

Now I need to buy a light meter 👍🏼 love the $ food analogy. Love geeking out on this. Well done 👍🏼

[@kerenpalacios1401]

Thank you for the video very helpful .

[@brandiefraser8822]

This. Makes. All. The. Sense. Thank you!!!!!!

[@HillaryCampbell108]

This was incredibly helpful to determine where to place my plants in my home. I bought the light meter you use and it’s super fascinating to measure light. I also now always think of “what my plant sees” in relation to the sky. Excellent video and guidelines!

[@henrytan8696]

Thank you for this video. You have shed much light on the commonly/loosely used term "bright indirect light". Excellent illustrations and explanation! Thumbs up! Liked & subscribed, will be exploring more of your works.

[@HerVibesDivine]

This is the best explanation EVER

[@Rena_Rubles]

This is a good video! Thank you!

[@jenniferwright1772]

Excellent! I finally get a "idea" of the term indirect light! Thanks

[@helloogieee]

This is most damn useful video i've ever watched regarding plant care specifically about light!!!

[@nporter3]

I just had to install some led grow lights and I’m sure i bought the wrong ones but its ok. Ill still work with them. My apartment only gets 3 hours of evening sun and its not very powerful sun. I did put a green house in my apartment and the Hoyas, Begonias and orchids love it. Oh i live in USA btw and in Maryland we have all four seasons.

[@mpgfoo]

Hmmm. This is brilliant. I love plants and photosynthesis. And you throw in math. Which is logic. It’s a cycle and a circle. Love it.

[@lynnwong-denton5947]

Thank you so much for your video and the superb explanation to this very pressing issue. Let there be light and the constant flirting of the term bright & indirect light. I love how you put things into perspective on the visibility of the sky from the view of the plant. I just got this huge ficus lyrata for my upcoming birthday and I am thrilled but after going through a few care tips the term bright and indirect light kept popping up and I actually had to decipher the term, "bright and indirect light" with much confusion. I am so glad that you covered this topic to shed some shed light for all of us :)

[@heatherfriedman1955]

I’m gonna have to watch this again and really pay attention cause it’s like somewhat confusing or maybe I’m just not paying enough attention I have to watch it again

[@ronkhan8163]

You are really smart sir