Plant Light Requirements Calculator

Determine if your location provides adequate light for different types of plants by calculating daily light exposure and comparing it with plant requirements. This calculator helps you choose the right location for your plants or select plants suitable for your space.

Why Use This Calculator?

• Determine if a location has enough light for specific plants
• Understand daily light requirements for different plant types
• Plan optimal plant placement in your space
• Choose plants suitable for available light conditions
• Improve plant health through proper light exposure

How to Use

1. Enter your location’s light conditions:

   • Hours of direct sunlight
   • Hours of bright indirect light
   • Hours of shade or low light
   • Light intensity (measured in foot-candles or lux)

2. Select your plant type or light requirement category:

   • Full sun plants
   • Partial sun plants
   • Shade-tolerant plants
   • Indoor plants

The calculator will analyze these inputs and provide recommendations for plant selection and placement.

Understanding Results

Daily Light Integral (DLI)

The calculator estimates the Daily Light Integral (DLI), which measures the total amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) received in a day. This helps determine if your location meets the plant’s needs.

Light Categories

• Full Sun: 6+ hours direct sunlight (>20,000 lux)
• Partial Sun: 3-6 hours direct sunlight (10,000-20,000 lux)
• Partial Shade: 2-3 hours direct sunlight (5,000-10,000 lux)
• Full Shade: < 2 hours direct sunlight (< 5,000 lux)

Common Use Cases

• Indoor Plant Placement: Optimize placement of houseplants
• Garden Planning: Design outdoor gardens based on light patterns
• Window Selection: Choose appropriate plants for different window exposures
• Artificial Lighting: Determine supplemental lighting needs

Tips for Light Management

• Consider seasonal light changes
• Account for window orientation
• Factor in nearby structures or trees
• Use light meters for accurate measurements
• Consider supplemental lighting when needed

Technical Notes

• Calculations account for:
  • Seasonal variations in light intensity
  • Window light reduction (typically 25-50%)
  • Cloud cover effects
  • Reflection from nearby surfaces

Plant Light Requirements Table

Plant Category	Minimum DLI	Optimal DLI	Example Plants
Very High	20+	30-50	Succulents, Cacti
High	12-20	20-30	Tomatoes, Roses
Medium	6-12	12-20	Philodendrons, Ferns
Low	3-6	6-12	Peace Lilies, Snake Plants
Very Low	1-3	3-6	ZZ Plants, Cast Iron Plants

References

• American Horticultural Society Light Guidelines
• University Extension Services Plant Light Requirements
• Indoor Plant Light Requirements Guide