Plants are a wonderful addition to any home, as they can purify the air, reduce stress, and brighten up the space. But plants need sunlight to survive and thrive, and not all homes have enough windows or natural light to provide it. So what if you have blinds on your windows? Can plants get sunlight through blinds or do you need to open them every day?
The answer is it depends on the type of plant and the type of blind
Different plants have different light requirements, ranging from low-light to high-light. Some plants can tolerate low-light conditions and can survive with indirect or filtered sunlight. These include plants like snake plant, pothos, peace lily, and ZZ plant. Other plants need more direct or bright sunlight to grow and flower. These include plants like succulents, cacti, orchids, and hibiscus.
Similarly, different blinds have different light-filtering abilities, depending on the material, color, and design. Some blinds are made to block out all or most of the natural light, such as blackout blinds, wooden blinds, or faux wood blinds. These blinds are good for privacy and insulation, but not for plants. Other blinds are made to allow some or most of the natural light to pass through, such as sheer blinds, solar blinds, or venetian blinds. These blinds are good for controlling glare and heat, but also for plants.
How to choose the right plant and blind combination
If you want to grow plants in your home with blinds on your windows, you need to consider the following factors:
- The direction of your window: The direction of your window determines how much and when your window receives sunlight. South-facing windows get the most and brightest sunlight throughout the day. East- and west-facing windows get moderate sunlight in the morning and afternoon respectively. North-facing windows get the least and dimmest sunlight all day.
- The type of plant: The type of plant determines how much sunlight it needs to survive and thrive. Low-light plants need less than 3 hours of indirect or filtered sunlight per day. Moderate-light plants need 3 to 6 hours of indirect or bright sunlight per day. High-light plants need more than 6 hours of direct or bright sunlight per day.
- The type of blind: The type of blind determines how much sunlight it filters or blocks out. Blackout blinds block out 100% of the natural light. Wooden or faux wood blinds block out 90% to 95% of the natural light. Solar blinds block out 70% to 90% of the natural light. Sheer blinds block out 10% to 30% of the natural light.
Based on these factors, you can choose the right plant and blind combination for your window. Here are some examples:
- If you have a south-facing window with blackout blinds, you can choose a high-light plant that can tolerate low-light conditions for short periods of time, such as aloe vera, jade plant, or geranium. You will need to open the blinds for at least 6 hours per day to provide enough sunlight for your plant.
- If you have an east-facing window with solar blinds, you can choose a moderate-light plant that can benefit from some direct morning sunlight and some filtered afternoon sunlight, such as spider plant, dracaena, or bromeliad. You can keep the blinds closed or partially open depending on the season and the temperature.
- If you have a north-facing window with sheer blinds, you can choose a low-light plant that can thrive with indirect or dim sunlight all day long, such as snake plant, pothos, peace lily, or ZZ plant. You can keep the blinds closed or open as you like.
FAQs
- How do I know if my plant is getting enough sunlight? You can tell if your plant is getting enough sunlight by observing its appearance and behavior. Some signs that your plant is getting enough sunlight are: healthy green leaves, steady growth rate, regular flowering (if applicable), and no signs of pests or diseases. Some signs that your plant is not getting enough sunlight are: pale or yellow leaves, slow or stunted growth rate, no flowering (if applicable), and signs of pests or diseases.
- How do I adjust my plant’s light exposure? You can adjust your plant’s light exposure by moving it closer to or farther from the window, changing its position within the window (e.g., center vs. corner), rotating it regularly to ensure even light distribution, pruning it to remove excess foliage that blocks light penetration, adding artificial lighting (e.g., grow lights) if needed, and opening or closing your blinds as needed.
- How do I clean my blinds? To clean your blinds, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove any dust or dirt. You can also wipe them with a damp cloth or sponge with some mild soap and water. For stubborn stains, you can use a mild detergent or a stain remover.
Wrap up
Plants are a great way to add life and beauty to your home, but they need sunlight to survive and thrive. If you have blinds on your windows, you need to consider the type of plant and the type of blind you have, and choose the right combination for your window. By doing so, you can ensure that your plants get enough sunlight and that your blinds serve their purpose.
