Light & Placement for Houseplants
Not All Light Is Created Equal
Before choosing a plant for a particular corner of your home, it helps to understand exactly what light conditions are there. There are three main levels: direct light — sunlight falling straight onto the leaves (typically through an unobstructed south-facing window); bright indirect light — plenty of natural daylight without direct sun contact; and low light — spots far from windows, hallways, or rooms lit mainly by artificial sources.
In Israel, south- and west-facing windows receive the strongest sun — in summer, often intense enough to scorch even sun-loving plants. East-facing windows offer gentle morning light and are frequently the best choice for more sensitive houseplants. North-facing windows provide only soft, indirect light throughout the day.
Which Plant Belongs in Which Room?
A living room with a large window is usually the brightest spot in the home — ideal for ficus, pothos, philodendron, and summer bloomers like geraniums. Bedrooms tend to be quieter in terms of light and suit snake plants, ZZ plants, and cast iron plants beautifully, all of which thrive even in more modest conditions.
The kitchen presents an interesting challenge: often a smaller window and higher humidity. Herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary will be very happy on a sunny kitchen windowsill. A bathroom with a window can happily host humidity-loving plants such as ferns and pothos.
- Living room with a large window → ficus, pothos, philodendron
- Bedroom → snake plant, ZZ plant
- Kitchen windowsill → herbs
- Bathroom with a window → ferns, pothos
Signs That Your Plant Is Unhappy With Its Light
Plants always tell us when something is off — you just need to know what to look for. Pale or yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and long spindly stems (called etiolation) are classic signs of insufficient light. The plant is literally stretching toward the nearest available light source.
On the other hand, brown scorched patches, dry crispy edges, or washed-out bleached colour are signs of too much direct sun. In Israel, the mid-summer sun streaming through a south-facing window can burn even plants described as 'full sun' on their labels.
Hold your hand between the plant and the window on a sunny day. If you feel real warmth on your palm, the plant is feeling it too. Consider a sheer curtain to diffuse the light.
Rotating, Humidity, and Avoiding Stress Sources
Plants grow toward light, which means one side thrives while the other lags behind. For a full, even shape, give your plant a quarter turn every time you water — roughly every two weeks. It is a small habit that keeps a plant looking beautiful for years.
Low humidity is one of the hidden problems for houseplants in Israel during summer. When the air conditioning is running, the air dries out significantly. A gentle morning mist, a saucer of pebbles filled with water placed beneath the pot (the evaporation reaches the plant, not the roots), and grouping several plants together all raise local humidity naturally.
Placement is about more than light alone. A direct air-conditioning draft, a cold draught from a door in winter, or a hot radiator — all of these can cause more damage than poor light. Keep plants at least half a metre from any air vent or climate-control unit. The first sign of cold air damage is leaves that curl and droop.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Buy
Before bringing a new plant home, pause and ask: which corner am I planning to put it in? What is the light level there — direct, bright indirect, or low? Is there an air conditioner nearby? Only once you have a clear picture of the spot should you choose the plant to match it — not the other way around.
If you already have a plant that looks unhappy in its current position, it is never too late to move it. Transition it gradually toward the new light source over a week or two, so it is not exposed to a sudden change. Plants are adaptable — as long as you give them time.