Watering & Light Guide
How much light and water common houseplants need, and the signs of too much or too little.
Most plant problems come from too much water or the wrong light. Use this guide to match each plant to the right spot and watering routine.
Light
- Low light: a few metres from a window or in a room with indirect daylight. Low light does not mean no light; every plant needs some daylight. Good choices: low light tolerant plants such as ZZ and snake plants.
- Bright indirect light: near a bright window but out of direct afternoon sun. Most foliage houseplants prefer this. See bright indirect light plants.
- Direct sun: balconies, terraces and sunny windows with 4–6 hours of sun. Flowering, fruit and many outdoor plants need this. See direct sun plants.
Watering
- Check the soil with your finger before watering. Water when the top 2–3 cm is dry for most foliage plants.
- Water slowly until it drains from the bottom, then empty the saucer after 15 minutes.
- Succulents and cacti need water only when the soil is completely dry, often every 2–3 weeks.
- Plants need less water in winter and more in summer, especially in Delhi NCR heat.
Signs to watch
- Yellow, soft leaves and wet soil: usually too much water.
- Dry, crispy edges and very dry soil: usually too little water or very dry air.
- Leggy stems leaning to the window: the plant needs more light.