Succulent Placement
Most succulents like to receive 6 hours of sun each day. Placing bbs near a south- or east-facing window will provide most varieties of succs the amount of sunlight they need! Keep watch on your succs, if they begin stretching towards the light, they are probably not receiving enough sunlight.
To figure out which directions your windows face, remember the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. If you can see the sunrise from your bedroom window, that window faces east, directly behind that window is west, to the left is north and right is south. If your kitchen window has gorgeous sunset views, that window is west-facing.
If you are placing your succulents in a south- or east- facing window that gets a ton of direct light, you’ll need to watch out for sunburn. You can avoid sunburn on your succs by placing them a foot or two back from the window, or add a chic sheer curtain to filter the direct sunlight. As succulents grow, they can slowly be introduced to direct sunlight overtime. While a south-facing windowsill is likely too much for baby succs at first, later on it could be a perfect home!
Types of Sunlight
Different varieties of succulents prefer varying levels of sunlight. The most common types of sun exposure are indirect sunlight, direct sunlight, partial shade, and full shade. A little research about your particular succ will help you figure out what your bbs need. Succulent Studios subscribers, do not fret! We have exact care instructions for your monthly succ delivery.
Direct Sunlight
This type of light is very clearly defined. When succulents are in direct sunlight, their shadows will be dark and have clearly distinguished lines. If your bbs look out the window, they would be able to clearly see the sun in the sky. Direct sunlight is when the path of light from the sun to your plant is a straight line.
Indirect Sunlight
Succulents in indirect, or filtered, sunlight will cast soft shadows with blurred edges. Any sunlight that reaches the plant in an indirect means is considered indirect sunlight. Some plants like bright indirect sunlight, meaning they are near a bright window, but not directly in the sun. Plants receive indirect sunlight through north-facing windows, windows with sheer curtains, a tinted window pane, or are set back from the window enough that they don’t have a direct line to the sun.
Whenever direct sunlight is impeded/filtered/reflected in some way, the light is considered indirect. Most succulents enjoy bright indirect sunlight! Test different areas in your space to find the best indirect sunlight to keep bbs happy.
Partial Shade
This type of light is often described as an area that receives shaded sunlight for at least half of the day. It can be found under or around other plants. When baby succulents grow in their natural habitat, they receive partial shade for most of their young life. They grow underneath other plants until they are big enough to withstand direct sunlight. Partial shade can also be described as an area that only receives direct sunlight for a max of 2 hours per day. Remember that morning sunlight and afternoon sun are different! Morning sun is less harsh than the afternoon rays.
Full Shade
Areas of full shade receive less than an hour of direct sunlight each day. Outdoor areas under large shrubbery or canopy trees receive full shade as well. Plants must be shade tolerant in order to stay in areas of full shade. The majority of succulents require sunlight in order to stay happy and healthy, but keep an eye out for that rare succ that wants to chill in a shady spot.
Lighting Cheat Sheet by Direction:
East-facing windows get direct sunlight early in the morning / after sunrise and indirect sunlight the rest of the day.
West-facing windows get direct sunlight in the afternoon / before sunset and indirect sunlight in the morning / early afternoon.
South-facing windows get direct sunlight throughout the day and only get indirect sunlight at the very start and end of each day.
North-facing windows do not get any direct sunlight and get a full day of indirect sunlight.
Warning Signs
Too Much Sunlight
Just like us, succs can get sunburn! Ouch! However no amount of SPF can protect them. When given too much direct sunlight at once, the leaves on succs will turn brown and dry. If you notice signs of sunburn on your succs, move them out of the sun’s rays. While mild sunburn doesn’t compromise the succulents overall health, those leaves will remain burned for the rest of their time on the plant. The good news is, once there’s enough new growth, those burnt leaves will drop and be replaced by lovely new ones!
Not Enough Sunlight
If you find your succulent stretching, this means your bb isn’t getting enough light. Stretching generally looks like the stem of your succulent growing fast, leaving lots of space in between leaves. She is literally growing to reach for more sun. If you already have succs in your sunniest spot in your house, and they’re still stretching, it’s time to invest in a grow light!
Trust your succulents and your intuition to find the perfect place for bbs in your space. Succs will let you know how much light is too much, not enough, or just right!
