How Much Light Do Indoor Succulents Need? A Complete Guide

Succulents are beloved for their low-maintenance nature and striking appearance, but one of the most common questions new succulent gardeners ask is, “How much light do succulents need?” Understanding the light requirements of succulents is key to keeping them healthy and vibrant.

In this guide, we explore everything you need to know about providing the right amount of light for your succulents. Let’s check it out.

The Proper Amount of Sunlight for Your Succulents

Succulents encompass a broad range of plants, so there is more than one-size-fits-all answer for how much light succulents plants need. However, we can roughly estimate the amount of light your succulent requires based on its categorization. Succulents are generally divided into two main categories: high-light succulents and low-light succulents.

High-light Succulents

Common high-light succulents include opuntia cactus, echeveria, donkey’s tail, golden barrel, and so on.

High-light succulents typically exhibit more intense, vibrant colors. Most succulents belong to this category and require a minimum of six hours of lighting daily to flourish. Their affinity for heat and tolerance to varying temperatures make them ideal for placement in a sunny window, where they can absorb ample light.

If the light isn’t intense enough or lasts long enough, you’ll see your succulent starting to stretch outwards. Just a heads-up: this isn’t a sign of growth. It’s your succulent’s way of telling you it needs more light.

Low-light Succulent

Common low-light succulents include desert rose, aloe vera, bear paw, zebra plant, and so on.

Low-light succulents usually have dark green foliage and don’t have the bright colors you see in high-light varieties. These succulents prefer indirect light, so you don’t need to place them in the direct midday sun. That means that even if you don’t have a sunny window, low-light succulents can still live in your home.

It’s important to remember that while low-light succulents need less sunlight than their high-light counterparts, they still need at least three to four hours of sunlight a day. If you notice your plants growing fast and starting to lean, it might be worth giving them a bit more light to make sure they stay healthy.

How Can I Supplement Light for My Succulents Indoors

Most succulents are high-light plants that thrive in full sunlight, and even low-light succulents can’t endure inadequate light. So, how can you supplement lighting for indoor succulents? The indoor grow lights offer an excellent solution.

How to Choose a Proper Grow Light

Intensity: Succulents require a minimum light intensity of 2000 lumens per square foot for healthy growth. A grow light providing 2000-4000 lumens per square foot is ideal to ensure optimal conditions. If your succulent is a low-light succulent, then choose a light with a lower-light intensity.

Color Temperature: Color temperature is a measure that describes the hue of a visible light source. It is typically expressed in kelvins (K), the unit for absolute temperature.

The optimal color temperature for succulents is at least 5,000 kelvins, which closely mimics natural sunlight. Using a grow light with a color temperature of 5,000 kelvins or higher ensures that your succulents receive the quality light they need to thrive indoors.

Heat Output: Succulents are sensitive to excessive heat, so selecting a grow light that generates minimal heat is quite important.

Wattage: The higher the wattage of a light, the more electricity it’ll cost you. To cut costs, go for energy-efficient bulbs that give you the brightness you need while using less power.

• The most common types of grow lights you’ll find on the market are LED, fluorescent, and high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights. Full-spectrum LED grow lights have come a long way and now outperform fluorescent and HPS lights. They last longer, provide full-spectrum coverage, produce less heat, are less likely to burn plants, and use less energy, making them the best choice for indoor succulent plants.