Different plants require different amounts of light, depending on how the leaves have evolved to best utilize the sun. Leaves reveal much information about such requirements. For example, if a philodendron, which grows in the tropical forests of the Americas, is placed near a window with bright sunlight, this damages rather than strengthens it because the plant's large leaves have no protection against the sun.

At the opposite end of the spectrum are cactuses, which, used to the intense sun of the desert, transformed their leaves into thorns to minimize evaporation. So if you place a cactus in the shade it will not grow properly because it does not get enough light.

There are a number of factors to take into account when determining how much light a plant should receive.
� Light's intensity varies from one season to the next. In autumn and spring, there is less sunlight but it is more direct because the sun is lower in the sky. In summer the sunlight's intensity is greater.
� You should observe which rooms in your house have good natural light and which ones don't. Windows and balconies, and their size, plus the presence of trees and neighboring buildings will have an important effect on the life of your plants.
� The shape, size and color of the walls of your house have an effect on the light. White reflects light and will increase the brightness. Dark walls have the opposite effect.
� Plants receive the brightest light when they are placed on windowsills. A meter away, the light is 10 percent less intense.
� Light levels drop off quickly as you move away from a window. If a plant is two meters from a window, the light can be 20 percent less intense.
� If plants begin to lean toward a source of light, rotate it slightly when you water it.
� Plants with flowers need more light than those that just have leaves.
� Plants placed near windows in winter to maximize their exposure to light can catch a chill if the windows do not seal completely. This will cause buds to drop off.
� Windows must be kept clean when the light intensity is low. In summer, curtains help filter the light.
� Plants with leaves that are striated need more light than those with smooth leaves.
� If you move a plant from a dark place to one with bright light, do it gradually.

Each plant in its place:
In the shade: far from a window but with enough light. The following species are included: aglaomena, aspidistra, asplenium, fittonia, federa, philodendron, sanseviera and spatiphylluru.

In semi-shade: Near a window that does not get direct sunlight or some distance from a brightly-lit window. Examples are aglaomena, aspidistra, dracaena, fatshedera, fatsia, ficus pumila, hedera, maranta, philodendron scandens, sanseviera and scindapsus.

Bright light but without direct sun: In a brightly-lit window that faces north. anturium, asparagus, azalea, begonia rex, chorophytum, col�us, columnea, cyclamen, dieffenbachia, fuchsia, impatiens, monstera, peperonia, pilea, scheffera, scindapus and zygocactus.
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Some direct sunlight: At a window facing east or west, but taking care in summer. ardisia, chlorophytum, cordyline, cuphea, ficus el�stica, nectera, poinsettia, saintpaulia, solanum, tradescantia and zebrina.

Strong sunlight: At a window facing south (be careful in summer): cactus, callistemon, hippeastrum, jasmine, oxalis, pelargonium, roses and zebrina.

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