Can plants absorb light through curtains?
David Ramirez
Updated on June 01, 2026
Yes! If necessary, it is possible to filter direct light and turn it into more indirect light for your plants. If all you have available is a south-facing window, for example, but you want to grow moderate- or low-light plants, try these tips: Place a sheer curtain over the window.
Can plants get sunlight through curtains?
Curtains or drapes will also change the amount of light allowed to fall on a plant. A sheer curtain in a south window may be a help to some plants, as the light from a south window can be intense. If you want to grow medium-light plants in a south exposure, a sheer curtain would allow that.
Can plants absorb light through blinds?
Barriers. These can be of two types; either indoor or outdoor, and they both do the exact same thing. They filter direct sunlight and make it indirect light. Indoor Barriers: Windows themselves, blinds, curtains and furniture are all barriers that block some or all of the light reaching your plants.
Is it direct sunlight if it's through a window?
Indirect light is sunlight that either passes through a medium—a window shade or the leaves of a tree—or reflects off another surface before reaching a plant. Most indoor settings only provide indirect light.
Do sheer curtains block sunlight for plants?
Unbelievably soft with lovely texture, sheer fabrics will filter natural light into your home, saving your plants from harsh direct sunlight. Both Roman Shades and Drapery can be made with sheer fabrics, so there's no shortage of styles to choose from.
22 related questions foundDo window screens affect plants?
Solar control window film only blocks UV rays – not the red and blue rays that your plants need to grow and flower. And some plants will actually do better with window tints and films, such as those that require less light — which typically have dark green leaves.
Do white walls reflect light plants?
On the contrary, in a room where white (or very light colors) dominates, a good part of the light is reflected back and forth until it is absorbed by the darker objects nearby by … such as plant foliage. This is not a minor detail: the color of the walls makes a huge difference in how plants grow.
Do plants need sunlight or just light?
Light is one of the most important factors for growing houseplants. All plants require light for photosynthesis, the process within a plant that converts light, oxygen and water into carbohydrates (energy). Plants require this energy in order to grow, bloom and produce seed.
Do indoor plants need direct sunlight?
Many plants prefer direct sunlight, but this may be hard to get inside a house. Placing a plant in a window might offer enough light, but some houseplants will need supplementing from a grow light (see Lighting Indoor Houseplants).
Can plants grow with indirect sunlight?
Most varieties of houseplants require indirect light, which is why they're optimal for growing indoors. Succulents, cacti, croton, and a few other varieties may tolerate direct light. But for the most part, indirect light wins for growing plants in your home.
Can plants grow through windows?
Absolutely, photosynthesis can still happen!
These have countless windows yet all the plants and flowers inside survive. In fact, they grow and thrive. Windows can be beneficial for your houseplants, in that many can prevent UV rays from getting to your plant.
Do houseplants need to be by window?
Final Thoughts. Houseplants need light, certainly, but many houseplants do not need to be directly beside a window. In fact, many will suffer if they are, because they cannot tolerate having direct sun hit their leaves. Read up on the specific kind of plant that you want to grow before deciding where to put it.
Can plants photosynthesize with room light?
Yes, photosynthesis can occur in artificial light, provided the plant receives the correct wavelength of the light spectrum. Photosynthesis is the natural process by which plants assimilate atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce sugar in presence of sunlight with the help of chlorophyll.
Does full sun mean direct sun?
What is Full Sun? Full sun is defined as six or more hours of direct sun per day. If you live in a newly constructed development or out in the country where there are few trees, your garden may not see any shade at all during the day.
What can I do if my plants aren't getting enough light?
What do you do if your plants aren't getting enough sun? Once you notice signs of insufficient sun, move your houseplant to a place with brighter light immediately. Plants that need the most light thrive in south, east, or west windows. Only place plants that tolerate low light in a north-facing window.
How do you cover a window with plants?
For a flexible, less permanent option, cover your window with plants. Place potted plants on the window sill or the floor in front of the window. Tall, leafy plants offer more shade and privacy. Flowering plants add more natural beauty and color to your room.
How do I know if my plants need more light?
If your plant is not getting enough light, the most common sign is the yellowing and dropping of leaves, stunted leaf growth, elongated stems, and a dull-green color. If your plant is getting too much light, then its leaves will have singed tips, burned patches, or will be falling off (yikes!).
How many hours of light do low light plants need?
In most cases, plants receiving no outdoor light should be lit from 16 to 18 hours each day. If some additional light is received, 12 to 14 hours each day may be adequate. Lights should be used at the same time that plants receive window light.
How many hours of light do indoor plants need?
Plants grown indoors require more hours of light than those grown outdoors. 14 to 18 hours of light per day is recommended for most edible species when grown under artificial lighting. Don't be tempted to leave the lights on 24-7, however – at least six hours of darkness each day is essential to plant health.
Can plants get too much LED light?
Myth #14: LED Lights Can't Damage Plants
The reality is that modern LED grow lights can produce a very high level of light and it can cause photo-bleaching and burn leaves. This depends very much on the plant, but a PPFD of 800 is enough to damage some plants.
What happens if you leave grow lights on 24 hours a day?
Too much light in various growth phases can interrupt a weed plant's natural process of growth and dormancy. Worse, light exposure for a whole day can damage and kill your plants.
Do plants need darkness?
Plants do need that period of darkness for their metabolism to work properly. They are not designed to create food non-stop, and it will do them harm in the long term to put them in this sort of situation. So, yes, plants need their darkness just as much as they need their light.
Does room color affect plant growth?
This is not a minor detail: the color of the walls makes a huge difference in how plants grow. In a room with pale walls (mirrors have the same effect), you can place plants well back from windows and they'll do fine.
What do you line a grow room with?
Cannabis growers will steer you away from using high-gloss paint because it may create grow room hot spots. But, white is always the preferred choice for any grow room wall covering because white reflects light better than metallic colored or silver wall covering.
Do plants benefit from reflected light?
Tomato harvests can be improved dramatically in size and quality by growing the plants over red mulch, scientists at the Agricultural Research Service have found. Potatoes and green peppers, by contrast, do best with white mulch.