Read your room’s light before buying a plant

A bright photograph of a room says little about one particular shelf. Observe the exact position where your plant would stand before buying it.

Follow one position

Look at it in the morning, around midday and later in the day. Record curtains, nearby buildings and whether sunlight reaches the spot. Note cloudy weather rather than assuming every day is identical.

Keep a short record

• Time and approximate weather.

• Curtains and obstructions.

• Whether sunlight reaches the position.

• A photograph from the same angle.

Match the observation to a species

Use the record alongside advice for the plant you want. “Bright” is an imprecise description, and window direction alone cannot make the decision. RHS notes that bright conditions do not always mean direct sunlight.

Repeat when the room changes

Furniture, curtains and seasons can change the experience. Keep those changes in your plant record instead of repeatedly moving a plant after one observation.

Before you buy

Write three observations of the proposed spot during an ordinary day. Research one species and compare its requirements. If they do not match, change the position or the choice.

Lesson exercise

Choose one idea from this lesson and try it in your space. Record your action, observation and one question to revisit. Allow two minutes for the exercise before moving on.