Struggling with winter light for your succulents? Learn these practical ways to give your plants the light they need with clever tricks!
Winter can be a tough time for succulents. With shorter days and weaker sunlight, these sun-loving plants can fight to get the light they need. While grow lights and natural sunlight are the first things most people turn to, there are a few other intelligent tricks to make sure your succulents get enough light throughout the winter. And, the third one will definitely surprise you!
Smart Ways to Give Your Succulents the Light They Need in Winter
1. Let Your Windows Do the Work
We all know succulents love the sun, but during winter, it’s essential to make the most of what little sunlight there is. The best spots for them are windowsills facing south or west, where they’ll get the most sunlight throughout the day. If your windows are a bit high or if your plant is further away, simply move them closer to the window or rotate them every few days so they grow evenly and don’t stretch toward the light.
Tip: You can keep the windows clean to ensure your succulents get every bit of available light. It’s a small step, but it really helps!
2. Light Up Winter with a Grow Light
When natural light doesn’t cut it, grow lights come to the rescue. LED grow lights are a great option because they mimic natural sunlight, providing your succulents with the brightness they need, even on cloudy days. Set them up above your plants, around 6-12 inches away, and use a timer to give them 12-16 hours of light per day—this helps your plants stay in a steady growth rhythm.
If you don’t want to worry about adjusting the light every day, a timer is a must-have. It keeps your succulents on a regular light schedule, just like they would experience in the summer.
3. Bounce Light with Reflective Tricks
Another smart way to make the most of the light you have is by using reflective surfaces. Think mirrors, aluminum foil, or even light-colored walls. These can help bounce light back onto your succulents, especially if they’re not getting direct sunlight. It’s like turning your room into a mini greenhouse where every bit of light gets reused.
You can place a mirror behind your plants or stick some foil on the walls near them to reflect the light. This simple trick can really boost the brightness around your succulents.
4. Focus Light Right Where It’s Needed
Fiber optic lighting is an interesting option that focuses light directly onto your succulents without flooding the entire room. These flexible lights can be placed right around your plants to give them just the right amount of illumination without taking up space or wasting energy. They work great for succulents that need extra light but don’t want to overdo it.
Install fiber optic strands around your plants and adjust them so they shine directly where your succulents need them most. It’s an efficient and creative way to help your plants stay bright.
5. Solar Tubes for Natural Light Indoors
Solar tubes are an innovative way to bring the outdoors inside. They capture sunlight from the roof and channel it into your home, offering natural, bright light, even in rooms with no windows.
If you’re in a room with no direct sunlight, installing solar tubes could be a game-changer. Professional installation is required, but once they’re set up, they provide natural light throughout the day, perfect for your succulents and no matter where you place them..
6. Light Shelves to Improve Indoor Brightness
Light shelves are reflective surfaces placed just below windows that bounce sunlight up to the ceiling and distribute it throughout the room. This method helps you brighten even the darkest corners of your home.
You can make DIY light shelves with simple materials like white boards or reflective paper. Place them near your windows, and they’ll help spread the light more evenly, making a big difference for your plants.
7. Group Your Plants for a Shared Glow
Did you know your succulents can help each other out? When they’re placed close to one another, they can share the light they each receive, helping to keep each other evenly lit. This also helps keep your plants from stretching toward the light, which can cause them to become leggy.
Just place your succulents in clusters, so they benefit from the light they share. This also helps keep the plants compact and healthier, as they’re not competing for light individually.
8. Adjust the Room’s Temperature for Better Growth
While temperature and humidity aren’t directly about light, they play a role in how well your succulents adjust to low light conditions. Cooler temperatures and lower humidity can slow down your plants’ growth, meaning they need less light to thrive. This is especially useful if you’re using grow lights or trying to stretch out natural light.
You can keep your indoor temperature between 60-75°F, and use a dehumidifier if necessary to maintain a dry environment. This will help your succulents conserve energy and stay healthy with less light.
By using these 8 methods, you can help your succulents get the light they need to survive and thrive during the winter months. Have any winter care tips of your own? Share them with us in the comments—we’d love to hear what works for you!
