Houseplant Sun-Shade Requirements
Curtis E. Swift, Ph.D., Area Extension Agent (Horticulture)
Colorado State University Extension
Tri River Area
North Exposure
(150-500 footcandles, average 300 footcandles) |
Deep Shade |
Temperature |
Genus |
Common Name |
| W |
Aglaonema |
-Chinese Evergreen |
| I |
Araucaria |
-Norfolk Island Pine; Monkey Puzzle |
| I |
Aspidistra |
-Cast-Iron Plant |
| I |
Chlorophytum |
-Spider Plants |
| W |
Cissus |
-Kangroo Vine; Grape-Ivy |
| W |
Dieffenbachia |
-Dumb Cane |
| C |
Fatshedera |
-Ivy Tree; Pagoda Tree |
| W |
Ficus elastica |
-Rubber Plant |
| W |
Fittonia |
-Mosiac Plant: Nerve Plant |
| W |
Hoffmannia |
-Taffeta Plant |
| C |
Ivies |
-Ivies |
| W |
Marantas |
-Prayer Plant |
| I |
Palms |
-Palms |
| W |
Peperomia |
-Peperomias |
| W |
Pileas |
-Artillery Plant; Aluminum Plant, etc. |
| W |
Sanservierias |
-Snake Plant |
| I |
Saxifraga |
-Strawberry Geranium |
| C |
Skimmia |
-Skimmia |
| I |
Tolmiea |
-Piggy-Back Plant |
| I |
Tradescantias |
-Spider-Wort |
East or West Exposure (200-4000 footcandles) |
Partial Shade |
Temperature |
Genus |
Common Name |
| W |
Alpinia |
-Giant Gingers |
| W |
Anthurium |
-Tall Flowers |
| W |
Aphelandra |
-Zebra Plant |
| I-C |
Araucaria |
-Norfolk Island Pine; Monkey Puzzle |
| I-C |
Asparagus |
-Asparagus |
| I-C |
Aucuba |
-Golddust Plant; Goldiana, etc. |
| W |
Brassaia |
-Flowering Kale |
| W |
Caladium |
-Caladiums |
| W |
Calathea |
-Rattlesnake Plant; Peacock Plant, etc. |
| I-C |
Camellia |
-Camellias |
| I-C |
Cinerarias |
-Cinerarias |
| W |
Clivia |
-Kafir Lily |
| W |
Costus |
-Spiral Ginger |
| I-C |
Crinum |
-Swamp Lily |
| I-C |
Cyclamen |
-Cyclamen |
| W |
Eucharis |
-Amazon Lily |
| I-C |
Euonymus |
-Euonymus |
| W |
Ferns |
-Birdsnest and Boston |
| W |
Ficus benjamina |
-Weeping Fig |
| I-C |
Fuchsia |
-Fuschsia |
| I-C |
Grevillea |
-Silk Oak |
| I-C |
Hoya |
-Wax Plants |
| W |
Impatiens |
-Balsams |
| I-C |
Ivies - variegated |
-Ivies, variegated |
| W |
Jacobinia |
-Brazilian Plumes |
| I-C |
Kaempferia |
-Gingerlily |
| I-C |
Marica |
-Apostle Plant |
| I-C |
Myrtus |
-Myrtles |
| W |
Oleander |
-Oleander |
| I-C |
Oemanthus |
-Sweet Olive |
| I-C |
Oxalis |
-Wood-sorrel |
| W |
Pandanus |
-Screw Pines |
| I-C |
Plectranthus |
-Swedish Ivy |
| I-C |
Podocarpus |
-Buddhist Pines |
| I-C |
Primula |
-Primrose |
| W |
Pseuderanthemum |
-Chocolate Plant |
| W |
Spathiphyllum |
-Peace Lillies |
| W |
Torenia |
-Wish-bone Plant |
| I-C |
Vinca |
-Periwinkle; Myrtle |
| W |
Zebrina |
-Wandering Jew |
South Exposure (5500-9000 footcandles) |
Full Sun |
Temp. |
Genus |
Common Name |
| W |
Acalypha |
-Copperleaf; Chenille Plants |
| I-C |
Azalea |
-Azalea |
| W |
Bougainvillea |
-Bougainvillea |
| I-C |
Chrysanthemum |
-Chrysanthemum |
| I-C |
Citrus |
-Orange; Lemon, etc. |
| W |
Coleus |
-Painted Nettles; Flame Nettles |
| W |
Codiaeum |
-Crotons |
| W |
Gardenia |
-Cape Jasmines |
| W |
Gloriosa |
-Glory Lily |
| W |
Hibiscus |
-Rose Mallows |
| W |
Iresine |
-Blood Leaf |
| W |
Kalanchoe |
-Life Plants |
| I-C |
Kumquats |
-Kumquats |
| I-C |
Pelargonium |
-Geranium |
| I-C |
Petunia |
-Petunias |
| W |
Succulents |
-Cactus, etc. |
Temperature notation: |
| W = |
Warm, 62-65 degrees F. at night; can rise to 80-85 degrees
F. in daytime. |
| I = |
Intermediate, 50-55 degrees F. at night; can rise to 65-70
degrees in daytime. |
| C = |
Cool, 40-45 degrees F. at night; can rise to 55-60 degrees
F. in daytime. |
| I-C = |
Species in these genera vary according to temperature needs;
check species need. |
Address comments to
Dr. Curtis E. Swift, Area Extension Agent, Horticulture
Colorado State University Extension
2775 US Hwy 50, Grand Junction, CO. 81503
Phone: 970-244-1834, Fax: 970-244-1700
Posted 1/6/2003;
