The Buddha’s temple plant, also known as Crassula ovata, is a succulent native to the dry regions of South Africa. It is a popular plant to grow indoors since it is relatively easy to care for and can thrive in different environments. But does this plant is whether it needs direct sunlight to prosper?
According to the National Gardening Association, the Buddha’s temple plant does not need direct sunlight to thrive. This succulent can tolerate quite low light conditions, making it an ideal plant for growing indoors. However, the National Gardening Association does recommend giving your Buddha’s temple plant some indirect sunlight if possible. If you can place your plant near a window where it will receive some bright light for part of the day, that would be ideal.
This blog post discusses everything you need to know about Buddha’s temple lighting requirements. Read on to learn more!
Buddha’s Temple: General Light Requirements
Before we dive into the specifics of Buddha’s temple lighting requirements, let’s briefly review how to care for your Buddha’s temple and plant’s general light needs and. As we mentioned above, the Buddha’s temple plant is native to the dry regions of South Africa. This succulent grows in shady areas beneath trees or shrubs in its natural habitat.
As a result, caring for Buddha’s temple plant is very easy. The plant is adapted to thrive in low light conditions. In fact, this plant can tolerate quite low light levels without suffering any ill effects. However, the Buddha’s temple plant will grow best if given some bright, indirect sunlight daily.
If you are growing your Buddha’s temple plant indoors, the best place to put it would be near a window. This is where it will receive some bright, indirect sunlight for part of the day.
If you cannot provide your plant with natural sunlight, you can also grow it under artificial light.
What Is Direct Sunlight?
You may be wondering what exactly direct sunlight is and why it is not good for the Buddha’s temple plant.
Direct sunlight is the type of light that comes from the sun on a clear day. This light is intense and can harm many plants, including succulents.
When exposed to direct sunlight, the Buddha’s temple plant leaves will turn red or brown. The plant may also start to produce fewer flowers. In extreme cases, exposure to direct sunlight can cause the leaves of the plant to shrivel up and fall off.
If you live in a climate where the sun is very intense, it is best to grow your Buddha’s temple plant in a spot that receives some shade during the day.
Alternatively, you can grow your plant under artificial grow lights emitting gentler light.
What Is Indirect Sunlight?
On the other side of the spectrum, we have indirect sunlight. Unlike direct sunlight, indirect sunlight is the type of light that comes from the sun on a cloudy day.
This light is not as intense as direct sunlight, but it is still bright enough to provide some benefits to plants.
When exposed to indirect sunlight, the Buddha’s temple plant leaves will turn a greenish-yellow color. The plant may also produce more flowers than it would in low-light conditions. In general, indirect sunlight is ideal for most succulents, including the Buddha’s temple plant.
If the sun is very intense where you live, you might not want to expose your plant so much as cause it damage.
Consider moving your Buddha’s temple to a spot that gets some indirect sunlight to protect it from the intense heat.
You can also consider using artificial grow lights instead, so the plant doesn’t get excess sunlight than it needs.
Artificial Light vs. Natural Light for Buddha’s
If you cannot provide your Buddha’s temple plant with any natural sunlight, you can also grow it under artificial grow lights.
Artificial grow lights are designed to mimic natural light and can be a great way to provide your plant with the light it needs to thrive.
You can choose from a few different types of artificial grow lights, but we recommend using LED grow lights. LED grow lights are energy efficient and emit light similar to natural sunlight.
It’s important to ensure that the lights are not too close to the plant when using artificial grow lights. If the lights are too close, they can actually end up causing more harm than good.
You should generally keep the lights about 12 inches away from the plant. You will also need to provide your plant with some darkness for a few hours each day, so we recommend using a timer to turn the lights off at night.
What Is the Best Light for Buddha’s Temple Plant?
The best light for Buddha’s temple plant is bright, indirect sunlight. The primary goal is to ensure that your succulent receives some light daily, but it is also important to avoid exposing it to direct sunlight.
If you live in a climate where the sun is very intense, consider growing your Buddha’s temple plant in a spot that receives some shade during the day. Alternatively, you can grow your plant under artificial grow lights emitting gentler light.
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can lead to the leaves of the plant turning red or brown. This can also result in the plant producing fewer flowers, and in extreme cases, the leaves may shrivel up and fall off.
Can a Buddha’s Plant Receive Too Little Sunlight?
While this succulent thrives in relatively low light, it can also suffer if it does not receive enough sunlight.
If your plant does not receive enough light, the leaves will stretch out and become leggy. The cactus can die without sunlight so ensure it gets some light however little.
If this happens, you can try moving your plant to a spot that receives more light. You can also try using artificial grow lights to give your plant the light it needs to thrive.
In general, we recommend providing your Buddha’s temple plant with at least 4 hours of indirect sunlight each day. If you are using artificial grow lights, we recommend keeping the lights on for 12-14 hours each day.
Buddha’s Temple: Lighting Requirements for Flowering
Does Buddha’s temple plant need special lighting to flower? While this plant can flower in low light conditions, it typically produces more flowers if it receives at least 4-6 hours of sunlight each day.
If you are growing your Buddha’s temple plant indoors, you can try placing it near a sunny window where it will receive direct sunlight daily. Alternatively, you can grow your plant under artificial grow lights emitting more intense light.
Buddha’s Temple: Lighting Requirements for Fruiting
The Buddha’s temple plant is not known for producing fruit, but it can produce small, green fruits in the right conditions. The plant will need at least 6 hours of sunlight each day to produce fruit.
Remember that the plant will only produce fruit if it is healthy and well-cared for. Provide it with the appropriate amount of water and fertilizer and protect it from pests and diseases.
Failure to do so may result in the plant failing to produce fruit, even if it receives the appropriate amount of light.
Can the Buddha’s Temple Survive Winter?
While the Buddha’s temple plant is typically a summer-flowering plant, it can survive winter in some cases. If you live in an area with mild winters, you can leave your plant outdoors year-round.
However, if you live in an area with cold winters, you must bring your plant indoors or grow it under artificial grow lights.
When bringing your plant indoors for the winter, make sure to place it in a bright spot near a sunny window. You may also need to provide additional artificial light if the natural light is not sufficient.
You should also be careful with how you move the plant back to its outdoor spot after winter. Make sure to acclimate the plant gradually to the outdoors to avoid shocking it and causing damage.
Start by moving it to a spot that receives indirect sunlight for a few hours daily. Then, over the course of a week or two, you can slowly increase the amount of time it spends outdoors until it is back to its regular schedule.
Summary
Buddha’s temple plant is a beautiful and low-maintenance succulent perfect for growing indoors. The plant doesn’t need direct sunlight to thrive, but it needs some light to grow.
If you are growing Buddha’s temple plant indoors, place it in an area where it will get indirect light and keep the room warm and humid.
You can also consider using artificial grow light to provide some good lighting for your precious plant.
With proper care, your Buddha’s temple plant will thrive and bring some natural beauty into your home. You will be sure to see your plant thrive, and possibly bloom.
Last update on 2023-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
