How Much Light Does a String of Turtles Require?

Written by LisaSmith
The String of Turtles is a great indoor houseplant because of its strong ability of shafe tolerance and low-maintenance lighting requirements. It is better to give String of Turtles Plant with sufficient scattering light.

Light helps the plants in photosynthesis and is a source of energy for the String of Turtles plants. In low lighting conditions, String of Turtles grows slow. Strong direct sunlight is very adverse to the growth of the plants. The right amount of light affects the health of the plant in many ways. So how much light does a String of Turtles plant require? Keep reading on.

What Type of Light Does a String of Turtles Require?

String of Turtles plant is native to Brazilian rainforests, where there are high-density plants and plants of ground layer including string of turtles are habituated to stray light. As an indoor plant, it adapts well to pots or hanging baskets, but it still needs the same sort of sun exposure it would find in its homeland. To work out the best position for your String of Turtles, you have to consider how much sunlight it requires, the direction of light in your home, and how bright that light actually is. 

The string of turtles plant requires six to eight hours of bright but indirect light a day and will thrive with one or two hours of soft direct sun in morning in addition but not everyday. Don’t place this plant in full direct sunlight for very long at all. Too much light can harm this houseplant’s beautiful leaves.

Where Should You Place a String of Turtles?

String of Turtles plants are pretty versatile, so while an ideal place would be in an east or west-facing window or a place far from south-facing window but still can recieve some morning sunbeams, or any table-top in a sunny room. Do not put it closely to windows. Light will lose some of its strength after it passes through windows, curtains and other obstructions. However, the light closest to the south-facing window will be the strongest.

As long as they don’t have too much direct light, they should be able to thrive about anywhere in moderate or low lighting conditions! String of Turtles can also be easily grown under fluorescent lights or artificial grow lights.

Signs That String of Turtles Lack of Light

The string of turtles plant will start showing the following signs if it is not getting sufficient light.
  • Leaning Towards Light Sources
  • String of Turtles Turn White
  • No New Growth or Slow Growth
  • Soil Not Drying Out for Weeks
  • Droopy/Soggy Leaves
  • Root rot (How to Repot Sting of Turtles Plant)

When your String of Turtles plant doesn’t get enough sunlight, it will start storing energy for survival. As a result, the growth of your plant will be affected. 

If you see any of these signs, you must move them to a brightly lit spot for a few weeks or supply the more light for it in other ways.

How to Provide More Light for String of Turtles

If your your String of Turtles doesn’t get sufficient light, you can use some ways to combat the low light conditions. (Read More: Are String Of Turtles Toxic To Cats)
 
  • Use Artificial/Fluorescent Light
Using artificial/fluorescent light is the easiest way to combat String of Turtles low light problems, providing extra light to your plant. Forplant winter care indoors under low temperatures, artificial light is best light supplyment source. Artificial lights are run by electricity, so you need to place them near your plant and turn on the lights.
 
  • Reduce Watering
In a low-light condition, the soil is hard to dry and wet soil will easily cause String of Turtles root rot. At this time, you should reduce the watering of the plant. Read on: How Much & How Often to Water String of Turtles Plant
 
  • Fertilizer
When your String of Turtles plant doesn’t get enough sunlight, it will start storing energy for survival. Fertilizers are essential as they provide extra nutrients to the soil. 

Signs That String of Turtles Too Much Light

If your String of Turtles plant gets too much light, then you will notice some of the following signs:
 
  • Dry and Cracky Soil
  • Scorched String of Turtles
  • String of Turtles Shriveling
  • Leaves Turning Purple
  • Leaves Drooping
  • String of Turtles Pale
  • Brown Spots or Translucent Spots on the Leaves
  • Yellowing and Thickening of New Growth

If you notice any of these signs, you need to move them to another place with lower light or use some filters like sheer curtains or blinds. And give your String of Turtles a thoroughly watering. Meanwhile, prune the yellow and dying leaves so that more nutrients will supply to the other healthy parts.

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