Reading Light

Sources & further reading

Armarego-Marriott, T., Sandoval-Ibañez, O., & Kowalewska, Ł. (2020). Beyond the darkness: Recent lessons from etiolation and de-etiolation studies. Journal of Experimental Botany, 71(4), 1215–1225. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erz496

Baxendale, F. P., Wegulo, S. N., Lott, D. E., & Lindgren, D. T. (2013). Guide to growing houseplants (NebGuide G2205). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension. https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g2205/2013/pdf/view/g2205-2013.pdf

Casal, J. J. (2013). Photoreceptor signaling networks in plant responses to shade. Annual Review of Plant Biology, 64, 403–427. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-arplant-050312-120221

DelPrince, J. M. (2021). Care and selection of indoor plants (Publication 1012). Mississippi State University Extension. https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/care-selection-indoor-plants

Faust, J. E., & Logan, J. (2018). Daily light integral: A research review and high-resolution maps of the United States. HortScience, 53(9), 1250–1257. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI13144-18

Guidi, L., Lo Piccolo, E., & Landi, M. (2019). Chlorophyll fluorescence, photoinhibition and abiotic stress: Does it make any difference the fact to be a C3 or C4 species? Frontiers in Plant Science, 10, Article 174. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.00174

Howell, D. R., Silberglitt, R., & Norland, D. (2002). Industrial materials for the future R&D strategies: A case study of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods, applying low-E coatings to flat glass for applications in Sunbelt locations. RAND, for the U.S. Department of Energy. https://www1.eere.energy.gov/manufacturing/industries_technologies/imf/pdfs/glasscoatingstudy.pdf

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. (2024, December 3). My Christmas cactus doesn’t bloom well. Why? Yard and Garden. https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/my-christmas-cactus-doesnt-bloom-well-why

Liu, J., & van Iersel, M. W. (2021). Photosynthetic physiology of blue, green, and red light: Light intensity effects and underlying mechanisms. Frontiers in Plant Science, 12, Article 619987. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.619987

LuEsther T. Mertz Library, New York Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Houseplant basics: Home [Research guide]. https://libguides.nybg.org/houseplantbasics

Mathôt, S. (2018). Pupillometry: Psychology, physiology, and function. Journal of Cognition, 1(1), Article 16. https://doi.org/10.5334/joc.18

Mays, D., Richter, K., Bradley, L. K., Sherk, J., Kistler, M., & Neal, J. (2022). Plants grown in containers (Chapter 18). In K. A. Moore & L. K. Bradley (Eds.), North Carolina Extension Gardener Handbook (2nd ed.). NC State Extension. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/18-plants-grown-in-containers

Milić, D., Pantelić, A., Banović Đeri, B., Samardžić, J., & Vidović, M. (2023). Contrasting metabolisms in green and white leaf sectors of variegated Pelargonium zonale: An integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic study. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(6), Article 5288. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065288

Mitchell, R. (2023, May 3). Variegation sensation – variegated plants. UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County. https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotteco/2023/05/03/variegation-sensation-variegated-plants/

National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2019, May 16). Candela. U.S. Department of Commerce. https://www.nist.gov/si-redefinition/candela

North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). Epipremnum aureum. NC State Extension. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/epipremnum-aureum/

Oh, S.-T., Lee, Y.-B., & Lim, J.-H. (2025). Method for generating real-time indoor detailed illuminance maps based on deep learning with a single sensor. Sensors, 25(16), Article 5154. https://doi.org/10.3390/s25165154

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. (2023, July 25). Shading and solar control for windows and skylights. Building America Solution Center, U.S. Department of Energy. https://basc.pnnl.gov/resource-guides/shading-and-solar-control-windows-and-skylights

Pennisi, B. V. (2022). Growing indoor plants with success (Bulletin 1318). University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/B1318/growing-indoor-plants-with-success

Pons, T. L., & Poorter, H. (2014). The effect of irradiance on the carbon balance and tissue characteristics of five herbaceous species differing in shade-tolerance. Frontiers in Plant Science, 5, Article 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2014.00012

Poorter, H., Niinemets, Ü., Ntagkas, N., Siebenkäs, A., Mäenpää, M., Matsubara, S., & Pons, T. L. (2019). A meta-analysis of plant responses to light intensity for 70 traits ranging from molecules to whole plant performance. New Phytologist, 223(3), 1073–1105. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.15754

Schalau, J. (2024). Indoor plant care (Backyard Gardener #255). University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/2024-10/IndoorPlantCare.pdf

Sellaro, R., Durand, M., Aphalo, P. J., & Casal, J. J. (2025). Making the most of canopy light: Shade avoidance under a fluctuating spectrum and irradiance. Journal of Experimental Botany, 76(3), 712–729. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erae334

Shaughnessy, D., & Pertuit, A. (1999). Indoor plants: Cleaning, fertilizing, containers & light requirements (HGIC 1450). Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/indoor-plants-cleaning-fertilizing-containers-light-requirements/

Smith, C. W. (Rev.). (2009). Poinsettias: Year after year (Guide H-406). New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service. https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H406/

Song, Y. H., Shim, J. S., Kinmonth-Schultz, H. A., & Imaizumi, T. (2015). Photoperiodic flowering: Time measurement mechanisms in leaves. Annual Review of Plant Biology, 66, 441–464. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-arplant-043014-115555

Stallknecht, E. (2025). Calculating and using daily light integral (DLI): An introductory guide (Publication SPES-720NP). Virginia Cooperative Extension. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/SPES/spes-720/spes-720.html

Steil, A. (2023a, October). How to care for houseplants. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Yard and Garden. https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-care-houseplants

Steil, A. (2023b, December). Important considerations for providing supplemental light to indoor plants. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Yard and Garden. https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-indoor-plants-under-supplemental-lights/important-considerations-providing-supplemental-light-indoor-plants

Steil, A. (n.d.). Moving indoor plants outside for the summer. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Yard and Garden. https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/moving-indoor-plants-outside-summer

Stern, D. P. (2014). Seasons of the year. From Stargazers to Starships, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. https://pwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Sseason.htm

Sugano, S., Ishii, M., & Tanabe, S. (2024). Adaptation of indoor ornamental plants to various lighting levels in growth chambers simulating workplace environments. Scientific Reports, 14, Article 17424. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-67877-y

Thompson, A., & Taylor, B. N. (2008). Guide for the use of the International System of Units (SI) (NIST Special Publication 811, 2008 ed.). National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/SP/nistspecialpublication811e2008.pdf

Torres, A. P., & Lopez, R. G. (2010). Measuring daily light integral in a greenhouse (Publication HO-238-W). Purdue University Extension. https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ho/ho-238-w.pdf

Trinklein, D. (2016, November 8). Houseplant acclimatization. Missouri Environment & Garden. University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management. https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2016/11/Houseplant_Acclimatization/

Trinklein, D. H. (Rev.). (2010). Caring for houseplants (Publication G6510). University of Missouri Extension. https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/Pub/pdf/agguides/hort/g06510.pdf

Trinklein, D. H. (2017). Lighting indoor houseplants (Publication G6515). University of Missouri Extension. https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6515

U.S. Department of Energy. (2000). Passive solar design: Increase energy efficiency and comfort in homes (DOE/GO-102000-0790). Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/building_america/29236.pdf

UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions. (n.d.). Light for houseplants. University of Florida IFAS Extension. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/light-for-houseplants/

University of Maryland Extension. (2023, March 10). Lighting for indoor plants. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lighting-indoor-plants

Volf, C., Petersen, P. M., Thorseth, A., Vestergaard, S., & Martiny, K. (2024). Daylight quality: High-transmittance glass versus low transmittance glass – effects on daylight quality, health, comfort and energy consumption. Annals of Medicine, 56(1), Article 2297273. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2023.2297273

Watkins, K. (2026, June 30). Light considerations for indoor plants. N.C. Cooperative Extension, Richmond County Center. https://richmond.ces.ncsu.edu/news/light-considerations-for-indoor-plants/

Weisenhorn, J., & Hoidal, N. (n.d.). Lighting for indoor plants and starting seeds. University of Minnesota Extension. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/lighting-indoor-plants

Wyka, T. P., Robakowski, P., Żytkowiak, R., & Oleksyn, J. (2022). Anatomical acclimation of mature leaves to increased irradiance in sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.). Photosynthesis Research, 154(1), 41–55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-022-00953-4

Xin, P., Li, B., Zhang, H., & Hu, J. (2019). Optimization and control of the light environment for greenhouse crop production. Scientific Reports, 9, Article 8650. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44980-z

Zhang, J., Ge, J., Dayananda, B., & Li, J. (2022). Effect of light intensities on the photosynthesis, growth and physiological performances of two maple species. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, Article 999026. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.999026