There are several advantages to installing window film. From security to filtering out UV rays, solar films and window treatments offer homeowners and commercial & industrial owners many benefits.
So do plants! Plants breathe life into every room, and add warmth to any environment they are placed in. It’s natural to want optimal plant health, so how does window film affect plants?
Fortunately, when it comes to window film and plant growth, the answer is great. Window films do not affect your plants, and it’s easy to find plant-friendly solar film.
Does tint block sunlight for plants?
We all know plants need light to survive, but plants don’t need all the light available in the spectrum. Plants really like red light for flowering and fruiting, and they use blue light for leaf and stem development. Green light is not used as much, but is still used for photosynthesis and contributes to plant health.
But just like us humans, plants are not too fond of ultraviolet light. It plays almost no role in photosynthesis, and can even damage foliage when there’s too much of it. Basically, plants can get sunburn! Too much UV radiation can burn leaves and stunt growth, causing significant stress to a plant and negatively impacting its overall health.
This is where window film and plant growth can work together. The best window films for indoor plants control heat and glare as well as filter out those nasty UV rays, all while still giving your plants all the nourishing red and blue light they need.
So, is solar film plant friendly? Mostly. Low-E film and greenery can work hand in glove to give plants the optimal indoor environment. Unlike blackout curtains or blinds, window film lets you manage heat and UV without cutting off your plant’s light entirely.
How Different Window Films Interact With Light
When it comes to window film and plant growth, one size doesn’t fit all. Different types of film filter light in different ways, and that impacts your greenery.
As discussed, we need red and green light, and this is why tinted and reflective films can be a mixed bag. While tinted window film is great for heat and glare reduction, it does reduce overall light levels. This is not a problem in bright, south-facing rooms, but in low light, shaded, or north-facing areas, this could mean your plants don’t get enough light to do their best.
Low-E (low emissivity) films are a crowd favourite for energy efficiency, but they could score low on the plant-friendliness scale. Some low-E films are heavily tinted or reflective, which can reduce photosynthetically active radiation — the red and blue light — that is critical for plant health.
If you’re looking for a balance, spectrally selective films are the best window film for indoor plants. These advanced coatings block heat and UV while maintaining high visible light transmission, making them ideal for homes filled with greenery.
Can Low-E Film and Greenery Coexist?
Low-E (low emissivity) films are popular with homeowners and commercial spaces for a reason. They improve insulation, reduce heat transfer, and help lower those ever-expanding energy bills.
But this raises the question of how low-E film and greenery can coexist. Can low-E film and greenery share the same space without compromise?
The answer, like so many things, is ‘it depends’. Some older or highly reflective versions reduce the intensity of visible light, and this can starve your plants of that valuable red and blue light. But science has come to the rescue. Newer spectrally selective low-E films give you the same energy savings you want without messing with the light your plants need.
We all want sustainable, plant-friendly homes, and choosing the right low-E product is key to getting there. Look for films that maintain high visible light transmission while filtering UV and infrared heat. That way, you can enjoy thermal comfort, lower energy costs, and a thriving indoor jungle, all in the same room.
What to Watch for After Installing Window Film
Even with the best window film for indoor plants, your greenery may not respond the way you’d like it to in the days and weeks after installation. Plants often don’t like change, and all plants react the same way to changes in light levels — especially if they’ve adapted to a specific space and have managed to thrive in their spot.
Leggy stems, smaller leaves, and slowed growth are all signs your plant may not get enough light to sustain itself, and you may need to adjust. On the flip side, yellowing or leaf drop can look concerning, but it is not always a sign of distress; it is merely a symptom of adjustment. Some of our potted friends take time to adapt to new conditions.
For light-hungry species, consider choosing spectrally selective or neutral UV-blocking film for houseplants. These options filter out harmful rays without cutting essential light.
Window film and plant growth can absolutely coexist. Choose plant-friendly solar film that works with your specific space. Just keep an eye on your soil-loving friends’ well-being and adapt if necessary.
Best Indoor Plants for Filtered Light
Not every plant needs a sun-drenched windowsill to thrive. In fact, most plants, and many houseplants, prefer filtered light. This makes them perfect candidates for homes with window film.
If you’re worried that solar film could be more of a hindrance than help to the growing environment of your greenery, remember that many species flourish in lower light conditions. Most plants don’t find themselves in direct sunlight, but grow in the dappled shade of the forest. Filtered light will do most plants just fine!
Some easy-care leafy fellows that will work great with solar film include snake plants, pothos, and ZZ plants. All of these are famously adaptable to new environments.
Pairing the right plants with the right UV film for houseplants will give you the benefits of light control, energy savings, and healthy greenery all at once.
Window Film That Works for You—and Your Plants
If you’ve ever asked, “How does window film affect plants?” The answer is: It depends on the film.
The good news is that there’s a myriad of products to choose from, and you don’t have to sacrifice comfort and energy savings for healthy indoor greenery.
From sunny studios and shaded apartments to cheerful retail spaces and optimised commercial settings, there’s a plant-friendly solar film to match your needs.
Explore our range of light-filtering window films for interiors to see how you can balance aesthetics, function, and the natural world inside your home.