If you’re like most gardeners, you probably grow some of your plants indoors. This can be a great way to extend the growing season or to grow plants that wouldn’t otherwise grow in your climate.
One of the most important tools for indoor gardening is a grow light. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what grow lights are, how they work, and some of the benefits of using them to grow indoor plants!
What Are Grow Lights?
Grow lights are artificial illumination utilized to assist plants to grow all year. Grow lights come in a range of wavelengths and light intensities to meet the demands of different types of plants. Indoor grow lights are important gardening equipment that allows houseplants to thrive in places where there is no access to natural light.
How Do Grow Lights Work?
Grow lights generate photons. These are particles that stimulate photosynthesis and encourage plant growth by converting electrical energy into light. The greatest light sources for photosynthesis are those that include a wide range of wavelengths that the human eye recognizes as color. Red light is ideal for fruit and flower development, while blue light is optimum for plant growth.
4 Types of Grow Lights
There are a few main types of grow light options to consider for your indoor garden.
- Fluorescent grow lights: Fluorescent grow lights can be found in a number of shapes and sizes, including tube lights and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Fluorescent bulbs, unlike LEDs, are less energy-efficient and may result in excessive heat.
- Incandescent grow lights: Some growers use incandescent bulbs, which have a high heat output that may harm plants. Incandescent lights are less expensive than other grow light choices, but they use more energy and burn out faster.
- LED grow lights: The lifespan of LED (light-emitting diodes) grow lights is greater than most other forms of lighting. They are energy-efficient and produce little heat. LED grow light bulbs and larger LED grow light fixtures are the two types of LEDs available.
- HID grow lights: HID (high-intensity discharge) grow lights are more efficient at replicating natural light than other types of grow lights. These high-output lamps are pricey and are typically utilized in commercial cultivation facilities. High-pressure sodium (HPS) lights, which produce a red light, and ceramic metal halide (CMH) lights, which emit a blue light, are the two most common types of HID grow lights.
How to Use Grow Lights
Use grow lights to help your indoor plants grow quicker and healthier.
- Choose your equipment. Choose the type of light that you believe will work best for your houseplants or herb garden. To regulate electrical outputs, fluorescent and HID lights often require ballasts. For the most part, plants in glass houses require full-spectrum grow lights. If you have a lot of houseplants, consider utilizing a larger grow lamp, a panel of lights or a reflector to provide additional light to the lowest leaves.
- Make sure your lights are turned on. The ideal lighting levels for indoor gardens are determined by the kind of plants you have. Although certain plants like to be kept in low light, most require bright light—particularly succulents and blooming plants.
- Keep an eye on the temperature of your lights. Grow lights can scorch houseplants depending on the wattage of your light sources. Incandescent bulbs should be at least two feet away from your plants. Plants should be kept at least twelve inches away from fluorescents and High Intensity Discharge (HID) grow lights. LED grow lights have a low heat output, thus they can usually approach houseplants as near as six inches without causing damage.
- Install a timer. Plants won’t experience a typical light-dark cycle if they’re continuously exposed to bright lights, which is bad for them. To control the amount of light your houseplants receive from your grow lights, use a timer. Make sure your plants get at least eight hours of darkness and at least eight hours of sunshine.
Using grow lights indoors
Grow lights are an important part of indoor gardening. By understanding the different types of grow lights and how to use them, you can create a healthy environment for your plants to grow in. Whether you’re new to growing plants or have been doing it for years, using grow lights is a great way to help your plants thrive.
