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Growing plants indoors doesn’t get enough natural light. Therefore, grow lights are needed to meet the lighting requirements of indoor plants. Choosing the best grow lights for plants can be a daunting task, especially for beginners in houseplant gardening. Keep reading to find the best LED grow lights!
The first patent for a grow light was issued in 1912. It is a metal halide for indoor applications. In the 1960s, growers began using LED lights to grow plants indoors.
The sun typically provides a full spectrum year-round. In spring, the days naturally lengthen and seeds germinate naturally using the blue light spectrum.
Flowering and budding occur in late summer, moving into fall when daylight hours decrease. During this time, plants utilize the red light spectrum.
Technology has made it easier to grow. The growing industry has gained the following advantages from new lighting technologies such as LEDs.
Growers can choose to grow plants indoors for small or large operations.
Spider Farmer G860W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
Features:
This Spider Farmer LED Grow Light features an even peripheral PPFD score for even coverage, ensuring maximum light per plant. The elongated light bar design also ensures a more even distribution of light, reaching all edges and corners. The strip grow light design and the aluminium heatsink on the back contribute to better airflow and good heat dissipation. The G860W Garden Light features a detachable driver and 6.56" long power cord to reduce ambient heat in the grow space for longer life. The LED diodes are coated with water repellent, so they are not afraid of a wet environment. Dimming daisy-chaining allows you to link up to 60 G680W Series grow lights together — dimming multiple lights simultaneously. Widely used in commercial cultivation, vertical farming, home gardens, home cultivation, CO2 systems and hydroponics.
Dio-Tech Satellite Unit 830W LED Grow Light
Features:
Dio-Tech lighting solutions are designed by growers for growers. The result of years of research and development devoted to optimizing plant growth performance. Dio-Tech is powerful enough to not only replace but completely outperform your existing HID lighting, with a lighting formula that provides the ultimate spectrum for your garden at every stage of the plant growth cycle. The Dio-tech 830W LED combines a high-end Osram chip with a built-in dimmer. Dio-Tech 830 starts in F1 mode (flowering spectrum) but has a wide spectrum for excellent vegetative growth.
A grower will have the following benefits when they incorporate LED grow lights in their growing routine.
Environmental Friendly
LED lights provide a clean energy source for growing plants which is suitable for the environment as you release fewer carbons.
LED lights don’t contain heavy metals like mercury, which can significantly affect the environment.
It means that at the end of the LED lights’ lifespan (usually 6–10 Years), you can safely dispose of the LED lights without worrying about the environmental impact.
Long Lifespan
LEDs last longer than other types of light. They can last for more than 50,000 hours or 6–10 years. It means you won’t have to buy new lighting sources for long. It will be beneficial if you’re growing plants for economic gain.
Reduction in Water Wastage
When the grow room temperatures become too high, your plants may consume more water. LED lights maintain ideal temperatures in the grow room, ensuring that the plants don’t use a lot of water.
Reduction in Energy Costs
Growing large quantities of plants indoors may require several grow lights to cover all their plants. It may quickly become an expensive affair in terms of the electricity consumed.
With LED lights, electricity consumption is low since the lights are very energy efficient. They can consume up to 75% less energy than incandescent lights.
The result is reduced costs to grow your plants which can make your plants growing venture economically viable.
Full Energy Spectrum
LED lights provide all the lighting and energy requirements of your plant. During the different stages of growth, you don’t have to worry about switching out the lights.
The lighting will be sufficient for growing plants through its germination, seedling, vegetative and flowering stages.
How far you place your LED lights can affect the health of your indoor plant. Proper placement of lights will ensure that you regulate the number of lumens your plants are exposed to and the amount of heat they receive.
The placement of grow lights varies for different stages of growth. Below is a breakdown of the heights required for each stage.
Seedling Stage — Place LED lights high in the plant canopy at this stage. You may want to expose the seedlings to too much light to promote faster growth, but if you do, you risk drying out the soil or growing medium from the extra heat. Your seedlings may also not be able to withstand the excess light that causes photoburn.
Plant Growth Stage — During this stage, plants have high light requirements, so it is important to place LED lights near the plant canopy. It helps if you don’t expose the plants to too much light. As you adjust lighting levels during this phase, monitor whether the plants are adversely affected by too much light.
Flowering Period — At this stage it is important to phase out LED grow lights as the plants do not have much lighting needs. Start by positioning the light about 16 inches from the canopy, and gradually increase the distance to 36 inches.
Lighting for growing plants has come a long way and we now have many different technologies to choose from. In this article, we’ve taken a look at the most common lights today, and hope it will help you make the right choice the next time you change your interior lights. If you like it or learn something new, I hope you will share it on your social networks so that more people can learn about it, thank you in advance.
If you’re looking for LED grow lights that will help you grow quality plants, there are a variety of options to choose from. Depending on your needs, some of the best LED grow lights will offer excellent light intensity, coverage, and run time. However, it’s important to consider your budget and other factors before making a purchase. As more and more people get interested in growing their own plants, they start looking for the LED grow lights that best suit their needs. Here is a list of the most popular types of LED grow lights.
LED grow lights outperform traditional HPS fixtures in terms of output per watt, while significantly improving overall quality due to their targeted spectrum, including UV and IR wavelengths.
Thanks to infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths, LED grow lights have been shown to increase oil and terpene production by up to 80%, and provide tighter internode spacing and denser fruit and flowers than alternative grow lights.
They can significantly improve quality while using 50% less energy than HPS units. Since LED lights provide less heat, they don’t require air cooling like HPS lights, eliminating the need for additional fans and allowing them to run more quietly.
Lower light temperatures result in an easier to maintain growing environment. Because each diode in an LED light is programmed to emit a specific color and scale, they can cast the exact spectrum plants need to grow with little to no waste.
ECO Farm 1000W Commercial Full Spectrum LED Grow Light Bar MS Series
Features:
The ECO Farm grow light uses Samsung high-bin LEDs, ultra-high PPFD, and 8 high-efficiency aluminum rods to ensure high-efficiency PPE 2.7umol/J, better heat dissipation, and long service life. Compared with old plant lights, the average PPFD is increased by 30%, and the yield and quality are increased by 50%. 90% of led plant growth light will be absorbed by plants, while traditional HPS lights and MH lights, the effect is only 8 %-10%. 8 LED growth lights, each rod is covered with high-grade glue, waterproof and easy to clean, not easy to be filled with dust. This plant growth light also uses a special dimmer, which can precisely adjust the brightness. 0–10 levels are optional. This means that you can see clear brightness levels and record while adjusting. No need to worry about differences.
GrowPros HM960 LED Grow Light For Indoor Plants
Features:
The GrowPros grow light produces 1.8 gram per watts (dried) of crop yield. Generating about 50% more in energy savings over traditional HID and HPS light sources, the HM960 gives you meaningful savings over time. Will not produce the same results without CO2 supplementation. The HM960 Series system runs cool thanks to a passive cooling thermal management system, meaning your lighting systems last longer while retaining high light output levels. A longer lifespan means you can grow crops for many years without needing to replace the lighting system, reducing costs. Indoor plants grow best under full-spectrum lights, which replicate the natural spectrum of the sun. The HM960 Series, with an increased lifespan over traditional, grow light sources, cultivates healthier, happier plants.
In addition to providing high-quality fertilizers for indoor plants, indoor grow lights are also extremely beneficial for plant growth. When choosing the best product for your plants, always consider the following factors:
Your needs
Your specific needs will determine your choice of product. Whether you’re caring for inexpensive houseplants or rare plants, researching their light requirements and needs should be your first step in finding the best light for your houseplants.
Available space
Many grow lights are very portable and easy to install, but some require more space. Choose products that fit your interior space and won’t get in the way of your daily life while helping plants grow.
Type of light
While many grow lights emit full-spectrum light suitable for any stage of plant growth, some grow lights are dedicated to specific stages, such as flowering or seeding. Make sure the product provides the right type of light for your houseplants to grow properly. For example, you don’t want high intensity grow lights for low light houseplants.
Easy to set up
The best indoor grow lights are the ones that are easy to install and operate. Depending on the size of the plant, many are hanging lights or standing on tripods. Before you buy anything, make sure you understand how to install lights properly — remember you’ll also be dealing with electricity, and incorrect installation can be dangerous, especially if you’re a beginner in houseplanting.
Your budget
Your budget can also affect your choice of products. Remember, while choosing the best grow lights is important, it shouldn’t break the bank.
Watts
You don’t want a product that draws too much power while delivering mediocre results. Check the wattage of your equipment before purchasing, and choose products that provide efficient lighting.
Light Colors and Designs
Plants respond to red, blue, and warm houseplant light in a variety of ways, so make sure the product’s design and light color are right for your houseplant.
Customer reviews
Finally, check the reputation of the product with customers who have used it first-hand. Note their emphasis on brightness, energy consumption, and effectiveness in helping plants grow, while also paying attention to their common complaints about the product.
The best time to use grow lights is always winter so you can get a head start on plants and crops that typically thrive in summer. Being able to germinate plants in a controlled manner gives you a better chance of success than relying on unreliable winter weather.
Grow lights are also really the only option for some plants that require specific daylight changes, as they can be programmed, or manually turned on and off, to provide 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16 hours of daylight per day.
La industria del crecimiento ligero ha surgido de repente. Las luces de cultivo de interior ahora se usan comúnmente en invernaderos, jardines urbanos y granjas legales. Estas luces se han convertido en una industria multimillonaria. Se sabe que las plantas de interior brindan muchos beneficios. Ayudan a reducir la ansiedad, aumentan la productividad, facilitan la recuperación y más. Llevan la naturaleza al interior y tienen un impacto positivo en la vida de las personas. Además de brindar beneficios espirituales, también pueden agregar belleza. Algunos incluso producen bienes de consumo. Para que las plantas de interior prosperen, necesitan hidratación, nutrición adecuada y luz de crecimiento.
Una luz de crecimiento es una fuente de luz que cultiva plantas de interior sin luz solar. El dispositivo utiliza una proporción específica de longitudes de onda en el espectro azul y rojo para ayudar a las plantas a realizar la fotosíntesis.
Las luces LED de espectro completo han revolucionado la jardinería de interiores al brindar una excelente alternativa a la luz solar natural. Las luces de cultivo LED están hechas de múltiples diodos que no pueden coincidir con la distribución espectral. Lo mismo ocurre con las luces de cultivo fluorescentes y las luces de sodio de alta presión. Las luces de crecimiento de espectro completo combinan diodos en la proporción correcta y brindan las longitudes de onda exactas que las plantas necesitan en su etapa de crecimiento.
La distribución espectral es fundamental para el crecimiento óptimo de las plantas. Diferentes longitudes de onda tienen diferentes efectos en las etapas de crecimiento de las plantas. Por ejemplo, la luz azul estimula el crecimiento de las plantas, mientras que la luz roja promueve el crecimiento de flores y capullos. Demasiada luz puede arruinar el crecimiento de la planta, es importante que esté bien equilibrada para un crecimiento óptimo de la planta. La luz de espectro completo combina eficientemente cada diodo replicando el espectro de luz natural que ayuda en el ciclo de crecimiento de la planta.
Características:
La luz de cultivo LED ECO Farm está alimentada por LED Samsung Full Spectrum que manejan un amplio espectro de 395nm a 730nm y producen 144597 lúmenes. La cobertura de espectro completo da mejores resultados. Disponible en 3000K y 6500K. Se ha demostrado que la luz de espectro completo con mayor intensidad en el espectro de 395 a 730 nm funciona mejor que el espectro específico para uso general. La luz de cultivo LED ECO Farm Samsung produce una salida PPF de 1000 W de 2524,5 μmol/s y una eficacia PAR de 2,8 umol/J, lo que hace que este accesorio sea increíblemente eficiente en comparación con otros accesorios comerciales.
ECO Farm ECOZ Lite 1000W Samsung LM281B Chips LED Grow Light Strip con control UV + IR separado
Características:
Estas luces de cultivo ECO Farm LED garantizan una iluminación concentrada y uniforme y reducen el desperdicio de luz. Esta luz para plantas brinda un aumento del 30 % en la producción, consume un total de 1000 W, 2800 LED y reemplaza la luz para plantas tradicional de 2000 W. ¡Obtenga mayores rendimientos mientras ahorra costos de energía! Las luces de crecimiento son fáciles de ensamblar en minutos. Puedes instalar tantas tiras de LED como quieras. Plug and play, ahorre efectivamente su costo y tiempo de instalación.
ECO Farm ECO Net Series 1000W Barras de Luz LED Cultivo Portátil Con Chips Samsung 301B
Características:
Esta luz de cultivo LED ECO Farm cubre el espectro a todo color 3000K 5000K 660nm. Nuestras luces de cultivo son ideales para todas las etapas de crecimiento. Perfecto para plantaciones en interiores, invernaderos, crecimiento personal y comercial. Esta luz de crecimiento está diseñada para el ciclo de vida completo de la planta. La intensidad de la luz se puede ajustar con la perilla. La luz similar al sol es mejor para la hidroponía en interiores y el cultivo del suelo, como papas, pimientos, tomates, etc. Los LED SMD que se utilizan en esta lámpara de cultivo LED se personalizan profesionalmente y se fabrican con la última tecnología.
Costo
La cantidad de capital que tiene es el factor número uno antes de comprar luces de cultivo. A medida que más y más jurisdicciones aprueban leyes que regulan la venta a adultos, el cultivo casero está ganando popularidad y las tecnologías en evolución están mejorando y volviéndose más eficientes.
Piense en la frecuencia con la que cosechará malezas y cuánto tiempo le llevará recuperar el costo de las costosas luces si solo planta una vez al año en lugar de varias veces al año.
Todas las luces se suman a su factura mensual de electricidad, pero algunas más que otras, así que téngalo en cuenta además del costo de las luces en sí. Los LED son más eficientes y menos costosos que sus contrapartes de alta tecnología, las lámparas de descarga de alta intensidad (HID), pero las HID suelen ser menos costosas.
Algunas luces, como las HID, generan más calor, por lo que es posible que sea necesario instalar ventiladores o unidades de aire acondicionado adicionales, lo que aumenta el precio total. Naturalmente, el aumento de los costos de los servicios públicos coincidió con la incorporación de maquinaria nueva que consume mucha energía.
Cantidad de luz de crecimiento
La mayoría de los cultivadores domésticos pueden arreglárselas con solo una o dos luces. La mayoría de las jurisdicciones limitan el número de plantas por hogar a 6 o 12, y para ese número bastará con una o dos luces. Si planea mantener dos espacios diferentes, necesitará dos luces, una para las plantas de follaje y otra para las plantas con flores.
Además de la cantidad de plantas que planea cultivar, el tamaño de su área de plantación también determinará la intensidad de la luz que necesita. Una luz pequeña puede caber en un armario o en una tienda de campaña pequeña, así que planifique en consecuencia. Si su sótano es particularmente espacioso, una lámpara grande puede ser preferible a dos más pequeñas.
Ventilación
Algunas bombillas se calientan mucho durante el funcionamiento. Los diodos altamente emisores de luz (HID) generan mucho calor y requieren refrigeración del sistema. Sin una ventilación adecuada, el calor de tu cuarto de cultivo puede atrofiar el desarrollo de las plantas. Tenga en cuenta que esto no está incluido en la configuración de HID “más barata” y tendrá un costo adicional.
Espacio
¿Qué tan grande planea expandir su espacio de cultivo? En habitaciones pequeñas, se deben evitar las lámparas “calientes”, ya que aumentarán rápidamente la temperatura de la habitación. No hay suficiente espacio para aire acondicionado central tampoco.
Seguridad
Asegúrese de que su tablero de interruptores tenga suficientes tomacorrientes y energía para hacer funcionar su iluminación sin problemas. El siguiente paso es examinar todos los dispositivos y calcular su consumo total de energía. Cuando la capacidad de la fuente de alimentación es insuficiente, la posibilidad de un incendio eléctrico es mucho mayor.
Las luces de cultivo LED de espectro completo son cada vez más populares para el cultivo en interiores. Son ideales para plantas herbáceas, plántulas, pequeños invernaderos y plantas de interior, y áreas donde la luz natural no está disponible o es insuficiente. Si planea comprar una luz LED de espectro completo; asegúrese de comprobar su CRI. De esta forma, puedes comprar las luces de cultivo adecuadas para tus plantas y mantenerte a salvo de cualquier engaño.
Indoor growers have been using light to grow plants for decades. But like everything, technology is advancing rapidly, and full-spectrum LED grow lights are taking their place in the industry.
Full-spectrum LED grow lights have their own research: Recent studies have shown that plants especially prefer green light — more of it in LED lights than in other types of lights. Also, the green light penetrates the leaves so the lower leaves and stems absorb more light, which in a competitive and growing industry where every dollar counts helps produce under the canopy Bigger Coke. Some growers are using full-spectrum LED grow lights as their sole light source; others are using them to supplement growth — such as in greenhouses.
Energy use can be reduced by up to 75%.
The service life of the diode is much longer than that of the traditional bulb, so the maintenance cost is lower.
Flexible lighting adjustment. They can be dimmed or turned on immediately.
It can be used at various temperatures to ensure color accuracy.
Fixing devices can be placed close to plants to improve efficiency.
Reduce wire size and associated wire costs.
ECO Farm ECO D700 700W Samsung LM281B Chip LED Grow Light
Features:
This ECO Farm LED grow light has the highest output of white chip and Osram chip, with high energy efficiency of 2.6 umol/J, PPF 1820 µmol/s, LED grow light provides plants with powerful and high quality light to maximize the Yield. The vegetable footprint is 5 x 5 feet and the flowering footprint is 4 x 4 feet. With an excellent full spectrum (3000K, 5000K, 660nm, 730nm IR, 395nm UV), it can make the light more uniform, truly simulate sunlight, and perfectly meet the entire growth cycle of all plants from seed to harvest, resulting in higher yields. The dimming knob can adjust the light intensity at will (from 0% to 100%), and the daisy chain can be up to 100 units, which easily meets the plant development process, including germination, nutrition, flowering, and fruiting. Foldable for easy placement and portable installation, the adjustable adapter has an RJ45 interface, which can control multiple plant lights in series, which is convenient for you to plant in a large area.
Spider Farmer SE7000 730W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
Features:
This Spider Farmer LED grow light features a uniquely designed extension of 8 bars to provide more even and complete canopy coverage, especially in outer edge planting areas. With 2688 SAMSUNG LM301B diodes, the SE7000 Led Grow Light consumes 730 watts at 2045 umol/s, achieving an impressive PPE of 2.8 umol/J. The full spectrum (3200–4200K, 4800–5000k, 650–665nm) is ideal for vegetable flowering to suit every stage of the plant cycle. The dimmer knob is ideal for growers to adjust the light intensity for different growth stages. The strip grow light design and the aluminium radiator on the back contribute to better airflow and good heat dissipation. The LED diodes are coated with water repellent, so there is no need to worry about a wet environment.
With so many different LED grow lights on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is best for your needs. Here’s everything to look out for and consider when buying LED grow lights:
Spectrum
All colors of the electromagnetic spectrum exist in natural sunlight. Some LED lights can only reproduce specific color frequencies, while full-spectrum white LED lights can produce all the shades needed for each stage of the plant growth process.
For example, blue light stimulates plant growth at an early stage. It is the first color a plant is able to absorb when it is in the vegetative state.
Second, violet light is also used in the vegetative state, but it has less effect on photosynthesis than blue light.
Red light is important for flowering and helps the plant grow in its final stages. White light, on the other hand, encompasses the entire color spectrum. Used alone, it can help at every stage of development.
Light Intensity
When it comes to light intensity, there are two approaches. The first is photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), also known as photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) (PPFD).
This is important because it indicates the amount of light the plants are absorbing from the LED grow lights. When looking for grow lights, compare the amount of light your plants need with the strength of your PPF or PPFD.
Another way to look at grow lights is by their lumens, which measure the amount of visible light they emit.
Coverage
Grow lights are usually measured for the amount of plant and bloom coverage they provide. Make sure the lights you choose emit the right amount of light and cover the area you want to grow, such as an indoor garden space or a grow tent.
Adjustable
Several aspects of LED grow lights should be adjustable. The first thing to consider is color. Many of today’s LED grow lights come with programmable settings that allow them to emit light of different color wavelengths. This allows you to adjust light types at various scales for plants in various stages of their life cycle.
In addition to being able to change the color of the light, LED growers often have knobs that allow them to change the brightness of the bulb for optimal light intensity.
You can also adjust the distance of the light from the plants by adjusting the length of the rope or chain that hangs the plants. This allows you to move the lights closer or further away from the plants.
Other Factors
Other factors to consider when looking for the best LED grow lights are the length of the power cord, whether it has a built-in timer, and the lifespan of the light.
Just five years ago, LED grow lights were inferior to HIDs in many ways. Most professional growers prefer to use HPS lighting. More modern clothing is turning to CMH.
But today, LED grow lights have far surpassed other types. Their prices have dropped. go down. Now you can get incredible LED fixtures for just a little more than a premium HID system. The cost savings from operating the lights quickly made up for the difference.
There are basically four main options on the market right now: blur lights, COB lights, quantum board lights, and strip lights. The latter three feature full-spectrum white light. Among them, strip lights are currently the most popular, followed by quantum boards.
However, all 4 types are excellent for growing and flowering plants. Whichever you choose depends on your preferences and where you stand on the white light vs. dim light debate.
How are you today? You might be searching for the best greenhouse grow lights or a specific item to buy. We’ve done this for you so you don’t have to. Find out what’s going on right now at the best grow lights for greenhouses that interest you.
This blog post is for people who want to buy the best grow lights for their greenhouse and need help picking which one. You can count on me to provide you with my honest thoughts on several of the best greenhouse grow lights that have been highly recommended by professionals in the field.
Although plants cannot survive without light, they also need time to rest for optimal development and health. Plants need darkness in order to carry out the necessary chemical reactions. No need to keep lights on for plants. A timer should be set to regulate how long the grow lights are on.
Plant sunlight requirements fall into three categories. To stimulate flowering, short-day plants require a daily photoperiod of 12 hours or less. Strong sunlight is not good for these plants.
In a sunny greenhouse, grow lights may not be needed to grow plants such as azaleas and begonias.
Long-day plants need 16 to 18 hours of light per day, depending on the species. Vegetables and flowers are long-day plants, which means they need more light in the early stages of development.
For optimal growth, sun-neutral plants such as geraniums and foliage plants need 8 to 12 hours of sunlight per day. If your greenhouse doesn’t get enough sunlight all winter, you can choose to turn on grow lights during shorter days.
ECO Farm MB660 Foldable Grow Light Bar
Features:
The UV+IR bars of this ECO Farm LED grow light can increase your plant THC content. UV light causes the plant to create more resin to protect itself, which means higher THC and CBD levels. This LED grow light utilizes the latest technology on the market–from intensive research for optimum performance, to customized spectrums to achieve the highest yields possible. This grow light is the most powerful commercial-grade LED grow light on the market. No fans = silent & noise-free operation. The full spectrum(2112pcs LM301b 3030 White chips+48 Osram 660nm Red chips) allows you to drastically increase yields and quality. Using this LED grow light is a great way to save on lighting for larger grow rooms and greenhouses.
RayonLED GLMF-640W FOLDABLE LED Grow Light
Features:
This Rayonled LED grow light has everything to appeal to hobby and commercial growers with its impressive expertise in LED technology. The GLMF640 is designed to replace and exceed the results of 1000W HID luminaires. From spectrum to certification, it’s engineered to compete with the top grow lights on the market. With a high output of 1,728 μmol PAR and impressive efficacy of 2.7 μmol/J/W, this grow light bar provides full spectrum, broad coverage light for long-term growth. IP65 certification allows the light to function and last in even the wettest grow rooms. And independent strips and drivers ensure that even if something goes wrong, the lights can be repaired without losing production of the entire fixture.
ChilLED Growcraft X6–660 Watt DIY Kit
Features:
The ChilLED LED Grow Light is an intense, high-efficiency light that was designed for all stages of your plant’s growth. The LEDs in the X6 produce full-spectrum light to maximize your indoor garden yields for increased profits by 30% — 70+% without any additional heat, energy, or cooling requirements. The ChilLED LED Tech Growcraft X6 660W DIY Grow Light is designed to be super DIY friendly with a modular design and U frame structure that requires no drilling or tapping — it’s ready to assemble and start growing. This durable. An innovative light system features a large footprint for excellent canopy coverage and a 1.4” slim profile thanks to a passive cooling system.
Whether you’re looking for grow lights to supplement natural light for overwintering your garden potted plants indoors, or want to start seeds indoors for transplanting into your garden in the spring, grow lights can help.
Cold, Warm and Full Spectrum
Grow lights are marked with numbers such as 2,500K or 6,500K to tell you the temperature of the lights based on the Kelvin measurement scale. The higher the number, the cooler the light. So a bulb with a Kelvin rating of 6,000K will have a white or blue tinge, while a bulb with a 3,000K rating will have a yellowish cast. Each type of light — warm or cool — stimulates specific plant behaviors.
If your goal is to improve foliage growth on houseplants or to grow leafy greens or seedlings, choose a cooler spectrum bulb around 6,500K. Warm light has a lower Kelvin rating, making it ideal for houseplants and flower production for fruit trees like citrus. When in doubt, full-spectrum lights take the guesswork out and offer a combination of warm and cool light for the best of both worlds.
LED vs Fluorescent Bulbs
Standard fluorescent bulbs are a weak source of household light, but they’re great for supplementing natural light for houseplants or seedlings. Their cooler light makes them one-dimensional, so they’re ideal when the goal is lush foliage rather than flowers. Because their light cannot penetrate the leaves of plants with high intensity, growers must position the light within a few inches of the top of the plant to be effective.
Full-spectrum compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are a better choice. CFL grow lights come in both tube and bulb form and are brighter than standard fluorescent lights.
LED grow lights, not to be confused with regular LED lights, are more expensive than fluorescent lights, but they make up for that with longevity and energy savings. LEDs come in blue and red to mimic the full color spectrum of the sun, and possibly bright violet. This isn’t a big deal if the lights are in the basement or garage, but it’s worth considering if they’re in the living area. Like fluorescent bulbs, LEDs can come in tubes to light a tray of seedlings, or in bulbs to light specific plants.
Greenhouses can be equipped with a variety of automated grow lighting systems to support a wide range of plant species and stages of development. Alternatives to the greenhouse lighting described above — from supplemental grow lighting to photoperiod-controlled grow lighting — will make the job easy and effective.