For many novice growers, one of the most difficult aspects of gardening is directly related to the process of starting seeds indoors in late winter to early spring. Vegetable garden favorites, like tomatoes and peppers, will require (in most cases) growers to seed and grow transplants indoors until the last chance of frost has passed. This process is often very challenging without implementing a grow light system. It is for this reason that many people start thinking about buying grow lights.

Plants need blue and red light for photosynthesis. Light is a key factor in plant development and growth. LED grow lights are mainly based on the photosynthetic curve that plants need to thrive. Grow lights were developed to simulate the environment plants receive from natural light.

After testing, the wavelength of light emitted by LED plant lights is suitable for growth, flowering and fruiting. Without LED grow lights, indoor plants would be starved of light.

Using LED grow lights can support plant growth, but the lights have other benefits as well. It can prolong flowering period and improve plant quality.

Other benefits of LED grow lights include,

In the case of insufficient external light, it provides supplementary light for plants to ensure that plants have sufficient light for growth.
Extend the exposure time. For plants that need medium and long days, natural light cannot provide enough light time. LED plant growth lights can extend the light time to achieve the best photoperiod for plants.
Make the most of your indoor greenhouse or plant lab to boost plant growth.

ECO Farm FLD 320W Full Spectrum Dimmable LED Grow Lights

Features:

Equipped with SMD 3030 chip, this ECO Farm LED grow light has a maximum yield of 2.5 grams per watt, 30% higher average PPFD, and 50% higher yield and quality compared to other similar lights. Consumes only 320W. This LED grow light has a Yield Max spectrum (3000k, 6000k, 660nm red, 730nm IR LED), which can make the light more uniform, truly simulate the sunlight, and perfectly meet the entire growth cycle of all plants from seed to harvest, including Medicinal plants, flowers, vegetables, etc. Newly designed fast heat dissipation material aluminium with 4 slim cooling strips, produces less heat and saves 50% energy than other old grow lights! The whole plant grow lights are waterproof. No need to worry about wet growing conditions. LED grow lights can be folded 180°, easy to install and move.

Fluence SPYDR 2x 345W LED Grow Light

Features:

SPYDR 2x is an early development overhead lighting solution for commercial cultivation, or a full cycle overhead lighting solution for home hobbyists growing without supplemental CO2 at ambient conditions around 400 ppm. The SPYDR 2x is comparable to the previous generation SPYDRx, delivering an average of 550 µmol/m2/s of highly uniform light just 6”–12” above the canopy in a 4'x4' area. Fluence recommends mounting SPYDR 2x luminaires 6"–12" above the canopy to ensure optimal light uniformity, penetration, and flux density above the 4'x4' canopy. Fluence recommends an airflow of at least 1 ft3/S to ensure effective cooling. Proper airflow will also increase the maximum suitable operating temperature and help extend the life of the system.

Spectrum King Phoenix 340W LED Grow light

Features:

Spectrum King grow light is the most efficient LED light fixture on the market with a dedicated plant spectrum. SK Cryo-Therm cooling technology enables ultra-thin profiles, maximizes airflow and minimizes microclimates. It has unmatched performance and reliability in its class. It is optimized for single or multi-level planting near the canopy. The Spectrum King Phoenix 340W Veg sets a new benchmark for what’s possible with grow lights. The full spectrum is ideal for most light-loving plant seedlings, vegetation and the entire flowering growth stage. IP65 waterproof horticultural lighting system, can be used in humid or water vapor environment, easy to use, plug and play.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Plant LED Grow Light

When choosing a grow light, there are some factors to consider when deciding which is best for you.

Power
The amount of power consumed by your grow lights is one consideration to factor. Grow lights have different wattages, which equate to the amount of electricity you consume. And while LED grow lights are still energy efficient, this should still be a consideration. You would want to consume less while growing in a small footprint.

Footprint
Another thing to look for is a footprint or the area that a grow light can cover. Measure how big your grow area is to get an idea of which grow light works best for you. Take note that some grow lights cover a rectangular footprint, another consideration. You want to maximize the light, so you should look for something that matches your existing space.

Spectrum
There are grow lights that work for a particular stage of plant growth. You’ll see grow lights classified for vegetation and flowering. If you’re growing herbs or any other leafy plant, you won’t need a grow light with a spectrum meant for flowering.

Now, if you’re growing crops, that’s where you’ll need the flowering spectrum. That would mean having vegetation and flowering grow lights in your grow space. The good news is that many grow lights offer a full spectrum to handle both stages of plant development.

PPF and PPFD
When checking the product specifications of grow lights, you will encounter the terms PPF and PPFD.

PPF, or Photosynthetic Photon Flux, refers to how much light comes from a source per second, measured in umol/S. To be clear, PPF doesn’t automatically mean a plant receives X amount of light per second. It just means the grow light produces that amount of light every second. Getting the right amount of light per second need not be done with a single light. You can combine grow lights to get the right amount needed by your plants.

PPFD, or Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density, refers to the amount of light your plant receives. Technically, the values listed are the amounts it receives when the grow light is set at the ideal height. Putting it higher will, of course, lessen the PPFD. Commercial-sized operations will benefit significantly with a PPFD range of 1,500–2,000 umol/S for every square foot. CO2 enrichment systems then supplement these. For smaller spaces, you won’t need as much.

Conclusion

To help your indoor and temporary houseplants survive, provide them with the right conditions to help them thrive:

proper humidity level
Adjusted Seasonal Watering Schedule
Placement without airflow
Ample natural lighting, supplemented by grow lights if necessary