In recent years, indoor gardening has grown in popularity. This is a great way to enjoy the beauty of plants without worrying about the natural elements. With the right setup, you can have a thriving garden in your home. A key component of indoor gardening is the use of LED grow lights. This blog will explore how to use grow lights to create the perfect environment for your houseplants.

How about using LED grow lights in a cold grow space?

If your grow room is always cold, LEDs are not the best choice for growing plants. It’s not just because LEDs don’t dissipate much heat. Unlike grow lights made from large bulbs, LED grow lights don’t emit visible infrared rays to help warm plants from the inside. Leaves under LED grow lights stay at about the same temperature as the air, whereas under bulbs (such as HPS, LEC or CMH grow lights), the surface temperature of the leaves under the light is significantly higher than that of the air. I tested this when I first learned about the importance of leaf temperature, and if you happen to have both types of grow lights, you can buy a temperature gun and measure the difference yourself. It’s quite remarkable to see how all the foliage in the LED tent matches the air temperature (even the foliage directly under the light), whereas in the HPS or LEC tent the foliage under the light is noticeably warmer than the air. Feel the difference on your skin even without a temperature gun. At the same temperature, hands feel much hotter under a large bulb lamp than under an LED lamp of the same wattage.

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.

Spectrum King Phoenix 1050W LED Grow Light

Features:

Spectrum King’s Phoenix 1050W LED Grow Light is a grow lighting beast that unleashes 1050 watts of sun-like light in areas up to 6' x 6', unleashing the ultimate output for your grows. Designed to hang high, the Phoenix 1050 recreates the sunniest summer days for plants that never seem to get enough light. SK Cryo-Therm cooling technology enables an ultra-thin profile that allows maximum airflow and minimizes microclimates. Optimized for single or multi-tier planting near the canopy. For growers who need the biggest, brightest LEDs, the Phoenix 1050W is for you.

Iluminar iL9x 1000W LED Grow Light

Features:

If you’re looking for more power for your indoor grow area, then you need the iLuminar LED Grow Light. The iL9x works best for commercial-sized growers who need all the light they can get to cover large areas with low clearances. Featuring a tuned spectrum for astonishing results, the iL9x beats leading brands with its added diodes. The iL9x also has a full spectrum array that works in both vegetative and flower stages. If you need high umol but in low clearances, the iL9x can cover your needs.

How to choose plant growth lights?

Every beginner can feel a little overwhelmed when starting their houseplant project. Indoor gardens need light that can replace natural sunlight and support photosynthesis.

When shopping for the best grow lights for indoor plants, keep in mind that all plants love natural sunlight because it provides the full spectrum, including all colors, especially blues, reds, yellows, and purples.

Effective LED grow lights should produce both cool and warm light to replicate the effect of sunlight to support photosynthesis and proper growth of indoor plants.

Here’s a guide to the features to look for when shopping for the best indoor grow lights:

Spectral range
The plant growth spectrum is the key to successful indoor gardening. What should you look for when buying a good LED grow light kit for your indoor plants?

Choose grow lights that produce photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at 400–700 nm. But that’s not enough, because in addition to photosynthesis, your plants also need to develop in terms of form and structure (photomorphogenesis).

This means that even if your LED grow lights have the correct spectral range, look for lights that produce a wider color spectrum, including red, blue, and green wavelengths.

Photomorphogenesis requires a wider spectrum, preferably 260–780 nm UV and far-infrared radiation.

The quality of all these factors in a grow light can affect the germination, growth, photosynthesis, and even flowering of indoor plants.

Pro tip: If you can find spectrally adjustable LED grow lights, go for it. Using this option, you will be able to optimize the light for your houseplants to bloom or germinate.

Power and Coverage
How big is your indoor garden? Before choosing indoor LED grow lights for your garden, you need to answer this question.

I suggest that if you only have one plant, a simple LED desk lamp for your houseplant is enough.

For those with small, medium and large gardens, you need to make sure that the LED bulbs are large enough to adequately cover the houseplants.

Pro Tip: The wattage of your grow lights determines how much area you can illuminate your indoor garden. For example, 1000 watt LED lights will cover approximately 7 by 7 feet of indoor growing area without additional sunlight.

600 watt light covers 6 x 6 feet
400 watts fits approximately 4×4 feet
250 watts will cover a 3×3 foot garden
150 watt LED lights will cover 2×2 feet.

Energy Efficiency
If energy efficiency is your concern, then you really want to take a look at LED grow lights. In fact, both fluorescent and LED grow lights are great when it comes to low energy requirements. LEDs also generally have a lower thermal signature.

Also, you can place these types of lights not far above your houseplants without harming them.

Last but not least, you want to read the reviews of other gardeners to see what works best for them. Your neighbor can help you choose the best indoor LED grow lights for their plant type.

Finally, the warranty is also something to keep an eye on. For me it’s usually one of the indicators of durability and longevity I can expect from garden products. So, please keep this in mind.

Conclusion

Overall, LED grow lights have several advantages over other types of lighting and are ideal for indoor growing. As we’ve discussed, it’s important to make sure you do your research and choose the right LED grow light for your specific needs. Additionally, it is important to know and follow proper installation recommendations and maintenance procedures to ensure your LED grow lights are always functioning properly.