This review will cover grow light sources with extremely high light output, a spectacular spectrum, and will give you stunning high quality output. If you’re a hobbyist or commercial grower looking to start with an older system or switch to LED grow lights, you’re in the right place!

Introduction to Growing Plants with Lights

Before growing plants with light, you should understand the light needs of plants, the measurement of light and its importance, and the light used to grow plants.

Light and plants

Light
You’ve heard it before that plants need light for photosynthesis, the process by which they produce their own food.

But did you know that not all light drives photosynthesis? Plants need light of a specific color (frequency) to survive.

Sunlight has all frequencies of light from infrared (IR) to ultraviolet (UV).

However, plants rely almost entirely on red and blue light for photosynthesis. Plants also grow better when they are exposed to small amounts of ultraviolet and infrared light.

This unique pattern of light, which ranges from blue to red, allows plants to thrive and is known as PAR, short for Photosynthetically Active Radiation.

Plant light requirements
Different kinds of plants need different amounts of light.

In gardening, we divide plants into three (sometimes four) groups based on their need for sunlight:

High light or full sun plants need 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day
Medium to partial sun plants need 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day
Low light or partial and full shade plants thrive in less than 4 hours of sunlight per day

Optic LED Slim Killa 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light

Features:

The Optic LED Grow Light is designed to hang 12 inches from the canopy and deliver up to 1000 watts, beating out more traditional 1500 watt HPS grow lights. To meet the lighting needs of plants, the Slim Killa uses a combination of Samsung LM281B+ 3500K mixed white, deep red, royal blue, infrared and ultraviolet LEDs to cover the entire growth process of plants from inception to harvest. The Slim Killa’s built-in dimmer allows you to adjust the brightness from 0–100%. The Slim Killa also uses passive cooling to keep your grow tent from being cluttered with fans.

ECO Farm ECOD Samsung UV+ IR 1000W Dimmable LED Grow Light

Features:

The ECO Farm LED Grow Light is powered by Samsung Full Spectrum LEDs that drive a wide spectrum from 395nm to 730nm and produce 144597 Lumens. The full spectrum coverage gives better results. Available in 3000K and 6500K. Full-spectrum light with higher intensity in the 395–730nm spectrum has been shown to perform better than the targeted spectrum for general use. The ECO Farm Samsung LED grow light produces a 1000W PPF output of 2524.5μmol/s and a PAR efficacy of 2.8umol/J making this fixture incredibly efficient compared to other commercial fixtures. LEDs generate far less heat than HPS and other HID lamps making them perfect for horticulture.

Buyer’s Guide

There are several factors to consider when choosing the best LED grow lights UK. In this buying guide, I’ll discuss the basic features you need to make an informed decision.

Alternatives to LED Grow Lights
Natural light is an alternative to using LED grow lights for indoor plant growth. If you have a sunny space, growing plants indoors can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. However, this may not always be possible, especially in areas with limited sunlight or during winter. Other options may include fluorescent or HID (high-intensity discharge) lights, but they may not be as energy-efficient or long-lasting as LED lights. Ultimately, the choice of grow lights will depend on factors such as the type of plants you want to grow, the size of your space, and your budget.

Spectrum
One of the most critical factors to consider is the light spectrum provided by your grow lights. The ideal spectrum should include blue and red wavelengths, as these promote vegetative growth and flowering, respectively. So look for full-spectrum lights that mimic natural sunlight.

Strength and Coverage
Another important factor to consider is the intensity and coverage of the light. The light should be strong enough to penetrate the plant canopy and provide even coverage to all plants. To achieve this, consider the wattage, lumens, and PAR value (photosynthetically active radiation) of your grow lights.

Energy efficiency
Since LED grow lights are used for a long time, it is very important to choose an energy-saving grow light. Look for energy-efficient lights that use less electricity and last longer. This will help save on your energy bills.

Cooling system
LED grow lights generate heat that can be harmful to plants. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a grow light with an effective cooling system, such as a radiator or built-in fan. This will ensure your plants stay cool and healthy even during long runs.

Adjustable settings
Finally, adjustable settings allow you to tailor the light intensity and spectrum to meet the specific needs of your plants. These include features such as dimmable lights, programmable timers and individual switches for different light spectra. These features will give you greater control over plant growth and development.

Conclusion

Overall, LED grow lights are a big cost to invest in indoor farming facilities. Knowing the key factors above will help you find the best LED grow lights for growing indoor plants. With the right LED grow lights to ensure your plants thrive in indoor farming, you’ll have a successful indoor farming experience.