How to Use Grow Lights for Indoor Plants: The Ultimate Guide

Grow lights are an ideal solution for anyone wanting to start or maintain an indoor garden. If you have a lack of natural light in your home, live in an area with limited sunlight, or want to garden year-round, grow lights can provide the perfect solution. With a wide variety of grow lights available on the market, it’s easy to find one that will fit your needs.

So whether you’re a hobby gardener or a commercial grower, adding grow lights to your indoor gardening setup is a great way to promote healthy plant growth.

Grow lights are artificial light sources that mimic the spectrum of sunlight, allowing plants to grow indoors year-round. Grow lights come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and intensities to fit any growing need. Many home gardeners use grow lights to supplement their plants’ natural light intake or to provide the sole source of light for their plants.

Indoor growers also use grow lights to optimize plant growth and yield by controlling their plants’ light spectrum, intensity, and duration. Grow lights are an energy-efficient way to provide optimal growing conditions for your plants year-round so that they can thrive regardless of the season or your location.

So if you are wondering how to use grow lights for indoor plants, keep reading this guide! We will discuss everything you need to know about using grow lights for indoor plants. We’ll cover what types of plants work best with grow lights, how to set up your light system, and how to care for your plants. Let’s get started!

Science basics: What is photosynthesis?

In middle school science class, you may have learned about photosynthesis – a light-to-chemical energy conversion process that takes place in plants. This process is essential for plant growth but can vary from plant to plant, and this means that different plants may need to be exposed to light with different wavelengths in order to thrive.

For example, foliage may benefit from blue-colored light, while roots and flowers may benefit from a red light. Grow lights are one way to provide plants with the specific light they need to grow indoors. These lights can imitate the sun’s light spectrum or produce particular wavelengths of light that are essential for plant growth.

Grow Light, LORDEM Full Spectrum LED

What’s the difference between grow lights and traditional lights? 

The main difference between grow lights and regular bulbs is the wavelengths of light that they emit. Regular bulbs produce a broad spectrum of light, which includes both visible and invisible wavelengths. On the other hand, grow lights emit a narrower range of wavelengths specifically tailored to support plant growth.

In addition to emitting the correct wavelengths of light, grow lights also produce very little heat. This is important because too much heat can damage delicate plants. By contrast, regular bulbs produce a lot of heat, which can easily scorch and burn plants. For these reasons, grow lights are essential for gardeners who want to ensure that their plants receive the right amount of light for healthy growth.

Benefits of Grow Lights

Most homeowners are under the impression that their indoor plants require less light than they actually do, which is one reason why houseplants so frequently become ill. Grow lights are used to improve the amount of useful light that is accessible to indoor plants.

This can assist increase nutrition, speed up growth, expedite flowering, and honestly just keeping your houseplants alive and healthy indoors. Grow lights are utilized in two ways: for supplemental lighting or providing the sole source of light.

Grow lights are often used in addition to the sun’s rays coming through a window. Houseplants usually don’t get enough light from windows because the sun’s rays are filtered by the glass. The sun’s angle also changes with the seasons, so during winter months, when there is less daylight, your houseplants will likely need extra grow light exposure just to survive.

If you want your indoor plants to thrive and not just survive, they’ll need even more light exposure. Like people, plants need a certain amount of time to rest; too much light exposure can cause stress. When exploring how much grow light to give your plants, it’s essential to find a balance.

Grow Light, LORDEM Full Spectrum LED

How Do Grow Lights Work?

While the sun is often seen as the best source of light for plants, grow lights can play an important role in indoor gardening. Unlike ordinary light bulbs, grow lights provide the specific wavelengths of light that plants need for photosynthesis.

The optimal wavelengths for photosynthesis occur in the blue range (425 to 450 nanometers) and the red region (600 to 700 nanometers). While red light encourages flowering, blue-colored light encourages vegetative and structural growth.

However, both types of light are necessary for plants’ balanced and healthy development. Grow lights supply the type of light required for photosynthesis by indoor plants, imitating the full spectrum of sunlight or emitting selected wavelength ranges. As a result, grow lights can provide the ideal conditions for indoor plants to flourish.

Types of Grow Lights

Now that we’ve gone over the basics of grow lights, let’s look at the different types of grow lights available on the market. The four most common types of grow lights are incandescent, fluorescent, LED (Light Emitting Diode), and High-Intensity Discharge (HID).

GE Grow LED Tube Light, For Seeds and Greens, Balanced Light Spectrum

Incandescent

The most common type of light bulb is the incandescent bulb. You can find them at hardware or supermarket shops, and they are usually the least expensive option. They are also the most common type of light bulb; however, they aren’t the ideal option for a grow light.

The bulbs produce a lot of heat, which could burn your plants, and they also aren’t particularly effective at conserving energy or lasting a long time. If you’re looking for an alternative to incandescent bulbs, you might want to consider the following options.

Fluorescent

For those looking to invest in grow lights, it is important to compare the various types of lights on the market in order to find the best option for their needs. One popular type of grow light is the fluorescent light.

Fluorescent lights are typically more expensive than incandescent grow lights; however, they use less energy than incandescent lights and have a lower heat output. While fluorescent lights produce a good spectrum of light for plants, they are prone to breakage and do not have as long of a lifespan as some other types of grow lights.

Another thing to keep in mind is that most fluorescent lights come in the form of tube lights, which may not be the most practical option for lighting a few indoor plants.

Overall, fluorescent grow lights are a good option for those looking for an energy-efficient light with a reasonable spectrum of light; however, they are not as durable as some other types of grow lights and can be more expensive.

LED lights (Light Emitting Diode)

LED lights are quickly becoming the preferred choice for indoor gardening and horticulture. Unlike traditional incandescent bulbs, LED lights use far less electricity and produce very little heat, making them much safer for plants. In addition, LEDs emit a light spectrum that is ideal for plant growth, providing the perfect mix of wavelengths for photosynthesis.

As a result, plants grown under LED lights tend to be healthier and more vibrant than those grown under other types of lighting. Best of all, LED lights are very cost-effective, with many models lasting for years without needing to be replaced. LED grow lights are the way to go for anyone looking to start an indoor garden.

Grow Light, 2PC Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, Full Spectrum

High-Intensity Discharge (HID)

High-intensity discharge (HID) grow lights are a type of light that emits an extraordinarily high amount of light. They are typically used for large-scale commercial growing operations and are pricey. Most commonly, they are offered for sale as large-scale installations rather than as small individual bulbs.

HID lights are usually high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights or metal halide (MH) lights. HPS lights emit mostly red and orange light, while MH lights emit mostly blue-colored light. The color of light emitted by a grow light affects the plants that can be grown under that light and the quality of the plants.

For example, blue light is necessary for vegetative growth, while red and orange light is necessary for flowering and fruiting. Blue light also allows for a higher leaf-to-stem ratio, which means that plants grown under blue light will have more leaves and fewer stems.

On the other hand, red and orange light promotes overall plant size and allows for a lower leaf-to-stem ratio. HPS lights are generally better for flowering and fruiting plants, while MH lights are better for vegetative growth. However, both types of lights can be used for both purposes.

What color grow lights do houseplants grow best in?

The light produced by grow lights can be classified as either cool or warm. Cool light is typically in the blue range of the visible spectrum, while warm light is in the red/orange range. Cool light is often used during the vegetative stage, as it is thought to promote compact growth.

Warm light is typically used during the flowering stage, as it is thought to promote bud development. However, some growers believe that a mix of cool and warm light is optimal for plant growth. This is because different plants have different light requirements, and a mix of cool and warm light can provide a more balanced environment.

GE Grow LED Tube Light, For Seeds and Greens, Balanced Light Spectrum

Cool 400nm–500nm

The cool spectrum falls within the electromagnetic spectrum’s 400nm to 500nm range, and this range includes violet, blue, and green light. Blue light, which is absorbed by chlorophyll, is critical to plant development since it is a major component of photosynthesis.

Plants aren’t as reliant on green light since they reflect most of it (which is why plants are green). On the other hand, your plant should continue to get the all-clear for healthy development. When coupled with red and blue light, violet light is most effective in terms of color, taste, and fragrance enhancement.

Red light helps plants flower and fruit, while blue light aids in vegetative growth. Violet light sits right in the sweet spot between these two extremes and can help your plant reach its full potential. So if you’re looking to give your plant a boost, reach for a Cool Spectrum grow light.

Warm 580nm-700nm

Warm colors are those that fall in the 580nm-700nm range on the visible light spectrum. These colors include red, orange, and yellow, and warm colors are associated with energy, excitement, and heat. The combination of red and blue light is critical for plant development.

Red light encourages the growth of stronger plants, greater greenery, and even the emergence of blooming. Germination and blooming are both regulated by far-red light. A lesser role is played by the colors orange and yellow in total development, though. Warm colors have an energizing effect and can be used to create an exciting or inviting atmosphere.

However, warm colors can be overwhelming or even jarring when used in excess. When selecting paint colors or choosing fabrics for your home, consider how each color will affect the overall tone of the space. Warm colors can be used to add personality to a room but should be balanced with cooler hues to create a well-rounded design.

Light Brightness and Lumens

Lumens are a unit of measurement that quantifies the amount of visible light emitted by a light source. More lumens generally mean a brighter, stronger light. When it comes to growing plants indoors, full sun seedlings typically need 2000 to 3000 lumens per square foot in order to thrive.

This means that using a grow lamp that produces 3000 lumens is adequate for a single tray of seedlings. However, if you’re trying to grow plants in a larger area, you’ll need to do the arithmetic to calculate how many lights you’ll need to produce the desired effect.

For example, if you’re working with a 3×3 grow area (9 square feet), you’ll need 9 lights producing 2500 lumens each to achieve the same brightness level as you would from the full sun. Of course, this is just an approximation – every plant is different and will have unique light needs.

However, it’s a good starting point when planning your indoor garden. With the right grow lights, you can create a beautiful and thriving oasis – regardless of the time of year or the weather outside.

GrowLED Umbrella Herb Garden Grow Light

Size of Grow Light

There are a few key factors to consider when it comes to sizing grow lights. First, take into account the size of the fixture itself. Then, consider the area that the light is rated to illuminate. For example, if you have a large growing space, you’ll need a light with a wider beam.

On the other hand, if you’re simply trying to brighten up a dark corner of your home with some houseplants, a smaller light will suffice. Additionally, the type of plants you’re growing will also play a role in selecting the right size light.

For example, microgreens or seedlings will need a much smaller light than full-grown plants. Ultimately, it’s important to consider all these factors when choosing a grow light so your plants can thrive.

What Type of Grow Light is Best?

Choosing a grow light for your plant can easily become daunting with so many options to choose from. The good news is that LED grow lights are the best option for most household, small-scale, and full-spectrum applications. In addition to being cost-effective, widely available, and energy-efficient, they provide the optimal light spectrum range for your indoor plants.

When it comes to plant growth, full-spectrum grow lights are often thought of as the best option. This is because they mimic sunlight more closely than other types of grow lights. Sunshine emits all light spectrums, including ultraviolet and infrared. The whole spectrum is essential for plant development; thus, grow lights should mirror it in intensity and wavelengths.

To mimic it as precisely as possible, pick a full-spectrum grow light. While the blue and red light spectrums are most commonly associated with plant growth, the other wavelengths also play an important role. For example, ultraviolet radiation helps with photosynthesis, and plants use infrared light to regulate their temperature.

By providing all of the different light spectrums, full-spectrum grow lights help plants to thrive. Not only do they promote healthy growth, but they also reduce the risk of problems such as stunted growth or malformed leaves. For these reasons, full-spectrum grow lights are an excellent choice for indoor gardening.

LED Grow Light for Indoor Plants Solatmos Full Spectrum Growing Lights with Automatic Timer

Where to Put Grow Lights

The purpose of grow lights is to provide the light that plants need to photosynthesize and grow. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into the oxygen we breathe. In order for photosynthesis to occur, plants need light.

The closer the grow light is to the plant, the more light the plant will receive. For this reason, it is important to position grow lights within a few feet of plants. It is also important to position the light directly above the plant. If the light is placed out to the side, it can cause the plant to grow sideways and “reach” for the light.

This is not ideal for plant growth. However, having the light directly above a plant is not always necessary. Some plants, such as trailing plants, do not grow upwards; for these plants, it is sufficient to have the grow light nearby.

How Long to Leave Grow Lights on

While the process of photosynthesis is vital for plant growth, it can be not easy to provide plants with the ideal amount of sunlight indoors. One way to address this challenge is to use grow lights. By keeping grow lights on for at least 8 or 10 hours each day, you can simulate the quantity of sunlight that plants are exposed to in nature.

Automating turning on and off your grow lights using timers can help ensure that your plants receive the right amount of light each day. You can find light timers at most big-box retailers and online, and taking these steps will give your plants the best chance to thrive indoors.

Indoor Garden Hydroponic Growing System,Built-in Water Circulation System

Using a timer for grow lights

One of the most important things to know about grow lights is that they need to be on for 8-10 hours a day in order to be effective. This is why getting a timer for your grow lights is so important. A timer will turn the lights on and off when you specify, which means you won’t have to worry about forgetting to turn them off or on.

App-controlled timers are especially beneficial because they allow you to control the lights from anywhere. Another great thing about grow lights is that they can help your plants thrive.

If you have trouble getting your plants to grow, invest in some grow lights and see the difference for yourself. Not only will your plants be happier, but you will also be able to enjoy seeing them thrive.

Grow Light, KIWOEN Full Spectrum LED Plant Light for Indoor Plants

How to Use Grow Lights for Indoor Plants – FAQ

Is purchasing a grow light expensive?

No, these light bulbs are not expensive at all, and they are sometimes even less expensive than regular light bulbs.

Is a grow light as effective as natural light?

Yes, grow lights can be just as effective as natural light; in some cases, they are even more effective. This is because a grow light can provide the ideal amount of light for photosynthesis.

How often should I change my grow light?

They should be changed every 12 months or so. This is because the intensity of the light decreases over time. By changing your grow light on a regular basis, you can ensure that your plants are getting the light they need to grow.

Do I need to water my plants more if I am using a grow light?

No, you do not need to water your plants more if you are using a grow light.

What are the benefits of using a grow light?

There are many benefits of using a grow light, including the fact that they can help your plants thrive.

Is growing plants easier with grow lights than with natural light?

There is no easy answer to this question; it depends on the plant and the amount of light it needs.

Are fluorescent bulbs available as grow lights?

Yes, fluorescent bulbs are available as grow lights. These bulbs are often used for starting seedlings because they do not produce much heat.

Will flowering plants thrive if I use a grow light?

Yes, flowering plants can thrive if you use a grow light, and this is because they need more light to bloom.

Are LED bulbs available as grow lights?

Yes, and they are very energy efficient, and it’s a great supplemental light to natural sunlight.

Is natural sunlight better for foliage growth than a grow light?

Yes, natural sunlight is better for foliage growth than a grow light, and this is because the plant needs more light to produce chlorophyll.

Can I use a grow light as a supplement light for a few plants?

Yes, you can use a grow light as a supplement for several plants. This is especially beneficial if you have a plant that is not getting enough light. Using a grow light ensures that your plant gets the light it needs to grow.

LVJING Grow Light Bulbs, 2 Pack Full Spectrum Light Bulb