Growing With Grow Lights

Indoor gardening has become a popular way for people to grow everything from houseplants to fresh vegetables and herbs, regardless of the season or outdoor growing conditions. Grow lights make this possible by providing the light energy plants need to photosynthesize and thrive. Whether you’re a beginner looking to start seedlings or a seasoned gardener wanting to grow rare plants indoors, understanding how to use grow lights is crucial.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about growing with grow lights, from selecting the right bulb to ensuring your plants receive the right amount of light.

Why Use Grow Lights?

Grow lights are essential for indoor gardening because they mimic sunlight, which is vital for plant growth. Sunlight contains the full spectrum of light that plants need to photosynthesize, and grow lights replicate this light indoors. This allows plants to grow in environments where natural sunlight is limited, such as apartments, basements, or in latitudes with long winter days.

Interesting fact: According to NASA, using LED grow lights in controlled environments, such as the Veggie and Advanced Plant Habitat (APH) systems on the International Space Station, has significantly improved plant growth by tailoring light spectra to meet the specific needs of plants.

What To Consider When Setting Up Grow Lights

Choosing the Right Color Temperature

Light is measured in color temperature, which determines the light’s appearance and its effect on plant growth. Color temperature for lighting is measured in Kelvin (K), with lower values representing warm, red hues and higher values representing cool, blue hues.

• Red Light (2,500-3,000 K): Encourages flowering and fruiting.
• Blue Light (5,000-6,500 K): Stimulates vegetative growth, leading to strong stems and lush leaves.

For general indoor gardening, a full-spectrum grow light that replicates natural sunlight (5,000-6,500 K) is ideal. This type of light supports all stages of plant growth, making it versatile for various plants, from houseplants to herbs and vegetables.

Positioning the Grow Light

The distance between your plants and the grow light is crucial to ensuring they receive the right amount of light intensity. If the light is too far away, plants may become “leggy” as they stretch toward the light. On the other hand, placing the light too close can cause the plants to overheat or become damaged. While it depends on the intensity of your grow light, these are some good rules of thumb.

• Seedlings: Place the grow light about 15-30cm (6-12 inches) from the top of the seedlings.
• Houseplants: Typically, a distance of 30-60cm (12-24 inches) works well for most indoor plants.
• Vegetables and Herbs: Position the light 15-30cm (6-12 inches) away, depending on the light’s intensity.

Adjustable grow light systems are a great investment, as they allow you to raise or lower the light as the plants grow.

Photoperiod: How Long To Leave the Grow Light On

The amount of time your grow light is on each day, known as the photoperiod, plays a significant role in plant development. Plants can be categorized into three groups based on their light requirements:

• Short-Day Plants: Require less than 12 hours of light per day (e.g., chrysanthemums, poinsettias).
• Long-Day Plants: Need 14-18 hours of light (e.g., vegetable seedlings, garden flowers).
• Day-Neutral Plants: Satisfied with 8-12 hours of light, regardless of season (e.g., African violets, geraniums).

Pro tip: For most indoor plants, a 12-16 hour photoperiod is ideal. Using a power strip with a built-in timer can help you automate this process and ensure your plants get the consistent light they need.

Setting Up Grow Lights for Different Plants

Now that you understand the basics of grow light setup, let’s look at how to optimize your lights for different types of plants.

Growing Seedlings Under Grow Lights

Seedlings are particularly sensitive to light and need a lot of energy to grow into healthy, strong plants. For the best results, use a full-spectrum bulb (5,000-6,500 K) and position the light close to the seedlings, about 6-12 inches away.

• Photoperiod: Seedlings thrive under 14-16 hours of light per day. Avoid continuous light, as plants need darkness for respiration and other essential biological processes.
• Tip: If your seedlings appear pale or “leggy,” they’re likely not getting enough light. Move them closer to the light source.

Caring for Houseplants With Grow Lights

Houseplants come in a wide variety, each with its own light requirements. While shade-tolerant plants like snake plants and pothos need minimal light, flowering plants like orchids and succulents need more intense, full-spectrum light.

• Light Distance: Most houseplants do well with a grow light positioned  30-60cm (12-24 inches) away.
• Photoperiod: Depending on the species, houseplants may need anywhere from 8 to 14 hours of light per day.

Growing Edible Indoor Gardens: Herbs, Veggies, and Fruits

Indoor gardens have become a popular trend, especially for growing herbs, vegetables, and small fruit plants. These plants often require more intense light and a longer photoperiod to mimic outdoor sunlight.

• Color Temperature: For leafy greens, a full-spectrum light (6,000 K) works best. Fruiting plants like tomatoes or citrus may need a warmer bulb (2,500-3,000 K) to promote fruiting and flowering.
• Light Distance: Position grow lights 15-30cm (6-12 inches) away from herbs and veggies to provide sufficient light intensity.
• Photoperiod: Leafy greens need about 10-12 hours of light, while sun-loving herbs and fruiting plants may need up to 18 hours per day.

Fun stat: A University of Arizona study found that basil grown under LED grow lights produces 20% more essential oils than basil grown in natural light .

The Benefits of Using LED Grow Lights

LED grow lights have rapidly become the most popular choice for indoor gardening due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan. Compared to traditional fluorescent or incandescent bulbs, LEDs use up to 75% less energy and last up to 50,000 hours.

• Cost Savings: Over time, the energy savings from using LED lights can significantly reduce your electricity bill, making them a more sustainable choice for indoor gardening.
• Customizable Light Spectrums: Many LED grow lights allow you to adjust the light spectrum to cater to your plants’ specific needs, such as switching between red and blue light for vegetative growth and flowering.
• Controls: LEDs can be turned on and off rapidly, and its easy to adjust their brightness. For other forms of lighting such as fluerescent or halogen, doing these things may shorten the life of your lights!

Fun fact: LED grow lights have been used by NASA in space missions to grow crops like lettuce and radishes aboard the International Space Station.

Final Tips for Growing With Grow Lights

To ensure your indoor garden thrives, remember these key tips:

1. Monitor Your Plants: Regularly check your plants for signs of light stress, such as pale leaves or slow growth. Adjust the light distance as necessary.
2. Use a Timer: Automating your grow lights with a timer ensures your plants get the consistent light they need without relying on manual switching.
3. Choose the Right Bulb: Full-spectrum grow lights are ideal for most indoor gardens, but you may need specialty bulbs for certain plants like fruiting vegetables or flowering houseplants.

With the right setup, grow lights can transform any indoor space into a thriving garden. Whether you’re growing herbs, flowers, or rare orchids, using the right lights will help your plants grow strong and healthy all year round.

There are a wide variety of different grow lights on the market, so be sure to check Gathera's out here