Artificial lighting is a great way to grow plants in low-light and indoor settings. It can mimic natural light and, depending on your usage, may further boost a plant’s growth.
In this article, I’ll teach you how to choose the best artificial lights for your plants. Plus, I’ll guide you through creating an artificial lighting schedule!
Why Should You Use Artificial Lighting?
Here’s why you may want to use artificial lighting for growing plants.
- Control: With artificial lighting, you can better control how many hours of light to give your plants. It’s possible to grow different types of plants under one roof.
- Healthy Plant Growth: Artificial lighting boosts photosynthesis, promoting plant growth. Using artificial light lets you provide additional light to plants lacking sun exposure.
- Larger Leaves: Plants that grow under artificial light tend to have stronger stems and wider leaves. This makes it ideal for leafy greens.
- Space Saving: You can cultivate more plants in a small area by placing artificial lights on shelves.
How to Use Artificial Lighting for Growing Indoor Plants
Here’s a simple guide on using artificial lighting for growing indoor plants!
Choosing the Right Lights
According to the Oklahoma State University Website, the best wavelength range for plant growth is between 400 and 700 nm. Blue light increases chlorophyll production in foliage plants, while red light boosts flowering.
This information is essential for selecting the best artificial lighting for your plants.
Here are three types of lights you can use.
- LED Grow Lights
LED grow lights are beneficial for gardeners because of their affordability and efficiency.
These lights are more durable, easy to install, and have a lower heat emission. They also emit white and colored light at wavelengths between 250 nm and 1,000 nm.
You can buy LED grow lights as stand-alone lamps or as ready-to-stick strips. However, note that they may have less coverage area than other types of light.
- Fluorescent Grow Lights
Fluorescent grow lights, or T5 grow lights, are tubular bulbs ideal for compact spaces. They have a more uniform light distribution than LEDs and are highly efficient.
Like LEDs, fluorescent grow lights have a low risk of overheating. You can place them directly over your plants without fear of heat damage.
Understanding the Growth Stages
Plants have varying nutrient needs throughout their life cycle. Because of this, growers who want to use artificial lighting should understand the requirements of each plant.
- The Seedling Stage
Lighting is essential for seedlings to grow. When setting up, you should ensure that your light source is no more than a foot away from the seedlings.
Keep in mind that the duration of exposure varies depending on your grow lights.
A T5 54W fluorescent bulb can have a run time of 9 to 24 hours. Meanwhile, a 32W LED tube may need 19 to 24 hours of run time.
- The Vegetative Stage
The vegetative phase is the time when your plants produce leaves. The added surface area of the leaves allows the plant to capture more sunlight.
Plants in this stage need 12 to 18 hours of exposure to artificial lights daily.
- The Flowering Stage
When your plants begin to produce flowers, it’s best to give them more exposure to red light. The reason for this is that red light stimulates the production of flowers.
In general, 16 to 18 hours under artificial light should be enough at this stage.
Creating a Lighting Schedule
Lighting schedules are a way to keep track of how long to expose your indoor plants to artificial light.
You can set a timer for when to turn the light on and off. Additionally, you must note specific settings each plant needs on your calendar.
Here are factors to consider when making a lighting schedule.
- Light Intensity
Most LED grow lights have a hand-turned dial that allows you to control the light intensity.
The ideal range for light should be from 400 nm to 700 nm. Plants in the seedling stage need a lower intensity, while those in the flowering stage may require a higher intensity.
- Spectrum
Plants at the seedling stage need lighting at the blue and blue-green spectrum. On the other hand, flowering plants will prefer a redder light.
You should adjust the color spectrum of your grow lights as your plants mature.
- Duration
Set the hours you’ll expose the plants to grow lights based on their growth stage. Seedlings may need 19 to 24 hours of run time, while mature plants can thrive with fewer hours.
Monitoring Your Plants
Remember that lighting schedules are not permanent. The schedule can vary depending on the brand and quality of artificial light and the type of plant.
You must adjust the lighting schedule if you notice signs of over or under-lighting. Moreover, check your plants for heat damage as you may need to change the distance of the bulbs.
Finally, much of artificial lighting involves trial and error, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Have a little patience and I promise you’ll see the fruits of your labor in no time!
Final Thoughts
Artificial lighting is a useful tool for keeping plants indoors. They offer more control over your plant’s needs and boost plant growth.
Even so, you’ll need trial and error to create the best artificial lighting schedule.
You can learn more about growing seedlings with artificial lights on our website!
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.