Garden Grow Lights

In order to provide an adequate amount of light indoors, whether for giving seedlings a head start before transplanting or to grow plants to maturity, we can utilize artificial lighting in the form of garden grow lights.

What Plants Need

Sunlight provides the full spectrum of light that plants need for photosynthesis, providing the range of light through red, yellow, blue and violet.

Blue light promotes lush foliage growth and red stimulates flowering and vegetation production.

Vegetables generally require 14 to 18 hours of light per day; foliage plants can thrive on only 8 to 12 hours; and flowering plants need about 12 hours of light daily.

All plants require some dark time to rest in order to grow properly.

By providing a routine of twelve hours off and twelve on, you're assuring adequate lighting for most plants.

Equally important is the distance from the light source. Flowering houseplants prefer to be only 10 to 12 inches away, while foliage plants can be up as far as 36 inches away.

However, if you place your hand on the top of the foliage and can feel heat, it's a good bet that the plant is too close to the light source.

Types of Grow Lights

When selecting plant grow lights for the home, you can select from fluorescent or incandescent bulbs.

HID or high-intensity discharge lamps are used commercially and are less cost effective for the home gardener.

Incandescent bulbs provide red light and considerable heat, which can burn plants if placed too close.

Fluorescent bulbs provide more light for the same energy used and are the most cost-effective for home use.

Full-spectrum fluorescents produce a balance of light, both warm and cool, that is most like natural sunlight, and are the most cost effective and practical indoor garden grow lights.

Tips for Success under Plant Grow Lights

Position your plants and grow light where they won't need to be disturbed, especially if you have several plants or an extensive light system.

Set up a schedule for when to turn the lights on and off, or use a timer to automatically control this.

Since the center of a fluorescent bulb gives more light than the ends, it's a good idea to rotate your plants weekly.

Use a light fixture that allows you to adjust its height as the plants grow.

And be sure you have adequate electrical sockets to avoid having to unplug the fixtures, especially if you're using a timer.

By utilizing artificial garden grow lights, we can replicate natural sunlight indoors and grow lush, healthy plants indoors.

More Garden Grow Lights