Choosing Grow Lights

If you have houseplants, you'll know how important it is to keep your leafy friends happy and thriving, especially now the clocks have gone back and the days have got shorter.

Grow lights are a fantastic way to give your plants the right light to flourish indoors. They are designed to help plants thrive by promoting photosynthesis, just like sunlight does.

But let's be honest: Knowing what your plants need and what to buy can be confusing. Let us break it down...

What is a Grow Light?

The regular light bulbs you use at home are designed for humans and our requirement to see in dim or dark conditions. They are only needed for illumination so they are very low on the light emissions spectrum and don't facilitate photosynthesis.

Grow lights produce a broader spectrum of wavelengths, including visible and non-visible light, which mimic sunlight and therefore facilitate photosynthesis = happy houseplants!

 

Which type should I buy?

There are several types of lamps that can cater to your plants’ needs but we recommend LED Grow Lights for regular household use.

LED Grow Lights are the rock stars of energy efficiency! They last a long time and give off minimal heat, so you can place them closer to your plants without worry.

There are other types of lights available if you want alternatives:

-Fluorescent Lights are effective for small seedlings. They are cheaper than LED but run hot, and aren't as cost effective as LED.

 -Incandescent Lights also can be cheap but they’re not the best choice environmentally. They generate a lot of heat and aren’t very energy-efficient.

 -HID Lights (High-Intensity Discharge lights) are fantastic, but are for serious growers. They offer a lot of light but use tons of energy and generate a lot of heat. Think glasshouse, not terraced houses! 

Photo Grow Gang

How long should I run my Grow Lights for each day?

About 12 to 16 hours light with a rest period of at least 8 hours darkness is an ideal balance for most indoor plants.

Just like us, plants thrive on routine! Consider getting a timer to make sure your plants get the right amount of light each day.

 

What about coloured lights?

We recommend full spectrum lights which mimic natural sunlight, supporting your plant at all growth stages.

 

Photo by Altifarm Enverde on Unsplash 

 

Think About Placement and Coverage

Choosing the right setup can make all the difference:

Hanging Lights are excellent for larger areas or if you’ve got a bunch of plants. They can usually be adjusted as your plants grow!

Clamp Lights are super handy and easy to reposition—great for smaller spaces.

T5 or T8 Fluorescent Tubes are ideal for covering larger setups and multiple plants at once.

 

If you want to delve deeper…

Why shouldn't I keep my grow lights on 24/7?

Plants need both light and darkness but how much of each they need varies by species. To grow, photosynthesis has two biochemical processes, light reaction and dark reaction. Keeping lights on 24/7 can cause stunted growth or plant tissue to die in some plants. As a general rule for indoor plants, aim for at least 12 hours of good light a day and around 8 hours of darkness. 

 

What about the lights that emit blue and red light?

Plants have their favourite colours too! They mostly love red and blue light. When you see coloured lights they are targeting different growth:

Red light (620-750nm) is great for encouraging flowering and fruiting.

Blue Light (400-520nm) is perfect for helping plants grow strong leaves and stems.

 

What about watts and lumens?

Wattage is how much energy the light uses. For most houseplants, lights between 9-30 watts should do the trick.