How to Choose a Grow Light for Your Indoor Garden
About half of American families have gardens at this point based on recent reports, a figure that has been climbing upward over the last several years. Not everyone has enough space outdoors for gardens, but many people have found a solution to that problem: they’re bringing their gardens indoors. In fact, the number of indoor gardens across the country has surged by more than 50 percent just in the past few years.
Shedding Light on Indoor Gardens
If you’re planning to grow plants indoors, you’ll need to compensate for the natural sunlight they’d receive outside. That means finding the right grow lights for your plants. You can view a list of the best of 2023 to find out what’s available. In the meantime, take a look at some important factors to consider when choosing grow lights.
Know What Your Plants Need
When choosing grow lights, one of the most significant aspects to think about is the distinct needs of your plants. Though they all need light that a least mimic what the sun produces, not all of them have the same requirements. Plants often need different types of light during different growth stages, too, which further complicates the situation.
During the summer months, we receive more blue light from the sun. In autumn, that light transitions to the red and orange range of the spectrum. Many plants use that change to tell them whether to grow and bloom or begin producing fruits and vegetables. Other plants prefer one type of light over the other for their entire growth cycles. Research the plants you’re growing to better understand the types of light they need and when they need them.
Much like the sun, different grow lights can generate various types of light. Some produce blue light while others give your plants red light. Certain grow lights offer the full spectrum. If you choose those that only offer certain types of light, you may need to change them out at some point during your plants’ growth cycles. Be sure you know what types of light a grow light produces before buying it to help nurture your plants.
Understand Light Intensity and Heat Output
Light intensity is another factor to be familiar with. This is measured in different ways. Photosynthetically active radiation, or PAR, is the portion of the light spectrum plants need for photosynthesis. Photosynthetic photon flux density is the amount of light that actually reaches plants. Both factor into the intensity of light, and different plants need varying intensities.
Grow lights generate different amounts of heat as well. Some plants crave more heat than others. Of course, too much heat can kill your plants. Be sure you understand the heat output of different grow lights versus the heat tolerances of your plants. Though you can use hotter lights for sensitive plants, you may need to place them much farther away from the plants. On the other hand, cooler lights may need to be placed closer to help give plants the heat they need.
Determine Light Coverage
Coverage also factors into the equation. If you’re using a grow tent or a small closet for your indoor plants, a single grow light may be all you need. A spare bedroom or basement filled with plants will require multiple grow lights. Measure your growing area and weigh that against the coverage the grow lights you’re considering are designed for.
Finding the Perfect Grow Lights for Your Indoor Garden
Several types of grow lights are available. High-intensity discharge lights, like metal-halide and high-pressure sodium lamps, emit intense light, but they give off a great deal of heat. Metal halide lamps produce more blue light, so they’re often recommended for plants in the vegetative stages. HPS lamps are better for flowering. Fluorescent lights can work for plants that don’t need much light. LEDs generate less heat and can produce light in different areas of the spectrum, so they’re more versatile. All these factors can help you choose the perfect grow lights for your indoor garden.
