How do I choose an indoor grow light?
Pair indoor plants, including transplants and flowering houseplants, with the right light for strong, healthy growth and maybe a generous harvest.
Indoor gardening requires a different set of supplies and techniques than traditional outdoor gardening. The key is to recreate the light, water, and temperature of outdoor gardening in order to trick plants into growing as they would in a more natural environment. One key component of successful indoor growing is providing plants with adequate amounts of light. However, this can be difficult to achieve without a sunroom or copious skylights and large windows.
Gardeners skirt this challenge by creating false sunlight with the use of growing lights. But artificial lights are not all built the same and each offer a few pros and cons. Plus, in order to choose the right type of light, you must consider the needs of the plants you intend to grow. With all of that in mind, here are some things to consider when choosing grow lights for your indoor garden.
Spectrum
Visible light exists on a spectrum, and specific parts of that spectrum are used by plants. “Blue” light is used by plants primarily during their vegetative phase, and “orange and red” light are used during the fruiting or flowering phase. This is why it’s important to choose the correct grow light and light bulbs – they may not be putting out the right color of light for your plants.
Intensity
A grow light’s intensity refers to how much photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) the light puts out. Remember, this light has to be in the spectrum that plants care about (hence the P in PAR), but once that condition is satisfied, there still must be enough of that light to actually power the plant’s cells.
Intensity is where many grow lights differ due to the technology used to build them.
Heat
In addition to light, lamps offer varying amounts of heat. This is a careful characteristic to consider because some plants require more heat such as tropical species. Other indoor plants such as snow peas or lettuce might prefer a cool environment. Crops grown under lamps that get hot to the touch should not be allowed to come into contact with the bulbs. Hot bulbs will burn plants and ruin the crop.
Footprint
Unlike the sun, whose footprint is most of the Earth during daytime, grow lights have a significantly smaller footprint. Footprint refers to the area that is blanketed in light coming out of you grow light. The further away your light is from your plants, the greater the footprint — but the lower the intensity. The interplay of footprint and intensity is a critical balancing point in a grow light.
There are 3 main types of grow lights:
- HID (High-Intensity Discharge): Includes Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium
- CFL: Compact Fluorescent (Includes T5, T8, etc)
- LED: Light Emitting Diode
LED's are cheaper in terms of electricity usage and bulbs last much longer. Buying an LED unit can be more expensive though, but most buyers state the fact that long term they reduce costs. Low energy usage and high in efficiency.
There are 3 best led grow light recommend for you:
The NextLight Veg8 is a full spectrum, bright white LED grow light designed to efficiently replace a fluorescent 8 tube T5. This unit uses half the power, produces minimal heat and is silent. The Veg8 only draws 190 watts, covers a 2 ft x 4 ft veg footprint and eliminates the need to ever change a bulb again. It is part of the NextLight Commercial Series. This distinction means each unit is covered by a 5 year full manufacturer’s warranty, has a 100,000 hour life rating and is UL listed.
HOTOBIO•T represents the apex of LED Top lights. PHOTOBIO•T can be applied indoors or greenhouse as a direct 600W HID alternative or retrofit. Patented PHOTO•PRO Photon Regulating Optics ensure the most efficient delivery of plant biologically active radiation (PBAR) to the plant canopy. PHOTO•LOC Light Output Control allows precise control over the photons that are delivered to the plant canopy when used in conjunction with a 0–10V controller. In greenhouse facilities, PHOTOBIO delivers consistent optimal PPFD levels throughout the day while saving energy. Just pair PHOTO•LOC with an environmental control system that utilizes a quantum sensor to measure light entering the greenhouse and automatically regulate light output in real time. The specific power cable is sold separately based upon your requirements.
The finely-tuned A1 'Entire Life Cycle Spectrum' has proven at universities and various grow environments to improve the trichomes and taste while cutting operational costs and shortening grow cycles. Our grow light simulates the sun based on proven spectra and runs at a sustainable energy-efficient intensity. It’s designed to successfully augment the photosynthesis process for the optimum plant from propagation to flowering.
Indoor gardening can be rewarding and cost efficient if you choose the right light for your location and understand the needs of your plants.
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