Are Indoor Plants Benefited By Artificial Lighting?

When there is insufficient natural light, artificial lights can be used to grow various flowering and tropical houseplants. The type of plant will impact the ideal light spectrum and intensity, and it is essential to match the light’s position and hours to meet the plant’s needs and avoid scorching the plants. Plants from naturally low-light habitats, such as ferns and smaller tropical foliage houseplants, can be kept healthy long.

Using artificial lighting has a specific advantage, provided you use the right type of light and remove unwanted heat. The main benefit of using artificial light is to provide plants with enough light to allow them to grow and thrive indoors. It allows you to control the type of light your plant is exposed to and how much light it receives.

Some rooms in your house are low in natural light, so it is crucial to give plants at least 12 to 14 hours of supplemental artificial lighting. Plants need a daily rest cycle, and a high-quality, full-spectrum grow light, when used correctly, can help plants thrive.

However, it is important to note that plants cannot gorge on artificial sunlight forever. Most flowering houseplants are long-day plants that bloom when the sunlit hours outnumber the hours of darkness. Short-day plants that typically bloom in winter (Christmas cactus, African violet, and poinsettia) require short-day photoperiods provided by artificial light to flourish.

Indoor lights do help plants grow, but for the best effect, you should use full spectrum (fluorescent or LED) lights, as these mimic natural light. Light is one of the most important factors for growing houseplants, as they require light to convert carbon dioxide and water into energy.

Is artificial light good for indoor plants?

Artificial lighting, including fluorescent, incandescent, induction, and LED bulb illumination, can serve as a supplementary source of illumination in environments with limited natural light. This can facilitate enhanced photosynthesis and promote optimal plant growth.

Do house lights help indoor plants?

While regular light bulbs can facilitate plant growth, it is advised to utilize LED lighting for plants that necessitate augmented illumination. It is imperative to avoid overheating or providing an excess of sunlight, as this could potentially lead to damage to the plants.

Is artificial UV light good for plants?

Ultraviolet (UV) light, particularly UVB light, has been demonstrated to significantly enhance plant growth, yield, and quality, as well as enhance resistance to pests and diseases. However, it is of the utmost importance to utilize UVB light in a safe and appropriate manner to prevent any potential damage. When used with the appropriate precautions, both UVA and UVB light can be valuable tools for plant growers.

Can you give a plant too much artificial light?

Plants lack light, leading to the absence of chlorophyll, which causes plants to turn pale green, yellow, or white. This lack of light causes stems to grow long and thin, leading to leaf drop. Variegated plants may revert to solid green, and flowering plants may fail to produce buds. Excessive light can result in scorched and bleached leaves. To ensure optimal growth, it is essential to determine the quality and hours of natural light in your space and choose plants with light requirements that match your indoor environment. While some plants may tolerate lower light conditions, more light may be needed for dense foliage and flowering.

Can plants use an artificial source of sunlight?

Plants are capable of utilizing artificial light sources, such as tube lights or grow lights, for the processes of photosynthesis and food preparation.

Is artificial light bad for plants at night?

Artificial light at night disrupts the nighttime routines of nocturnal pollinators, causing fewer plants to produce fruit and reproduce. Some pollinators are attracted to and disoriented by artificial light, expending energy and distracting them from their pollination duties. Others are deterred by well-lit areas, resulting in fewer plants producing fruit and reproducing. The cause of this disruption is not entirely understood, but several theories suggest it increases the risk of predation and reduces the ability of pollinators to see and avoid predators.

Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of artificial lights on plants and pollinators. However, adjusting outdoor lighting can help backyard pollinators, other wildlife species, reduce energy use and costs, and contribute to a healthier future in the face of a changing climate.

Do plants photosynthesize with artificial light?

Photosynthesis is a natural process that plants use chlorophyll to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and convert it to sugar in the presence of sunlight. Artificial light can be used to boost production and ensure proper plant development without burning plants. The photochemical phase involves light absorption, the formation of high-energy compounds like ATP and NADPH, water splitting, and oxygen release. The dark reaction, which follows, relies on the light reaction’s products for carbon fixation.

The four main pigments, chlorophyll a and b, xanthophylls, and carotenoids, absorb specific wavelengths of light, giving leaves their color. The light-harvesting complex (LHC) increases the efficiency of photosynthesis by absorbing light in different wavelengths. The absorption maxima of chlorophyll are at 430 and 660 nm, indicating that it is the primary pigment in photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis cannot occur in plants at night due to a lack of carbon dioxide, sunlight, chlorophyll, water, and other factors. However, it can occur in the absence of glucose. Plants use photosynthesis to convert light energy into chemical energy.

Do houseplants need UV light?

Plants do not need ultraviolet (UV) light to grow, but rather blue and red light. Blue light promotes chlorophyll production, allowing plants to create strong stems and leaves. Red light aids in seed germination, bulb development, root growth, flowering, and fruit production. Plants also need infrared (IR) light, which can encourage blooming and healthy stem growth. However, too much infrared light can damage leaves, stems, and flowers.

Window films filter out some infrared light, providing energy savings for homeowners. Glazes that block a low or moderate amount of IR energy should not deprive plants of the far-red light they need. Window films that block up to 70% of heat energy can be safely chosen.

Do house lights count as sunlight for plants?

Light quality is a significant concern when growing plants using artificial light. While sunlight is best for plant growth, artificial lighting can improve the quality of light plants receive. When supplementing natural light, the spectrum (colors produced by the lamp) is important, with red, far-red, and blue wavelengths being most important for plant development. For healthy plants, all three wavelengths should be supplied.

Lack of light can cause indoor plants to become spindly or leggy, develop a lean, fade leaf color, diminished flowering, and poor growth. Brighter light results in more compact, better branched, and normal-sized leaves. Houseplants can fail after a healthy start due to inadequate light, and moving indoor plants back inside after spending the summer outside can cause leaf drop and yellowing. It takes time for plants to adjust to lower light conditions inside homes.

Is artificial light at night bad for plants?

Light pollution disrupts pollinators’ circadian rhythms and life patterns, affecting plant reproduction. Studies, including a UK moth study, show that nocturnal pollination is diminished under artificial lights. Trees exposed to artificial lights retain their leaves longer than usual. This ecological chaos is causing plants’ seasonal rhythms and their fragile relationship with pollinators. In 2014, biologists observed nocturnal moths in suburban areas outside Wallingford, UK, despite concerns about potential theft.

Is 24 hour light bad for plants?

Plants require a daily respiration period of at least 6 hours for seedlings and 8-10 hours for mature plants, with no recommended more than 14-16 hours of light per day. They also have varying needs in terms of the volume of light they accumulate per day, measured by Daily Light Integral (DLI). Decorative indoor plants like pothos, snake plants, and monstera might be content with a DLI of 1-4 mol/m2/day, while most edible plants need a DLI of 10-30 mol/m2/day. Failing to provide sufficient DLI can have similar effects to not getting enough calories, leading to crankiness and even death.