To grow houseplants indoors, it is essential to use the right light intensity, timing, and distance. Sunlight is the perfect balance of wavelengths necessary for plant growth and blooming, but artificial lights can help provide the right quality of light at the right times, cycles, distance, and direction. Plants absorb mostly blue and red light for growth and flowering.
A growing trend in indoor gardening is the use of artificial lights. To select the right grow lights for your plants, consider factors like light intensity, spectrum, and plant type. For example, a heart-leaved philodendron or golden pothos can be used for hanging or trailing plants, while a container of hens and chicks can be used for windowless plants.
When using fluorescent tubes for flowering plants, a combination of red and blue tubes will provide the best light for growth and flowering. Vining plants work well, and hanging or trailing plants like heart-leaved philodendron or golden pothos are suitable for windowless plants.
Sunlight is brighter than any artificial light, and plants are best adapted to the sun’s increased intensity. LED or light emitting diode bulbs are the most effective and efficient home grow lights. Some general guidelines for artificial light for houseplants include not using blue/red/blue lights, as they are not necessary.
In summary, growing houseplants indoors requires careful selection of light intensity, timing, and distance. By mastering the art of artificial lighting, you can create a beautiful indoor jungle that provides the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and blooming.
📹 3 Ways to Increase Light In Your Home for Houseplants — Ep 165
If it’s one thing we often run low on when it comes to houseplants (aside for space)—it’s light, which is imperative for a plant’s …
Can houseplants thrive in artificial light?
Plants from low-light habitats, such as ferns and tropical foliage houseplants, can be kept healthy long-term under simple artificial lighting. An aquarium tank can be used as a terrarium with T5 HO lights in the hood, providing a decorative focus and retaining high humidity. Different plants have varying lighting requirements for growth and flowering, so it’s best to research the plant’s needs and ensure the lighting system’s output is sufficient. A mid-green coloration on the foliage indicates the correct amount of light, but there may be problems that need to be addressed.
How to mimic sunlight indoors for plants?
Fluorescent lights are an economical and easy choice for houseplants, as they come in tubes or compact bulbs (CFL) that screw into regular lamp sockets and are cool enough to be placed close to plant foliage. They should be used in a mix of “cool” and “warm” bulbs, with “cool white” products being the best choice. Incandescent lights, on the other hand, give off a lot of heat and should be placed farther away from plant foliage. They can be used to supplement fluorescent light and balance out the spectrum, especially for encouraging plant bloom.
LED lights are low heat, energy-efficient artificial light sources, but they produce different blues and reds for plants. Horticultural LED grow-lights produce only the wavelengths most utilized by plants, so it may be more beneficial to look for these bulbs rather than general-purpose bulbs.
How many hours of artificial light do indoor plants need?
Artificial light is not as powerful as natural sunlight, and the amount needed depends on a plant’s natural light needs and the amount of light it receives without artificial supplement. For most plants, 12 to 14 hours of artificial light should suffice, but over 16 hours may be needed if there is limited natural light. The type and strength of artificial light also impact the number of hours needed.
Floral plants, such as Christmas cactus, African violet, and poinsettia, require short-day photoperiods provided by artificial light to flourish. They should be given only about 10 hours of artificial light per day until buds form. Specialized horticultural lights, such as LED bulbs, are the best choice for high-intensity light with minimal plant-scorching heat. These LED bulbs are expensive but reliable and long-lasting, and should be purchased from a horticultural supplier or plant nursery. Standard LED lights are not designed for plant growth, so opt for full-spectrum grow bulbs specifically designed for horticulture.
Can I use normal LED light to grow plants indoor?
LED grow lights are a unique type of light source that provide a high light output, unlike regular LED lights which focus on lumens. Grow lights, on the other hand, focus on PAR (Parabolic Reflectance) and are designed to grow plants with the lowest light requirements. Regular LED bulbs have a low PAR, meaning they can only grow plants with natural sunlight. Therefore, if you plan to grow larger herbs indoors, you need to invest in a grow-specific LED light with a higher light output. You can find grow-specific LED lights at various online retailers.
What is a light substitute for sunlight for 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.
Can plants be grown through the use of artificial lighting?
Artificial lighting, when designed properly, enables plants to grow indoors in various settings. Light provides the energy plants need to grow and flower, producing necessary substances like sugars and starches. Certain colors or wavelengths of light are more important for plant growth than others. Leaves reflect less energy from yellow and green wavelengths, while red and blue wavelengths are the most important energy sources for plants. Properly designed artificial lighting allows plants to thrive in various settings.
Can indoor plants get 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 too much LED light hurt plants?
Excessive exposure to LED light can potentially harm or even kill plants. While LED grow lights are efficient and provide the necessary light spectrum for plant growth, it’s crucial to manage the light intensity and duration to avoid detrimental effects. Plants require optimal light intensity for photosynthesis, and excessive light can lead to photodamage or photoinhibition, disrupting metabolic processes and causing wilting, leaf burn, or stunted growth. Different plant species have different light intensity tolerance levels, so it’s essential to provide the appropriate light intensity based on their specific needs.
How can I simulate sunlight at home?
Mirrors can be a strategic way to create a bright and airy home. They not only serve as decorative elements but also reflect light back into the room. To create a more natural light-filled atmosphere, layer lighting, choose light and reflective paint colors, add artificial skylights and windows, use light diffusers, and choose the right bulbs. Mirrors can also be used in spare bedrooms, home offices, or basements to mimic real light and create a more uplifting and spacious atmosphere.
What light can replace sunlight for 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.
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.
📹 Easy Beginner’s Guide To Grow Lights For Houseplants 💡 GROW LIGHT 101 🌱 Why, When + How To Use Them
—————————– In this video we look at all the basics you should know before investing in grow lights for your indoor …
You can go to a big box store and buy those cheap hang on a door mirrors. I made a plant shelf where the plants sit on top of such a mirror. I do not crowd them together. In winter, when there is even less light, I place a second one behind the plants on that shelf. It reflects the bulb light beautifully shining down from above them.
I have a collection of orchids and live with a roommate in a split level studio, I’m downstairs and have tiny windows. With two grow lights that function as regular lighting and some mirrors, I have orchids ranging from full sun to low-light and they’re quite happy. The range of good full spectrum eco-friendly (minus UVA/UVB) bulbs for growers has really exploded lately and I’m thankful for that!
I started collecting houseplants before I realized that my apartment wasn’t exactly ideal. I have mostly northern exposures and then one western exposure with a HUGE TREE right outside that essentially filters the light… so I’ve got some grow lights. They aren’t the prettiest thing, but I’ve hidden them under shelves, etc. Unfortunately my two larger LED ones are just mounted to the wall, but my bird of paradise is happy as a clam. Can you talk about how close plants should be for lights? It’s so confusing with the wattage, LED vs fluorescent, etc, and then what would translate to “Bright, bright indirect” etc.
I’m moving into a new house on Monday that has mostly northern facing windows. With over 100 plants im not sure why I thought that was a good idea. There is one room with a western facing window that I hope to make my plant room but i have so many that I know I’ll have to make some adjustments for my northern exposure as well. I will probably be adding a lot of grow lights. Thank you for this article it gave me a lot more confidence about my situation
Excellent DIY cheap option for everyone! Use kitchen aluminium foil as a mirror! U can cut cardboard and tape it on it, that way u can move it and hide it when u have guests or people around. I did this on every corner on my room that I noticed gets most focused light, and putting foil makes light bounce making it way shinier.
The condo we bought last year has a row of ceiling to floor mirrors along one wall in our living room, I would say it is about 14 feet of mirrors! Before we moved in, I tried to convince my husband to remove them. We never ended up removing them, because it would have been such a difficult job. They’re about 10 feet tall, and there’s 7 of them. However, a year later, I am SO thankful for these mirrors and glad we didn’t get rid of them. While they’re a little “80s” looking, I feel like we have worked with our space to make them look good. And the amount of light they bounce off our all-white walls is amazing. I have plants in the interior of the room that have been doing great because of this. We also have south and west facing windows in this room, so it’s really quite a great space for plants. Just had to share about my experience with the power of mirrors!
I’m a new succulent plant lover and already stewing about how I’m going to get them enough light in a northern winter. Your ideas about mirrors reflecting light back, and grow lights placed below a shelf are ideas I can use! Already picturing a long mirror hung on the slim side of a china closet next to a south window! Thank you.
You guys are great. I hope after all of this ascension is complete, people with adopt this lifestyle of reconnecting the nurture with nature. The possibilities are so creative and absolutely limitless. Great ideas. Thanks for sharing. I love the mirror invention. Its perfect to combo natural light. I use those remote GE lights for closets, bathrooms and staircases. There portable which is nice and they last a long time without stressing your electric bill.
Hi Summer, great article, and I’m liking your suggestions on bringing in more light. I am going to be painting my walls a lighter color, because now they are the light colored paneling and I am not fond of them but I have made it work for now. I do have windows from all directions which is helpful, and I have gotten grow lights, I still would like more grow lights. I do live in Idaho and I’m sure my northern exposure or East is different than other people’s east or north, so we do what we have to for our plants. I really like the mirror idea. Thanks for all of the great tips on extra light for our plants. Stay safe and I will see you soon, XOXO, bye for now.
I really wanted to know more about the window mirror set up, like are they just leaning against the wall or have you secured them in some way, if so then how? And since the mirror seem like a perfect fit, did you make a special order for the measurements, did you cut it yourself, or were you just superlucky to find the correct size somewhere? 🙂
This is a great article, thank you. Super practical. I never thought of the inset mirror idea but I like it. Some things I’m trying: 1) keeping the foliage free of dust, which of course blocks light ever so slightly, 2) I’d really like to install a solar tube (sun tunnel?) through my ceiling -they’re much cheaper than skylights.
i used my old coral life fish tank lights in combo with day light spec led house bulbs for my indoor bonsai collection. i do have a few 1000w hps and a 600w hps but they cost a ton in power to run. hoping to get a 1000-2000w led light to run in my 7×7 gorrila tent for my next over winter season. i also have a 60 bucket ebb and flow system. 20+ yrs of indoor growing i have a nice collection of grow equipment
It seems logical to me that making the room brighter / giving the plants more ambient light will give them more light so they grow better, but have you ever checked with a light measuring tool if it actually does make a difference? And does the LED strip work over long periods of time or is it just a small help to get seedlings started?
Okay so I learned on another article showing your apartment that you have a hen! I am curious as I used to have them when I had a yard. Now I’m in apartment. Did you litter train your hen? Or does it go everywhere and you have to meticulously clean? If you litter trained and have tips I would love to learn those. Thanks for teaching about plants. I love them but am not great with them. And since perusal I am improving my plant care.
Hi! New subscriber here. I love this!!! It’s amazing! I also have north facing windows but it’s still pretty bright in some areas. I just bought some mirrors to reflect off the wall so I was excited that I saw this. In addition, I want to get into grow lights. Do they really work? I have one from amazon. It’s purple, but Idk if it really works or it harms them
I’ve bought several three light pendant cables to string along the length of windows and inside the interior of my apartment and put grow lights (GE and other) in them to provide extra light for my plants. My question is for house plants do the blue/red spectrum lights work okay? I have mixed them in because the light is kinder to my eyes but do they benefit my plants at all? Thanks!
Someone correct this if not accurate: White paint works considerably better if not flat finish. Survival blankets(if you don’t care about wrinkles, if you do and that’s all you can get … stretch it tight and leave in the sun a few hrs..won’t fix it but it’ll help) are dirt cheap and quite effective. If you’ve got horizontal blinds and must close them, aim them towards the ceiling(probably white right?) rather than the floor. If plants are small, consider putting them between the blinds and window, no they won’t cook…It’s 95-100 currently here, and I’ve got peanut seedlings going on my bathroom sill (on a W facing wall..yeah). *check for water more often if left in direct sunlight One last thing I’d like to add…and this one is a biggie: CAREFUL with grow lights, UV can be a real pain in the EYE. Especially if using them in the rooms you frequent/spend lots of time.
I have sort of tried the mirror strips by the main window at right angles. For economy I used door mirrors. It is not easy to mount them p, they don’t fit perfectly, and then there is the question of the backside. …Alternatively, 12″ square mirror tiles might be affixed to a vertical support board, also a foot wide. Then there is the question of not blocking the curtains…. Pretty house, way more plants than I contemplate. Lighting not strictly according to plant needs.
I try to grow a few tomato plants (cherry drops) inside the house and I am using 6500k led lights with 3k lumen. BUT I read that for the flowering stage I need a different light, with a red spectrum. Is this true? For the flowering part, I really need real grow lights. Can’t I do this with regular Led lights? Can I maybe use a bulb with 2700k?
Well Im Northern Scandinavian and have a total of 2 windows in my flat. North facing ofcourse. And let me tell you .. I dont give a s*** about my plants supposedly meaning to get more real sunlight. There just isnt any to give them and I wont ever have enough sunlight for those plants. So I use grow lights and acclimatize my plants to my climate by explaining to them that they might as well stop throwing tantrums and just start to grow because their living conditions wont ever improve. And actually, it seem to work I grow Monsteras, Hoyas, Peperomias, herbs, cacti and even succulents. I do struggle to have my Echeverias and Strings of Pearls understand that no, we do not stretch or etiolate in winter. We behave and grow compact. Or we get decapitated. But other than that, my plants survive and grow.