What type of indoor lighting is best for plant growth?

When growing most houseplants, use light bulbs between 4000 and 6000 Kelvin, as the bulb’s color temperature will borrow from a full spectrum of colors—cools and warms. With these lights, you can actually mimic the growth you would get in a greenhouse or outdoors.

Are LED lights good for growing plants indoors?

Offering low energy usage, low heat, and color optimized for growth, LED lights are the most efficient, effective, and customer-friendly way to grow plants at home than growing with fluorescent lights or incandescent lights.

How do you pick a grow light?

Good full-spectrum lights for indoor gardening have a CRI rating above 85, but the closer to 100, the better. Be sure to buy enough fixtures to evenly distribute the light over the entire area. For seedlings along the perimeter to thrive, they should receive the same amount of light as those in the center.

Do grow lights work through lampshade?

If you use that fixture, the lampshade will block out most of the light that the plant needs from whatever bulb you use. LED’s that are sold specifically for plant use are your best option. They are the most energy-efficient.

What color grow light is best?

7. Far-Red (740-10,000nm) Far-red or Infrared (IR) with 740-10,000nm is the longest wavelength from the visible light color spectrum. It helps with the seedling or germination process, where the IR signals the seedling to start germinating and lessens the time it takes for the plant to flower.

Are there light bulbs that mimic sunlight for plants?

Artificial lighting: Fluorescent lights are by far the most economical and easy choice for houseplants. They come in tubes or compact bulbs (CFL) that screw into regular lamp sockets, and they’re cool enough to put close to plant foliage.

Can I use a regular light bulb as a grow light?

The Takeaway. So, to answer the question, yes you can use a regular light bulb to help plants grow. Your best bet would be to place a few LED lights designed for plants near your plants that need a little extra light. Be sure not to overheat the plant or to give it too much sun.

Should I leave a grow light on 24 hours?

A: In general, you should not leave grow lights on 24/7. Plants need a light-dark cycle to develop properly. It’s believed that they truly do “rest” during periods of darkness, and probably use this time to move nutrients into their extremities while taking a break from growing.

How long should I leave my grow light on?

Some gardeners like to leave their lights on for 24 hours to get maximum growth. However, by far the most popular light duration for vegetative plants is 18 hours on and 6 hours off. This schedule will mimic a day of full sunshine followed by a natural dark period.