Have you ever wondered how to use LED grow lights for plants in your space? There are endless social media videos that show grow light techniques and even furniture hacks to create a grow light cabinet.
Grow lights eliminate the need to grow your plants in front of a window. There may be the perfect spot in your office, bathroom, or any windowless room that can benefit from a plant with a grow light. But, are you still confused about buying and using one?
This post is all about how to use LED grow lights for plants in your home.
Grow lights don’t have to be confusing! You know that plants need light to grow and having an LED light creates the energy to give them enough light to grow.
What is an LED grow light?
An LED grow light is a low-energy, low-cost light with a low heat output used to grow your plants. You don’t want a light with a high output of heat because it may burn your leaves. It provides a light source in your house for plants that do not get enough natural light.
For example, you may have a room in your house like a bathroom that does not get enough light. You may decide to get a low light plant like a fittonia. This plant does not require natural light, but you may want to supplement it with a grow light. Now, you’re not limited to certain rooms in your house simply because natural light is limited.
How much light do I need?
The amount of light you need totally depends on your plant. Let’s use the example above with the fittonia. The fittonia is a low light plant that will not need much light. You generally need about 12-16 hours of grow light per day. Since the fittonia is a low light plant, you will likely need less than 12 hours of light. You can play with the amount of light you need to see which amount works best for your plant. However, if you have sun-loving plants like vincas/periwinkles, then you would probably want to adjust your time to give your plant more than 16 hours of light. See what works best for your plant through trial and error.
What are the types of LED grow lights?
There are generally two types of LEDs overall. You have full-spectrum lights that contain the right amount of red, green, and blue with an output of white light. Or, you can buy lights that focus specifically on each color. For instance, red light promotes flowering whereas green light promotes growth in thicker plants. Do your homework and see exactly what types of light you want for your plant. Purchasing lights by color is an advanced step and requires a bit of trial and error. So, if you are new to grow lights, start with a full spectrum light first and work your way to the more advanced options.
Where can I buy these lights?
Fortunately, you can get LED grow lights at any big box retailer, home improvement store, or Amazon. No need to go to a specialty store to find these lights.
Now that you understand more about grow lights, it’s time to pick out the perfect plant for your space.
This post was all about led grow lights for plants that lack natural light in your home.
