Are LED Lights Good for Plants

Light is essential for plant growth, but not all light is created equal. Different measures of light intensity, such as lumens, foot candles, and lux - can help you understand the lighting sources used. And while all plants need light to survive, different plants respond differently to artificial lights (like LED grow lights).

Should you use LED lights for indoor plants?

Plants need light for growth, but not all types of light are equal. Regular LED lights don't provide the right light for plant growth. This is because they don't emit the right light wavelength for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis Active Radiations are necessary for plant growth, which can only be provided by LED grow lights.

These lights are programmed to emit the right spectrum of light, between 400-700nm, that enables photosynthesis. Blue or red lights are both key components of this spectrum. Without PAR, plant growth will be stunted.

What's an LED Light?

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are lighting technology that uses electro-luminescence to create light. LEDs mean lower power usage and minimal heat emission.

Traditional light sources like incandescent bulbs lose a lot of power on heating. This can be a problem for plants, as too much heat can damage or even burn their leaves. On the other hand, LEDs, in general, are cool, so they may be placed closer to plants without causing harm.

Could the LED brightness be detrimental to plant growth?

When shopping for light bulbs, we typically pay attention to two main things: watts and color temperature. Watts are a brightness indicator, while the color temperature is measured in Kelvins. Warm whitish light or cool whitish are general references.

But when choosing the right light bulb for our needs, none of these terms matter. Plants rely on the sun on for energy, while bulbs use the Kelvin (K) Scale to reference color temperature. Direct sunlight has a luminance of around one hundred thousand LUX and a color temperature of 5,600k to 6,500k.

How is LED light different from LED  lights for indoor plants?

One of the LED grow lights main advantages over regular LED lights is that they can emit light at different wavelengths. The reddish wavelengths are around 633 nm. The blue wavelengths are  470 nm.

Lastly, the green wavelengths are 560 nm. Though green light bounces off indoor plants instead of being absorbed, it can still help perpetuate chlorophyll. Blue light, on the other hand, is optimal for blooming.

Photosynthesis in plants requires a wavelength between 400 and 700 nm. This particular light spectrum is known as "photosynthesis active radiation."

The normal, white LED light does not have a fixed wavelength but comprises red, green, and bluish components. Even though white LED lights may aid the plant's survival, they are ineffective in promoting growth due to the lack of PAR light.

Precautions when using an LED grow light

Plants may benefit from various kinds of light in various ways. For instance, UV lights may boost a plant's productivity and help it defend against pests. On the other hand, excessive infrared lights may be hazardous yet useful for helping plants blossom.

PAR refers to the photosynthetically active radiation spectrum, which includes ultraviolet (315-400 nm) and infrared (700 nm and up) wavelengths of light.

Although some people believe that artificial light is never beneficial for plants, there are certain times when plants can benefit from artificial light sources. For example, fruiting and flowering plants often need far-red and infrared light during their growth phases to produce healthy fruit and flowers.

Exposing a plant to too much-infrared light can cause the leaves to become discolored and render stems leggy.

Which Grow Light Should You Buy?

Angel Halo Single Ring G2 TR

This grow light has a cork for anchoring, the17 inch acrylic bar, and a 1200mm power cord with a USB end. It also comes with a timing switch with an aluminum ring. Its illumination range is φ25cm in every circle, which consume 3 watts.

The rings emit a yellowish light identical to the sun's rays. Additionally, Angel Halo can produce a pinkish glow that is perfect for budding. Finally, using the timing control, you may regulate the amount of lighting the plants receive.

Wrapping up

We are used to lighting our homes with all the different types of lights. It's easy to forget that LED lights are also a great option for indoor plants. LED lights do not give off harmful UV rays and can be adjusted to different color temperatures depending on the needs of your plants.

Many people also prefer the color temperature of LED lights to the light given off by other lamps. LED lights are also lower on the power scale, so you can use them without worrying too much about your electrical bill.