How to Use Grow Lights for Indoor Plants | Full Guide

How to Use Grow Lights for Indoor Plants | Complete Guide

Source: modernfarmer.com

1. Choosing Seedlings

The first step to growing indoor plants is to choose and buy the seeds. Your grow light requirement, to a large extent, depends on the flora of your choice. For example, exotic plants usually need less light than vegetable plants. The amount of space available in your house also plays a role in your decision.

2. Check for The Light Color Requirement

The color of the light is essential for your indoor plants. In most cases, a plant can utilize the entire light spectrum. However, if, for some reason, your one does not, you need to go with a color that suits your plant precisely. Typically, the most important color for a plant is red and blue.

3. Choose the Light Bulb

When choosing the bulb for your project, you have a few options. You can go with incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, or high-intensity lamps for the plants.

• Incandescent bulbs are great for providing red light. However, they lack the power in blue lights.
• Fluorescent bulbs have a higher intensity than incandescent bulbs. You also have different color options to choose from when going this route. These bulbs are popular options for growing indoor plants.
• High-intensity discharge lamps are great when you have a large amount of plant to produce. However, the cost of the unit makes it unpractical for any homeowner. It is more suited to commercial gardens and farms.

4. Set up the System

The next step is to set up the lighting system of the room. When you know where you want to place your plants, you need to hang the bulbs at the appropriate distance from it. Ideally, you want the light to be at least 10 inches away from the plant. However, keep it within 40 inches for the best effect.

Source: gardenista.com

5. Provide Proper Light

When you want to grow indoor plants, you cannot just set up the light and leave it at that. Plants need some rest from sunlight every few hours, and you need to make sure your plants get that rest.

Generally, you should turn off the light every 12 hours. However, your plants might have different requirements. It is a good idea to read up on this when looking at the plants you want to get.

6. Regular Maintenance

You need to regularly check up on your plants if you want them to thrive in indoor conditions. If one side of your plant gets the light constantly, you need to rotate the other side so that it gets the same amount.

Also, make sure you replace the bulbs when they are about to expire. Additionally, you need to water and fertilize your plants as required.