Using LED lights to grow plants all year round is very successful. LED lights are an excellent option for lighting plants indoors as they are energy efficient, long-lasting and produce a spectrum of light that is suitable for plants. Installing and using LED lights for plants is not difficult, but requires a few considerations. In this article, we will show you how to choose, install and use LED lights for plants.
Why are LED lights good for plants?
LED lights produce less heat than conventional lights
LED lights are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly light sources that produce less heat than conventional lights. LED lights use electrical energy efficiently and convert it into light with little heat loss. Traditional lights, such as incandescent and halogen bulbs, produce a lot of heat, which wastes energy and increases climate emissions. LED lights are also long-lasting and durable, reducing waste and saving costs. LED lights are therefore a good option for both home and work if you want to light up your space efficiently and safely.
LED lights consume less energy and last longer
LED lights are an energy-efficient and long-lasting lighting solution, suitable for a wide range of spaces and purposes. LED lights consume less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent or energy-saving light bulbs. LED lights also provide a uniform and pleasant light, with adjustable colour and brightness.
LED lights are available in different shapes and sizes. For example, LED strips are flexible and easy to install on different surfaces, such as walls, ceilings or furniture. LED strips can be used to create atmospheric and personal lighting for your home or workplace. LED strips can also be combined with each other or with other LED lights to create versatile lighting schemes.
LED lights can be controlled either by traditional switches or by smart applications. Smart LED lights allow you to control the lighting wirelessly, for example from your phone or tablet. Smart LED lights can also react to sound, music or movement, and change colour and brightness depending on the situation. Intelligent LED lights add convenience, safety and fun to lighting.
LED lights are therefore a great choice for those who want to save energy and money, and enjoy high-quality and versatile lighting.
LED lights allow you to adjust the lighting of the plants according to the different stages of growth
LED lights allow you to adjust the lighting of your plants according to the different stages of growth. LED lights are energy-efficient, long-lasting and versatile light sources that can provide plants with an optimal light spectrum for photosynthesis, growth and flowering. LED lights can use different coloured lights that affect plant morphology, physiology and metabolism. LED lights can also be adjusted for colour temperature (CCT) and colour rendering index (CRI), which are important indicators of light quality.
The use of LED lights for plant lighting has become more common in recent years, as they have many advantages over traditional light sources. LED lights do not heat up as much as fluorescent or incandescent bulbs, reducing the risk of drying out plants and saving energy. LED lights are also more durable and easier to adjust than other light sources. LED lights can mimic natural light and circadian rhythms, improving plant quality and resistance.
However, the use of LEDs in plant lighting requires careful planning and selection, as different plants react differently to different wavelengths. For example, blue light promotes leaf growth and red light promotes flowering. Too much or too little of certain wavelengths can cause abnormal or stunted growth. It is therefore important to know the needs of the plant and choose the right LED light accordingly.
LED lights are therefore an efficient and versatile way to light plants at different stages of growth. LED lights also enable new innovations and applications in plant breeding and production. LED lights are the light of the future for plant well-being.
How to choose the right LED lights for plants?
Light colour affects plant photosynthesis and endocrine function
The colour of light affects plant photosynthesis and endocrine function in many ways. Plants use different wavelengths of light for different processes. For example, blue and red light promote photosynthesis, where plants produce sugar and oxygen.
According to the study, green light is reflected by the leaves of the plant, so it is not as effective for photosynthesis.
According to another study, yellow and orange light are also less useful for photosynthesis than blue and red light.
The colour of light also affects the endocrine system of plants, which regulates their growth and development. Plants have special receptors that detect the wavelength and amount of light.
These receptors transmit signals to plant hormones that influence things like shoot length, flowering timing and leaf drop. In particular, red and far-red light are important for identifying the length of a plant’s day. Research shows that day length influences when plants start to flower or overwinter
The importance of the colour of light for plants should be taken into account when growing in greenhouses or indoors, for example. The colour of light can influence how quickly and abundantly plants grow and produce crops. The colour of light can also be used to create different moods and visual effects in landscape design or garden art.
Light intensity affects plant growth and flowering
Light intensity is one of the most important factors affecting plant growth and flowering. Light regulates plant photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into sugar and oxygen.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy into sugar and oxygen. Photosynthesis is the most important chemical reaction on Earth and a prerequisite for life. Photosynthesis is the main source of energy for plants and requires sufficient quantity and quality of light.
Quality of light
Light quality refers to the wavelength of light, or colour. Plants make particular use of blue and red light for photosynthesis.
Amount of light
Light intensity refers to the intensity of light, or the intensity of light, and light duration, or the length of the day.
Light intensity
The intensity of light affects how much photosynthesis takes place and how fast plants grow. Too little or too much light can slow down or prevent plant growth.
Duration of light
The duration of light affects when plants start to flower. Some plants are short-day plants, meaning that they only flower when the day length is below a certain limit. Some plants are long-day plants, meaning they only flower when the day is longer than a certain length.
Some plants are neutral, meaning that their flowering does not depend on the length of the day. The light needs of plants vary depending on the species and variety.
It is important for the grower to know what kind of light is best for his plants and to adjust it if necessary.
Light duration affects the resting and active periods of plants
As we said, the duration of light affects the resting and active periods of plants. Plants sense the quality, quantity, direction and duration of light and use it to guide their growth and development. Light is vital for plants because it enables photosynthesis.
Plants particularly need blue violet, blue and red light, which affect plant size, colour, flavour, nutritional values and flowering. The colour temperature of light is expressed in Kelvin (K) and describes the hue of the colour of light. Plants should be provided with an average of 1000 lux of light per day for about 10-12 hours. The lux indicates the amount of light on the surface. Plant lighting can be used to increase the quantity and quality of light during the dark season and Led plant lighting increases the well-being of plants during the dark period.
There are different types of plant lights depending on the plants you want to grow. For example, plants that grow tall need an intensive light bar to ensure that all the leaves get enough light. Plant lights should be placed close to the plants, but not so close that they burn the leaves. Plant lights may not be the most beautiful in terms of decoration, but they are useful for plants and help them to stay healthy and vibrant.
How to install and use LED lights for plants?
Choose the right place and mounting method for your LED lights
When choosing where to place LED lights, you should take into account the light needs of the plants, the size and shape of the space, and the wattage and size of the lights. LED lights are usually placed above the plants, providing even and efficient lighting. For example, you can use table lamps, ceiling lights or wall brackets to mount LED lights.
Choose the right LED light type and colour for your plants
LED lights come in different types and colours, which affect plant growth and flowering in different ways. The most common types of LED lights are:
– Warm light is good for green plants and for general lighting indoors, e.g. for illuminating plants on the green wall. The high colour rendering lamp is set in a warm white shade with a touch of the red that plants crave.
– Red-blue LED light: ideal for seedling and spot lighting for individual plants. The lamp combines red and blue LED bulbs to stimulate plant photosynthesis and flowering. The red/blue ratio can vary from lamp to lamp, but is usually 2:1 or 4:1.
– Full spectrum LED light: mimics sunlight as closely as possible and is suitable for all types of plants at all stages of growth. The lamp has all colours of light from red to violet.
When choosing the colour of your LED light, you should think about what you want to achieve with your plants. If you want to speed up growth and flowering, a red-blue LED light is a good option. If you want to create a natural and pleasant atmosphere in your room, a warm-neutral LED light is a better choice. If you want to be sure that all plants like it, choose a light source with high colour rendering (CRI+95)
Measure the distance from the lights to the plants and adjust if necessary
One important factor in the use of LED lights is their distance from plants. Lights that are too close can burn or stress plants, while lights that are too far away do not provide enough light. The correct distance depends on the power of the LED lights, the type of plant and the stage of growth.
The distance of the lights from the plants depends on the intensity of the lights and the type of plant. As a general rule, the more powerful the light, the further away it can be from the plants.
For example, 5-7 W LED bulbs are suitable for around 40-60 cm away from plants, while a 96 W LED bulb can be up to more than 100 cm away.
Measure the distance from the lights to the plants and adjust if necessary. You can use a tape measure or ruler to measure. If the lights are too close, raise them up or move them away from the plants. If the lights are too far away, lower them or move them closer to the plants. Monitor the plants’ reaction to the lights and make further adjustments as necessary. Plants can show signs of stress, for example by wilting, yellowing or browning.
Set a timer to turn the lights on and off
Plants also need dark time for rest and metabolism. It is therefore a good idea to set a timer to turn the lights on and off, so that the plants get the right amount of light per day.
The timer can be mechanical or digital. The mechanical timer is simple and inexpensive, but it is not very accurate and does not allow for different types of programming. A digital timer is more accurate and versatile, but it requires electricity to work.
The timer setting depends on the species and growth stage of the plant. In general, green plants thrive on 12-14 hours of light per day, while flowering and fruiting plants need 16-18 hours of light per day.
When setting the timer, you should also take into account the amount of natural light and the time of year. In winter, it may be necessary to increase the amount of artificial light, while in summer it may be necessary to reduce it or to delay it until the evening or morning.
Using LED lights to grow plants all year round
LED lights can be used to create optimal conditions for different plant species
LED lights can be used to create optimal conditions for different plant species by adjusting the colour, intensity and duration of the light. LED lights are also energy-efficient and long-lasting, reducing electricity consumption and environmental impact. LED lights are particularly suitable for indoor plant cultivation, such as hydroponics or aeroponics.
LED lights can be used to simulate natural light or to create different light spectra that affect plant growth, flowering and metabolism. LED lights therefore allow for tailored lighting for plants, improving their health and productivity.
LED lights can extend the growing season and harvest all year round
With LED lights, you can extend the growing season and harvest all year round. LED lights are energy-efficient, durable and produce light shades that are suitable for plants. LED lights are already widely used in greenhouse cultivation, but they also have other applications. Of course, with current (2023) electricity prices, it is critical that the light source is LED and not gas discharge or halogen.
Lastly
LED lights have many advantages for growing plants. LED lights are energy-efficient, long-lasting and adjustable. LED lights can produce different wavelengths that affect plant photosynthesis, flowering and stress tolerance. LED lights can therefore be used to improve the health and quality of plants under different growing conditions. LED lights are also environmentally friendly as they do not produce heat or harmful radiation. LED lights are therefore a good alternative to traditional fluorescent and incandescent bulbs for plant lighting.
Why are LED lights good for plants?
LED lights are good for plants because they produce a lot of light with low energy consumption and heat output. LED lights can also simulate daylight or provide different colour tones to suit different plants and growth stages.
How to choose the right LED lights for plants
A full spectrum (CRI98) LED light is a good general lamp for all plants. LED lights should be placed close to the plant for best performance.
How to install and use LED lights for plants
1. Choose the right LED light for your plants.
2. Choose a suitable location for the LED light.
3. Connect the LED light to the power supply.
4. Set the appropriate lighting time for the LED.
Enjoy your beautiful and healthy plants!
When are plant lights recommended for use
Plant lights are recommended for use when plants do not receive enough natural light. This is usually the case in Finland from autumn to spring. Plant lights help plants to grow and flower better. There are different types of plant lights and their selection depends on the species, number of plants and location. Plant lights should be placed at a suitable distance from the plants and their operating time should be adjusted according to the needs of the plants.
What is the difference between different coloured LED plant lights?
Different coloured LED plant lights have different effects on plant growth and development. In general, LED plant lights produce red and blue light, which are the main wavelengths of light for photosynthesis. Red light promotes flowering and fruiting, while blue light stimulates leaf and stem growth. Some LED plant lights also have other colours, such as green, yellow or white, which can improve the balance of light quality and colour rendering. The best solution is a high colour rendering LED luminaire, which produces all colours.
Led lighting expert
LedStore has been an expert in led lighting since 2010. We have our own product design, so our products are technologically state-of-the-art.
We focus on light colour temperature controlled and high colour rendering index lights. We do around 500 lighting designs in a year.
We offer a service of custom made led strips, i.e. custom made led light strips in profile. Also installed.
Remember that we are always ready to offer our help to you along the way, by email (myynti@ledstore.fi) and by phone (045 251 4510). As always, feel free to share photos of your own projects on social media at ledstore.fi at Instagram and ledstore.fi at Meta. We love to see the cool things done by our LEDs, and it also helps to provide inspiration for those who are not sure about the power and awesomeness of LEDs. Did you know that we already have over 3500 pictures of our LED installations in our Gallery!
Gallery of Led lights:
Product gallery: Pictures of products in different installation locations
Indirect light: Indirect light in different spaces
Room-specific: Light in different rooms
References: Complete houses that have been photographed
