Indoor lights can provide a good source of light for plants and can be used to initiate seedlings and provide additional light to various plants. The key characteristics to be kept in mind when using such lighting for plants include the period and quality of the light. Indoor sources of light differ according to the wavelength. Indoor lightning requirements also depend on the types of plants used.
Tips for Using Indoor Lights for Plants
Indoor lights may appear white in color, but they are actually made of various wavelengths. Plants basically use the red and blue wavelengths for growth, so these should be provided by the lighting you choose. Different plants have different light requirements. Here are some tips for using indoor lights for plants:
- Know the spectrum requirement of your plants. Red light helps in producing fruits and seeds; while blue light is required for lush growth of the plants. However, if you only provide the red wavelength, the plant is likely to become thin and big, while blue light alone will makes it lush and short. Full spectrum lights are the best option for proper and balanced growth of plants.
- Use incandescent lights for a few hours for plants requiring low light. Incandescent lights appear red and orange, which makes the plants thin. As these lights emit large amounts of heat, continued exposure could harm plants. Incandescent lighting should only be used as accent lighting for plants.
- Use incandescents for taller plants. These lights can cover a wider plant and should be placed about 2 feet from the plants. Placing lights above 2 feet will not be effective for the plants.
- Use halogen lights for showcasing indoor plants. Halogens are a more focused type of incandescent. They also emit heat and therefore plants should be placed at a good distance from these lamps.
- Provide maximum light to plants with fluorescents. Place the fluorescents a foot higher than the plants. It is advisable to use the lightning for about 15 hours a day.
- Sodium lighting can be used in addition to outdoor lighting. This type of lighting is more expensive than other options but lasts longer than others as well. While the yellow color of sodium bulbs is not as advantageous as natural light, overall these lights are extremely efficient.
- You can also use a light meter to set the level of artificial light required by your plants.
Indoor lights not only make plants look attractive, they also provide light for growth purpose.
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