Plants need light to grow and thrive. Some cannot survive outdoors in the winter, and if you don't have a yard, your only option may be to grow them indoors. However, sometimes it can be difficult to grow them indoors, placing them in front of a window does not always guarantee enough light, or sometimes there can be too much direct light. Indoor grow lights are a solution for indoor spaces. There are different types and you can set specific lighting systems based on the type of plant you want to grow. Follow these steps if you want to use the appropriate artificial lights to grow your plants indoors.
Steps
Step 1. Determine what type of plant you want to grow
Purchase seeds of the variety you want to keep indoors. Evaluate your choice based on the space available and the amount of electricity you can use. Horticultural plants require more light than many exotic plants, for example
Step 2. Learn which color of light is needed
Research your chosen plant to determine which light spectrum colors your plant uses the most. Most plants use the full spectrum, but red and blue are the most important colors. Your research should tell you which color your plant needs the most. For example, African violets benefit a lot from blue light, but they also need red to bloom
Step 3. Choose the bulbs
- Choose incandescent ones for a greater source of red light. These bulbs are the most used in the home. However, the amount of blue light emitted by incandescent bulbs is small.
- Choose fluorescent bulbs to get up to 3 times more light intensity than incandescent ones. There are several types of fluorescent bulbs. Cold white ones are good for plants that need blue and yellow-green light. Warm white ones give off more red and orange light. Full spectrum fluorescent bulbs are better than the other two options; these are used for various indoor crops.
- Opt for high intensity discharge lamps if you are growing a lot of plants. They are extremely efficient and emit the best light of the three types. They are also the most expensive ones.
Step 4. Install the lighting system
Find a location in your home where you can grow your plants and install the lighting system. Hang the bulbs at a suitable distance based on the specific type of plant. The distance can vary, depending on the plant and the bulb, but keeping them at least 25cm is a good rule of thumb. Avoid placing the lights more than a meter away from the plant
Step 5. Give the plant the correct amount of light
Periodically give your plants a break from artificial lights. They need rest periods to be able to breathe. On average 12 hours of light are fine, but some plants require more, while others require less
Step 6. Maintain both the lighting system and your plants
- Rotate the plants every week so that each side receives the same amount of light.
- Replace the bulbs as they begin to age. This is especially important for fluorescent ones, which over time dim at the ends.
- Water and fertilize the plants as needed.
Advice
- You can use both cool white and warm white fluorescent lamps to create a wider color spectrum for your indoor grow.
- Put your right hand over the plant under the light. If you feel the heat, the plant is too close to the bulb and needs to be moved.
