Do LED Lights Affect Plants?

What Plants Need

• Plants need light in the red and blue wavelengths. Additionally, they need high light intensity and duration. Natural sunlight delivers light in all wavelengths needed in an intensity that cannot be matched by artificial lighting systems. Light needs to be provided for at least eight to 10 hours daily; 12 to 18 hours is much better for plants under artificial light. Increased light duration can be used to make up for some of the loss in intensity from artificial lights. Increased light duration is also used to force flowers to bloom off-season.

What LED Lights Provide

• LED light bulbs produce light in a specific wavelength. Light systems can be custom-tailored for the wavelengths that plants use. High-quality LED grow-light systems are designed to provide the best wavelengths for growing plants. They are high in intensity and are easily used for long durations.

LED Lights vs. Traditional Grow Lights

• High-quality LED light systems designed specifically for plant growth are superior to other grow-lighting systems because they produce the light wavelengths needed in a higher intensity. Cheaper LED light systems, however, may not provide the right light wavelengths and will be less effective.

Advantages of LED Lights

• While the initial cost is high, LED lights use less energy and need to be replaced less often than traditional grow lighting. Traditional bulbs need to be replaced every year, while LED lights last for many years. Electricity saved on lighting and cooling the growing space makes the lights cost-effective over the long term.