Grow Light 101
All houseplants require light to photosynthesize, fueling their own growth while helping us breathe a little easier. Unfortunately, not everyone's living situation allows for a sun-soaked plant oasis. That's where grow lights come in to save the day. 🦸‍♂️
Plants’ lighting needs vary from low light to bright, direct light, so it's very important to know your plant's specific care requirements before integrating grow lights into your space. Need more information on determining the light your space has to offer? Check out our blog post on determining your light levels here.
Most grow lights can keep low light plants such as sansevierias or pothos alive in windowless rooms, but they shouldn't always be used as a complete substitute for sunlight. For example, your snake plant will probably be totally fine... Your cactus, on the other hand? It will appreciate a grow light, but it's gonna need an occasional trip to a well-lit window to survive in the long run. Consider grow lights as a boost of good ol’ vitamin D.
When choosing your own grow light setup, you have three things to consider: intensity, timing, and the color spectrum.
- A high intensity bulb standing 10 feet away from a plant is a lot different than one sitting 6 inches from your collection.
- Choosing a light with programmable timers can help control how long your plants receive additional light within a 24 hour day.
- Most grow lights provide full-spectrum light, using blue and red ends of the spectrum. Yellow and green light is unnecessary as plants do not pick up on those color wavelengths.
Every grow light differs in intensity and use, so it’s always best to research the brand and style you’re choosing. Most brands will tell you what type of plants grow best with their bulbs, and are specific about intensity and color spectrum.
If you're still unsure about which plant lights are right for you, email us at hello@heyrooted.com. We'd be happy to illuminate you. 💡
