Indoor plants is one of my favorite part of our home. I have them in every room; they just make the space feel more alive. To help my indoor plants thrive, I have LED lights set up on timers. This way, they get the light they need to grow even when the sun isn’t shining.
I was hesitant at first to use LED lights for my indoor plants because I wasn’t sure if they would be as effective as natural sunlight. However, I’ve been using them for a few years now, and my plants are healthy and thriving.
I get a lot of questions about why my indoor plants thrive and so in today’s article, I’m going to share with you 9 reasons why LED lights are good for indoor plants and a few other important tips to keep in mind if you want your indoor plants to thrive.
You should be able to use regular LED lights as grow lights for indoor plants like ZZ plants or golden pothos, snake plants, or rubber plants because LED lights can produce enough light for these plants to grow without causing any damage.
Benefits And Reasons LED Lights Are Good For Indoor Plants
LED lights are good for indoor plants because:
1. LED Lights Produce Enough Bright Light To Grow Indoor Plants
Indoor plants need a lot of light to grow, and LED lights can provide that. They are also more efficient than other types of grow lights, so you’ll save money in the long run.
LED lights come in a variety of lumen (light output) ratings. The higher the lumen rating, the brighter the light.
For example, a 40-watt LED grow light can produce about 3000 lumens of light. Compare that to a 60-watt incandescent bulb which only produces about 800 lumens of light.
So, if you’re looking for a grow light that will produce enough light for your indoor plants, LED is the way to go.
Just make sure to get an LED grow light with a high lumen rating. I recommend getting an LED grow light that produces at least 3000 lumens of light.
I also recommend getting an adjustable LED grow light so you can move it closer or further away from your plants as needed. This way, you can give them the exact amount of light they need to grow.
2. LED Lights Produce Little To No Heat
Another important benefit of LED grow lights is that they produce little to no heat. This is important because too much heat can easily damage your indoor plants.
Heat stress can cause leaves to wilt, flowers to drop, and fruits and vegetables to stop growing. So, if you want your plants to thrive, it’s important to keep them cool.
3. They’re More Energy Efficient
The best part about LED grow lights is that they’re more energy efficient than other types of grow lights. This means you’ll save money on your electric bill each month.
For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb produces about 800 lumens of light and uses 60 watts of power. Compare that to a 40-watt LED grow light that produces about 3000 lumens of light. As you can see, LED grow lights are much more efficient.
So, if you’re looking for a way to save money on your electric bill and help the environment, then switching to LED grow lights are a great option.
4. They Stimulate Plant Growth
The science behind how plants grow is fascinating. Plants need light to convert energy into food (sugar). This process is called photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells and is how plants make their own food. Chloroplasts are green because they contain a pigment called chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight and uses the energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose.
Oxygen is released into the air, and glucose is used by plants for food. This process is how plants get their energy to grow.
So, if you want your plants to grow quickly, it’s important to give them enough light. LED grow lights are a great option because they produce a lot of light without producing any heat.
This means your plants will get the light they need to grow quickly without being damaged by heat stress.
5. LED Lights Can Be Used to Grow a Wide Variety of Plants
Another great benefit of LED grow lights is that they can be used to grow a wide variety of plants.
For example, you can use them to grow:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Herbs
- Flowers
- Houseplants
So, whether you’re looking to grow your own food or just want to add some color to your home, LED grow lights are a great option.
6. LED Lights Last Much Longer Than Other Types of Lights
The last benefit of LED grow lights I want to mention is that they last much longer than other types of lights.
For example, a typical incandescent light bulb only lasts about 1000 hours. Compare that to an LED light bulb which can last up to 50,000 hours. That’s a big difference!
So, if you’re looking for a grow light that will last a long time, LED is the way to go.
These are just a few of the benefits of LED grow lights. If you’re thinking about switching to LED, I highly recommend it. Your plants will thank you!
Important Tips For Using LED Lights For Indoor Plants
Here are a few tips on how to use LED lights to for indoor plants so they grow and thrive:
1. Place Your Plants Close To The LED Light Source
While your indoor plants should thrive just fine with LED lights, placing them close to the light source will help them grow even faster and be healthier.
This is because plants need light to photosynthesize and produce food for themselves. The more light they have, the more food they can make, and the healthier they’ll be.
But the trick is not to place them too close to the LED light source because then they can be burned, just as placing the indoor plants very far away from the LED light would not benefit them.
It’s all about finding that happy medium and placing your plants somewhere between 12-24 inches away from the LED light source.
If you’re using multiple LED lights, then you’ll want to make sure that they’re evenly spaced out, so that each plant gets an equal amount of light.
2. Start With A Low LED Light Intensity
If you’re just starting out with LED lights for your indoor plants, it’s best to start with a low light intensity. This is because plants can be easily damaged if they’re exposed to too much light.
You can gradually increase the light intensity over time as your plants adjust to their new environment.
A good rule of thumb is to start with an LED light that’s about half as bright as the sun during midday.
So, if you’re using a 100-watt LED light, then you would want to place it about 24 inches away from your plants.
If you’re using a 200-watt LED light, then you would want to place it about 12 inches away from your plants.
And if you’re using a 300-watt LED light, then you would want to place it about six inches away from your plants.
Of course, these are just general guidelines, and you’ll want to experiment a bit to see what works best for your particular plants.
But starting with a lower light intensity and gradually increasing it is a good way to prevent damaging your plants with too much light.
3. Use A Timer To Ensure Your Plants Are Getting Enough Light Each Day
Just like people, plants need a set amount of light each day to stay healthy. And just like people, too much or too little light can be detrimental to their health.
So, it’s important to make sure your plants are getting the right amount of light each day, and one way to do this is by using a timer.
Timers are especially useful if you’re using multiple LED lights because you can set them to turn on and off at different times, depending on how much light each plant needs.
For example, you could set one timer for your flowering plants that need 14 hours of light each day, and another timer for your foliage plants that need 12 hours of light each day.
This way, you can make sure each plant is getting the right amount of light without having to worry about it yourself.
Using LED lights for your indoor plants is a great way to ensure they get the light they need to grow and thrive.
4. Choose The Right Type Of LED Light For Your Specific Plant
Not all LED lights are made equal. In fact, there are different types of LED lights that are better suited for different plants.
For example, blue LED lights are great for foliage plants because they help promote compact and bushy growth.
Red LED lights, on the other hand, are great for flowering plants because they help promote blooming and flowering.
So, when choosing LED lights for your indoor plants, be sure to choose the right type of light for your specific plant.
This will ensure that your plant gets the light it needs to grow and thrive.
5. Experiment To Find what Works Best For Your Indoor Plants
As with anything, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to using LED lights for indoor plants.
What works for one person may not work for another. So, it’s important to experiment a bit to see what works best for your particular plants.
Pay attention to how your plants respond to different light intensities and colors, and adjust accordingly.
And don’t be afraid to experiment with different timer settings to find what works best for your plants.
The important thing is to find what works best for your particular plants so that they can grow and thrive in their new environment.
6. Water Your Plants Regularly
Even with LED lights, you still need to maintain a good watering schedule for your plants. The LED lights alone can not provide all the nutrients and water that your plants need to grow.
This is contrary to what some people believe and is a common misconception about indoor plants grown with LED lights.
Just like with any plant, indoor or outdoor, you need to water your plants regularly. How often you need to water them will depend on the type of plant, the size of the pot, the temperature, and the humidity.
As a general rule of thumb, most indoor plants need to be watered about once a week.
But it’s always best to check the soil before watering to make sure that it’s dry. You don’t want to overwater your plants because that can cause them to rot.
It’s also important to use filtered water if you can because tap water often contains chemicals that can be harmful to plants.
7. Fertilize Your Plants Every Few Weeks
In addition to watering your plants regularly, you’ll also need to fertilize them every few weeks. This is because even with LED lights, indoor plants are not getting all the nutrients they need.
Fertilizing your plants will help them grow faster and be healthier. There are a variety of different fertilizers that you can use, and you’ll want to choose one that’s specifically designed for indoor plants.
For example, you can find this indoor fertilizer on Amazon.
You can either get a liquid fertilizer or a slow-release fertilizer. A slow-release fertilizer is a good option because it will last longer, and you won’t have to fertilize your plants as often.
When you do fertilize your plants, you’ll want to make sure that you follow the instructions on the fertilizer label. Overfertilizing your plants can be just as harmful as under-fertilizing them.
Final Words
So you can see how LED lights can be beneficial for indoor plants. By providing the right type of light, you can help your plants grow faster and healthier.
So if you’re looking for a way to improve your indoor gardening, consider using LED lights. Your plants will thank you!
FAQs
A: How often should I water my indoor plants?
A: Most indoor plants need to be watered about once a week. But it’s always best to check the soil before watering to make sure that it’s dry. You don’t want to overwater your plants because that can cause them to rot.
Q: How often should I fertilize my indoor plants?
A: You should fertilize your plants every few weeks. This is because even with LED lights, indoor plants are not getting all the nutrients they need. Fertilizing your plants will help them grow faster and be healthier.
Q: What type of fertilizer should I use for my indoor plants?
A: There are a variety of different fertilizers that you can use, and you’ll want to choose one that’s specifically designed for indoor plants. You can either get a liquid fertilizer or a slow-release fertilizer. A slow-release fertilizer is a good option because it will last longer, and you won’t have to fertilize your plants as often.
Q: Can I use LED lights if I don’t have a lot of space for my indoor plants?
A: Yes, LED lights are a good option for indoor plants even if you don’t have a lot of space. They provide the right type of light that can help your plants grow faster and healthier. So if you’re looking for a way to improve your indoor gardening, consider using LED lights. Your plants will thank you!`;