Best LED Grow Lights For Your Indoor Gardening

What to Consider Before Buying An LED Grow Light

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These are important features to consider to make the best purchasing decision:

1. Light Spectrum

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Some LED lights produce only some color frequencies. However, we need a full spectrum LED because we’re trying to replicate the natural sunlight, which features all the colors. Full-spectrum LED lights produce all the colors necessary for every stage of the growing process.

Some of the light spectrum colors include;

• Red Light – It is essential for the latter stages and the buds to flower.

• Blue light – Helps in the earliest stages and is the first color your plants can absorb.

• Purple light – Used the same as the blue light; however, it’s not as effective as the blue light.

• White light – You can use this alone, which is effective for every growing stage. They have all colors and are therefore considered as full spectrum.

The best LED grow lights should also have a uniform spectrum, such that if you have five plants under one light, they all get the same spectrum.

2. Size/Coverage Area

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When considering the size of your grow light, think about the number of plants you plan to grow and if you want something portable. You also want to evaluate the space you have for placing it.

LED lights’ coverage area is the area where the light can illuminate at once. For optimum results, the surface area of the plantation unit must be smaller than or equal to the coverage area of the LED grow light.

If some parts of the plants are outside the illuminated area, it might cause non-uniform growth. You can also install lenses to either decrease or increase the coverage area of your LED grow light.

With all these things in mind, you’ll easily find the size of a grow light that perfectly matches your needs.

3. Power

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Manufacturers have different metrics to measure the power of lights, so it can be a little bit difficult to compare the LED grow lights. Most of the time, the brightness of LED lights is measured in lumens.

However, to measure the light intensity in terms of light that can be absorbed, scientists use photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), measured in μmol/second, or photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), measured in μmol/m2/s.

PPF indicates the number of photons emitted per second, while the PPFD indicates the density of light distributed per square meter per second. The higher the PPF and PPFD, the more effective the light should be.

It is important to note that bulb wattage is not a good indicator of a powerful LED. To know how powerful light is, look for its actual power draw or actual power consumption, commonly measured in watts.

4. Type of Grow Light

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There are different types of grow lights to consider, depending on the plants you have, the amount of natural light, or the location of the plants. These types include;

• Light Bulbs-It consists of a single light bulb and is excellent for growing small leafy greens with a full spectrum.

• Light Bars- These are a single row of LED diodes that come in different spectrums and supplement a main light source.

• Light Panels- These are the most common and suitable for a full state of growth.

5. Heat Output

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Using a grow light that emits a lot of heat can damage your plants. Most LED lights give off very little heat relative, but some may produce a lot of heat. Finding a grow light with a built-in cooling system to regulate the temperature is vital. Some have aluminum heat sinks, while others have fans.

6. Reliability

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The price of some of these LED grow lights is a significant investment, so you want to guarantee they last you for a long time. To determine the reliability of a grow light, check the warranty and the reviews from other buyers.

Furthermore, some grow light types may require more effort than others regarding installation. Also, some, especially the ones with fans, make some noise, which should also be considered before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) On LED Grow Lights

I. What is the best LED grow light?

Our best LED grow light is the GE BR30. It is not only a reputable model but also has great features such as a full-spectrum bulb, a high output, and warm light to nourish plants all year.

II. What type of LED is best for growing plants?

The best type of LED for growing plants is a full-spectrum LED. It provides the optimal light wavelengths for all stages of plant growth, including blue light for vegetative growth and red light for flowering and fruiting. You want to choose a grow light with a high Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) and a color temperature between 5000K and 6500K.

III. What lights do professional growers use?

The most widely used lights for growing vegetables and flowers are the Metal Halide HIDs and High-Pressure Sodium (HPS). However, fluorescents and LEDs are now replacing these two lights because they are efficient and economical.

Any full-spectrum light should be a good choice for growing plants. This is because they provide all the rays of light required for plants to thrive fully.

IV. What is the best wattage for your LED grow light?

The wattage required to grow plants differs from one plant to another. For example, plants that require high amounts of light, like tomatoes, need around 40 watts per square foot to flourish.

For plants that require low light and small leafy plants, like lettuce, you only need about 20-30 watts per square foot.

Also, the wattage of different LED grow lights will determine how many plants can be used under them. For example, with a 450-watt LED light, you can only grow a maximum of nine plants.

V. What is the best lighting for indoor growing?

The best lighting for indoor growing depends on your plants’ growth stage. During the vegetative stage, plants require cooler white or blue spectrum lighting, while warmer red or orange spectrum lighting is needed during the flowering stage.

Generally, full-spectrum LED grow lights are ideal for indoor growing since they provide a range of color temperatures that cater to different stages of plant growth. The optimal color temperature for indoor growing is between 4000K to 6500K during the vegetative stage and 2700K to 3000K during the flowering stage.

VI. What is the best color light for plant growth?

A blue and red spectrum lighting is best for plant growth. Blue light is essential during the vegetative stage since it promotes root growth and helps develop healthy leaves and stems. Red light is crucial during the flowering stage since it promotes flowering, fruiting, and overall plant growth. Full-spectrum LED grow lights that provide a range of color temperatures are ideal for indoor plant growth since they provide both blue and red spectrum lighting.

On the other hand, the worst color light for plant growth is green light since it is the color plants reflect the most. All plants absorb light in the blue and red spectrum, but they reflect light in the green spectrum, which means that green light is not as useful for plant growth.

VII. How long should a plant be under a grow light?

The duration that a plant should be under a grow light depends on the stage of growth, the type of plant, and the intensity of the light.

Generally, plants need 12 to 18 hours of light daily in their vegetative stage and 12 hours of light daily during the flowering stage. However, some plants may require longer or shorter periods of light, so it is essential to understand the specific needs of the plants you are growing.

It is also necessary to consider the light’s intensity; some plants may require more or less light than others. Too much light can cause stress or damage the plant, while too little can hinder growth and development. It is most suitable to start with a shorter duration of light and gradually increase the duration as the plants grow and adjust to the light. Keeping a consistent light schedule is also essential for the plant’s health and growth.

VIII. How far should LED grow lights be from plants?

The distance also depends on the plant type, the growth stage, and the light intensity.

Generally, LED grow lights should be placed between 12 to 36 inches away from the plants during the vegetative stage of growth and 6 to 18 inches away during the flowering stage.

If your plant requires more light, you can place the LED grow light closer, while you should place plants requiring less light further away. You should also monitor the temperature around your plants as LED grow lights can generate heat that can stress or damage your plants if they are too close.

If your plants get too much light, they may show signs of heat stress, such as wilting or brown spots on the leaves. On the other hand, if your plants don’t get adequate light, they may have stunted growth or become leggy. Therefore, finding the right balance between the distance and intensity of the light is crucial to ensure your plants’ optimal growth and health.