Recent advancements in LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) have produced bright, relatively inexpensive, and long-lasting grow lights that emit only the wavelengths of light corresponding to the absorption peaks of a plant’s typical photochemical processes. Compared to other types of grow lights, LED grow lights are attractive to indoor growers since they consume much less electrical power, do not require ballasts, and produce considerably less heat.1
Do LED grow lights work
A question many people ask is “Are LED grow lights any good”. The answer is Yes, but only if you are willing buy the more expensive Models and Brands. LED grow lights can work well when used indoors for growing plants hydroponically. NASA is using LED Grow Lights in space right now with great success! These lights are also a lot more efficient than other types of lights. This means lower energy costs and less wastage.
However although the technology has improved significantly within the last few years there are still cheap low quality LED grow lights that should be avoided and you should avoid purchasing grow lights with low LUX or lumens (visible brightness) as these will be pretty useless even for a small plant. Visit the post “Buying Hydroponic LED Grow Lights” for advice on buying a LED grow light for indoor use.
LED grow lights gain their efficiency because their wavelength is concentrated within a spectrum that is ideal for plant growth. They can produce the exact wavelength of light that plants need to grow and direct this light at narrower angles ensuring more of this light reaches the surface of the plants.
Grow Light Alternatives
Hydroponic plant growers can use a variety of different lights for growing plants indoors. These can include flurescent lights, Halide lights, and High-pressure sodium lights (HPS). These lights are costly to run and can damage the plants. For example fluorescent lights emit most of their energy within the UV spectrum. This means they not only inefficient for promoting plant growth and are therefore expensive to run, they can actually damage the plants by overheating them.
Here are some of the advantages of using LED grow lights for hydroponics:
Longer Life Time
Typical lifetimes quoted are 25,000 to 100,000 hours which is significantly longer than incandescent lights that produce more heat and therefore deteriorate more quickly.2
Light Spectrum
LEDs can produce the exact wavelength of light that plants need to grow. HPS lights on the other hand produce distinctive infrared and optical signatures, which can attract pests3
Higher Yields
According to various studies I have seen Hydroponic LED grow lights can produce over twice the yield Watt for Watt than HPS lights.
Low Heat
Hydroponic LED grow lights produce less heat. This allows LEDs to be placed closer to the plant canopy than other lights. Also, plants transpire less, as a result of the reduction in heat, and thus the time between watering cycles is longer.
Low Energy Cost
The lower energy use means lower bills with LED grow lights than HPS grow lights. This is because LED grow lights are able to emit light that contains only the range of frequencies that plants can absorb rather than a large spectrum of light. Also unlike HID bulbs that direct the light at a wide angle, LED grow lights direct light at angles that include 120, 90 and even 60 degree angles thereby giving a smaller coverage so that less light energy is lost.
Do not Require Cooling System
Traditional grow lights such as those that use HPS and Metal Halide become very hot resulting in a need for a cooling system to keep your plants at optimum temperatures which can be costly. While LED lights have built-in fans to cool the base they do not require expensive cooling systems.
Non-toxic
LED grow lights do not contain the harmful mercury-filled bulbs that exist in some other grow lights.
Higher PAR value per watt
LED grow lights are designed to emit light at wavelengths that can easily be absorbed by the plant during photosynthesis.
LED grow lights have a much higher PAR value than other lights such as HPS lights. The PAR value from LED grow lights can be in the thousands. PAR stands for photosynthetic active radiation. It is basically the strength in the lights effectiveness for photosynthesis.
- Grow light, Wikipedia [↩]
- Light emitting Diode, Wikipedia [↩]
- Grow light, Wikipedia [↩]
