SFrom years of indoor and hydroponic gardening, Susan Slobac has developed an in-depth knowledge of indoor grow lights and writes frequently on the subject
All plants, because of their need for photosynthesis, require appropriate light in order to ensure their proper growth and maturation. Indoor gardeners use indoor grow lights to supply the illumination necessary. There are a wide variety of indoor grow lights available, including LED grow lights, HPS grow lights, and even discount grow lights. There are some differences among indoor grow lights, so it pays to do a little research before you invest in them.
HPS Grow Lights
HPS grow lights, referencing high pressure sodium, are a type of HID, or high intensity discharge, light. Although a compact light bulb, they are capable of producing a lot of light, and thus their appeal to indoor gardeners. HPS lights give off light in the red to orange color spectrum, making it the lamp of choice for helping to coax your mature plants to bear fruit or flowers. HPS lamps need to be used in conjunction with a ballast, a piece of equipment that controls the flow of electricity to and through the lamp. The lamps are popular because they last a long time and are efficient to run.
LED Grow Lights
Light-emitting diode, or LED, grow lights are wildly popular among indoor gardening enthusiasts, and for good reason. These indoor grow lights are tiny and thus extremely lightweight, making them easier to use in overhead situations in a greenhouse. They also do not generate heat, thereby needing less in terms of auxiliary equipment to keep the grow room at the appropriate temperature, and do not require ballasts. LED grow lights are very efficient to run, and will save money on electricity when compared with many other types of indoor grow lights. They also provide any color spectrum of light that you might wish to use with your plants.
Why do gardeners need indoor grow lights?
Plants need light for photosynthesis, and thus if you are growing plants indoors, you need to compensate for the lack of sunlight. What you are trying to do is recreate sunlight for your plants, and this is where grow lights come into play. Of course, grow lamps are not as bright as sunlight, so indoor gardeners typically leave the lights turned on the plants for a longer length of time than natural light might occur outdoors. Without appropriate light, plants will quickly die. If you are trying to start new plants from seed, the seedlings will become weak from trying to stretch up and reach what little light there is. Instead, the light should be ample and placed close above the seedlings to ensure sturdy stems and good growth.
Consider the types of plants you want to grow indoors, and where they are in their life cycle, in order to determine which grow lamps will be best suited to your needs.
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