What Light Bulbs Can Be Used To Grow Plants

You can increase the amount of light a plant receives even with a low output bulb by using a reflector.

What light bulbs can be used to grow plants.

These can be purchased or use aluminum foil to focus light. Medium light plants such as tropical rainforest specimens need around 250 1 000 foot candles while high light plants need over 1 000 foot candles. Incandescent bulbs cost just a few dollars and are the cheapest option although they may do just fine for a few plants or used in conjunction with natural light in a sunny room the heat of these bulbs requires a distance of two feet or more to prevent heat damage and should be used cautiously. Also be sure to match the wattage of your bulbs with what your fixture is designed to handle.

Grow lights can be used for houseplants that need bright light which is not always available in every home or in any home during the dark days of winter. For example a 400 watt bulb should not be used in a 250 watt system. That s where grow lights come in. To provide light to a few plants on a shelf you may only need a two foot fixture with a single bulb.

With one 1 000 watt system you can light between 25 and 50 square feet of interior landscape. To grow vegetables or herbs indoors you may. Adjust your setup as you observe how well your plants grow. T5 fluorescent bulbs t for tubular 5 meaning they measure 5 8 inch in diameter are a common choice for growing plants indoors.