| With recent advances in LED lighting, these highly | | | | than broad-spectrum, but gardeners won't have to |
| efficient alternatives to incandescent bulbs are | | | | deal with the white glare of traditional lamps. |
| popping up everywhere--in flashlights, holiday | | | | --Plant protection. Another payoff for using LED |
| decorations and home lighting. Now even gardeners | | | | indoor gardening lights is seeing plants flower more |
| are hopping on the trend by using LED lighting to | | | | vibrantly and for a longer period of time. Although |
| grow and maintain indoor plants. | | | | natural light is generally considered best for plants, |
| Advantages of LED Lights for Gardening | | | | the sun's heat can cause petals to fade, burn or form |
| Not only are LED lights more environmentally friendly | | | | dark spots. LED lights will protect flowers from |
| than incandescent bulbs, they offer several | | | | developing blemishes, which is especially beneficial for |
| advantages over traditional plant lights: | | | | delicate plants such as roses. |
| --Heat generation. While traditional indoor gardening | | | | Indoor LED Gardening Tips |
| lamps burn hot and have the potential to damage the | | | | Gardeners who are used to traditional grow lamps will |
| plant and its roots, an LED lamp never gets too hot | | | | find gardening with LED lights a bit different. Here are |
| and can be placed closer to plants without the worry | | | | some things to keep in mind: |
| of overheating the soil and stunting a plant's growth. | | | | --Don't overwater. The heat from traditional lamps |
| --Energy efficiency. Traditional bulbs burn out | | | | causes water evaporation, requiring indoor gardeners |
| periodically and are known for being highly inefficient, | | | | to give their flora extra water. Because LED lights |
| whereas LED light bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours | | | | produce significantly less heat, plants require less |
| and require far less energy. They're also recyclable, | | | | water. |
| much lighter in weight and less fragile than their | | | | --Provide some heat. On the flip side, the lack of heat |
| traditional counterparts. | | | | generation from LED lights can cause plants to grow |
| --Customizability. Traditional grow lamps require a lot | | | | more slowly. Plants should be kept in a room that's |
| of heavy equipment; the lights cannot be mounted in | | | | 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and a small 60-Watt light |
| different ways, so it's necessary to use inconvenient | | | | bulb may be needed for plants that benefit from |
| light reflectors. With LED lighting, the lamps can be | | | | higher temperatures, such as tomatoes. |
| placed above, to the side, or wherever best benefits | | | | --Allow for some down time. Just as plants require |
| the plant. The effects of natural sunlight can be | | | | light, they also benefit from the dark. Consult with a |
| mimicked by placing the small lights around the plant, | | | | gardening specialist to see how much light a plant |
| which is good for long or cascading plants. | | | | should get on a daily basis. |
| --Targeted light spectrum. Different plants respond | | | | When it comes to indoor gardening, LED lights offer |
| better to certain colors of light. Because LED lights | | | | endless benefits. It's easier than ever for gardeners |
| are available in a variety of colors, gardeners can | | | | to create the indoor garden of their dreams. All it |
| target the type of light best suited to the plant. Not | | | | takes is a little creativity and a good LED lamp. |
| only can plants use this targeted light more efficiently | | | | |