Let’s talk about grow lights…
Grow Light Basics
All green plants require light to perform photosynthesis. During which, special cells convert the energy contained in the light into sugars. In the process, plants give off oxygen.
Plants vary widely on how much light they need to thrive. Low-light houseplants, such as dracaenas, will generally do fine in a north-facing window. Fruiting edibles, such as tomatoes, need much brighter light — more than even a south-facing window can supply, especially in winter.
This is where grow lights come in handy. You can successfully grow all your plants, from seedlings to established plants, all year long.
Warm vs Cool: Understanding Color Spectrum in Grow Lights
When shopping for grow lights, you will notice they are labeled with numbers like 2700K or 4000K. This refers to their relative warmth or coolness on the color spectrum – the higher the number, the cooler the light. Foliage growth is generally best around 6500K, though many plants need a period of warmer light, around 3000K, to produce flowers, and thus fruit.
In other words, if your goal is to simply produce seedlings, leafy green vegetables, or root crops, you only need higher spectrum bulbs. If you want to grow flowers, cannabis, or any fruiting plant (cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, lemons, etc.), you will need lower spectrum bulbs. Some types of bulbs are available in full-spectrum form, simplifying things.
Click this link to learn more about grow lights and how they work.