Can LED Lights Grow Plants? Regular LED Lights vs. Grow Lights

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

LED lighting is the newest artificial lighting option on the market and there's a lot of hype around it. If you're an indoor gardener, you may be wondering if LED lighting compares favorably to traditional fluorescent and incandescent lighting. We've done the research so we could answer your most pressing questions about LEDs and plant growth. We'll also be covering the pros and cons of each lighting solution so you can make an informed decision that fits your needs.

Can LED Lights Be Used as Grow Lights?

Regular LED lights can help plants grow. However, LED grow lights are more helpful for plant growth. LED grow lights contain red and blue light wavelengths that are necessary for a plant’s general health, unlike regular LED bulbs which only contain white light.

Question 1 of 7:

Do plants grow well under LED lights?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Since LED lighting is relatively new, people have a lot of questions about how effective it is for plant growth. Scientists and plant biologists agree that LED lighting is one of the best artificial lighting options available. Plants of all kinds, including vegetables, flowers, and herbs, respond well to LED lighting during all phases of growth, from the seedling stage to maturity. [1]
    2. Advertisement
Question 2 of 7:

Can I use regular LED lights or do I need LED grow lights?

PDF download Download Article
  1. LED bulbs and strips usually produce white light, which is helpful for general plant growth. However, plants really need blue and red light to thrive. LED grow lights come in a spectrum of colors and a wider range of wattages than regular white LEDs. [2]
    • Since regular white LEDs are cheaper than LED grow lights, you can always experiment with them first. Plants will certainly grow under white LED lighting, but they probably won't thrive.
Question 3 of 7:

What are the benefits of using LED lights to grow plants?

PDF download Download Article
  1. "Light quality" refers to the color of light. Because LED lighting comes in a wide range of colors, it can mimic sunlight more accurately than other artificial lights. You can also adjust the color to enhance growth during specific stages, which may result in bigger and healthier plants. [3]
    • NASA has been studying LED lighting for years. In many studies, plants grew taller and faster under LEDs than other types of artificial light. [4]
  2. Energy efficiency is one of the biggest benefits of LEDs. In the long run, LEDs are a lot more cost efficient because they use less electricity and don't need to be replaced as often as other types of bulbs. [5]
    • These advantages also make LEDs the most environmentally friendly solution. If you’re interested in reducing your carbon footprint , LEDs are the way to go.
  3. Generating less heat is beneficial for several reasons. You won’t have to waste energy adjusting the temperature of your grow room because of hot lights. Less heat also means your plants will require less frequent watering, which prevents waste. [6]
    4. Advertisement


Question 4 of 7:

What’s the difference between LEDs and other grow lights?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Aside from LEDs, there are 3 other lighting options on the market: fluorescent, incandescent, and high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting. Each option has distinct advantages and disadvantages, but LEDs outperform them in almost every category. [7] Here’s a quick breakdown of each lighting option:
    • Fluorescent lighting is moderately energy efficient and the bulbs/tubes cost less (upfront) than LEDs. Unlike LEDs, they produce a small amount of heat which can burn the plants and increase costs. LEDs produce a wide range of colors to enhance plant growth; fluorescent lights are mostly limited to red and blue light. [8]
    • Incandescent lighting is the cheapest option. It's extremely energy inefficient and produces a lot of heat, though, which isn't good for your plants or wallet. Incandescent bulbs mostly emit only red light, but plants need both red and blue light (at minimum) to thrive. [9]
    • HID lighting is mostly used in greenhouses and commercial settings. HID bulbs last a long time but they produce a ton of heat, which makes them impractical for indoor use. They also have to be mounted with bulky, expensive fixtures to avoid burning the plants. [10]
Question 5 of 7:

Are there any disadvantages to LED grow lights?

PDF download Download Article
  1. LED grow lights are cheaper than they used to be, but they still cost more upfront than incandescent and fluorescent lighting. Incandescent bulbs are the cheapest upfront option, but they’ll cost you a lot more money in the long run. Fluorescent bulbs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs but cheaper than LEDs. [11]
  2. Because of the way they're designed, some LED setups (especially large ones) can be fairly heavy. The extra weight makes them harder to move around and mount in a home environment. Limited mounting options may also decrease how much light coverage you're providing, but it really depends on the device's design and size. [12]
    3. Advertisement
Question 6 of 7:

What do the different LED colors mean for plant growth?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Plants thrive best in natural sunlight. Sunlight creates a spectrum of colors: white, red, blue, violet, yellow, and green. LEDs come in all of these colors whereas other types of lights have a limited color spectrum. [13] You definitely want a full spectrum grow light.
    • The most crucial colors for plants are white, red, and blue light. White light is good for general plant growth, but plants must have red and blue light to thrive. Red light is necessary for seed germination, flowering, and fruit production. Blue light is essential for strong leaves and stems.
    • Violet, yellow, and green light all play vital roles, as well. Violet light can spike growth and may improve the flavor and aroma of some plants. Yellow light and green light contribute to photosynthesis (although they don’t promote as much growth as red and blue light).
Question 7 of 7:

How do I set up my LEDs for optimal plant growth?

PDF download Download Article
  1. LEDs are extremely bright and the intensity can damage your plants if you don't position the lights properly. The proper distance depends on the size, age, and type of plant you're growing. [14] Here are some general guidelines to get you started:
    • Seedlings: maintain a distance of 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) between the plants and LEDs. Remember to move the LEDs up regularly as the plants grow taller.
    • Hydroponic lettuce and herbs: 6-12 inches (15-30 cm)
    • Foliage houseplants: 12-24 inches (30-60 inches)
    • Flowering houseplants: 6-12 inches (15-30 cm)
    2. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What is the approximate cost of running an LED full-spectrum grow-light for 12 to 14 hours a day?
    Lighting Manufacturer Bbier
    Community Answer
    Let's assume a 100-watt LED grow light. Costs vary by location. Let's assume $0.12 per kilowatt-hour. Running a 100-watt LED grow light for an average of 13 hours daily at that rate would cost about $4.68 per month.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5
  • Question
    Is there a minimum wattage requirement for LED strip lights to grow plants or does it depend on lumen value?
    Lighting Manufacturer Bbier
    Community Answer
    Generally, higher wattage means greater light output, but it's influenced by the efficiency of the LED and the quality of the driver. Lumens indicate brightness, but plants need specific wavelengths of light. PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) is more important than lumens. It represents the spectral range from 400 to 700 nanometers that plants use for photosynthesis. Different growth stages of plants require different parts of the light spectrum. Blue light aids in growth, while red light helps in flowering.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 7
  • Question
    Will a string of Christmas mini led lights hurt a philodendron if wrapped around it?
    Community Answer
    No, those mini lights do not produce much heat and shouldn't hurt a plant.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Care for a Christmas Cactus
      How to
      Care for Peace Lilies
      How to
      Make Your Lucky Bamboo Houseplant Thrive
      How to
      Trim Lucky Bamboo Plants
      5 Reasons Your Aloe Plant Is Dying (and How to Fix Them)
      How to
      Start a Bonsai Tree from Seed or by Transplant
      A Complete Guide to Wandering Jew Plant Care
      How to
      Prune Plumeria
      The Complete Guide to Pruning Ficus Trees
      Aloe Vera Plant Care: How to Help Your Plant Thrive
      An Easy Care Guide to Growing Lucky Bamboo Plants
      How to
      Care for Indoor Plants
      How to
      Make and Use Water Wicks for Houseplants
      How to
      Prune a Spider Plant
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/led-grow-lights-for-plant-production.html
      2. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/lighting-indoor-plants#factors-to-consider-when-you-evaluate-light-2651611
      3. ↑ https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/led-grow-lights-for-plant-production.html
      4. ↑ https://butler.osu.edu/news/are-all-grow-lights-created-equal
      5. ↑ https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2018/how-to-talk-to-your-plants/
      6. ↑ https://gpnmag.com/article/led-lighting-and-its-effect-plants-growers-and-world/
      7. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/lighting-indoor-plants#types-of-grow-lights-2651610
      8. ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6515
      9. ↑ https://butler.osu.edu/news/are-all-grow-lights-created-equal
      1. ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6515
      2. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/lighting-indoor-plants#types-of-grow-lights-2651610
      3. ↑ https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/led-grow-lights-for-plant-production.html
      4. ↑ https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/led-grow-lights-for-plant-production.html
      5. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/lighting-indoor-plants#factors-to-consider-when-you-evaluate-light-2651611

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 171,317 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Mar 17, 2023

        "It was good to get some information on how to look after plants and how to grow them. This is a great site to go if ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement