When supplementing light for plants, can artificial light really replace sunlight?

Some plant lovers have less-than-ideal lighting at home and try to use lamps to supplement light for their plants, adding to their light exposure. But this practice of using artificial light to replace sunlight is also questioned by quite a few plant lovers. This article conducts related experimental research on this question to verify the scientific validity of this practice, which is very valuable as a reference for plant lovers.

Can artificial light really supplement light for plants?

The role of a grow light is to provide supplementary light on cloudy days or during long periods without light exposure. A grow light can indeed supplement a certain amount of light for plants. But here is a reminder for everyone: so-called supplementary light, as the name implies, is only supplementary, not a replacement for sunlight. If it could replace sunlight, it should be called a "replacement light."

Many friends say the effect of grow lights is not good. In fact, most of the time it is because their method of using the light is wrong. Grow lights are not meant to be left on indoors for 10-plus hours, or turned on for a few hours at night outdoors, or left on for 24 hours. The correct way to use them is to turn them on at dawn and turn them off within 2-3 hours after dark. Plants also need a rest schedule. In addition, a reflector is especially important, as it provides light refraction. Then there is the distance issue. The distance requirements for various lights and plants differ. You should carefully ask the seller about this. Below, let me introduce several commonly used grow lights.

1. LED lights

This light is perhaps only suitable for growing vegetables. It is quite power-saving, at least. The OP even specially had a waterproof light tube custom-made. The cost is not low. The style is fancy and impressive. The light is even more uncomfortable than the Heming light. I put it on the windowsill and at night it was like a red-light district. Sometimes I forgot to turn it off, and the person across the way said it was really scary at night. This light is a complete pit. But for growing vegetables it is definitely a good thing. As for succulents, forget it.

LED grow light

2. Xenon lights

This light is truly fancy and impressive. It counts as the most expensive light I have ever fiddled with. Prices vary for various sizes. I bought an ordinary one and it still cost over 500. This thing is known as a mini sun. The effect is indeed the best, truly you get what you pay for. During my experiments back then, indoors, my Haworthia cooperi 'Grey' even got grayed out by the light. Various plants in an environment without sunlight can avoid etiolation, of course, under the condition of not watering. Once watered, my Tianli Feng turned into a morning glory. The light is natural light and does not make the eyes uncomfortable.

Xenon plant grow light

3. Sylvania Gro-Lux Star full-spectrum light

This light uses a combined light set. The overall effect is slightly inferior to xenon lights. But it seems to have some effect on coloring up. I do not know if it is my imagination. Another thing is that the irradiation area is not large, and the light does not make the eyes uncomfortable either. There are also many fake light tubes, and it is not very convenient for outdoor use. A reflector must be configured for the effect to reach its best. Overall, it is still a fairly good light.

Full-spectrum light

4. UVB lights

There was once a master who wrote a science popularization post on Tieba. Then the OP very naively went to try it. Generally, these lights are bought as reptile lights. As for how awesome this light is, if you forget to turn off the reptile tank, it can shine reptiles to death. Everyone can imagine it. Succulents need ultraviolet light. But surely it does not need to be this powerful, right? In my experiments I generally turned it on for 2-3 hours. Once I forgot to turn it off. As a result, the leaf surfaces of the plants under the light were damaged. The plants were limp. So I directly abandoned it. In addition, after checking, many UVB lights in China are counterfeit. Moreover, the harm to human eyes and body is relatively great. When using it, it is best for people not to be nearby. The eyes will be made very uncomfortable by the light. I extremely do not recommend everyone use this light.

UVB light specially for plants

5. Heming plant grow light

This should count as a relatively popular light sold on Taobao. The price is also good. The only issue is that the light generates heat. The bulb is also big enough. But the light makes the eyes very uncomfortable. It is worth mentioning that for friends growing the "12" type, I recommend this light. It can achieve a diffused light effect. After my Haworthia cooperi was illuminated by this light, the windows became bright and shiny. As for preventing etiolation in Sedum-type plants, the effect is not very great. When people are nearby, do not turn it on. The eyes will feel very uncomfortable.

Heming plant grow light

Finally, let me emphasize once again: a grow light is supplementary. It cannot replace sunlight. It only provides auxiliary light on cloudy days or during the growing season. I hope everyone can find it useful.

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