Lumens are less relevant when considering lighting for plants. Lumens measure how bright the light is to the human eye, and do not measure some of the important wavelengths that plants need to grow. Maranta are tropical foliage plants, admired for the attractive markings on their leaves which have the intriguing habit of curling up at night and then unfurling again in the morning. Credit: “Maranta leuconeura Fascinator” by blumenbiene is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Of course, any houseplant is going to require at least some natural light, or supplementary artificial lighting. But choosing plants that naturally grow in low light conditions, such as tropical forests, will mean that they thrive where other sun-loving houseplants would be likely to fail. Consider the Unique Light Requirements of Your Respective Plant– plants have varying light needs. Some plants require high light intensities, while others thrive in low light conditions. It’s essential to research each plant’s specific light requirements to provide the right amount of light to grow and thrive.

Larger, more mature houseplants (typically over 4’ tall) can also be challenging to grow with artificial light since they require a lot of light. This bulb from GE is ideal if you're trying to grow plants that flower or bear fruit. GE says this is a full-spectrum light, but its tint is more reddish than white, which would be better for budding and flowering plants. Because the bulb is an LED floodlight, it won't generate much heat, and the light will last longer than a traditional bulb. You'll also save a decent amount of money using this LED light versus a non-LED light. According to GE, this light has an output photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) of 15 micromoles per second, which is essentially the number of light particles the bulb is producing that actively help with photosynthesis. The higher the PPF, the better it is for the plant.The wavelength of light relates to the color that humans perceive. Plants absorb light between 400-700 nm for photosynthesis. Therefore, this range of light is known as photosynthetic active radiation (PAR). However, plants absorb blue light (400-500 nm) and red light (600-700 nm) the best. Or even What are the Top 10 affordable (best budget, best cheap, or even best expensive!!!) Indoor Plant Uplighters available? Etc. As we’ve mentioned above, the distance between your artificial light and your plant depends on the light’s intensity and light needs. Uplighting simply refers to the directional focus of the light. Landscape uplights are typically mounted below or at ground level, shining the light upward.

Foot-candle is the amount of light received by a 1-square-foot surface located one foot away from a light source equal to one candle. It’s not used as frequently though you may find this measure in older reference books.Always Monitor and Adjust Temperature– some types of grow lights can get incredibly warm underneath, which can be an issue for some types of plants. LED lights tend to be cooler and are my preferred choice for indoor growing. One of the most significant standout features of MH lights is their high intensity. These lights can produce some serious lumens, so you can use one elevated light for multiple plants. Pros: If plants don’t receive enough light, they will become stunted and experience an overall decline in health. If you’ve ever placed a plant in a dark room, you know what we’re discussing. While some fluorescent lights are labeled as grow lights, it’s also OK to use a generic fluorescent light. If you don’t see the spectrum listed on the light, you can look for a light labeled “cool white.” These lights contain a spectrum that is great for vegetative plants. Pros: