A Guide to Understanding Light Needs of Your Plants

Are you struggling to keep your plants healthy and thriving? Do you wonder whether your plants get enough light? Do you wish to know how to provide your plants with the best light conditions possible?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this blog is for you.

Whether plants are grown at home or in commercial indoor farms and greenhouses, light is one of the most important factors in plant growth and health. Without the right amount and type of light, your plants may not be getting the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy. In this guide, we will talk about the light needs of plants. We will cover everything from the different types of light that plants need, to troubleshooting common light-related problems. If you are ready to take your plant care to the next level, let’s drive in and learn everything you need to know about the light needs of your plants.

Types of light

It is important to understand the different types of light and how to match them with your plant’s needs. There are two main types of light that plants need: natural light and artificial light.

Natural light is the light that comes from the sun. It is the most ideal type of light for plants. However, there may be excessive or insufficient natural light for plants to grow and thrive. For some high-light plants, like cannabis, cucumbers, and tomatoes, natural light during the autumn and winter months is too low for them to thrive. That is where artificial lights come in.

Artificial light is often used in indoor settings where natural light is limited or unavailable. There are several types of artificial light sources, including incandescent, fluorescent, and LED. LED lights are the most popular choice for greenhouse and indoor plant lighting, as they are long-lasting and can be customized to provide the specific spectrum of light that your plants need.

Discover whether natural sunlight or artificial grow lights are better.

How to measure light

Now, you know the different types of light, you may wonder how to measure the actual amount of light your plants receive. As light can vary depending on the season, time of day, weather, and other factors, measuring light can be tricky. But you can ensure that your plants are getting the right amount of light for optimal growth by measuring the amount of light they receive.

There are several ways to measure light levels, including using a light meter or a smartphone app. For more accurate results, using a light meter is a better choice. A light meter is a device that measures the intensity of light in a specific area. It works by measuring the amount of light that falls on a sensor, which is then displayed on a screen.

When measuring light levels, it is important to consider the ideal light levels for your specific plants. There are many studies and posts about the light needs of common commercial crops. In addition to measuring light levels, it is also important to consider the duration of light exposure. Some plants require longer periods of light exposure, while others may require shorter periods.

If you use LED grow lights for plant growth, you need to know the PPF/PPFD or DLI to measure the actual amount of light your plants receive.

Common light-related problems

Sometimes things can go wrong, and your plants can suffer from light-related problems. These problems can be caused by either too much or too little light. There are also some signs that show your plants are receiving too much or too little light. These signs are related to their appearance and growth, such as yellowing leaves, leggy growth, burned leaves, and stunted growth. Here are some of the most common light-related problems:

• Too much light: If your plant is getting too much light, it may show signs of sunburn, such as brown or yellow spots on the leaves, curling or wilting of the edges, or dropping of the leaves. When a plant is exposed to too much light, its leaves become scorched and brown.
• Too little light: Plants will show etiolation if they are getting too little light. They may have leggy stems, small leaves, a pale or yellow color, or lack of flowering. Leggy growth is often caused by insufficient light exposure, as the plant is stretching towards the light source in an attempt to get more light.
• Inconsistent light: if your plant is getting inconsistent light, such as alternating between bright and dim light, or changing light direction due to seasonal shifts, it may show signs of stress, such as drooping, wilting, or dropping of leaves.

Tips for optimizing light exposure

To avoid light-related problems, it is critical to provide the right amount and type of light for your plants. Here are some tips that can help you optimize the light exposure for your plants and make them happier and healthier.

Understand your plant’s light requirements

Different plants have different light requirements, and it’s important to understand the ideal light levels and duration of light exposure for your specific plants. Some plants, like cannabis, require a large amount of light, while others, like lettuce, may thrive in lower light conditions. By understanding how much light your plant needs, you can provide the right amount of light for optimal growth and health.

Choose the right location

The location of your plants can have a big impact on their light exposure, particularly in greenhouses and at home. For most home plants, it is important to position them in a sunny window where they can absorb ample light. When it comes to greenhouses, they should be located in an area that is full of sunlight to gain adequate light. Shading is also an important point because it is related to light intensity. We should note that greenhouse cannot be shaded by surrounding buildings or trees. Otherwise, we may need more supplemental lights, even on sunny days. 

Use LED grow light

If you don’t have enough natural light in your space, or if you want to extend the daylight hours for your plants, you can use LED light to supplement or replace the natural light. You can choose the ones that suit your budget and space. With the dimmable LED grow lights, you can adjust the light intensity according to your plant’s needs and preferences. Some LED grow lights can work with the environment control systems of indoor farms, contributing to better CEA or HVAC.

Monitor light levels

Measuring light levels can help you understand the light that your plants are receiving, then you can adjust the light exposure accordingly. In turn, you can ensure that your plants are getting the right amount of light for optimal growth and development. You can use a light meter or smartphone app to measure light levels. Please note that light can vary depending on many factors, including season, time of day, weather, etc.

Provide shade

If your plants are receiving too much light, provide shade to prevent burned leaves and other light-related problems. For home plants, you can move them to shaded places. In the summer months, the light may be too intense for some plants. It is critical to use external shade netting, shade paint, or blinds to shade the greenhouses. By blocking the sunlight and heat inside the greenhouse, you can create a more optimal growing environment for your plants.

Lighting is critical for plant growth and development. If you are looking to take your plant care to the next level, start by understanding the light needs of your plants. Use the tips and strategies outlined in this guide to optimize the light exposure for your plants and make them happier and healthier. And if you have any questions or need further assistance with horticulture lighting, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Happy growing!