Last Updated on July 1, 2022 by Guillermina
Learn how to select and use the best plant light for succulents.
Contrary to popular myth, succulents can sometimes be hard to keep alive indoors. Since they are native to desert conditions, they require a lot of light in order to thrive. Such conditions, unfortunately, can be difficult to provide in most indoor environments because even the brightest windows facing south cannot always provide all the required amount of light.
So, stay with us and learn all about the best plant light for succulents.
How Do You Recognize If You Need To Grow Light?
Succulents need sunlight to live and grow, but sometimes this is really hard to achieve when they are indoors. Don’t be fooled because even your window sills have less light than you might think because much is filtered by the glass.
We must emphasize that some types of succulents, such as Jade, Haworthia, and Gasteria can tolerate low, indoor light. However, most varieties stretch and fade when kept inside permanently.
To grow sun-loving succulents inside your home, we recommend investing in one of the best plant lights for succulents. Nowadays there are many types of grow lights that have the ability to mimic the sun’s photosynthetic spectrum, and everyone can find the right one for their wallet. The most important thing is to choose the one that will be useful for your unique situation.
Read on for the top things you need to know before choosing your best light plant for succulents.
Best Light Plant For Succulents; Buying Considerations
Spectrum
Light exists in a wide range of wavelengths that appear to us as different colors and it is measured in a unit called a nanometer. Furthermore, all the light that our eye registers falls somewhere between 400 to 700 nanometers on the spectrum, and is called Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR). PAR can be understood as the wavelengths of light that plants can use for the process of photosynthesis.
The best plant light for succulents has full-spectrum, white lights, meaning that it covers the full PAR spectrum.
Light Output
Lumens are the main measure of light output to pay attention to, as they refer to the strength and intensity of light being emitted from a light source. Accordingly, the higher the lumen rating, the brighter your light will be.
The best plant light for succulents has a lumen rating of somewhere between 2300 – 9300.
Power & Efficiency
The amount of electricity used by a grow light is measured in watts, however, it will only tell you how much electricity the lamp uses, not the amount or quality of light produced.
To understand the efficiency of the best plant light for succulents you will also need to understand the lumens (light output factor) per watt. Simply put, the higher the number, the more efficient the light, at least when it comes to energy consumption.
Types Of Best Plant Light For Succulents
There are a number of different grow lights including metal halide (MH), high-pressure sodium (HPS), fluorescent, and LED. However, for the purposes of smaller indoor applications, we will discuss in more detail only fluorescent grow lights and LEDs.
LEDs
LEDs are one of the best light plants for succulents because they are energy-efficient and quite long-lasting. In addition, they have low running temperatures and therefore you will not have to worry that the plants will burn if the light is placed too close.
The one major disadvantage to LED grow lights is the initial cost of this type of growing light. However, as they became more and more popular and widely available, this directly affected their price reduction.
Fluorescent Light
This best light plant for succulents comes in two different forms, compact fluorescent lights (CFL) and fluorescent tubes. Both options will do their part perfectly, and your choice will probably be based on the amount of space you have available.
Fluorescent lights can be described in 3 simple words: affordable, efficient, and versatile. We must emphasize that they do not last as long as LEDs and in addition, tend to run hotter than LEDs. Accordingly, if you intend to use them, you should be careful how close you place them to your plants.
Finally, keep in mind that this type of light also contains the infamous mercury, which means they are less environmentally friendly to dispose of.
Learn more about artificial growing lights.
What Should Be The Distance Between The Growing Light And The Plant?
The general rule says that it is best to position your grow light 6.0 “to 12.0” from your plants. Furthermore, experts recommend holding the lamp closer to get brighter light in a smaller area, or on the other hand, farther away for less intense light in a larger area.
How Much Artificial Light Do Succulents Need?
It is recommended to keep the light on for 12 hours and then turn it off for the next 12 so that your plants have the natural cycle needed to perform the photosynthesis process
Abstract
Using quality and appropriate growing light can help keep your succulents looking their best. We highly recommend getting yourself one of these artificial lights before the cold and gloomy winter days come. Only in this way can you be sure that your succulent babies can stay warm together in the long winter.
What do you think is the best plant light for succulents? Write your answers in the section below.
Take a look at this article as well.
FAQs
What Type Of Light Is Best For Succulents?
Succulents prefer bright, indirect light, but in the absence of natural light, you can opt for some artificially growing light, such as metal halide (MH), high-pressure sodium (HPS), fluorescent, or LED.
Do Succulents Need Direct Sunlight Indoors?
Contrary to popular belief, succulents do best in bright but indirect sunlight.
Can Succulents Survive Under Fluorescent Light?
Although nothing can beat actual sunlight, succulents can survive under fluorescent light.
Do Succulents Need Darkness?
Of course they do, moreover it is recommended to keep the light on for 12 hours and then turn it off for the next 12 so that your plants have the natural cycle.
