Standing by the window or in full blast of the sun, you will often find succulents basking their time away. It’s in these extreme conditions that succulents thrive, a trait attributed to their desert origins. However, when these desert dwellers are moved indoors, the lack of sunlight can stunt their growth and dull their vivid colors. That doesn’t mean you can’t grow succulents indoors, though, it just means you need a little bit of help from technology in the form of grow lights.
- UNDERSTANDING LIGHT SPECTRUM
To understand which light spectrum is best for your indoor succulents, you need to understand how light affects plant growth. Light is composed of a spectrum of colors each with different energy levels and wavelengths. The main ones involved in plant growth are blue, green and red light.
Blue light, with its short wavelength, stimulates the production of chlorophyll that’s crucial in photosynthesis. It promotes vegetative growth leading to thicker leaves, stronger stems, and overall compact growth – traits desired in succulents.
Red light, on the other end of the spectrum, has a long wavelength which penetrates deeper into plants promoting stem growth, flowering, and fruit production. It aids in photoperiodism – the biological response of plants to periods of daylight.
Although green light is reflected back and appears green to our eyes, some research suggests it may also contribute to plant growth, but certainly not as significantly as red and blue lights.
For indoor succulents, a combination of blue and red light is highly recommended. While succulents favor blue light for vegetative growth, they also need red light to prevent them from stretching towards the light source (etiolation), a common issue with indoor succulents.
- WHITE LIGHT VS PURPLE LIGHT
While white light covers the entire light spectrum, not all of it is useful for indoor succulents. Purple light, which is a combination of red and blue light, provides just the needed spectrum for succulents growth. Using purple lights for indoor succulents can result in healthier plants that stay compact and vibrant.
However, the aesthetic appearance must also be considered. While purple lights might be optimal from a plant’s perspective, they can look out of place in a home setting. In such cases, using white light grow lights with peak spectrums in the red and blue wavelength favors both plant growth and the aesthetics.
- INFRARED RADIATION AND ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT
In the full spectrum light, it’s also worth discussing infrared (IR) radiation and ultraviolet (UV) light. Although invisible to the human eye, they hold potential benefits for indoor succulents.
Infrared light has a wavelength longer than visible light and aids in cell enlargement and division, promoting growth. However, too much infrared light can cause plants to elongate excessively, which is not desired in succulents.
Ultraviolet light, which has a shorter wavelength than visible light, is a little controversial. While extreme UV rays might cause plant damage, small amounts of UVB light are beneficial. They stimulate protective pigment production, enhancing the coloration of the succulents and giving them their vibrant colors.
- CHOOSING THE RIGHT GROW LIGHTS
When it comes to choosing grow lights for indoor succulents, there are several types available in the market.
Fluorescent lights provide a good balance with adequate blue and red lights. They don’t produce much heat, which is beneficial for succulents as they don’t fare well under high heat. Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) and T5 tubes are popular choices among succulent growers.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights are becoming increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan. Quality LED lights have full-spectrum capabilities, providing the required blue and red light wavelengths and even some green light.
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lights, such as Metal Halide (MH) and High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights, produce a potent light, but they also emit a lot of heat making them less suitable for succulents.
In conclusion, the best light spectrum for indoor succulents is a combination of blue and red light. A little UV and IR light can also be beneficial. Fluorescent lights, LED lights, or a combination of both, are ideal choices for providing the required light spectrum. Always remember to adjust the light intensity and exposure time according to your specific succulent species, as the light requirement can vary greatly between different types. Regular observation and adjustment can often lead to the best growth results.
