Can any LED light be used as a grow light?
Written by
Kiana Okafor
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Regular household LEDs can be extremely bright, but they are generally not suitable as grow lights. Plants require specific wavelengths of light to photosynthesize properly. Unfortunately, regular LEDs are designed primarily for the visual needs of humans. I tried many different lights before I discovered why my seedlings were having such a tough time. Special grow lights made a measurable difference.
Vegetative Growth Needs
- Blue light around 450nm promotes leaf development
- Essential for strong stem and foliage formation
- Regular LEDs provide insufficient blue intensity
- My herbs grew leggy under standard LED strips
Flowering Stage Demands
- Red light near 660nm triggers blooming
- Supports flower and fruit production
- Household LEDs lack targeted red wavelengths
- Flowering plants failed under non-specialized lights
Full Development Support
- Complete spectrum coverage ensures balanced growth
- Includes beneficial green and far-red light
- Regular LEDs miss key photosynthetic bands
- Plants showed nutrient deficiencies without full spectrum
Special grow LED lights offer higher luminance and increased photosynthetic efficiency. Efficiently converted energy yields usable plant energy. Photosynthetic efficiency and PAR were measured at this gap. I have seen 3 times as much growth with efficient grow lights; plants in general develop more vigorous cells with proper nutrition.
When it comes to growing LED lights, position is critical. Place the grow LEDs 12 to 18 inches above the plants. Regular LEDs will benefit from being placed closer to the plants, but this can cause heat burn. Always consult with the manufacturer about your plants. Turn the plants 1/4 turn each week to give even exposure to all stems.
For optimal results, invest in full-spectrum grow LEDs, as they may cost a little more initially, but save money in the long run. Due to their efficiency, electricity bills are significantly reduced. My investment paid for itself in eight months with healthier plants. Get one good fixture to start with and see what difference it makes.
Read the full article: Indoor Plant Lighting: A Complete Guide
