How to Choose an LED Grow Light

If you’re planning to grow cannabis, edibles, or any other type of plants indoors using LEDs, then it’s important to choose the right light for your needs.

There are many things to consider when choosing an LED grow light, so we’ve put together this guide to help you make an informed purchase.

Wattage

The wattage of an LED grow light can affect how much energy it uses and how powerful the light output is. However, this is not the most important factor when choosing an LED grow light for your growing needs.

The number of watts required for plant growth is often determined by the room size, the amount of soil and the type of plants you are cultivating. This is why it is best to choose the appropriate LED grow lights for your growing space before you begin.

The wattage of an LED grow light will also determine how much heat it generates. This is why you should choose a LED grow light that is equipped with good heat sinking. This will help keep your grow room at a consistent temperature, which will help prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

Coverage Area

The coverage area of an LED grow light is a crucial aspect to consider. It determines the strength and intensity of the light that a plant receives.

The size and lens of the LED grow light as well as hanging height affect coverage. The closer the grow light is to a plant’s canopy, the stronger the light.

This is a great factor to consider when selecting a light for a specific growing space. It will also give you a better understanding of how much power it takes to cover a particular area.

Another key metric is PPFD, or photosynthetic photon flux density. It measures how many PAR photons reach your plant canopy each second.

Light Spectrum

Whether you’re an experienced grower or just starting out, the light spectrum of your LED grow lights can make a huge difference to your plants. This is because the right wavelengths of light are vital for photosynthesis, which occurs when a plant absorbs and converts sunlight into chemical energy for growth.

The light spectrum of an LED grow light varies depending on the growth phase and type of plant you’re growing. Seedlings need very little light to begin with, so you’ll want to place your LED grow lights high above the canopy at the start of the growth cycle.

As your plants mature, they’ll need a higher level of light to promote optimum growth. At this point, you’ll need to move your LED grow lights closer to your plants as they reach flowering stage.

Dimming

Dimming is a feature of LED grow lights that allows you to adjust the light intensity without affecting the light uniformity. This feature can be a great benefit to growers.

Using dimmable grow lights can save energy and money. It also minimizes heat stress and protects bulbs from damage.

In addition, it can be a useful feature for growing crops that have varying light requirements. This is especially helpful for cannabis growers, who want to control levels of THC and other cannabinoid production, increase flowering, and maintain overall uniformity.

Dimmable LED grow lights can also be integrated with other management systems or controlled via an app, allowing growers to have full flexibility and control over the grow environment. This can lead to more effective crop growth and higher yields.