Sunlight is the perfect balance of wavelengths necessary for plant growth and blooming, but you can also use artificial light to help your plants along. In fact, low-light foliage plants (such as pothos and peace lily) can grow quite nicely in windowless offices with enough artificial light.
Herein, is artificial light as good as sunlight for plants?
Generally, sunlight is best for plant growth, since artificial lights cannot replicate the specific colors of light (wavelengths) that are optimal for plants. However, artificial lights can work well to supplement sunlight, especially during winter or where sufficient sunlight is unavailable.
Light is a vital requirement for plants: it is necessary for photosynthesis, for information (i.e. when to bud, flower, germinate, etc.) and for their growth form. … Artificial light sources interrupt that natural cycle — and may disrupt both the plants and the ecology they support.
Also know, how many hours of artificial light do plants need?
Most common houseplants can grow well with 12 to 14 hours of artificial light if they aren’t receiving any sunlight. Medium-light plants require about six hours of daily sunlight, so they benefit from a higher light intensity and do best when set no more than 1 foot away from the lights.
Can artificial light be used for photosynthesis?
Yes, photosynthesis can take place in artificial light if the plant is exposed to the correct wavelength of light. Photosynthesis is the natural process by which plants use chlorophyll to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and convert it to sugar in the presence of sunlight.
What kind of artificial light do plants need?
Fluorescent tubes provide one of the best artificial light sources available for plants in the home. They are about 2-1/2 times more efficient in converting electrical energy into light energy than are incandescent sources, making them less expensive to operate.
What is the difference between sunlight and artificial light?
While natural light is produced by the sun, artificial light sources can include incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Sunlight contains all the colors of the spectrum, which is necessary for photosynthesis in plants.
Do plants need darkness?
Plants do need that period of darkness for their metabolism to work properly. They are not designed to create food non-stop, and it will do them harm in the long term to put them in this sort of situation. So, yes, plants need their darkness just as much as they need their light.
