Questions tagged [light]

Illumination, required for photosynthesis. Use this tag for all questions about the required light levels for your plants. For questions specifically about artificial lights use the [led] or [grow-lamp] tags. For questions directly about the Sun and its effects in different conditions on plants use the [sunlight] tag.

Virtually all plants require light to power the chemical reaction known as photosynthesis, to produce sugars and cellulose (exceptions include some rare orchids such as Hexalectris which are at best partially photosynthetic).

Different plants have adapted to require different amounts of light. For example, trees that grow at high latitudes are generally adapted for poor light conditions, and low latitude desert plants are adapted for high light conditions.

There can be artificial light sources like lights or beside the natural source of light: .

Use this tag for all questions about the required light levels for your plants. Use it with tag(s) specific to the plants in the question.

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Does moss require darkness when grown indoors?

People always say that moss prefers to grow in (moist) dark, dappled, shady, or otherwise low-light conditions. Strictly speaking, I don't believe that's the case. I think in a natural environment it generally tends to appear that way; mainly…
voices
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How much light does a scented oak fern need?

Now I have been reading that ferns don't need a lot of light — so I got one. However, what I can't seem to find is just how much is meant by not a lot. I plan on keeping the fern in a room with one big north facing window. The room never gets direct…
user16651
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Does anyone have some references on using metal halide lamps in a greenhouse?

I am looking for some references to use metal halide lamp in a greenhouse. What specifications should I look for in a lamp?
PsychoMath
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Which of these palms would be easier to take care of in an indoor 9" pot?

I'm looking to buy a new palm to keep indoors in a 9-10 pot. I've narrowed my selection down to two palms, I'm wondering which would be easier to take care of between the 2 plants: Cateracterum Palm Areca Palm
Joseph Wit
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Optimal temperatures and light times for pepper plants

Day/night temperatures? How much light is too much? Right now I have an indoor pepper plant that is usually 80-90F during the day with 18 hours of light. I'm pretty sure I'm overdoing it as the pepper plant is sort of wilting/curling yet is mostly…
Enigma
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Tropical Growth Room for Vanilla Planfolia

I live in London and am designing a growth room in my garage (1m (W) by 1m (L) by 2m (H)), for a vanilla planfolia orchid. There will be one or two, and I am wondering how many of what wattage growth lights I should install, what heaters I should…
tropical
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How to be safely install light bulb for outdoor vegetable?

My patio does not have direct sunlight, but I want to build a hydroponic system. The vegetable that I want to plant requires a lot of light, so I also want to put lighting system outdoor for the vegetable. Does any product in the market do the task?
Marco
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Will my plants get enough sun in this window?

I'm planning on putting plants in this room next to the window but I'm not sure if they get enough sun here (for reference the plants I have are a few cacti, an echeveria, a house leek, a small bonsai and 2 jade plants). The picture is the window in…
Twurti
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Will my tobacco plant survive indoors under this grow light?

Hi I'm trying to grow tobacco indoors but they have not come up yet. I'm currently on day 2 I'm using a clip on 40w led grow light. Will this be enough for them to grow? I have a link of the…
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Indoor Growing - Light Selection

I have undercabinet lighting using f8t5/cw fluorescent bulbs. I want to replace these with lights that will allow small plants (ex. basil, oregano, mint, and other low maintenance herbs) to grow leaves quickly and with flavor. This is not a product…
acpilot
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What's the difference between a regular white light bulb and a grow light?

I know that LED bulbs can vary along two important dimensions, lumens and "temperature." In particular, the temperature is important to make sure the plant gets the frequencies of light it needs. One source I read said As a general recommendation,…
Stan Shunpike
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Is direct sunlight okay for houseplants in Winter?

Ignoring plants that love or require direct sunlight, my understanding is that generally plants don't like it too much (leading to sunburn) and rather prefer bright indirect or filtered light. I did read though that direct sunlight is acceptable if…
sunside
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Keeping plants in the dark for 2 weeks?

I was wondering if my houseplants would be able to survive in darkness for 2 weeks? They are a variety of species, including an orchid, a dracaena, some cacti, some succulents and a spider plant. Background: I am moving and all my belongings will be…
user53923
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What is the best light timing for an indoor ficus bonsai in both the winter and summer?

I recently got an indoor ficus bonsai and it's doing well. I bought a grow light for it and I put it on a timer, but I'm not sure what the best light timing is for the plant. I'm having trouble finding the yearly growth cycles for a ficus and what…
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Full spectrum LED strips tape for growing succulents and indoor plants

I'm looking at modifying some built in shelving that I have in my house with some LED strips to help my succulents and indoor plants. Due to the fixed nature of the shelves and the relatively narrow spacing between the shelves (about 12"), I don't…
anthonyv
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