Grow Light Talk
Are you an extreme succulent/plant enthusiast? Do you have an arrangement that needs lots of color in your succulents? Do you want your succulents to be show stoppers?
If yes is your answer then you should consider getting a grow light! I have 3 four foot grow lights that I protect from everything and everyone because they make all my succulents just look amazing.
Type of Grow Light:
I use T8 and T5 Fluorescent lamps and they are seriously wonderful. If your collection is small, then a single bulb also works perfectly. This one has four lamps and is four feet long so it covers EVERYTHING.
I have found succulents do better in a white light as compared to a colored red/blue light. I have had a red/blue light but it just doesn’t seem to do anything.
Difference between T5 and T8
T5 is brighter and delivers more light more intensely but doesn’t last as long, but you don’t need it on for as many hours. T8 lasts much longer than T5 but it isn’t as intense. I have used both and am pleased with both.
Hours of Light:
My grow lights are on from 5:30am-10:00 pm. You can usually aim for 13-14 hours. I use a double sided timer for my light so I do not have to turn it on/off.
Placement of Light:
Don’t put your succulents closer than 6 inches to the grow light, as it might burn your leaves. My plants are about 8-10 inches from the light and they are doing perfect. I have also had it closer than 6 inches and they didn’t get burned. It also could be dependent on the light intensity. I find that this distance is important when doing succulent leaf propagation as the roots tend to burn easily.
Benefits of a Grow Light:
- Indoor plants can prosper and look amazing
- They brighten up the room significantly
- Succulents turn their most amazing colors-succulents change colors when stressed, this induces stress but it doesn’t actually harm the succulent at all
- Succulents will grow a lot faster
If you have any questions about grow lights please feel free to ask me!!
Hi! Thanks for sharing! I found your web very useful
Just one question, how many watts have your grow lights? The total amount?
Well in fact I’ve another one. In what kind of lamp? An aquarium one maybe.?
Thank you so much in advance
I believe that it is 230 Watts? That is what the bio says on the grow light I use. It is a grow light specifically for plants.
I have my succulents indoors under LED lights and I notice they are loosing its color. I have them on from 7am to 9pm. They are healthy looking but the colors are fading.
I read that LED lights are better because they are not as hot but what do you thinks about LED’s for succulents?
How close are they to your succulent? They theoretically should be just fine but if they are too far they will probably fade. As long as the succulent isn’t stretching, it is probably fine. The color is usually a sign of stress.