Fluorescent Light Fixtures For Indoor Plants

Fluorescent light fixtures are wonderful for growing indoor plants. In many cases, fluorescent lighting fixtures provide the closest imitation of natural sunlight, particularly when compared to incandescent lighting.

Plant Light Measurement

One of the important concepts to understand when growing plants indoors with fluorescent lighting is “foot candles.” A foot candle for plant growing purposes describes the amount of light that is put out by a single candle at a distance of a foot. In order to understand this concept better, compare the light needs of high light plants compared to low light plants.

High light plants like orchids and many herbs need approximately 1,000 foot candles for optimal growing. Low light plants like peace lilies or other shade plants need between 50 and 250 foot candles.

The stronger the fluorescent light output for growing purposes, the higher the foot candle output. When purchasing plant growing light fixtures or bulbs, it is important to look at the foot candle levels so that you choose the correct light level for your specific plants.

Grow Lights

Fluorescent lighting is the best kind of lighting for staring plants indoors, since it imitates natural sunlight. In many areas where natural sunlight is weak during winter and spring months, grow lights are used by both homeowners and professional plant growers as a way to start seedlings before transferring the plants to an outdoor location.

Grow lights are often constructed of several large fluorescent spot lights that are positioned so that they shine directly on the soil where the seedlings are planted. Grow lights can be positioned directly from the ceiling or on poles that allow for adjustment of the height of the light fixture.

Building Plant Growing Light Fixtures

It is possible to build your own fluorescent light fixtures for plant growing if you are not concerned about the aesthetics of your fixture. You can do this by constructing a wood frame that raises the grow lights above the plant flat. If you make a square or rectangular frame that hangs above the flat, you can position the lights at the optimal height and spacing for your seedlings or plants.

Grow Kits

Another option is to purchase a grow light kit. There are many attractive kits available from home improvement centers or discount stores that include a frame for the fluorescent lights and flats for plants or seedlings. In many cases, you can even purchase seeds that are placed in special growing soil that encourages new plants to grow quickly and stronger than they might if planted them outside in the garden.