Plant Grow light bulbs are used for indoor gardening. Adequate light can enable the growth of flowers, plants, fruits, and vegetables inside the home year round. Plant grow light bulbs vary in type and wattage. The size of your garden and the types of plants you are growing will help you decide which bulb to purchase. Both HID (High Intensity Discharge) and fluorescent bulbs are used for plant growing, although fluorescent light works best for seedlings. HID bulbs are the most intense bulbs available to the public, and they put out the most light of any Plant Grow bulbs. HID bulbs are also very efficient and can last up to six times longer than other bulbs.
HID Plant Grow light bulbs are divided into two types: Metal Halide (MH) and High Pressure Sodium (HPS). MH bulbs produce the most natural light. They have a balanced light spectrum that contains the blue and red wavelengths that help plants grow quickly. Plants can be grown from start to finish using MH bulbs, and these bulbs also promote leaf growth. HPS Plant Grow light bulbs are more efficient than MH bulbs, and they produce a yellow-orange color that emulates the sun at midday. HPS bulbs promote flower growth, but they lack blue in their color spectrum. Therefore, HPS bulbs should only be use to supplement the light for your indoor garden. There are Enhanced HPS bulbs, however, that have a wider blue spectrum, which has proven to be positive for plant growth.
The wattage of the Plant Grow bulbs you use depends on the size of the garden and the types of plants being grown. Plants that require more light will also require more wattage from a Plant Grow bulb. Following is a good guide to follow when choosing wattage:
• If your garden is 2' x 2', use 250 watts and under.
• If your garden is 4' x 4', use 400 to 600 watts.
• If your garden is 8' x 8', use 100 watts.