The Best Grow Lights for Indoor Marijuana Growing 2020
Indoor cannabis growing operations are becoming increasingly popular. One reason for this is widespread legalization. Another is the comparative ease of growing and tending to the cannabis plant with modern, state-of-the-art equipment.
Cannabis is useful even for aspiring gardeners looking for a single plant to raise. The species is versatile, resilient, and relatively resistant to damage and infestation. For the aspiring marijuana user, growing weed at home can potentially save you a fortune. You can cut out the middleman and cultivate the herb from seed to flower, and ultimately to joint.
However, if you’re looking to start growing marijuana plants indoors, you need to choose the right grow lights. Without adequate light, you won’t get a decent harvest. The best lighting usually equals the highest quality THC, so it’s essential to get the best ones you can afford. There are so many different types of grow lights available that finding the ideal ones for your needs is challenging.
In this article, we provide a handy list of some of the best grow lights for indoor plants currently available on the market. Some of them are cheap; others are a little pricier. Regardless, if you use them correctly, they’ll get the job done.
WHAT IS A GROW LIGHT?
A grow light is an artificial light source that you can use indoors to help mimic the natural spectrum of the sun that influences plant growth and production. They are easy to use, plug into your electrical outlets like any other light you may have in your house, and provides varying degrees of brightness to whatever it is you are attempting to grow.
Grow lights are popular with both hobbyist gardeners due to the ability they lend to getting seedlings started, as well as well seasoned horticulturalists who grow a variety of vegetation all year round. They are often offered in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit into almost any space you are attempting to utilize, and also can range in affordability for small personal to business type grows.
HOW DO GROW LIGHTS WORK?
Since light is one of the three major things your plants need to thrive and survive, grow lights can be used to mimic the light spectrum of the sun that aides plants in the process of photosynthesis. This process is described through the plants use of light energy which they convert into chemical energy- which thus can be used to feed growth and production.
TYPES OF GROW LIGHTS
Not all grow lights are made the same, however. Some emit a wider light spectrum than others, some produce various temperature fluctuations, and some are more specific to certain kinds of plants.
HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID)
These are a popular light amongst experienced growers due to their high light output. These fall into three categories, Metal Halide (MH), High Pressure Sodium (HPS), and Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH). Each is favored for various reasons, but a simple explanation is that MH lights produce more light within the blue range of the spectrum, HPS produce more red and orange, and CMH provide a balanced mix of blue, red, and orange. Quantum board LED grow lights are the next step above chip on a board (COB) LED grow lights. The LEDs are connected to a carefully wired board. The quantum board may be sold as just a circuit board.
FLUORESCENT
Fluorescent lighting is popular for early growth stages, and are also considered highly energy efficient. They also don’t put out a lot of radiant heat, making them ideal for smaller grow areas, especially since they are available in a wide range of sizes. They do come in two different types: a high output (HO), and very high output (VHO). The technology behind the two is exactly the same, it’s just that the VHO put out more light, and therefore also more radiant heat.
LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED)
Not only are LED lights highly efficient energy wise, they also put out very little heat and can be used in very small spaces. Plus, the diodes are placed within light panels, means that each individual diode can becustomized to put out varying spectrums of light. This can result in a panel that is able to produce light across the needed spectrum at all stages of vegetative growth.
HOW CLOSE SHOULD A GROW LIGHT BE TO YOUR PLANT?
- HID: At least 12 inches, more with high wattage
- LED: 6 inches or more depending on the width of your grow.
- Fluorescent: As close as possible without burning to 12 inches
Grow lights are placed above your plants, usually quite close to the tops of your growing vegetation, in order for photosynthesis to occur. As your plants grow you will need to raise your light to accommodate this growth. A general rule of thumb is to keep your light spaced according to what type of grow light you are utilizing due to the differing strength of light and heat each puts out.
Although these types of lights are defined below, keep the following spacing in mind for mature plants. You will want to adjust for seedlings and pay close attention to how much heat is being produced so not to dry out tender plants.
BEST GROW LIGHTS FOR INDOOR MARIJUANA
SPIDER FARMER LED QUANTUM BOARD
Aptly named, as it looks very much like a hanging spider in your grow tent, the Spider Farmer quantum board is well thought out and a thoroughly tested light. From the deep red diodes to its near-perfect white light, the lamp efficacy is never in doubt with producing high-quality light that your plants will love. A perfect SPIDER FARMER QUANTUM BOARD LED for small indoor grows of 1 to 3 plants.
The efficiency is quite high, with 2,7 umol/J. It only uses 100w but it will generate the same yield as fake 1000W, 1200W blurple led grow lights. Samsung LM301B diodes, provide the highest light output led that you can find currently on the market. They create a better canopy light penetration and will bring you 40% higher crop efficiency with less energy than other red-blue lights.
The process is safer now. There is zero noise, because the design has no fan. It has large areas of solid aluminium heat sink. SF – 1000 has special protective cable covers, waterproof led board and a highly safety MeanWell driver.SF -1000 will lead your plant in an optimum way during all stages, by just adjusting the height and lighting schedule: germination, seeding, veg and bloom.
ECO FARM SAMSUNG LM201B 600W QUANTUM BOARD
ECO Farm LED Grow Lights utilize the latest in high yielding LEDs technology today-Samsung LM301B diodes, high Energy Efficiency with 2.7 umol/J, delivers powerful light output and uniform canopy penetration to resulting maximum higher yields. Running 50% less power than the HPS or other SMD LEDs or Blurple lamps.
Excellent full spectrum - white, blue, red and IR (3000K, 660nm and IR 760nm and UV 395nm). 3000K diodes providing more reddish light. The 660nm red and IR light is especially useful during bloom, where it speeds up flowering time and boost yields. Turn your seeds into your own supply. And the light looks fairly natural, so it's good for accurately monitoring plant health.
High Safety performance MEAN WELL Driver, Fair Waterproofing. Update aluminum board is thick and sturdy, doesn't put out a tremendous amount of heat, high-quality protective covers for cables.Upgraded series growing lights have a dimming knob and light switch. ECO Farm grow light can be adjusted the light intensity at liberty. Multi-light Connection with unified dimming especially beneficial for large area of indoor growing and commercial planting.
CONCLUSION
Whether you are experienced indoor gardener or are just getting started, these light options are all excellent choices to provide you with a step towards a healthy crop at any time of year. Each are lightweight, offer varying uses, and also provide a light spectrum specific to certain stages of plant growth.
Although each of these lights are awesome for various reasons, my particular favorite is the ECO Farm LED quantum board 600W with UV&IR Grow Light due to how it is available for all stages of growth and provides a system that is self-cooling. Since it works well for small grows it is exactly what I would need to get my herb garden started this winter, and even start my garden seeds come spring. The UV/IR light addition is a nice touch as well.