Does the color light affect the plant growth

Key Takeaways:

 

  • Adequate lighting is crucial for plant growth, as it is necessary for photosynthesis to occur. 
  • Artificial light can be used to grow plants indoors, as sunlight may not always be reliable. 
  • Different colors of light can have different effects on plant growth, with blue and red light being particularly important for photosynthesis. 
  • The PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) rating is important to consider when choosing an indoor grow light system. 
  • Insufficient light can negatively affect plant growth, while the intensity of light can also impact the efficiency of photosynthesis.

Different colors of light can have different effects on plant growth. 

For example, blue light is known to promote vegetative growth and is often used during the vegetative stage of plant growth. On the other hand, red light is known to promote flowering and is often used during the flowering stage. Green light is less effective at promoting plant growth, as it is mostly absorbed by the chlorophyll in the leaves and is not used in photosynthesis.

 

What color light is best for plant growth?

The best color light for plant growth is a combination of red and blue light, with a small amount of green light. This spectrum is known as “full-spectrum” lighting, as it mimics the natural sunlight which plants evolved to thrive under. 

Red light promotes flowering and fruiting, while blue light promotes vegetative growth. Green light, while not as important for photosynthesis, can be beneficial for overall plant health and can help to reduce plant stress. 

Some of the optimal ranges of different coloured light are:

  • UV light: 380 nm – 390 nm. This range is not typically used for plant growth as it can be harmful to plants, causing damage to the chlorophyll and DNA.
  • Blue light: 440 nm – 460 nm. This range promotes vegetative growth and is often used during the vegetative stage of plant growth.
  • Yellow light: 585 nm – 595 nm. This range is not commonly used for plant growth as it is not as effective as red or blue light.
  • Violet blue light: 400 nm – 410 nm. This range can also promote vegetative growth and can help to increase the size and number of leaves
  • Red light: 660 nm – 670 nm. This range promotes flowering and fruiting and is often used during the flowering stage of plant growth.
  • Orange light: 600 nm – 610 nm. This range is not commonly used for plant growth.
  • Dark Light: 730 nm – 840 nm. This range is also not commonly used for plant growth as it is in the near-infrared range and is not as effective as other colors of light for promoting plant growth.

 

It’s worth noting that different plants have different light needs, and plants that require high light intensity such as succulents and cacti, may benefit from more red light, while plants that require low light intensity, such as ferns, may benefit from more blue light.

 

What color light is bad for plants?

Green light is considered less effective for promoting plant growth, as it is mostly absorbed by the chlorophyll in the leaves and is not used in photosynthesis. Additionally, plants are not able to see the green light, so it is not necessary to provide green light for the plants’ growth. 

Too much of any color light can be detrimental to plant growth. For example, overexposure to red light can cause plants to stretch and become leggy. Overexposure to blue light can cause plants to become stunted and bushy. Overexposure to any light can also cause plants to dry out, so it is important to provide appropriate light intensity and duration. 

It’s worth noting that UV light can be harmful to plants as well as to humans. UV light can cause damage to the chlorophyll, which can lead to yellowing and wilting of the leaves. UV light can also cause damage to the DNA of the plant, which can lead to mutations. So, it’s important to ensure that the UV light is filtered out when using artificial light sources for plant growth.