Grow Lights Guide

Executive Summary by: Susan Slobac

Plants need light for photosynthesis. There are several new grow lights, and very popular ones include HID lights, HPS grow lights, LED grow lights, and MH grow lights. These are all hydroponic gardening grow lights, and all can be used with plants grown in soil as well.

grow light

HID grow lights go by the full name of high-intensity discharge lights. MH grow lights and HPS grow lights are also high-intensity discharge lamps. HID lights produce a great deal of light that more closely resembles sunlight than the light produced by either incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs, which is better for plant growth and reproduction.

HPS grow lights make excellent hydroponic lights. LED grow lights are called this due to a light-emitting diode that allows the lamp to produce light. MH grow lights are metal halide lamps.

Choosing Grow Lights for Hydroponics Gardening

HID, or high-intensity discharge lights, come in several varieties, including metal halide grow lights and HPS grow lights.

LED grow lights are also very popular. These lightweight lights, using light- emitting diodes, produce a lot of light in colors useful for plant growth, and are cost effective as well. All of these lamps make great grow lights for hydroponics.

The different metals give color to the light the lamp produces. The arc of current vaporizes the metals and mercury, and thus light is produced.

HPS grow lights are also called high-pressure sodium lights. Like the MH lights, HPS lights also use an alumina arc tube. LED grow lights are similar in function to the lights you might see on Christmas trees during holiday times.

All of the aforementioned grow lights work well to grow your indoor plants to full horticultural splendor.

Also, check out my other guide on bulbs gardening and gardening books