The Pros and Cons of Different Indoor Grow Lights

Any indoor gardener knows that the type of indoor grow light you choose will have an impact on your hydroponic garden – each type of light

offers its own benefits depending on your growing needs. So we’ve made choosing the right grow

light bulb for you simple – learn more about the differences between metal halide bulbs, high-pressure sodium, plasma, and LED grow lights.

Metal Halide Bulbs (MH)

Pros: • Good quality and output of light – a bright white light that is rich in the blue region.

• Better for human visualization – some people prefer the light from MH bulbs because it is easy to work under and see the true color of plants. • Cheaper alternative to other indoor grow lights.

Drawbacks:

• Requires a compatible ballast and reflector for operation. • Bulb contains mercury – a concern for some people. • Should be replaced every 12-18 months depending on daily usage.

Best For:

Indoor growing during the vegetative stage and to achieve bushy and leafy plant growth.

High-Pressure Sodium (HPS lights) Pros: • Good quality and output of light – emits a light that is heavy in the red and orange part of the

spectrum. • Lasts longer than MH bulbs, and need to be replaced less frequently.

• Another cheap alternative to other indoor grow lights.

Drawbacks: • Requires a ballast and reflector for operation.

• High heat output, therefore needing an ventilation system. • Should be replaced every 2 years depending on

daily usage.

Best For:

Indoor growing throughout a majority of a plant’s growth especially during the flowering stage.

Plasma Pros:

• Offers a full-spectrum light, similar to that of sunlight, for both vegetative growth and flowering.

• Longer lifetime - may last up to 50,000 hours. Since they do not contain electrodes or filaments – two parts of many indoor grow light bulbs that break often – they last longer. • Low heat output when compared to HID indoor grow light options.

Drawbacks:

• More expensive than HID light sources, such as HPS and MH bulbs • A technology that is newer and growers are still trying to figure out how to best apply to a grow setup

Best For:

The indoor grower who wants hassle-free installation, a long lasting light source , and full spectrum white light that most closely resembles sunlight.

LED Grow Lights

Pros: • Ability to tune color spectrum tailored to plants and for different stages of plant growth.

• More efficient. LED grow lights can reduce the number of Watts of electricity used by 40 to 50 percent compared to other indoor grow light bulbs.

• They have less heat output.. This means cooling systems may not be required or can be drastically

scaled back and the fixture can be hung closer to your plants. • Long-lasting. A typical indoor LED grow light

will last for about 50,000 hours, drastically reducing the number of bulbs bought and replaced. • Compact design - LED grow lights are much thinner and lighter than other indoor light options.

Depending on your indoor grow space; you may be able to create a vertical garden, with stacks of two or more.

Drawbacks: • LED grow lights are significantly more expensive to buy compared to other light sources.

• The color of light emitted often affects the way a plant looks, making it look purplish or gray. • LED does not produce a lot of heat, which some plants like.

Best For: The indoor grower who is willing to put in an upfront initial investment for energy efficient and

compact grow lights that emit plant specific light.