How to create sunlight indoors for plants?

Author: Dr. Demetrius Wyman MD  |  Last update: Friday, July 11, 2025

An unobstructed south-facing window will provide the highest level of natural light for plants. A medium-light plant would be suitable for east-facing windows or located near a west-facing window, but out of direct light. You would need artificial lighting for starting seeds in medium light.

How do you simulate sunlight indoors for plants?

Full spectrum bulbs will generally be between 5000 and 6500 K, and will mimic bright, natural sunlight in appearance. Like plants growing outdoors in the sunlight, indoor plants generally grow best under full-spectrum bulbs, which produce a balance of cool and warm light that replicates the natural solar spectrum.

How to provide sunlight to indoor plants?

Sun - indoor plants do need sunlight but might get burnt if left in the sun too long. So place them in indirect sunlight like behind a curtain. You might also support your plants with some artificial lights. Soil - use the potting soil and add fertilizer once or twice an year.

What is the best source of light for growing plants indoors?

When growing most houseplants, use light bulbs between 4000 and 6000 Kelvin, as the bulb's color temperature will borrow from a full spectrum of colors cools and warms. With these lights, you can actually mimic the growth you would get in a greenhouse or outdoors.

Can you use your phone as a light meter for plants?

Best Light Meter App For Plants: Photone Grow Light Meter

It seems that Photone is the only plant light meter app on the App Store that is measuring accurately – we are blown away by the unsuitability of all the other plant lighting apps.

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Can I turn my phone into a light meter?

The process of metering with a light meter app is as follows: Point your device's camera at the subject you wish to photograph. Your light meter app should show a video preview on screen. Once you are happy with how the subject is exposed, you can tap the lock button (sometimes called the measure button).

Is any artificial light good for plants?

There are four primary sources of artificial light available for the enhancement of plant growth: incandescent; fluorescent; high-intensity, or gas, discharge; and light-emitting diodes. As a single light source for plants, incandescent lights are not particularly good.

How to grow plants indoors without sunlight?

You have many choices when it comes to supplemental light for your plants. Some people use regular LED lights (the plants in my kitchen can vouch for this method), some people use the brightly colored red or blue grow bulbs, and then there are bulbs like the GE BR30 Grow Light, Seeds and Greens.

Can any LED light be used as a grow light?

Can Any LED Be Used As A Grow Light? Not all LED lights are suitable for growing. Plants require a very high light intensity and grow best using a full-spectrum light, which is crucial to know when choosing your LED light. Plants evolved to use natural sunlight, which emits every color on the spectrum.

What light makes plants grow the fastest?

Blue: This is the most important light for plant growth. It is easy for chlorophyll to absorb and convert into energy. Red: As the second most important wavelength, red light is incredibly potent for plants when combined with blue light. Orange: Similar to red light, but less effective.

How can I substitute sunlight for plants?

Yes, artificial light can help plants, especially in low-light environments. Various fluorescent, incandescent, induction, or LED bulb lighting can supplement natural light and provide additional light for plants that may not receive enough sun, boosting photosynthesis and promoting healthy plant growth.

How to create indirect sunlight?

To achieve bright indirect light, a plant can be a foot or two from a window with direct light—such as a window with western or southern exposure. Plants that require medium or low indirect light can be placed further away from the windows, or in rooms that have the curtains drawn or don't have windows at all.

Do mirrors increase sunlight for plants?

If you measure the light in a particular location, you might find that it's gotten a lot brighter if you've pointed the mirror's reflection to that place. You can use mirrors in the garden to move the light around, allowing plants to grow in areas where they could not grow before.

How can I mimic sunlight indoors?

6 Ways to Mimic Natural Light in a Windowless Room
  1. Use Mirrors Strategically. ...
  2. Layer Lighting. ...
  3. Choose Light and Reflective Paint Colours. ...
  4. Add Artificial Skylights and Windows. ...
  5. Use Light Diffusers. ...
  6. Choose the Right Bulbs. ...
  7. Invest in High-Quality Lighting with Light Supplier.

What counts as direct sunlight for indoor plants?

Direct sunlight is an uninterrupted path of light from the sun directly to the plant. Direct sunlight, or bright light, means south or southwest-facing windows, and east or west-facing windows, up to 10' away.

How to provide more light for indoor plants?

An unobstructed south-facing window will provide the highest level of natural light for plants. A medium-light plant would be suitable for east-facing windows or located near a west-facing window, but out of direct light. You would need artificial lighting for starting seeds in medium light.

What is a good substitute for grow lights?

4 Best Grow Light Alternatives for Plants
  • Natural light. While grow light alternatives cannot completely replicate the complexities of natural sunlight, they offer an effective solution for indoor gardening. ...
  • LED light panels. ...
  • Compact fluorescent lights (CFL) ...
  • T5 fluorescent lights.

Can plants photosynthesize without light?

Researchers have developed an electrocatalytic process to allow plants to undergo photosynthesis without sunlight. This form of artificial photosynthesis may increase the efficiency with which food crops are raised. It is well understood that plants need water, carbon dioxide and sunlight to grow.

What is the best light for growing plants indoors?

Lights that provide a full spectrum are the ideal choice for your growing space. This is where LED lights come in handy. Most LED growing lights offer both types of color spectrum lighting, so you can get all the benefits. TIP: Violet-blue light promotes plant growth and red light promotes plant budding.

How to create sunlight indoors for plants DIY?

Utilizing Mirrors To Create A 'Natural' DIY Grow Light

Mirrors are a great way to add more light to a room. While they can be effective with any window orientation, mirrors are likely to have the most impact with south-facing windows where they can be placed close to the window.

Can you put a plant in a room with no sunlight?

What plants are good for rooms with no light? The most suitable one is the Spider plant. Ivy, Snake plant, Maidenhair fern, and Peace lily will also feel well in such conditions.

Can plants survive on artificial light?

The type and strength of the artificial light you choose will also impact the number of hours that will be necessary. For most plants getting some natural light, 12 to 14 hours of artificial light should do but plants can need over 16 hours of supplemental light if there is little natural light.

What is a substitute for sunlight for plants?

Do Plants Need Natural Sunlight? Plants can grow using only artificial grow lights, given that the light spectrum adequately meets their requirements. Full-spectrum grow lights, with their ability to provide the necessary red and blue wavelengths, can sustain plant growth and development.

How to create artificial light for plants?

Install one incandescent bulb and two compact fluorescent bulbs, using the highest wattage that's safe for the fixture. Direct the lights toward the plant table or shelf. If you can individually adjust the fixtures, position the fluorescent bulbs closer to the plants than the incandescent bulbs to avoid heat damage.

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