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How Long Should Grow Lights be on For? [A Quick Guide]

The benefits of LED grow lights are becoming more and more well known as indoor gardeners everywhere switch to the technology. Not only do LED grow lights produce high-quality plants, but they also save on energy costs, are safe on your eyes, and last much longer than other types of lighting.

But there are still some things that need to be taken into consideration when using LED grow lights, especially when it comes to distance and duration.

In this article, we will first explore how far LED grow lights should be kept from plants and how they should be positioned, and then we will take a look at how long they should be turned on each day for optimal growth.

VIEW OUR CAVELIGHTS RECOMMENDED GROW LIGHTS HERE.


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How to position LED grow lights

Let’s take a look at how to position your LED grow lights step by step.

1. Decide on the size of your grow area

Knowing the dimensions of your grow space will help you determine the best way to position your lights. For example, if you are growing in a small closet, you will need to keep your lights close to the plants so that all of the leaves are evenly exposed to light.

On the other hand, if you have a large grow room, you can keep your lights further away and still provide adequate coverage.

2. Choose the right LED grow light

There are many different types and sizes of LED grow lights available on the market, so it is important to choose the one that is best suited for your needs.

If you are growing in a small space, a smaller light may be all you need. However, if you are growing in a large space or you want to produce high-quality plants, you will need a larger light.

3. Hang your LED grow light

Once you have chosen the right light for your needs, it’s time to hang it. The ideal height for your light will depend on the type of plants you are growing and the size of your growing space.

For example, if you are growing taller plants, you will need to hang your grow light higher so that all of the leaves are exposed to light.

Conversely, if you are growing shorter plants, you can hang your light lower. In general, it is best to start with your light at a height of 18-24 inches and adjust as needed.

Tip: For details on how to hang your grow lights, see our article here.

4. Turn on your LED grow light and observe your plants

After you have hung your light and turned it on, take a step back and observe your plants. Are all of the leaves receiving an equal amount of light? Are any leaves being burned by the light?

If so, you will need to adjust the height of your light. Once you have found the perfect position for your LED grow light, make sure to mark the spot so that you can easily repeat it in the future.

With these simple tips, you should be able to position your LED grow light correctly and get the best results for your plants in no time!

How long should grow lights be on for?

Now that we know how to position LED grow lights, let’s take a look at how long grow lights should be on for each day.

The amount of time that you should leave your grow lights on will depend on the type of plants you are growing and the stage of growth they are in. Seedlings and young plants will need 16-18 hours of light per day, whereas mature plants will only need 12-14 hours of light per day.

Additionally, it is important to note that LED grow lights should be turned off for a few hours each day to give the plants a chance to rest. This is especially important for young plants, as they are more susceptible to stress and can be easily damaged by too much light.

In general, it is best to start with 16 hours of light per day and adjust as needed. Once you have determined the ideal amount of time for your plants, make sure to stick to a consistent schedule so that your plants can grow properly.

Final Thoughts

LED grow lights are a great way to provide your plants with the light they need to grow. However, it is important to position them correctly and leave them on for the right amount of time each day.

With these simple tips, you should be able to get the best results for your plants.

VIEW OUR CAVELIGHTS RECOMMENDED GROW LIGHTS HERE.

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