If you're ready to elevate your cannabis cultivation game, it's time to consider LED grow lights. These modern marvels have rapidly become the top choice for indoor gardeners, and for good reason.
They offer a full spectrum of light that supports every growth stage — from seedling to flowering — and have revolutionized the way we grow cannabis.
In this article, we'll go over why LED lights are the best option today and how you can go about using them. So, let's light it up.
What are LED Grow Lights?
LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights have become the top choice for indoor cannabis growers, and for good reason. Unlike older lighting systems, they provide a full spectrum of light, supporting your plants through every growth stage — from seedling to flowering.
Some advanced LED lights even come with adjustable spectrums, allowing you to customize the light depending on your plant's needs at any given time.
Modern LED technologies, like quantum boards or COB (Chip on Board), are known to outperform traditional HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lights. They offer superior light intensity and deeper canopy penetration, meaning your plants receive more efficient light energy.
You should, however, invest in high-quality LED lights if you want to see the full benefits. While it may seem expensive at first, with prices ranging from as low as $100 to upwards of $2000, the investment pays off in the long run.
Not only do you save on energy costs, but you also get higher yields. Depending on the quality and specifications of the light, you can expect to harvest anywhere between 0.5 to 1.8 grams of cannabis per watt of light used. And these lights can last up to 100,000 hours!
How do LED Lights Work?
LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology emits light when an electrical current flows through a semiconductor material. Unlike most traditional lights, they do not require heat or gas to produce light. This in turn makes them far superior to such alternatives as they convert a larger percentage of energy into light with barely any loss of energy through heat.
One advantage of using LEDs is that you can fine-tune them to produce specific wavelengths of light. And, since cannabis, like many other plants, requires different wavelengths of light throughout its life cycle, using an LED seems like a no-brainer.
LEDs consist of many diodes, and each of them is capable of producing light at a particular wavelength. Together, these diodes produce a full-spectrum light, which is very close to natural sunlight. For this reason, these lights are pretty useful for growing many types of plants, including cannabis.
Benefits of Growing Cannabis With LED Grow Lights
But that's not where the advantages end. Full-spectrum LED lights bring even more to the table, such as the following:
LED lights are up to 40% more efficient than traditional options like HPS, MH, or CFL lights. This means you'll save a lot on your energy bills while also doing your part for the environment. Most users used HPS and MH lights for a long time, but the main problem with these lights is that they consume way too much electricity. LEDs, however, consume far less energy and still provide equivalent PPFD to increase photosynthesis in cannabis plants.
In addition, they convert a higher percentage of the electricity they consume into usable light for plant growth. In fact, most modern LEDs save at least 50-70% compared to HPS or MH lighting systems. This is especially useful for larger cannabis cultivators or home growers seeking to reduce utility bills.
Also, since energy consumption is less, less heat is generated, so you don't have to invest too much in cooling equipment to reduce the heat. Naturally, you'll be able to save a lot of money on electricity bills and grow cannabis in an eco-friendly manner to some extent at least.
If you live in a region where electricity consumption is monitored closely, LED lights can be a great option.
- Customizable Light Spectrum
LED lights provide full spectrum light that caters to both the vegetative and flowering stages. Therefore, you don't have to use lights that provide only the red or blue spectrums and change them according to the stage of growth. Here's a quick overview of the spectrum required according to the stage of growth.
- Seedling Stage
Cannabis seedlings need blue light (400 ~ 500 nm) to produce strong leaves and branches and grow healthy. Many LED lights come with an option to customize the spectrum according to the stage of growth, which is just perfect for the seedling stage.
- Vegetative Stage
During the vegetative phase, cannabis plants need a higher percentage of blue light to keep producing leaves, stems, and branches. Blue light is for vegetative growth, so your plants can photosynthesize enough energy to build a strong base for flowers. Lush, vegetative growth is achieved in this stage with many LED systems providing heightened levels of blue wavelengths to encourage healthy lateral growth.
- Flowering Stage
In the flowering stage, cannabis plants need more red light (600-700 nm) to promote bud production and resin. Red light also encourages blooming and is super important for increasing the size and potency of the buds. You can get LED lights that allow you to increase red light in the flowering stage to mimic natural light changes that occur in late summer and fall when the plants start flowering.
In short, the best type of LED grow light will be able to produce a full spectrum of light similar to sunlight and can even switch between specific wavelengths as per your requirement. As a result, full-spectrum LED lights are advantageous since they can supply the ideal light required for cannabis plants throughout their life cycle.
Make sure your lights have ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) spectrums since they can increase trichomes and terpenes along with the cannabinoids. Also, UV light is what causes a plant to increase its natural defense mechanisms.
Most growers invest in LED lights due to their longevity. Unlike HPS or MH grow lights that need to be replaced after around 10,000 to 20,000 hours, you can get up to 50,000 hours or more out of LED grow lights. Some high-quality LED systems can work for 100,000 hours, depending on the manufacturer, where, and how you're using them. This longer life span has many benefits for cannabis growers.
As you can understand, although LEDs are expensive as a one-time investment compared to other types of lights initially, they save you money in the long run, thanks to their longevity. You don't have to replace bulbs nearly as much with LED lights as you would with HPS or MH. Bulb replacement isn't necessarily expensive; however, you will save a lot in electricity bills. Also, unlike other lights, LEDs don't contain any filaments, gas, lead, or mercury. This makes them safer and more reliable in the long run.
LED grow lights require very little maintenance. Old-fashioned lights require you to change the bulbs and maintain them, but that's not the case with LEDs. Compared to HPS lighting, LEDs require very little maintenance, saving you time and labor. Also, thanks to their slower degradation than traditional bulbs, LEDs deliver a constant and reliable output of light throughout their lifespan, providing a more stable growing environment.
These benefits make LED grow lights for cannabis an excellent investment if you want to take your game to the next level.
Disadvantages of Growing Cannabis with LED Grow Lights
Perhaps the biggest deterrent for many growers considering LED lighting is its high up-front costs. Compared to other lights like HPS or CFLs, LEDs are certainly more expensive, especially if you purchase a high-quality light. And, if you plan to grow multiple plants in a large grow room, the costs can go even higher as you'll need a powerful light, which means that it can be even more expensive.
Of course, the technology justifies the costs as you have a lot of advantages in using them. From the ability to customize the spectrum and use energy efficiently to greater product life longevity, LEDs are no doubt a great investment. However, using LEDs will make sense only for serious growers who are committed to growing a lot of plants. These are not good for those looking to experiment with just a few plants for some buds. Despite the fact that you might save some money, the up-front cost may outweigh those benefits for beginners who are looking to save money.
Another problem with LED lights is that they don't offer sufficient light penetration. Cannabis plants need high-intensity light that can penetrate into the lower branches to avoid popcorn buds. In this regard, HID lights are better as they are more intense and can penetrate further down into the plant canopy, ensuring uniform growth all the way from the top to bottom.
However, modern LEDs are pushing this barrier as well and seem to deliver light to the branches located at the bottom. Of course, such intense lights will be a little more expensive.
If you don't have the budget for expensive lights but still want to provide proper light to all parts of the plant, you can train your plants using techniques like LST and Screen of Green (ScrOG) to increase the canopy surface area and improve light distribution. Or, you can use supplemental lights and place them on the sides and the bottom of the plant to cover more area when you have a large grow room.
- Learning Curve for Beginners
Growers that previously used HID systems may find the transition a little challenging. LEDs affect plants differently, whether it's the light intensity or spectrum, so you may need to alter the feeding times or watering or move lights around to ensure the right amount of light.
For example, plants may need less water under LED than other types of lights due to low heat, but they may also require more nutrients at the same time. If you're new to using LEDs, you will have to gain some experience first by growing a few plants until you figure out how it all works.
- Limited Heat in Colder Environments
Although the low heat emitted by LEDs is an advantage, it's a slight disadvantage in cold environments. Most growers in cold environments use HID systems precisely for this reason as they help warm up the grow room.
If you live in a location that's very cold, you'll need additional equipment like heaters to raise the temperatures and bring them to ideal levels when using LEDs.
LED lights come with a lot of features. So much so that you may find it hard to customize them according to your plant's requirements in the beginning. For instance, if you purchase a light that offers adjustable spectrums and dimmable lights, you'll need to experiment with the plants to find that sweet spot. The same applies even to the distance between the lights and the plants as different LEDs recommend varying heights.
Agreed, all these features allow you to be a bit more flexible but it could be a steep learning curve that may need some time, especially if you're using highly advanced lighting systems.
The last few years have seen the market for LED grow lights explode, but not all of them were good. Many growers have fallen victim to buying low-cost LEDs that are cheaply made and do not work as intended or last long. Such budget LEDs in all likelihood do not have the ideal spectrum balance for cannabis cultivation or rapidly depreciate which obviously translates to erratic results and smaller harvests. Although this doesn't mean that all cheap lights are bad, you certainly need to do your research as there are too many lights in the market that don't work as advertised.
While HID lights have proper wattage and coverage recommendations, LED lighting configuration is a whole different animal. Everything, including the wattage, coverage area, and spectrum can vary. Even the cost can vary greatly. While it's possible to get a cheap 1000W for less than $100, it can also cost about $800-$1000, depending on the quality and manufacturer!
Due to a lack of strict standardization, it can be difficult for new growers who don't know what to expect. In addition, there's the problem of some manufacturers advertising the wattage in a misleading manner and this deception can make it harder for newbies to understand how it compares to other grow lights.
How to Get the Best LED Light Setup?
Picking the right LED light for your cannabis isn't as easy as walking into a store and grabbing one off the shelf. It's more like doing a mini-science project! Since there are no standard industry guidelines for LED grow lights, and they come in all shapes and sizes, you'll need to do a little homework.
But don't worry — we've got you covered with a quick guide to help you spot the best LED lights for your plants.
1. Light Spectrum
Your cannabis plants go through three major growth stages: seedling, vegetative, and bloom. Each stage is like a different mood, and it needs its own specific vibe aka light spectrum. Here's a breakdown of how each light spectrum affects your plants:
Ultraviolet (UV) Light
Think of UV light as a bit of tough love. It slows down plant growth but pushes oil production and photosynthesis, which can help boost those tasty cannabinoids.
Blue Light
Blue light keeps your plants from getting too tall and lanky, encouraging smaller leaves and more compact growth. Crucial for the vegetative stage, blue light aids in producing strong bushy growth and prevents plant stretching. This wavelength promotes the formation of strong stems and green leaves.
Green Light
This is the plant's secret weapon! It helps boost CO2 absorption, water intake, and stem growth, making your plant stronger.
Red Light
Red light cranks up photosynthesis and helps your plant switch to flowering mode faster. More red light means more buds.
Far-Red Light
This light encourages cell expansion and helps the plant grow taller and stronger.
To make sure your plant thrives, you'll want an LED light that offers a full spectrum. Better yet, pick one that lets you tweak the spectrum as your plant moves through its growth stages. This way, you can ensure your cannabis grows tall and dense with beautiful, bushy buds.
2. Light Intensity
Unlike traditional HID lights where the intensity is easy to estimate based on wattage, LED lights work a bit differently. Since LED lights are much more efficient, they generate far more light per watt.
This means that you can't rely on wattage alone to measure the intensity of LED lights. Instead, you'll need to focus on metrics like PAR, PPF, and PPFD to understand how much light your plants are actually receiving.
These measurements give you a clearer picture of how effectively the light supports photosynthesis and your plants' growth, making them essential tools to get the most out of your setup.
PAR
When it comes to light, cannabis plants thrive in a specific range, between 400 nm and 700 nm. This range is called Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), and it's the light spectrum your plant absorbs to produce energy.
It's important to remember that PAR is just a term that helps describe the type and amount of light your plant needs and is not a precise measurement on its own.
PPF
To really measure how much usable light your LED setup produces, you'll need to look at the Photosynthetic Photon Flux (PPF). PPF accurately measures the amount of PAR emitted by your light source each second, using micromoles per second (μmol/s).
In simpler terms, it tells you how many particles of light (photons) are being delivered to your plant every second.
Now, calculating PPF manually can be tricky since it involves quite a bit of math. Luckily, you can avoid the hassle by opting for a PPF meter, though these can be a bit pricey.
The easiest route is to buy LED lights from trusted manufacturers that list the PPF in the product description. Ideally, aim for LED lights with a PPF between 2,000 and 2,900 μmol/s for optimal results.
PPFD
The final piece of the puzzle is Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD). This measures how much of the PAR light actually reaches your plant's canopy, so it's a direct indicator of how much light your plants are getting. PPFD is measured in micromoles per square meter per second.
For the best results, you'll want to match your light's PPFD to your plant's growth stage. Here's a basic guide:
- Seedling stage: 100 to 300 μmol/m2/s
- Vegetative stage: 400 to 600 μmol/m2/s
- Flowering stage: 800 to 1,000 μmol/m2/s
These are general starting points, so you'll still need to tweak them based on your setup and plant strain. Also, remember, there's such a thing as too much light. After a certain point, more light won't benefit your plant and can even cause issues like nutrient or light burn. So, stick within the recommended ranges for the best results.
3. Grow Light Height
PPFD is key to understanding how efficient your grow light will be, but it won't help if the light is too close or too far from your plants. Too close, and you risk light burn; too far, and the plants won't get enough light.
Here, the best thing to do is stick to the manufacturer's recommendations as they know best. If you still feel like your plant is getting light deficiency or burns, you can adjust the light accordingly. But most times, the recommended distance works best.
A good rule of thumb: If the light feels warm on your hand, it's too close for your plants.
Comparing LEDs with Other Grow Lights
LEDs vs HID (High-Intensity Discharge)
HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lights have been a long-standing favorite for cannabis growers as they emit powerful light and have few limitations when lighting up wide grow areas. They produce a broad spectrum and although a lot of it is lost as heat, eventually leading to higher energy consumption, many growers love the simplicity of using HIDs.
LED lights are far more energy-efficient than HID lights. HIDs generate a lot of heat and waste much more energy, whereas LEDs convert a greater part of the energy into light. In the long run, this means that LED growers spend less on both electricity and cooling.
HIDs give off a lot of heat, which can make it challenging to control the environment of the grow room. The downside to HID lighting is the additional cooling required for cannabis plants including air conditioners and fans that add to your expense. LED lights are comparably much cooler and you may need just a few fans for proper air circulation.
Although HIDs produce a broad spectrum of light, they are commonly available in two types, including Metal Halides (MH) and High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) grow lights. While MH lights are better suited for the vegetative stage due to the spectrum they produce, HPS lights are better for flowering. In short, you'll have to use two types of light to grow cannabis from start to finish.
With LEDs however, you don't have to do anything such thing. Most LEDs are full spectrum and can be customized to produce a mix of spectrums like blue and red and can use one light for the entire growth cycle.
When compared with HID bulbs, LED lights last for a longer period. The best LED fixtures can easily last 50,000 hours or more compared to the typical life of HID bulbs of around 10K-20K. LEDs have replaced most types of lighting because they are low maintenance and need fewer replacements.
HPS lights are known to produce big yields during flowering. They are unbeatable in terms of quality as many growers report that the buds end up being more potent and tasty when they use HPS lights.
The LEDs of yesteryears could never match HPS lights, but many modern LEDs report that they can produce at least 1-1.8 grams of light per watt whereas a decent HPS light produces anywhere from 0.5 to 1 gram per watt.
LEDs and CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light)
CFL Grow Lights are used by small-scale or beginner growers because they are cheap and widely available. They are not as strong as LEDs and are generally perfect for small grow rooms.
LEDs offer more light intensity and are brighter. Thanks to all that intensity, the light will be able to penetrate deeper into the canopy than CFLs as well.
On the other hand, plants receiving CFL lights can grow a little slowly, especially when they are in the flowering stage as CFLs are not as powerful as LEDs.
CFL bulbs provide a wide spectrum of light, but it is not in tune with the specific requirements of cannabis plants. Growers using CFLS often have to change bulbs for the vegetative and flowering stages of growth because they emit light in only one spectrum. With LEDs, as you already know, you can use one light for the entire lifecycle, thanks to their full spectrum light.
LEDs typically consume less power than CFLs, making them the most energy-efficient lighting option of all. Although CFLs are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs (nobody uses them to grow cannabis) CFLs still generate some heat and waste energy.
LEDs last considerably longer than CFLs. CFL bulbs may last around 10,000 hours, while LED lights can be durable for at least 50,000 and even 100,000 hours. With LEDs, you'll be looking at fewer replacements, which will lower your maintenance costs.
In conclusion, LEDs have the upper hand on HIDs and CFLs in nearly every category with higher marks for energy consumption, heat output capacity, spectrum control, and longevity. Although they do cost more initially, LEDs are hugely effective for the modern cannabis cultivator with both maximized yields and an unmatched level of control over your growing environment.
How Much Do LED Grow Lights Cost?
Whether you're growing a single plant for personal use or managing a larger setup, it's crucial to consider the upfront cost. LED lights come in a wide price range, from around $100 to as much as $2,000 or more!
Depending on the quality, wattage and brand, the cost can change dramatically.
Basic LED Grow Lights
These are for beginners looking to start their journey in growing cannabis with this technology without breaking the bank. Typically, the wattage is low and is adequate for a small grow space.
Price Range: $50 - $200
Wattage: 100W - 300W
Coverage: 1-2 Square Feet
Features: Basic spectrum coverage (might not be full-spectrum), manual controls, limited intensity adjustment
Mid-range LED Grow Lights
Mid-range LED grow lights are more powerful and adaptable with superior spectrum control, high wattage, and advanced features. These are ideal for growers with a little bit of experience and have some space to grow plants.
Price Range: $200 - $600
Wattage: 300W - 600W
Coverage: 2-4 square feet
Features: Full spectrum light, dimmable controls, superior cooling systems, and sometimes come with programmable timers.
These are great for those looking for more yields but don't have the budget to invest in very expensive sophisticated systems as they strike the right balance between performance and cost.
High-end LED Grow Lights
For those who don't have a problem spending a lot of money, high-end LEDs are the way to go. They are the most powerful and offer bright, intense light — perfect for plants in both the vegetative and flowering stages. Often available with smartphone integration, automated controls, and timers, these are great even for commercial operators as their main focus is on quality. Finally, they are durable and last a long time.
Price Range: $600 - $2,000+
Wattage: 600W - 1000W or more
Coverage Area: 4+ square feet
Features: Full spectrum control, variable power intensity, deep light penetration, superior cooling systems, and smartphone integration.
To figure out your investment, consider these factors:
- How many plants do you want to grow?
- Your pocket size (budget)
- Your budget for electricity bills
- How many lights you'll need
- Return on investment (ROI)
Once you've thought through these aspects, you can make a well-informed decision on which LED light to buy. If you're a commercial grower, it's worth investing in a high-end light system, while home gardeners may find mid-range LEDs ideal.
Summary: Are LED Grow Lights Worth the Investment for Cannabis Cultivation?
Switching to LED grow lights is more than just an upgrade — it's a game-changer for cannabis cultivation. They provide a full spectrum of light, save on energy costs, and last up to 100,000 hours — these are impressive benefits for both hobbyists and commercial growers.
By understanding key factors like light spectrum, intensity, and cost, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your growing needs. So, whether you're starting small or scaling up, LED lights could be the secret ingredient to your grow room's success. Why not start growing today?!
