Can You Use a Sad Light to Grow Plants?


grow light vs sad light

You may have heard that you should use an indirect grow light, like fluorescent lighting, to grow your plants indoors. Indirect lights do help you control your environment, which makes it easier to grow your plants and maintain ideal levels of water, light, temperature, and nutrients. But can you use a sad light to grow plants? 

Well, no, not exactly, but there are ways around that too! Let’s take a look at how you can use indirect grow lights to your advantage while still helping your plant life thrive.

Table of Contents

How does it work?

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Can a sad light be used as a grow light? The short answer is yes, but there are some things you should know before using one. 

For starters, plants need light to grow, but they don’t necessarily need sunlight. In fact, some plants actually prefer lower-light conditions. This is where a sad light comes in. A sad light is basically a low-light grow light that can be used to help plants grow. 

It’s different from other grow lights because it uses fluorescent bulbs and usually emits less heat than other lights. 

If you’re looking for a happy light for your succulents or houseplants, then it may be more difficult to find the right kind of bulb that won’t cause too much heat buildup. That being said, it’s possible to use a sad light on succulents as long as they have access to air circulation.

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How to get started

Can a sad light be used as a grow light? 

The short answer is no. 

If you want to use a sad light to grow plants, you’ll need to get started by finding the right type of light and then making sure that your plants have enough water and sunlight. 

If you’re not too worried about how many hours of sunshine your plant receives each day, we recommend using a happy light for plants. A happy light might help your plant photosynthesize more quickly, so it’s important to monitor the amount of humidity in your home or garden. 

If you don’t mind how much time your plant spends outdoors during the day, go ahead and try using a sad light for succulents. But if you’re hoping to nurture an indoor flower garden with your favorite blooms, there are other types of lights that can work better. 

In particular, a happy light for plants might be perfect for your needs. These lamps emit blue and red wavelengths that can encourage healthy growth rates, so you won’t have to worry about watering them all the time. 

All-day light is key for these types of lamps, so make sure to place them where they’ll receive ample amounts of natural daylight from nearby windows. They also offer LED versions for those who live in less sunny climates, which makes them a great option for urban dwellers who want to get their green thumb on.

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What kind of light do I need?

If you want to grow plants indoors, you need to give them the right kind of light. But what kind of light do plants need? 

Here’s what you need to know.

Plants require light for photosynthesis, which is how they make their food. The light must be bright enough for the plant to produce food, but not so bright that it harms the plant. 

Different kinds of plants require different amounts and types of light. 

For example, spinach requires less light than orchids because orchids have tougher leaves that are better at blocking out excess light. Be sure to choose a type of bulb that works with your space and purpose! You’ll also want to consider the temperature of the room, warmer temperatures will require more light. 

There are lots of options when it comes to selecting bulbs, find one that fits your needs! 

However, some sources say that if you get creative, there are ways to achieve plant growth using just a sad lightbulb. One idea would be placing an LED which gives off full spectrum, in front of a normal incandescent lamp.

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Where do I get one, and how much does it cost?

Many people don’t know that you can use a sad light to grow plants. 

A sad light is simply a light that emits blue and white light, which has been shown to be beneficial for plant growth. If you’re interested in using a sad light to grow plants, the first step is to purchase one. 

They typically cost between $100 and $200. Once you have your light, set it up in an area where your plants will get plenty of direct sunlight. 

The more natural sunlight they receive, the better. Place your sad light on a stand so that it’s at least 18 inches above the tallest plant in your garden. 

The next thing you need to do is ensure that all other lights are off during the day, so they don’t interfere with how much sunlight your plants are getting. Remember to turn on all other lights at night, so they won’t wither away from lack of light exposure.

What are the best plants for indoor growing under a sad lamp?

If you’re looking for plants that will thrive under your sad light, consider these options. 

The snake plant is one of the most popular options for indoor growers, as it is very tolerant of low light conditions. 

Spider plants are also a good choice, as they are easy to care for and can tolerate low light levels. Other options include ferns, bamboo, and philodendrons. 

For cacti and succulents, try coleus varieties like ‘Fire King’, ‘Blushing Star’, or ‘Copper Curls’. When selecting plants for your home office space, you might want to think about whether any of them require artificial lighting during daylight hours. Office work does not always happen in darkness! 

Indoor plants with lower light requirements can help create a more productive workspace environment. Here are some examples, spider plants, ferns, bamboo, and philodendrons. 

Cacti and succulents might do well with coleus varieties like ‘Fire King’, ‘Blushing Star’, or ‘Copper Curls’. These plants require little to no extra light and do well under sad lamps. 

In an office setting, select low-light requiring plants to avoid wasting electricity on bright lights at day time.

The do’s and don’ts of growing under a SAD lamp

If you’re considering using a sad light to help your plants grow, there are a few things you should know. 

First, make sure the lamp is placed close enough to the plants so that they can benefit from the light. 

Second, don’t forget to water your plants! 

Third, give them some extra tender loving care by talking to them and giving them some love. 

Fourth, be patient! It takes time for plants to grow. 

Finally, don’t give up! If your first attempt doesn’t work out, try again. Planting them in soil and using a sad light will give them more access to nutrients, oxygen, and moisture. With a little patience, they’ll start growing just like they were always meant to.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can daylight bulbs be used as grow lights?

No, you can’t use these bulbs as grow lights. Daylight bulbs are designed for many uses, but they’re not compatible with HID grow lights. If you wanted to light your plants and also bask in light that looked like sunlight or daylight (for energy-efficient illumination or something else), you would need two separate types of lights. Those are fluorescent grow lights for your plants and standard incandescent or CFLs for everything else.

Can plants grow under normal LED lights?

If you want your plants to flourish under LED lights, you’ll need full-spectrum lights. Full-spectrum lighting is similar to natural sunlight, it includes blue and red light in proportions that replicate daylight and is typically available in fluorescent grow lights, high-intensity discharge (HID) grow lights or LEDs.

Do grow lights have to be purple?

No, they don’t. Some grow lights emit light in colors that fall outside our visible spectrum; some may even be red or white. How effective these light colors are at helping plants grow will depend on the type of light bulb you use, as well as its intensity and distance from your plants.

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Wrapping things up

In conclusion, can you use a sad light to grow plants? The answer is yes! While it may not be the most ideal situation, if you have access to a sad light and are looking to grow plants, it can be done. 

Just be sure to give your plants plenty of water and attention, and they should thrive. It’s best to avoid using a sad light for long periods of time, as the quality will decrease significantly. Additionally, try to find ways to upgrade or replace your current system so that you can provide better care for your plants.

Happy gardening!

Cathryn Thompson

Hi, I am Cathryn Thompson. I am a full-time blogger. I ditched my 9-5 job many years back to explore life a bit more. In this blog, I like writing about everything that can save us from the monotony of regular life and live our life to the fullest.

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