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For both large and small indoor growers, the right marijuana grow lights and setup can determine a project's yield, expense, and profit potential. In order to produce the highest quality product with the efficiency needed to ensure sustainable profit margins, it is important to understand the pros and cons of different light sources.

This article will break down light-emitting diode (LED) grow lights for marijuana, detailing the pros and cons of LED lighting and comparing it to other light sources and how it can be used in an indoor facility for efficient, sustainable, high-quality product that is ultimately profitable.

Marijuana Grow Lights

Different light technologies can emit different types of light for your marijuana plants, and while older marijuana grow lights may have prioritized flower quality and yield, today's marijuana lights are more about energy efficiency and sustainability, especially as the larger industry continues to prioritize these aspects of being eco- and cost-friendly.

UV lighting for plants has proven to be very beneficial for trichome production and increased yields, and many indoor facilities use a combination of UV and LED lights for optimal results. However, there are a number of other reasons why more growers are turning to LED lighting, largely based on the shortcomings of other lighting mediums historically used in cannabis cultivation.

HID Lights

HID lights come in two versions: metal halide (MH) or high-pressure sodium (HPS.) MH lights emit a cooler blue light, while HPS lights emit a red color. Due to the differences here, MH lights are typically used during the growing period of cultivating marijuana, while HPS lights are best suited for use during the flowering period.

HID lights tend to have a lower initial cost than high-end LED grow lights, and they're usually easy to set up, which is great if you're a beginner or getting a new facility up and running quickly. However, this type of bulb degrades over time and also emits incandescent light - that is, bulbs that emit intense heat.

Incandescent bulbs run the risk of burning plants, which is very harmful to your marijuana grow. When heat is a factor in your grow room, you need to be more aware of the distance between your plants and incandescent bulbs, making regular adjustments to keep your plants at the optimal distance for temperature and humidity.

Fluorescent Lighting

Fluorescent lights are typically used in smaller grow rooms because they tend to be more affordable. Full-spectrum starter lights are also attractive because they don't require any special equipment to set up, making implementation relatively quick and easy.

This type of UV is widely available for purchase, comes in different wattages and color temperatures, and does not consume a lot of energy. However, they have the limitation of low UV lighting output and are therefore only suitable for growing about one or two plants at a time.

Fluorescent lamps are not suitable for the flowering stage as they have a very low output and they tend to have a shorter life than other types of lamps, which can make them more costly when used multiple times in a large commercial setting.

Disadvantages of LED lights

There are some drawbacks to installing LED lights in your grow room, and these are important aspects to consider if you want to switch to LED bulbs. Here are some of the main disadvantages of LED lights for indoor marijuana cultivation:

High initial cost

One of the most well-known disadvantages of LEDs is the price tag. Choosing the highest quality LED lights can really hurt your wallet, so the initial cost of adoption can be out of reach for small grow operations or those just starting out as cultivators.

Temperature Sensitivity.

LED grow lights are very sensitive to high temperatures, which can ultimately affect the quality of light they provide to growing plants. To avoid this, you may have to invest in an upgraded fan system to keep your lights at a cool, even temperature - unfortunately, this will add to the already relatively high initial installation cost of implementing a light system that includes LEDs.

Benefits of LED Lights

From sustainability to healthier plants, here are some of the main reasons cultivators choose LED bulbs in their grow rooms:

Faster harvest cycles
LED lights can be used for up to 24 hours a day, which can ultimately shorten the season and increase plant growth. These lights help growers achieve multiple harvests in one season, resulting in potentially higher yields over a longer period of time.

Longer life span
LED grow lights can last up to 50,000 hours as they operate at relatively low temperatures compared to other light sources. While their upfront cost may be high, it's worth it for the long lifespan you'll enjoy so that you don't have to repurchase and reinstall these lights as often as you would with other lighting products.

Energy Savings
In general, LED lights will use about 60% less energy than other traditional lighting solutions, while still providing the same level of light. They emit less heat overall and provide more usable light than other systems used to grow cannabis plants. If energy costs are a concern, the long-term benefits of LEDs may make up for their higher initial price.

Full spectrum light
High-quality LED lights will provide a full spectrum of light, which means they will provide your plants with all the light they need to grow - no more, no less. Most LED lights can also adjust their wavelengths according to the stage of the growth cycle that your plants are in, allowing for more optimized growth than if they were grown outdoors in the sun.

For many seasoned commercial cultivators, dialing in the perfect light for each cultivar is the difference between a very good flower and one that dazzles the judges and demands customer loyalty.

Healthier plants
While LED lights do emit UV light, they don't emit nearly the same amount as other light sources, and too much UV can cause problems for almost any living organism in the sun. With less UV exposure, plants grown with LED lights tend to be healthier and have less risk of leaf burn, nutrient loss, or nutrient lockout due to damage to the fan leaves, which may require pruning to minimize damage to the rest of the plant.