forced hyacinths 230x173
forced hyacinths 230x173
(Image credit: nikkytok)

Sometime in the past, people would grow their crops in their own gardens, where natural sunlight could help them grow into the beautiful, tasty fruits and veggies that we all so love. Sadly, however, there are more apartment buildings on this planet than there are houses now. Not all of us have the benefit of farmlands, and we have to make do with what we have. And if this means sticking our crops into a corner of our apartment, then so be it. Still, most plants need sunlight to grow - which is rather difficult, considering that you live in an apartment. This is where indoor grow lights for indoor plants come in. There are several different types that you could choose from, including plasma, fluorescent, HID (High-Intensity Discharge), and LED. Out of all the above-mentioned types, LED is worthy of your attention, and here's why:

  1. Quicker Harvest Cycle

Plants only know one thing: they need sunlight to grow. If they had the sun for the entire day, they would probably keep growing. Unfortunately for them, however, the sun sets at some point - which means that for a good couple of hours, they also stop growing. With LED lights, however, the "sun" will not be setting - and the plants won't even know it. They will only know that they have the light necessary to grow, and they will keep growing in their lit grow room even when it's pitch dark outside.

  1. A Longer Lifespan

One of the reasons why LED lights are increasing more in popularity is that they have a longer lifespan than the average light bulb.  Because they have lower operating temperatures, a LED grow light system can run for as long as 50,000 hours - which is way more than the traditional lighting system. Plus, thanks to this, you will no longer have to replace the light bulbs so often. Not only will you be able to save money on new sets, but you'll be able to grow crops for years - without the hassle of maintenance.

  1. Saving Energy

Most of our electricity bill is caused by heat emission and the "burn" needed to produce the light. However, considering that LED grow lights do not actually burn anything in order to produce the lights, it can greatly lower our electricity bill. You get the same amount of light and save money while you are at it as well.

  1. Healthy Plants

When you use traditional lights on plants, the burning effect will bounce off the plant, causing it to dry up if the temperature is not up to its liking. Everything that emits harmful UV lights can cause damage to the plants, causing them to need a lot more energy and water to survive. LED grow lights, on the other hand, are not as harsh on the plant. Considering that the energy is deeply limited, the plant will not feel as if it is overworking itself. This way, you will also save money on energy and water, simply because LED lights won't be as harsh on the plant as traditional lights.

  1. Environmentally Friendly

While in the past we did not care much about environmentally-friendly objects, now everyone is starting to see their use. In a time where the air around us becomes more and more difficult to breathe, we begin to realize that further burning the air and creating waste will only make things worse. LED grow lights, however, can be fully recycled, making them an eco-friendly alternative to HID lights. Those lights contain fairly high amounts of mercury, which can be very harsh on the environment - especially when it's burned. LED grow lights, on the other hand, do not contain these harmful substances, which means the air around you and your lights will not be compromised. You'll be saving yourself and saving the environment, all in one shot. Final Thoughts LED grow lights might have taken some time until they gained popularity - but people eventually started to appreciate their use. They are not as harsh on the environment, they are less harsh on the energy bill - and they also offer your indoor plants all the light they need to grow up healthy. Granted, the best LED grow lights for indoor plants can be slightly more expensive than traditional lighting systems - but in the long run, they are also more durable. It's definitely a purchase worth making.