Adding supplemental lighting for houseplants

3 years ago

It has taken me a long time to realize my house is not ideal for houseplants! My front and back windows are large, but my front window is facing northeast and my back window is facing southwest. So the front window gets no sun (bushes block out the minimal sunlight) and the back window gets strong sun in the afternoon---but only until my very large trees leaf out in the spring!

I've come to the conclusion that even though my back window gets sun, it just isn't enough for sun loving plants and too much sun for plants needing bright light only. I have now put up a temporary sheer on the sun window to block the hot sun.

I want my plants to look better and healthy and want to add supplemental lighting!

My husband purchased this floor lamp for me to add supplemental lighting for my plants. The "arms" move left and right, not up and down. They only hold 5w LED lights. Is this enough?

I would love to hear suggestions on how to add lighting to my plants---so they will be happy---and so will I!

Featured Answer

iochroma

3 years ago

In a word, No.

Check out the book 'Gardening Under Lights' by Halleck.

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Comments (7)

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
3 years ago
This depends on the plants in question. What do you have? Are you keeping them inside all year?
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada thanked Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
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newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
Original Author
3 years ago
What do I have? I have a mixture of things: sansevieria, haworthia, phalaenopsis orchids, dracaena, calathea, pothos etc. I generally don't bring plants outside except for a few succulents and my cymbidium orchid.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
no link nor pic of the light you have ...

you said: it just isn't enough for sun loving plants

==>> most house plants .... if not all .. are very tolerant of low light levels.. that is why.. by definition.. they can live in a house ...

im suspecting you are growing things that stretch the definition of HOUSE plant ... and having trouble

and i presume.. before the shears ... the windows arent cold in winter.. in canada???

cold will slow down growth faster than lack of light.. they dont go dormant.. but they just go into slo motion.. especially if your furnace kicks down at night.. into the 60s.. or whatever the C equivalent is ... my house is set to go down to 66 .. aka.. 18.88888 .. that is tropical houseplant temps ...eh???

there are many variables beyond simply light levels.. ponder them all..

ken
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
lucillle
3 years ago
I have some houseplants and also African violets and streptocarpus. For the houseplants I use the clip on LEDs with 5 flexible arms For the African violets and streptocarpus I use 4 foot led lights and they are on shelves. That is definitely not a decorator look, but the African violets and Streptocarpus are blooming and very happy. Except for a few times a year, low temps near the windows from freezing temps outside are not a problem. Also potting mix is a huge variable, the mix I make has at least 50% perlite.
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada thanked lucillle
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
Original Author
3 years ago
I have not written as my computer decided not to turn on. So I am now "borrowing" a computer that just isn't the same, I did take pictures so you could get an idea of my set up, windows and lighting, but I can't post them now. Hopefully my computer will be repaired this week and I will come back to comment further on this post!
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
3 years ago
I think Haworthia and orchids are the only ones that would need supplemental lighting. Maybe the room is darker than I think...?

Good luck with your computer issues!
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada thanked Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL