Hydroponic Grow Lights: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Fluorescent and CFL Lamps
Hydroponic grow light or plant light is an artificial light source, usually an electric light that is designed to stimulate the plant growth by emitting an electromagnetic spectrum that is most likely appropriate for photosynthesis.
Available in different varieties, different colors and different brands, these grow lights for indoor plants are an absolute requirement since they speed up the process of plant growth to some extent.
Among the many varieties of grow lights available, the one that’s specifically chosen by most people doing hydroponic gardening is fluorescent and CFL bulbs and here in this blog are the advantages and disadvantages of using the same.
Advantages –
Cool running and can be used very close to leafy structures.
Great for filling in shadowy parts of the plant with more light, or can be used as side lighting.
Used outdoors and in the greenhouse as under lighting to accelerate growth and or for extending lit hours.
Low heat produced & electricity used for small plants or clones.
Can be used outdoors and in the greenhouse as under lighting to accelerate growth and or for extending lit hours.
Perfect choice for seedlings, clones, and small vegetating plants.
Can be used as side lighting and supplementing HID to extend the day with the use of less energy.
Disadvantages –
If used in the greenhouse or outdoors they must be waterproof, which increases the initial cost.
Tend to not be energetic enough for flowering.
Plants generally can be grown only to about 1' in height, 2' with T-5 lamps.
While all the grow lights for hydroponics are some way or the other responsible for stimulating plant growth, the use of CFL bulbs is one of the most common. CFL bulbs are available online and offline so you may choose the one that best suits your budget and requirements.
You can also fluorescent and CFL bulbs online from Hyjo by logging on to