Is Succulent Grow Light Needed: Types & Buying Guides

Succulents, known for their water-storing properties and unique appearance, require proper lighting for optimal growth. While outdoor succulents benefit from natural sunlight, indoor cultivation presents challenges such as limited light and obstructions. This is where the succulent grow light comes in. These artificial light sources provide the necessary growth light spectrum, intensity, and duration to supplement or replace the natural light, enabling succulent enthusiasts to create ideal growing conditions regardless of location or season. 

In this guide, we will explore different types of succulent grow lights, the best grow lights for succulents, hands-on buying guides, and the best practice when applying the succulent grow light. Let’s move forward. 

Do Succulents Need Grow Light

It depends on whether the light is adequate or not. Succulents are naturally adapted to thrive in regions with abundant sunlight. They typically require bright, direct light for at least 6 hours a day to support healthy growth. However, for Indoor succulent cultivation, challenges occur due to the limited availability and intensity of natural light. As a result, insufficient light can lead to weak and stretched growth.

To ensure optimal growth of succulents, supplementing natural light with artificial grow lights becomes necessary for indoor succulent growing. Grow lights for succulents are designed to provide the specific light spectrum and intensity that succulents need for photosynthesis and overall development. These artificial lights help compensate for the lack of natural sunlight and create an environment conducive to healthy succulent growth.

Types of Succulent Grow Lights & Recommendations 

There’s more than one type of grow light in the market, fluorescent grow lights, LED grow lights, and HID lights. However, in terms of the succulent grow light, the first two grow lights are better fits. To make it less confusing for you, we’ll give a detailed review of each type of succulent grow light with the pros and cons of each type. 

Grow Lights for Succulents: Fluorescent Grow Lights 

Fluorescent grow lights have been widely used for indoor plant cultivation, and it sure works for succulents. They are affordable, energy-efficient, and available in various types such as the commonly known T5 and T8 grow light bulbs. 

Pros: 

• Affordable for most indoor growers and widely available.
• Emit a broad spectrum of light suitable particularly for the vegetative stage.
• Easy to install and works just fine for small-scale succulent cultivation.

Cons:

• May not provide sufficient intensity for the flowering and fruiting stages.
• Bulbs with a limited lifespan may need to be replaced periodically, which is not very sustainable-friendly.
• Less customizable spectrum compared to LED lights.

Best Grow Lights for Succulents: LED Grow Lights

LED (Light Emitting Diode) grow lights have gained popularity among succulent enthusiasts due to their energy efficiency, customizable spectrum, and long lifespan. LED grow lights can be tailored to emit specific light wavelengths that promote optimal succulent growth, including a balanced combination of red and blue light.

Pros: 

• Customizable spectrum, allowing you to tailor the light to specific growth stages.
• Longer lifespan and durability make LEDs energy-efficient and cost-effective in the long run.
• Generate minimal heat, making LED grow lights safe to use in close proximity to plants. 
• Available in various wattages, sizes, and shapes, suitable for different setups for your succulents.

Cons:

• The initial investment may be higher compared to fluorescent lights.
• Selecting the right spectrum and intensity can be a problem for starters.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Succulent Grow Light

It’s important to pick a succulent grow light that actually works for your plants. How to do that? Read our buying guide on the best grow light for succulents and you’ll know. 

Light Spectrum

When talking about the grow light spectrum, we bet you’ve heard terms such as red light and blue light. Red light contributes to flowering and fruiting, while blue light thrives vegetative growth. Plus, invisible growth light such as UVB and IR are also beneficial for succulent growing. Therefore, a full-spectrum grow light that covers all needed light spectrum is definitely what you need. 

Light Intensity

Succulents thrive in bright light conditions. Consider the light intensity output of the grow light, typically measured in PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) or PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density).

Heat Output

Succulents are sensitive to excessive heat, so selecting a grow light that generates minimal heat is quite important. LED grow lights are known for their low heat output compared to other types of lights, reducing the risk of heat damage to your succulents. Ensure proper ventilation and airflow to maintain an ideal temperature and humidity around your plants.

Size and Coverage

Evaluate the size of your growing space and the coverage area provided by the grow light. Ensure the light can adequately cover your succulent plants without leaving any dark spots. Consider how far should grow light be from seedlings and adjustability options to accommodate different plant heights as they grow.

By considering these factors and finding the right balance for your specific needs, you can select a suitable grow light that provides optimal lighting conditions for your succulent plants, promoting healthy growth, vibrant colors, and overall satisfying yields in indoor planting.

Summary of Succulent Grow Light

Is succulent grow light necessary? The grow light is not a must-have item for succulents that benefit from abundant and bright sunlight, however, it can boost and even save your succulents when light becomes scarce, particularly during the winter. If that’s what you are faced with,  getting grow lights for succulents can only do you good. 

FAQs about Succulent Grow Light

• Do succulents like grow lights?

Yes, succulents can benefit from grow lights, particularly when grown indoors or in areas with limited access to natural sunlight. At this time, succulent grow light works as a supplement or replacement for natural light. By mimicking natural sunlight conditions, grow lights help promote healthy growth and maintain the overall health of succulents.

• Do LED grow lights work for succulents?

Yes, LED grow lights work effectively for succulents. They provide the necessary light spectrum for succulent growth, including red and blue wavelengths. 

• Can I leave my grow light on 24-hour succulents?

No, it is not recommended to leave your grow light on for 24 hours for succulents. Doing so will disrupt the natural biological processes of succulents and lead to stress and nutrient imbalances. A regular light cycle of around 12 to 16 hours per day would be good to go. 

• What lighting is best for succulents?

The best lighting for succulents is bright, indirect light. If natural light is limited, LED grow lights are a suitable choice. By offering a combination of essential red and blue light, LED grow lights are ideal for thriving succulents.