Need help on deciding on the best grow lights for succulents to buy? We share what to look for in a grow light as well as our editor’s picks.
Succulents and cacti make very popular indoor decorations. However, as sun-loving plants, the ideal location of your succulent for decoration may not always be the ideal spot for its growth and health. The good news is that it is possible for you to grow your succulents in darker spots of your home or office with the help of a suitable grow light—a specialised lamp that imitates natural sunlight.
What wavelength of light is best for succulents?
Succulents growing outdoors are exposed to a balance of colors, or wavelengths, of light from the sun. There are different wavelengths of light and plants react to each of them in different ways. In settings where they receive little to no natural light, having a grow light for cactus plants is ideal for maintaining adequate plant growth. Although this light appears white to the human eye, it utilises certain wavelengths that help provide rays of light succulents need to thrive fully.
Grow lights that combine blue and red wavelengths of the light spectrum are vital as an important energy source. Blue light is the most useful in boosting plant and leaf growth indoors, while red light encourages flowering. Full-spectrum grow lights also make the best grow lights for succulents as they mimic natural sunlight by providing the full range of colors.
How much light do succulents require?
When succulents are outside, they thrive in high-intensity sunlight. Therefore, the best grow lights for succulents are similarly high in intensity. An ideal grow light should have a light output of at least 300–800 lumens per square foot, color temperature between 4000K–7000K (preferably 6500K), and ideally full spectrum light if possible. As a rule of thumb, the more lumens a grow light has, the brighter light it will produce. Note that higher intensity lights consume higher wattage.
Plants should be as close to the grow light as possible to get the most benefit from it. Placing the light too far away reduces the light intensity and yields less benefit. A distance of one foot is ideal for most succulents if you’re using a fluorescent grow light, while the best distance for LED grow lights is between 1.5 and two feet. This distance also varies depending on the light wattage and plant growth stage.
Ideally, you keep the grow light on for succulents for 12–14 hours and off for the next 10–12 hours. Since higher intensities are best for succulent growth and flowering, two to four light fixtures (i.e. at least duo head) are recommended in a grow light for cactus plants.
Signs that your succulent isn’t getting enough light
If your succulents aren’t receiving enough light, you may see its growth center beginning to twist and turn towards the nearest natural light source. As the plant continues to grow, it may become much more elongated than usual, or develop leaves that are smaller than normal, pale green stems and foliage, or yellow and drooping leaves. You may also see its vibrant colors begin to dull and fade.
Disease is also more prevalent in succulents growing in low-light conditions. Areas with little light generally have poorer air circulation, and the lack of these two elements leads to soil staying wet longer, which makes the plant susceptible to disease.
Our recommendations for the best grow lights for succulents
We recommend using an LED grow light for your cactus plants. Unlike traditional lighting systems such as incandescent and fluorescent lamps, they are a more energy-efficient option, don’t have a harmful heat output that damages plants, ideal for confined spaces and more cost-effective in the long term.
Here are our top three recommendations on the best grow lights for succulents:
Ankace Grow Light
With dual-head lights in five dimmable modes, this LED grow light offers targeted 12 blue and 24 red wavelengths to aid in your succulents’ growth. It comes with three timer setting options and automatically turns on and off daily. It also has a USB connector that comes fully adjustable and rotatable to provide light in any direction.
Juhefa LED Grow Light for Indoor Plant
This grow light is equipped with two heads that are flexible to adjust, fully rotatable and can be clamped onto a surface. It utilises 44 LEDs (12 red, 12 blue and 20 warm white) providing full-spectrum plant light, and each separate color turns on and off automatically every day according to your timer settings.
VOGEK LED Plant Grow Light
Offering 132 LED beads at 66W, this full-spectrum grow light comes with three powerful lamps with a large brightness area, 360-degree rotation and bendable goosenecks for accurate positioning, an aluminium shell for optimum heat radiation, and auto timing function to 3, 6 and 12 hours as needed by your succulents.
Succulents need sufficient amounts of natural sunlight to maintain their vibrant color and compact shape. Where this isn’t an option for your indoor garden, grow lights are key for growing your succulents inside.
The best grow lights for succulents emulate sunlight, ensuring your plants get the wavelengths of light they need to thrive, grow and bloom. Give your indoor garden the light it needs with the right grow light.
