Can fluorescent light bulbs be an extra light source?

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kapr Foreston, MN Nov 30, 2008

I have some houseplants that are growing with minimal light, and I heard that fluorescent light bulbs can be used as an extra source of lighting for plants. Does anyone know if this is true?

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Nov 30, 2008

Yes, they can be used to provide additional light, but if you're growing plants that have low light requirements and are happy in the current conditions then you don't necessarily need them. But if you want to expand the range of plants you can grow to things that require more light then they could help you. The only catch with them is in order to really provide a benefit they need to be fairly close to the plants, otherwise they don't do much good.

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lbrabec (Lynn) Omaha, NE(Zone 5a) Dec 03, 2008

I agree with ecrane3.The only way you can grow plants with high light requirements,besides having the light source close,is to have multiple bulbs,on a timer that provides many hours of light,mimicking summer conditions,unless the plant requires a winter dormancy period.
A lot of plants will do fine in a well lit window,but be sure to cut down on water and do not feed them if they are not showing a lot of active growth.
In a cold climate,like yours,there is also a lack of humidity during the winter months.

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Nan SW, WI(Zone 4b) Dec 03, 2008

Many of my plants get through the winter with CFL bulbs....way too many to place in the windowsills.

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lbrabec (Lynn) Omaha, NE(Zone 5a) Dec 04, 2008

I keep annuals I overwinter,cacti and succulents,begonias and several other plants under 48'' shoplites in my basement.I do not water the cactus.Everything else does fine,even though my room is unheated.

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amalie63 Duncan, OK(Zone 7a) Dec 05, 2008

What is CFL Bulbs?
Thanks
Amalie63

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Nan SW, WI(Zone 4b) Dec 05, 2008

Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs...those 'twirly' (for lack of a better word) ones that replace a regular light bulb.

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amalie63 Duncan, OK(Zone 7a) Dec 08, 2008

Ah ok, so they also can be used... didn't know that.
Thanks for the explanation Nan.

Amalie

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kapr Foreston, MN Dec 08, 2008

Ok, thanks!

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Nan SW, WI(Zone 4b) Dec 08, 2008

I didn't know it either until a few years back when someone mentioned that they were using them, after someone else (lol) said that virtually *any* fluorescent light would work to at least help your plants through the winter.

I happened to have an extra lamp that had sockets for 3 light bulbs, so put CFL's in them and put the lamp by a tiered plant stand that was in a rather 'dark' area of my house.
There's no where near enough natural light in my house for all of my plants, so this has worked out really well for me.

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