The answer is "no", plants can survive under regular LED lights, but they will only grow well under LED grow lights. The difference between a standard LED light and LED grow lights is that grow lights are designed to provide Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) which the plant uses for photosynthesis. Plants need a light spectrum of 400-700nm for photosynthesis to happen. This is done with a combination of blue light and red light. Hence, the regular white LEDs have little effect on a plant`s growth rate.
What exactly are LED Lights?
- LED is a shortened term for Light Emitting Diode. With this technology, light is created through electro-luminescence.
- The two distinct advantages they have for houseplants are lower energy consumption and less heat output.
- LED alternatives lose energy to heat. When this type of light source is too close to plants, it can burn the leaves.
- LEDs are always cool-the-the-touch so that they can be as close as 6 inches without increasing temperatures.
