Generally speaking, an indoor gardening operation such as a sealed grow room, a vertical garden, or even a greenhouse will need supplemental lighting to ensure proper growing conditions for the crops in question. For many growers, it can be overwhelming when selecting the type of grow light. There are many choices available as well as new technologies to explore – like LED or plasma lighting. Yet, there is one type of grow light that is still the most commonly used in indoor gardens: the
A metal halide HID lamp for indoor gardening.
Metal halide lighting emits a wider light spectrum. This includes more blue and violet light rays. Generally this is for a vegetative state of the growth cycle. If you’re growing foliage-producing plants then the spectrum emitted by metal halide is adequate.
High-pressure sodium lighting emits red and orange spectrum lighting. This spectrum of lighting is used during the flowering or blooming stage of a plant’s growth cycle. High-pressure sodium bulbs are also thought of to be more energy efficient and longer-lasting as compared to metal halide.
In many indoor garden operations that produce fruits, vegetables and flowers, a combination of metal halide and high-pressure sodium bulbs are used. This combination provides a well-rounded level of both red and blue spectrum lighting, and will generally produce healthier plants.
