Using LEDs to grow plants

Light Emitting Diodes are a good source of energy for plants that are being grown indoors, underground, in space, or other places where sunlight is not available.

• High energy efficiency
• Long lifespan
• Low heat output
• Choice of wavelength
• Choice of the angle at which the light hits the plants

• Use the right wavelength during each cycle of plant life. Many plants need a lot of red light when they are young. Blue LEDs may encourage a plant to flower.
• Don't leave the lights on all of the time.
• Don't use just one LED. Be sure that the plants get enough light.
• Water the plants regularly and make sure that they are in the proper type of soil.
• Put plants that can have a symbiotic relationship near each other in the same container.
• Put the plants on a slow moving motor driven support to simulate the movement of the sun.

• Varying the amount of time that the LEDs are on between experimental and control groups.
• Varying the wavelength used between experimental and control groups.
• Determining what plants respond best to light from LEDs.