833.938.1700

Grow Lights and Greenhouses

Greenhouses – where the Sun and grow lights can work together

Light is the essential ingredient for photosynthesis, which plants rely on to produce food. The utilization of glass or other transparent materials to provide light for a year-round plant growth environment was first recorded during the Roman empire when emperor Tiberius required his daily cucumber. The evolution of the greenhouse has resulted in the high-tech, commercial-scale growing operations we see today. But for all the wonderful attributes of the Sun and the natural light it provides – artificial light is often required to maximize the productivity of today's greenhouses.

Greenhouses located in northern climates may have limited sun exposure for many months. The location of the greenhouse or the configuration of the plants may also result in dark spots from shadows. Grow lights are the best option to replace required sunlight.

Recognizing the various cultivated plants' nutritional requirements and growth stages will help determine if supplemental grow lights are needed. Some plants need partial light exposure, while others require full exposure. When exposed to different spectrum colors at different growth stages, some crops produce the best yield.

Supplementing a greenhouse with grow lights is more complicated than just plugging in some LED fixtures. Farmers looking for the best supplemental light should consider the following:

  • Depending on the crop, greenhouses may need to be exposed to six hours of full-spectrum light daily. If this amount of light is not available, supplemental grow lights may be required.
  • Grow lights can enable a year-round growing operation – whereas natural light may only be sufficient for a partial year growing season.
  • Automated controls and full spectrum options available with LED grow lights can provide a prescribed environment for plants where the amount and color of light encourage healthy yields.

Meet the Zen, a high-bay grow light fixture by IQ Horticultural Lighting.

Meant for high bay growing environments, the ZEN is a full-cycle top lighting solution ideal for greenhouse supplemental, and commercial sole-source grow lighting applications. ZEN is fully dimmable to fit any growing application. Dial-in your light intensity to any stage of plant growth.

EXPLORE THE ZEN