Light for Seedlings: Is There Such Thing as Too Much?
Learn how long to run grow lights each day.
Starting plants from seed is a cost-effective, rewarding experience that is relatively easy to do. Once those seeds sprout, proper seedling care is essential, and that includes supplying the growing plants with the right amount and quality of light.
It is true that seedlings need lots of bright light to grow healthy and strong—but they also need a period of darkness in order to thrive. In general, seedlings should receive roughly 14 to 16 hours of light each day. This can be very difficult to achieve even with a south-facing window, so most gardeners opt to use artificial lights for their seedlings.
Grow lights should be left on for 12 to 16 hours a day. You may be tempted to leave the seedlings under lighting 24 hours a day. But this does not make them grow faster. It can actually hinder the success of your seedlings.
Remember that specific lighting requirements may vary depending on the type of seed being sown, so it is important to research your plants’ specific growing needs.
For more helpful tips on starting seeds, peruse all of our propagation articles.
