Are fluorescent bulbs good for plants?

Fluorescent grow lights are a great way to provide your plants with high quality light at a very low cost. T5 and CFL fixtures can be hung very close to plants without burning or bleaching, and thus they are many growers go to grow light for propagation. When trying to decide which fluorescent bulb is right for you, the most important consideration is what you will be using fluorescent lighting for. Bulbs with a classification of "cool", "blue", or 6,500 K are great for vegetative growth. In contrast, bulbs rated as "warm", "red", or 2,700 K are great for flowering. There are also bulbs that can emit a full spectrum.

What is a t5 bulb?

The T5 is the most popular fluorescent grow light because it operates the most efficiently, and emits more lumens than other fluorescent grow lights.. The "T" in T5 stands for tubular, indicating the shape of the T5 bulb itself, and the "5" in T5 stands for 5/8" thick. T5 bulbs have a lifespan of around 10,000 hours, but as technology advances, this number is increasing.

A newer addition to fluorescent lighting is the T5 LED bulb. This is allows a fluorescent lighting fixture to house LED technology.

Are compact fluorescent bulbs good for plants?

Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are another very popular fluorescent grow light, prized for their energy efficiency and cool operating temperature. These lights are commonly used for indoor gardens with height limitations, and generate very short and bushy plants. These bulbs come in veg and flower spectrums, and some bulbs are even full spectrum.

Are t8 bulbs good for growing?

The T8 fluorescent grow light is very similar to the T5, but is 1" thick. Fluorescent grow lights lose efficiency as they grow in size, and so while T5 is the most efficient, T8 grow lights are about 9% less efficient. Similarly, the T12 grow light bulbs operate even less efficiently. At the end of the day, all fluorescent grow lights operate very efficiently, and save money on electricity costs compared to standard HID or LED systems. T8 bulbs also have a longer lifespan than T5 bulbs, at about 20,000 hours.

If you want to learn more about When & How To Replace Your Bulbs, visit our blog to read our complete guide! We also can help you understand the different types of grow light bulbs by reading our post on that as well.