I’m trying to determine the amount of light my cannabis plants need. Can you tell me how many hours of light per day is optimal for cannabis growth and how much light is too much?
One answer “How much light do cannabis plants need?”
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Growing cannabis is a fun yet challenging process. Knowing how much light to provide your plants is key to growing successful crops.
Light is essential for photosynthesis and many other growth processes. Technically, a cannabis plant can survive solely on natural sunlight (including artificial lighting), though this is a convenient way to grow cannabis because all the plants require is sunshine – no special tools are needed like they are with hydroponic or soil methods.
Ultimately, the amount of light a given cannabis plant requires depends on the strain and your setup. For indoor setups, the amount of light a cannabis plant receives is determined by the wattage of the lighting system and the distance between the light and the plant. Generally, cannabis plants need between 16 and 20 hours of light per day, however, it is important to note that the light spectrum and duration of light also play a role.
Ideally, cannabis plants require a combination of blue and red/orange/yellow light. Blue light ensures foliage growth, while red light encourages flowering. Uneven distribution of light can result in tall and lanky plants with weak stems and heavy bud production.
For outdoor setups, the amount of light a cannabis plant will receive is determined by the strength of the sun’s rays, the climate and region you are in, and the time of year. Generally, during the summer, a cannabis plant will receive roughly 14 to 16 hours of light daily and not more than 18 to 20 hours of light. Any more than this can be too much for the cannabis plants. When grown outdoors in the summer, if the cannabis plant receives too much sunlight, the buds will burn or become overly dry and harsh.
To summarize, the amount of light cannabis plants need will depend on their strain and your particular setup. Indoor setups usually require 16-20 hours of light per day with a combination of the blue and red spectrum. There usually should be a few hours of darkness as well. Outdoor plants can benefit from up to 18-20 hours of direct sunlight but no more than that to avoid burning and drying out the buds.