The Benefits Of UV Light For Indoor Plant Growth

UV has been shown to increase the amounts of THC, CBD, and terpene production in cannabis plants.

Benefits of UV light

You’ve been told to be afraid of ultraviolet light all your life. Yet, in safe doses, UV gives you a great tan without actual damage to the skin. 

That darker skin helps add protection for the next time you are out in the sun. In essence, your skin creates its own natural sunblock.

UV light is extremely important for plant growth too. In safe doses, UV helps produce oils that create the great smells and tastes you are looking for in your crop. 

That’s what the plant produces to protect itself from more UV exposure. Just like us, plants create their own natural sunblock.

Cannabis responds to the stress and sunburn from UV wavelengths by creating its own sunscreen in the form of trichomes. 

The more trichome production the higher the THC and CBD levels. So in marijuana growth, trichomes filled with THC is the best 

natural sunblock for UV radiation. The marijuana plant produces more THC to compensate for high UV light exposure.

What is UV?

Ultraviolet light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that comes from natural sunlight. This light is broken up into three different sections of different wavelengths: 

UVA = 400nm-315nm     

UVB = 315nm-280nm 

UVC = 280nm-100nm

While UVC is not naturally present on Earth due to our atmosphere, UVA and UVB are both a key part of life. Your plants don’t always need to 

be outdoors to benefit from UV light. Indoor grow lights can also create these rays artificially, making it possible for growers to give their indoor 

plants the same benefits as those grown outside.

When the correct amount of UV is present it:

• -----Increases oils & resins that contain THC & CBD
• -----Increases root mass
• -----Causes more branching, less stretching
• -----Improves taste and smell
• -----Creates higher potency plants
• -----Increases resistance to insects, bacteria and fungus

Plants grown indoors without exposure to UV can lack these enhanced benefits. 

That’s why it is so important to choose indoor grow lighting that includes photons in the UV range.

Other benefits of UV

UV light can speed up the germination process for starting seeds when grown indoors. As growers transplant seedlings to more intense light sources, 

UV strengthens the plants, better preparing them for high intensity light. Transplanting seedlings from low intensity lighting to high intensity lighting can shock 

or slow the plant’s growth. This is especially true when moving young plants from indoor to outdoor. Exposure to UV in the early stages of plant growth reduces shock time and speeds up the production process.

Further research is being done on the effects of UV on different strains, cannabinoids and other elements of cannabis.

What NOT to do with UV Light!

Yes, UV has benefits for plant growth, but it can still cause damage to plants and humans if not used properly.

Do not expect to enhance your plant growth by going out and purchasing a sun tanning lamp. Sun tanning lamps provide a lot of UV and human skin 

can only be exposed to them for short periods of time. Exposing plants to that much UV can quickly kill them.

Growers should provide their plants with a full quality spectrum which emits the right amount of UV. That full spectrum light should mimic natural 

sunlight to make the plants feel as if they are being grown outdoors.

How Do I Get UV Light for My Plants?

Natural sunlight isn’t really an option for indoor gardens. That’s why grow lights are key for people trying to grow their own plants indoors. 

While many indoor grow light options produce little to no UV light, many HORTILUX grow lamps are designed with an exclusive light spectrum to give your plants the UV rays they need to thrive.

The amount of UV light being produced by your grow light is just another factor in deciding what is the right light for your grow.