Why Are Grow Lights Purple? | Do They Accelerate the Growth of Plants?

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by Morgan

Last update:

August 30, 2023

How To Choose The Right Lighting For Your Marijuana Grow Room

Gardeners and farmers often use lights to accelerate the growth of plants. Purple is often used for grow lights because it is rich in blue light, which plants need for chlorophyll production. Chlorophyll is responsible for absorbing sunlight and converting it into energy that plants can use for growth. Blue light also helps to promote strong stems and compact growth.

Most lights that are purple emit a small amount of red light, necessary for photosynthesis and flower production. Red light also helps to promote root growth.

So, why are grow lights purple? Purple grow lights are used because they emit the colors of light that plants need most for healthy growth. Keep reading to know more.

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A Brief History of How Purple Lights Came About

Shuji Nakamura introduced the world's first blue LED from Gallium Nitride. He created an LED light that appears white to our human eyes by blending red, green, and blue.

But what was the very first LED light? And how did we get from there to where we are now with purple LED grow lights?

The first LED light was created in 1907 by H. J. Round. It was made using a piece of carborundum and had a wavelength of 620-630nm. This wavelength is red on the electromagnetic spectrum. In 1955, Gordon Gould created the first patent for the laser. Six years later, in 1961, Robert Noyce filed a patent for the integrated circuit.

These two inventions laid the groundwork for the modern LEDs we use today. In 1962, Nick Holonyak Jr introduced the first visible-spectrum LED light technology. It had a wavelength of 633 nm and appeared red to the human eye.

In 1972, M. George Craford invented the yellow LED. He did this by adding a small amount of magnesium to the gallium arsenide crystal. The result created a green band in the emitted light, which made it appear yellow to our eyes.

Just two years later, in 1974, Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Kenjiro Senoo created the first blue LED using gallium nitride. In 1993, Shuji Nakamura improved their design by adding indium to the gallium nitride crystal. It increased the light output by a factor of 100.

Nakamura's invention made it possible to create white LED lights by combining red, green, and blue LEDs. As you can see, the history of LED lights is fascinating. The purple LED grow lights are the latest development in this technology. Thanks to their combination of red and blue wavelengths, they are perfect for plant growth.

What Gives An LED Light The Purple Color?

An LED grow light has a purple color because it emits a high concentration of blue and red wavelengths of light. Blue light is necessary for chlorophyll production, while red light helps with photosynthesis, root growth, and flower production.

Purple is associated with high-quality light because it contains all the colors that plants need for optimal growth when it comes to grow lights. Many people believe that purple LED grow lights are more effective than other colors of grow lights.

If you're looking for a grow light to help your marijuana plants thrive, then a purple LED grow light is excellent. Keep reading to learn more about why purple grow lights are so popular.

Another reason is that purple LED lights have various wavelength combinations, which create the light you give your cannabis plants. However, there isn't just one wavelength for any given set of colors. LEDs identify specific wavelengths of light that benefit your plant and make every effort to avoid offering wavelengths that do not.

LED Light Wavelengths For Plants

Different colors of light provide additional benefits for plants. Here is a breakdown of the essential wavelengths for plant growth:

  • Red light (630-660 nanometers) is responsible for photosynthesis, which is how plants convert sunlight into energy. This wavelength also promotes root growth and helps flowers bloom.
  • Blue light (450-460 nanometers) helps plants produce chlorophyll, which is necessary for absorbing sunlight and converting it into energy. This light also promotes strong stem growth and compact leaves.
  • Greenlight (520-525 nanometers) is not as vital for plant growth as red or blue light, but it can help promote healthy leaves.

Combination of Red and Blue-Light Wavelengths

Purple LED grow lights provide a combination of red and blue LEDs wavelengths, making them ideal for plant growth. Light that is blue is necessary for chlorophyll production, while red light helps with photosynthesis, root growth, and flower production.

Purple is associated with high-quality light because it contains all the colors that plants need for optimal growth when it comes to growing lights. Many people believe that purple LED grow lights are more effective than other colors of grow lights.

As you can see, purple grow lights offer a perfect blend of wavelengths for plant growth. That's why they are so popular among gardeners and farmers.

Are Purple Led Grow Lights Effective?

Yes, purple LED grow lights are effective. Many people believe that they are more effective than other grow lights.

Purple LED grow lights to provide a perfect blend of wavelengths for plant growth. Blue light is necessary for chlorophyll production, while red light helps with photosynthesis, root growth, and flower production.

Purple is associated with high-quality light because it contains all the colors that plants need for optimal growth when it comes to growing lights. Purple grow lights are so popular among gardeners and farmers.

How Do You Use Purple LED Lights Effectively?

To use purple LED lights effectively, you need to carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions. You also need to ensure that you're using the right light for your plants. For example, if you're growing plants that require a lot of light, you should use a purple LED grow light with a high wattage. But if you're growing plants that don't need as much light, you can use a purple LED grow light with a lower wattage.

Stages Of Growth When The Purple Light Is Effective for Plant Growth

During the plant's Lifecycle, the most critical time to have a purple LED light is during the vegetative and flowering stages. It's when your plants need the most light to grow.

Having a purple LED light during these stages will help  your plants  produce a higher yield:

Germination Stage

The plants don't require much light during germination, so any grow light will do. But if you want to give your plants a boost, you can use a purple LED grow light during this stage.

Vegetative Stage

During the vegetative stage, your plants will need more light than they did during germination. That's why it's essential to use a grow light that emits a lot of light like a purple LED grow light.

Flowering Stage

Your plants will require even more light during the flowering stage than during the vegetative stage. A purple LED grow light, once again, is an excellent option because it emits a lot of light.

Fruiting Stage

When the plants start fruiting, they will need the same light as during the flowering stage. So a purple LED grow light is still a good option.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Purple Grow Lights?

There are many benefits of using purple grow lights, including:

  • They help plants grow faster
  •  They promote strong stem growth
  •  They encourage compact growth
  •  They help produce more flowers
  • They improve root growth
  • They're more efficient, and they last longer 
  • They're easier on the eyes  
  •  They don't attract bugs as much as other colors of grow lights

What Are The Side Effects Of Too Much Purple Increase Light?

While purple grow lights are beneficial for plants, too much light can be harmful. Too much light can lead to leggy growth, etiolation, and other problems. That's why it's essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when using purple LED grow lights. Discussed below are some side effects of too much light that is purple:

  • Leggy growth: This is when plants grow tall and spindly because they reach for the light.
  • Sunburn: This is when leaves get burned because they're getting too much light.
  • Fading flowers: This is when flowers fade because they're getting too much light.
  • Stunted growth: This is when plants don't grow as big as they should because they're getting too much light.
plants growing under the purple lights

Why Is The LED Purple Strong And Unpleasant To Our Eyes?

The human eye is not very good at seeing purple light. The eye is least sensitive to light in the violet and blue-violet part of the light spectrum. LEDs that emit purple light appear so bright to us.

The LED purple grow light is unpleasant to the human eye because our eyes are not very good at seeing light. The eye is least sensitive to light in the violet and blue-violet part of the spectrum. It is why LEDs that emit purple light appear so bright to us.

While purple LED lights may be unpleasant for our eyes, they are beneficial for plants. As we mentioned before, blue and red wavelengths are necessary for plant growth, so a purple LED light provides plants with the ideal mix of these two colors.

FAQs

What Color Spectrum Is Better Than Purple?

Every light spectrum is vital for the growth of your plants. But the most important ones are Red and Blue, which makes the Purple LED light the most efficient for your plants.

Do Grow Lights Need To Be Purple?

No, grow lights don't need to be purple. But purple LED lights are more effective than other colors of grow lights because they provide a spectral distribution and a perfect blend of wavelengths for plant growth. Light that is blue is necessary for chlorophyll production, while red light helps with photosynthesis, root growth, and flower production.

Purple is associated with high-quality light because it contains all the colors that plants need for optimal growth when it comes to growing lights. Purple LED grow lights are so popular among gardeners and farmers.

Are White Or Purple Grow Lights Better?

There is no definitive answer to this question. White grow lights are better for some plants, while the color purple is better for others. It all depends on the specific plant and its needs.

How Often Should I Use My Purple Grow Light?

It would be best to use your purple LED grow light for 12-18 hours per day for best results. It will ensure that your plants receive all the wavelengths they need for optimal growth.

What Do You Use A Purple Light For?

Purple LED lights are used for plant growth. They provide a perfect blend of wavelengths for photosynthesis, root growth, and flower production. That's why they are so popular among gardeners and farmers.

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cannabis farmers! 👩‍🌾

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Final Thought

They grow light because they're more efficient than other colors of grow lights. They also last longer, and they don't attract bugs as much as different colors of grow lights. If you're looking for a grow light to help your plants grow faster and produce more flowers, choose a purple LED grow light.

For more insights about growing plants and the recommended types of grow light, 420 Green Thumb has more tips and tricks.

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About the author 

Morgan

I discovered the benefits of Cannabis at a young age in 2002, with years of trial and error, my knowledge grew just like my plants. As my love for cannabis unfolded I began to teach and learn, trying to gain as much information and practical growing experience.

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