What Are Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights?
First things first, if you’re new to indoor gardening, you’ll want to know exactly what you’re looking for. Full spectrum LED (light-emitting diode) lighting aims to mimic natural sunlight, producing, as the name implies, the full spectrum of light plants require for optimal growth.

This full spectrum is produced in two ways. One is by coating blue LEDs with a mixture of different colored phosphors. Phosphors convert the blue light’s wavelength into a wider range of wavelengths that ultimately look like white light (like sunlight does). The second is to combine red, green and blue diodes in such a ratio and pattern that the light appears white to the human eye.
Full spectrum greenhouse grow lights are a relatively new technology. High intensity discharge (HID) and compact fluorescent (CFL) lighting have been the standard for indoor growing but none of these lighting systems replicate daylight in the way LEDs can. As LED technology improves, they’re more and more becoming a viable option for growing and maintaining healthy plants.
Pros and Cons of Using Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights
Pros:
Spectrum
Perhaps the biggest advantage to using full spectrum commercial grow lights is right there in the name. Since they consistently put out the entire spectrum of light that plants need throughout their growing cycle, you won’t have to change the lights.

Return on Investment
While powerful led grow light cost more than other lights, they last longer. The average lifespan for an LED light is about 50,000 hours, miles ahead of HID lights, which last an average of 24,000 hours and CFL, which last about 8000 hours. You’ll pay more up front but you’ll ultimately get more light and need to replace your bulbs less with an LED system.
Cost
LED grow lights are more expensive than other kinds of lights like fluorescents or HID. The initial cost for setting up an LED system can be prohibitive.
Power
HID lights are much more powerful than LEDs. They’re able to generate a light intensity that encourages plant growth in a way hydroponics led grow lights can’t match. If you’re growing a high number of large plants, HIDs might still be the way to go because their light can penetrate foliage further than LEDs can.

Blue Light Exposure
Prolonged exposure to blue light, while necessary for plants to grow, is harmful to humans. It can damage your retinas, so working in your growing space will require you to be careful and to wear grow room glasses. You only have one set of eyes!