One of the common questions that most people interested in doing in-door hydroponic farming or gardening ask is “do plants need direct sunlight or just light”? In as much as the quality of light from the sun is the best, plants do not necessarily need only sunlight to perform well. Plants can grow and develop very well with any other source of light or artificial light that meets their physiological needs.

Most people want to find out if hydroponic plants or any plants can only grow and thrive well under direct sunlight only or if they can do very well with just any kind of light.

The rationale for this question may be as a result of limited availability or exposure to sunlight that hydroponic plants may have because of the location, weather, or any factors that limit exposure to good quality light.  

Direct sunlight may be the best quality of light for plants but it is not always feasible for plants to receive direct exposure to sunlight because of various factors like location, weather, climate, etc. Alternative sources of direct light like artificial grow lights may be used in these situations to provide the light needs of plants.

What is Direct Sunlight for Plants?

This often refers to uninterrupted exposure of plants to sunlight. There is no shade, covering, or barrier between the sunrays and the plant. The plants that are exposed to direct sunlight often get to receive the best quality (full spectrum of light wavelengths) and quantity of light (high intensity of light).

Plants receiving direct sunlight tend to grow and thrive well especially when other necessary conditions are optimally available. Light wavelengths needed for various growth and development processes are absorbed effectively under direct sunlight. This provides the plant with the needed resources for processes like photosynthesis and other growth and metabolic needs.

What is Indirect Sunlight?

This may be described as sun rays that are hindered by a barrier from having direct contact or exposure to plants. The light still eventually gets to the plants but it may not be in its full intensity or quality because it may have been reflected, deflected, or partially absorbed, or blocked by a barrier. This is often common in homes or offices where curtains or window blinds block sunlight from coming through.

Other potential barriers that can block or reduce the amount of sunlight reaching plants include clouds, vegetative shades (trees canopies), greenhouses, etc.  The sunrays that may eventually make it through the barrier can be referred to as indirect sunlight.

Indirect sunlight is still very effective nonetheless especially for plants that may not require or need high intensity or quality of light as is the case with direct sunlight.  

Light Requirements for Plants

Light needs of a plant may be dependent on various factors like the light tolerance level for that plant e.g. low, medium, and high light plants as well as the growth and development stage of the plant. These are some of the most important determinants of light requirements for plants and these factors are unique to different plants.

You may want to check the unique light requirements for the plants that you are farming or interested in farming especially if you are considering doing this hydroponically.

Do Indoor Plants Need Direct Sunlight

Indoor plants do not necessarily need direct sunlight to grow and develop well. However, direct sunlight is the best quality light that plants can get but they can still grow well either in its absence or where the quantity or quality is not good enough.

Plants normally have compensatory mechanisms to overcome challenges with inadequate sunlight and one of the common behaviors is growth towards the light source. However, these actions are often limited and may not be the best or most efficient way for plants to get needed light.

Artificial Grow Lights

Artificial grow lights are often used in hydroponic gardening and other forms of indoor gardening generally to augment the light source for indoor plants. These lights may not be as good as sunlight but they produce light the meets at least the minimal needs of the plants.

Grow lights are often specialized or customized to specific light wavelengths that plants absorb for specific developmental needs. Some of these lights are in the form of blue light, red light, yellow light etc. with each type of light wavelength meeting a specific need.

Blue lights are known to help plants grow strong stems and red lights are known to help plants grow flowers at the right time, and develop seeds and fruits. Other light wavelengths play various roles in the development and growth of plants.

Conclusion

Plants do not necessarily need sunlight to grow and develop well, most plants can do just fine with other forms of light besides the sunlight. The only disadvantage is that sunlight is the best quality of light that plants can have (which is better than any artificial grow lights) and best of all – it is free of charge. You don’t have to pay for sunlight but you do have to pay for artificial grow lights.