If you live in a northern location, you might be noticing something really strange at night: purple lights tinging the sky a vivid violet color in certain spots. And if you were to ask around, you might be surprised to find that these colored lights usually come from greenhouses.
But why do greenhouses use purple lights? Do they have some kind of benefit, other than looking pretty?
In this post, we’ll answer that question and provide some background information for you. That way, if you have a greenhouse, you can decide if you want to use these lights, too.
Quick Answer: Why Do Greenhouses Use Purple Lights?
The purple lights you’re seeing are called multispectrum LED lights. Briefly put, greenhouses use them because plants benefit from them. These lights can actually boost a plant’s growth.
As a side perk, multispectrum LED lights are also more energy-efficient than many other grow lights.
The Light Spectrum and Its Benefits to Plants
We as humans can’t see this, but sunlight actually comes in seven colors, just like a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. From this whole spectrum of colors, two in particular are the most beneficial to plants.
Those two colors are red and blue. Blue aids plants in photosynthesis and red is for producing flowers and fruits.
You can also combine these two colors to aid in the production of flowers and fruits. Red and blue combined makes purple, which is why you often see purple lighting in greenhouses.
Also Read: How Do You Cool a Greenhouse in Florida?
Should You Use Multispectrum Lights in Your Greenhouse?
Now that you understand why you might see colored lights in a greenhouse, let’s examine another question: should you get one of these lights for your own greenhouse?
Honestly, that depends on one main factor. If you live an area that already gets ample sunlight each year, you may not need to invest in one of these multispectrum LED grow lights.
However, if you live in a northern area or another area that doesn’t get as much sunlight, one of these LED lights could make all the difference in your greenhouse.
A lot of them come with amazing and useful features, such as this one. It has a long lifespan, can be conveniently suspended over your plants, and lights up a large area at a time.
Like other multispectrum grow lights, it’s also incredibly energy-efficient.
You Might Also Like: How Do Greenhouses Affect Photosynthesis?
Wrap Up
To sum it up again, the colored lights you see in greenhouses are called multispectrum LED lights. The primary reason they’re used is that they can help plants grow and photosynthesize.
Generally, they’re used in places where the sunlight gets pretty scarce at particular times of the year. Some people may even choose to use them simply because they’re more energy-efficient than alternative grow lights.
If you live in a place with long, cold winters, or a place that just doesn’t get a lot of sunlight, you should definitely consider adding these lights to your own greenhouse. They’re fairly inexpensive, they’re great for your plants, and they look beautiful.
Minnesota is an example of a state that has particularly long and tough winters. You can learn about which greenhouses to to use in Minnesota here.
Also Related: How Do You Keep Plants Alive in a Greenhouse in the Winter?
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
