Do hydroponic plants need sunlight?
This is the question I hear most from people thinking about an indoor garden. The short answer is no, hydroponic plants do not need sunlight, as long as they get the right grow light. In my QROOT the plants have never seen the sun, and they grow thick and healthy on the built-in LED alone.
Why plants need light, not specifically the sun
Plants need light to photosynthesise, but what matters is the spectrum and the hours, not whether it comes from the sun. A full-spectrum grow light gives plants the same range of light they would get outdoors, which is why indoor hydroponic growing works so well without a window.
How a full-spectrum LED replaces the sun
A good grow light mixes blue, red, and sun-like white light. Blue light keeps leaves sturdy and compact, red light drives faster growth and flowering, and the white balance gives a natural all-day glow. QROOT combines these so herbs and greens get everything they would from real sunlight.
How many hours of light
Most herbs and greens do best with about sixteen hours of light a day and eight hours of rest. Plants need that dark period too, so leaving a grow light on all day is not better. QROOT runs the light on this schedule automatically, so you do not have to think about it.
Getting the light distance right
Keep the lamp close to young seedlings, then raise it as the plants grow taller so every leaf stays lit. If growth looks stretched and leggy, the light is usually too far away. Adjustable height is one of the reasons an indoor hydroponic garden beats a random desk lamp.
The bottom line
You do not need a sunny balcony or a bright window to grow fresh food. With a full-spectrum LED grow light, a hydroponic garden grows herbs, lettuce, and greens in any room, including a dark kitchen or a bedroom, all year round.