Greenhouse Lighting Ideas

19 May 2023 | Matt

Night-time and wintertime gardening illumination.

Time can fly at an incredible speed during a gardening session.

Many gardeners start their activities first thing in the morning and don’t stop until the sun goes down. However, the days are much shorter in the wintertime.

Without the illumination you need, you may be forced to pause your gardening endeavours midway through the afternoon during the colder months of the year when the sun starts to set between 3 and 5pm.

However, by lighting up your greenhouse you can continue gardening no matter how dark it is outside.

If you are looking for ways to light up your greenhouse to ensure you have sufficient visibility to carry out your activities, read on.

Looking for a new greenhouse? Shop them online at South West Greenhouses.

Prioritise safety

Greenhouses can get both wet and dirty. This means you need to choose the right lighting solution to ensure you have the visibility you require. Make sure any bulbs that you use have an IP rating of at least 65.

Although IP65 and IP66 are able to withstand a modest amount of contact with water, it’s vital that they are never fully submerged.

Maybe you’re connecting your greenhouse lights to mains electricity? If so, an RCBO could be required to protect your home circuit more effectively. Low-watt bulbs can help you prevent overheating.

These bulbs are very popular and affordable to run. Light pollution is another thing that you have to be aware of. Opt for a lighting solution that’s less likely to frustrate your neighbours.

hanging greenhouse lights

Is artificial lighting likely to affect my plants?

It’s not uncommon for gardeners to worry about the effect artificial lighting will have on their plants. However, it is very unlikely that this lighting will have a negative impact on your plants. You are only likely to have problems if you install sun lamps and leave them on all night.

The amount of light that’s produced by standard bulbs is very modest in comparison to purpose-made grow lights and the sun.

Working lights won’t encourage growth, but grow lights can. These lights utilise specific light spectrums alongside controlled timing to create the right conditions. However, standard household and garden bulbs don’t do this.

How can I power the lights?

You can use mains electricity, battery-operated, USB rechargeable or solar-powered solutions to power your lights.

Mains electricity lighting

Adding an electricity supply to your greenhouse can be expensive and time-consuming. It’s best to install electricity before your greenhouse has been built to ensure the wiring is installed properly and has the protection that it needs. An electrician can help you ensure your electrical installation is both safe and practical.

Battery-operated and rechargeable lights

Battery-operated lights come in various styles and are simple to install. They can also add a decorative touch to your space.

One disadvantage is that you won’t have any lighting if you forget to charge them or don’t have access to replacement batteries. You will then need to wait for the sun to come back up and for your local hardware store to open.

warm greenhouse lights at night

Solar-powered lighting

Many greenhouse owners have benefitted from solar-powered options. These eco-friendly lights are easy to install and offer a subtle glow. Nonetheless, it is important to note that some solar lights won’t be bright enough to support greenhouse work.

You may have enough light available to carry out watering and picking but little else.

Make sure that the solar charging panel is located in the best position to receive maximum sunlight. Try to place it on a south-facing side if you can. It’s wise to install it externally as the glass can stop some of the UV rays from getting inside.

Just be aware that glass doesn’t give you a great deal of UV protection, which is why some people simply install them inside their greenhouses.

Before you go ahead and buy your solar lights, see if they have a manual on-off switch. Some lights don’t have these but do turn on and off when light levels change. If you have the option to turn your lights off manually, you can retain power for when it is required.

Some lights have battery backup and can be charged with USB cables. This can be handy when you don’t have a great deal of sunlight available.

Greenhouse lighting inspiration

If you want to customise the lighting inside your greenhouse, you shouldn’t find it difficult to do so.

There are thousands of lighting options available to you.

Popular lighting options include strip lighting, floodlights, festoon lights, fairy lights, bulkhead lights and standing lamps.

Some of the functions that these lights come with include motion-sensing, dimmability, colour-changing, twinkling and timers.

greenhouse lights inspiration

solar lights in greenhouse

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Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our post on greenhouse lighting.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments, or contact us at support@swgreenhouses.co.uk