Provide Adequate Light with Grow Lights

Place seedlings under fluorescent shop lights or LED grow lights positioned 2-4 inches above the foliage for 14-16 hours per day. A sunny south-facing window can supplement but rarely provides enough light alone, especially during cloudy spells or short winter days.

Why It Works

Insufficient light is the primary cause of leggy, weak seedlings. When light is too dim or too distant, stems stretch toward the source and become thin and floppy. Keeping lights close and on a long cycle mimics peak growing-season conditions and produces stocky, strong transplants.

Tips

• Raise the lights as seedlings grow, maintaining a 2-4 inch gap to prevent leaf burn
• Use a timer to automate the light cycle consistently
• Rotate trays every few days if using a window to prevent one-sided leaning