In recent years, many growers have started to increase light intensity in their grow rooms. The goal is simple: more light = more yield in the same space.
And yes — it really works. Some commercial growers now use up to 1400 µmol/m²/s of light.
To give you an idea:
* That’s 3 times stronger than old HPS lights 10 years ago.
* And about 50% more than what most home growers use now.
But this leads to a big question: If we increase the light this much, will the quality go down?
Science Has the Answer: Two Important Studies
Recently, two big studies looked into this. Let’s look at what they found.
🇳🇱 Dutch Study
* One plant type: Critical CBD
* 3 light levels: 600 / 800 / 1000 µmol/m²/s
* Tested for: yield, cannabinoids (CBD, THC, etc.), and terpenes (smell and taste)
🇨🇦 Canadian Study
* One plant type: Stillwater
* Light levels from 200 to 1800 µmol/m²/s, slowly increased across the room
* Over 400 plants tested
* Measured using high-tech machines (chromatography, mass spectrometry)
* With added CO₂: 1200 ppm
>>>Result 1: Higher Light = Higher Yield
Both studies show the same thing: The more light you give, the more yield you get — in a straight line.
In other words: 1% more light = about 1% more dry flower
The Dutch test showed this from 600 to 1000 µmol.
The Canadian test confirmed it even up to 1800 µmol — but only when CO₂ was added.
>>>Result 2: Cannabinoids May Increase Too
In the Dutch test: CBD, THC and other cannabinoids went up 30%(from 175 mg/g to 225 mg/g)
The Canadian test saw no big change in cannabinoids — maybe because of the plant type.
Some strains make more cannabinoids under strong light, some don’t.
>>>Result 3: Smell and Taste Also Improve
Both studies looked at terpenes — the natural chemicals that give plants their smell.
Dutch test: +75% more terpenes under strong light
Canadian test: +20~30% more terpenes
That means stronger smell, better taste — not less quality, but more.
Plants Can't Take Unlimited Light
Plants can nott “eat” unlimited light.
Just like people can’t eat 10 meals a day, plants also have a “light limit”. Too much light can be harmful:
What can go wrong?
- Leaves get burned or yellow
- Heat stress slows down growth
- Smell and quality may drop
- Plants get weak or finish too early
How to Help Plants Handle More Light
If you want to increase light safely, make sure you do these 3 things:
1️⃣ Add CO₂ (around 1000–1200 ppm)
Without CO₂, strong light won’t help. Plants can only use more light if they also have more CO₂ to breathe.
2️⃣ Keep temperature and humidity in a good range
More light = more heat.
Too hot = big problems. Use fans, AC, or good airflow to keep balance.
3️⃣ Watch your plant type and health
Some strains love strong light (1000+ µmol). Others might stress out at that level. Start slow and increase step by step.
Son Düşünceler
Yes, high light works, but only if: you can get the plants to tolerate it safely.
Just like fitness, how much weight you can lift depends on whether you eat enough, sleep well, and have a solid foundation.
Just remember:
Plants are not machines.
They need the right conditions — light, CO₂, temperature — to turn light into flowers.
So if you want big results, give them a full support system, not just a strong lamp.
Jayes
AUXGROW'da Dijital Pazarlama Müdürü olan Jayes, hidrofonik sistemlere olan tutkusunu LED bitki yetiştirme lambaları konusundaki uzmanlığıyla birleştiriyor. Jayes, uygulamalı deneyimi ve derin anlayışıyla, sürdürülebilir tarım dünyasında size rehberlik ediyor.
