Can Plants Get Too Much LED Light? (And How To Spot The Problem)

Too much of a good thing can be bad.

This is just as true for plants and light as it is for many other aspects of life.

But can plants get too much LED light, too?

Or is too much light only a problem with other types of grow lights?

After all, LED light is less intense.

And good LED grow lights have a spectrum tailored specifically for plants.

Keep reading to learn whether you can give your plants too much LED light, how to recognize that they are receiving too much, and what to do about it.

 

Can Plants Get Too Much LED Light?

Yes, plants can get too much LED light. Too much light from any source can be detrimental to the health of your plants. This means you need to monitor how much they receive when using your LED grow lights, in order to avoid any issues.

When using LED grow lights, you need to keep an eye on both the intensity and the amount of light you bathe your plants in. You need to know how to recognize the symptoms of light stress, and what to do to correct the issue.

 

Signs Your Plants Are Getting Too Much LED Light

Here are a few of the more common signs and symptoms that can indicate that your plants are receiving too much light. Be aware, though, that some of these signs can also be caused by other issues. You may need to investigate further to ascertain their root cause.

 

Leaf Burn

This is the most common sign of too much LED light. It appears as pale or brown spots on the leaves, or as a yellowing of the leaves with the veins remaining green. Leaf burn can also cause the leaves to curl or become brittle and drop off.

 

Stunted Growth

Giving your plants too much light may also lead to stunted growth. This means that they will not grow as tall or as bushy as they should, and their leaves may be noticeably smaller and less prolific than usual.

 

Wilting

Plants that are getting too much light may also wilt. This is because the light can cause the plant to use water more quickly than it can take it up and leaves become less dense and listless, drooping downwards rather than sticking outwards.

 

Leaf Yellowing

Leaf yellowing is another common sign of too much light. It can be caused by a number of factors, including stress, nutrient deficiency, and disease, including root rot in weed plants.

However, if the yellowing is accompanied by other signs of too much LED light, such as leaf burn or stunted growth, then it is likely that the light is the cause.

 

Leaf Curling

Leaf curling can also be a sign of too much LED light. It is thought to be caused by the plant’s attempt to protect itself from the intense light.

But be aware that leaves can curl for other reasons too, such as root rot or nutrient issues. That said, if the light you give your plants is too intense, the leaves will usually curl upwards rather than downwards.

 

Browning Of Leaf Tips

The browning of leaf tips can also be a sign of too much light. It is thought to be caused by the light damaging the plant’s cells, but nutrient burn – overdoing the nutrients – can also present with the tip of the leaves turning brown.

 

Correcting Too Much LED Light

If you notice any of the signs above, here are the main courses of action to follow to try to remedy the situation and save your plants.

 

Adjust The Distance Between Lights And Plants

Most LED grow light manufacturers provide recommendations for the ideal hanging distance for their lights. When setting up your grow lights, be sure to follow this advice. If you still notice any signs of light stress, you should adjust the lights so they are a little farther away from your plants’ canopy.

 

Adjust The Timer

Changing the light schedule for your plants, so they receive light for a shorter amount of time each day can also help. If you have your grow light timer set to give your plants 16 hours of light each day, maybe dial it back an hour or two and monitor your plants for signs of improvement.

 

Dim The Lights

Rather than, or indeed in addition to, reducing the amount of time your LED grow lights are on each day, you can also dial back the intensity of the light with the dimmer switch.

This way you can maybe stick to the same light schedule, but reduce the intensity of light emitted, which should help you see some improvements. Of course, this only works if you have dimmable LED grow lights.

 

Too Much LED Light For Plants: Final Thoughts

Plants can certainly get too much LED light, just like they can get too much light from any other source. Too much light is too much light, no matter where it comes from.

If your plants get too much light, their growth and bud production will suffer. They may even die. Luckily, plants show symptoms of excessive light, so you can recognize the issue early and take steps to fix it.