Grow Light for Murraya: Orange Jasmine in Containers
A grow light for murraya gives potted orange jasmine steady light through short winter days indoors. Murraya is also called orange jasmine.
The short answer
Illinois Extension notes outdoor sun can reach 10,000 to 12,000 footcandles, far more than most rooms. University of Missouri Extension notes supplemental electric light is usually the easiest way to give plants enough light indoors. Use a full spectrum LED close above the plant on a timer.
How much light does orange jasmine need indoors?
Illinois Extension defines bright light by window position. It notes a north window directly in front gives only medium light of about 150 footcandles. Missouri notes high light plants need at least 1,000 footcandles, so a lamp aids a flowering shrub indoors.
| Factor | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Medium light | About 150 footcandles | North window, directly in front (Illinois) |
| Lamp distance | Plant tips 6 to 12 inches away | Light drops fast with distance (Missouri) |
| Hours of light | 14 to 16 hours | Duration guide (Illinois) |
| Daily maximum | No more than 16 hours | Plants need darkness (Maryland) |
| Light level | At least 1,000 footcandles | High light plants (Missouri) |
Source: Illinois, University of Missouri plus University of Maryland Extension.
Where should a grow light sit for orange jasmine?
Missouri advises placing most plants with their tips 6 to 12 inches from the light source, since intensity drops rapidly with distance. Hang the fixture so it can rise as the plant grows.
How many hours should the light run?
Missouri notes plants with no outdoor light need 16 to 18 hours a day, while 12 to 14 hours may do if some window light reaches them. Maryland advises no more than 16 hours in total. Run lights alongside window light, per Missouri.
How to: step by step
- Set orange jasmine in your sunniest window.
- Add a full spectrum LED above the plant.
- Hang the light 6 to 12 inches above the tips.
- Put the light on a timer for a steady day length.
- Watch new growth for color plus spacing between leaves.
- Adjust height or hours as the plant responds.
Troubleshooting
Long, weak stems: low light. Lower the lamp or add hours.
Pale or browning leaves: too much light. Maryland notes excess light turns leaves pale plus brown, so raise the lamp.
Plant leans toward the window: uneven light. Turn the pot each week.
For lighting see grow lights for cannabis plus led light distance cannabis. Read grow light timers plus cannabis seeds. Kind Seed Co also stocks cannabis seeds.
Sources
- Lighting for indoor plants, University of Maryland Extension
- Lighting indoor houseplants (G6515), University of Missouri Extension
- Lighting, houseplants, Illinois Extension
FAQ
Can orange jasmine grow under a regular LED bulb?
University of Missouri Extension notes LED plant lights can be made to give the red plus blue light plants need. Household bulbs give less useful light. Missouri also notes high light plants are harder to grow under home lights, so use a plant LED close above the foliage.
Should the light run all night?
No. University of Maryland Extension notes most plants need a period of darkness to develop properly plus advises no more than 16 hours of light a day in total. University of Missouri Extension suggests 12 to 14 hours when some window light also reaches the plant.
How bright is a window for houseplants?
Illinois Extension notes a south window 3 to 10 feet away gives medium light of about 150 footcandles, while a north window a few feet away gives low light of about 75 footcandles. Outdoor sun can reach 10,000 to 12,000 footcandles, so indoor plants often need a lamp.
Do plants need a dark period?
University of Maryland Extension notes most plants require a period of darkness to develop properly. It advises lighting them no more than 16 hours a day in total, especially when artificial light adds to natural light. Set a timer so the lamp shuts off each night.
What bulbs work for indoor plants?
Illinois Extension notes incandescent lights give mostly red light with low blue, while cool white fluorescents give mostly blue light. University of Missouri Extension notes LED plant lights can give the red plus blue light plants need. Choose a plant LED for flowering shrubs.
