How to Grow Vegetables Indoors Without Sunlight

Indoor gardening has become a growing trend. But did you know that some vegetables can be grown indoors even if there is no sunlight? Plants need light to release energy and grow, so indoor plants require special care. Most vegetable plants require an average of 10 hours of sunlight a day, so if they are not getting it, they need to be given artificial light. That is perfect if you have a greenhouse or sunroom in your home. Indoor conditions for a plant are entirely different from natural conditions. Plants need warmth, humidity, and light. For this reason, you will need to provide your indoor plants with artificial light.

Additionally, you will need to provide them with the right amount of water and nutrients and give them the ideal temperature. Here, we will discuss step-by-step instructions for growing vegetables indoors without sunlight.

1) Select the Vegetables

You will need to select the vegetable plants you want to grow indoors. This is a good idea because many vegetable plants can be grown indoors. However, you will find that some are unsuitable for growing indoors as they require sunlight and a higher temperature than most people can provide in their homes. Some of the best vegetables to grow indoors include green beans, peas, lettuce, tomatoes, and herbs such as basil. The soil you use to grow these plants should be light, so that the roots have room to grow and your vegetables will have a better chance of thriving.

2) Choose the Right Container

You will need to choose a suitable container for growing the vegetable plants. You must have the right size container. If it is smaller, your plant will be healthier and grow slowly. However, if it is too small, you may need more space in your home to grow correctly. For each plant, you should choose a pot with about four to six inches of soil. The plant’s soil should be well-drained before it is placed in the container. You should also provide your indoor plants with water regularly after you place the plant in the container. You will need to give light to your vegetable plants, which can be achieved by placing a grow light above each pot or a fluorescent light above each pot to serve as a grow light.

3) Pick the Right GrowLights

Vegetables will need to grow with the help of artificial light. Most vegetables require ultraviolet light for the most efficient growth. Therefore, you need to pick a grow light that provides ultraviolet light. There are many options when it comes to indoor grow lights. Some provide white light, whereas others also provide ultraviolet light. A fluorescent bulb will work best, and you have to invest in one of these bulbs, which costs about $15 for each pot. Growlights also provide heat which is essential for the growth of plants. Once you have selected the correct bulb for your indoor plants, you should place it above the pot where you planted the vegetable. Many lighting technology companies sell these bulbs, which are easy to install. You can find lighting technology companies online, which usually offer a warranty if the bulb breaks.

4) Plant the Plants

After placing the bulb above the pot, you should begin to plant your indoor plants. You will need to place a layer of soil on top of the pot. The size of the pot should be about four to six inches. After this is done, you should place the root into the soil and ensure that it is not disturbed or injured so it can grow well. There is no water requirement for indoor plants because of their low growing needs. The soil should be moist, and leave the plant alone for about a week to begin growing. After the plants sprout leaves, you can add fertilizer to them. Many vegetable plants require more water than most people provide, and the soil should be moist but not soaking wet. You can quickly check this by sticking a finger in the soil.

5) Fix the Grow Light Setup

While the plants are growing, there are many things that you will need to keep an eye on. You will need to ensure that the lights are not too bright, so you will need to screw the light into the wall. As for the fluorescent light device, you should place it approximately six inches above the pot in which your plant is growing. All indoor plant pots should be placed on top of a white sheet or white mat to look better. For the growing bright lights, each plant uses about four hours daily. Many of these lights last for almost ten years. The light indoor plants need a little, so you will find that this is not too expensive to run.

6) Water and Maintain

With the use of artificial lights for plants, you will find that you do not need to give them extra water. The most effective way of watering indoor plants is by using a soaker hose. This is because it ensures the soil does not get too wet. You should also use a spray bottle to water your plants every few days and ensure that you are gentle with them when spraying. You may also want to fertilize your indoor plant to encourage its growth and development. This can be done using a liquid fertilizer containing 10-20-10 or 15-10-15 for regular fertilizing and 5-8-5 for light fertilizing.

7) Choose the Right Time to Harvest

You will need to harvest the vegetables when they are ready. To do this, you will need to look at the plants’ size and ensure that they have grown properly. Look at the leaves carefully and make sure that they have grown well. The vegetables are ready to harvest if you see that they have been appropriately grown. You will need to pick them up as soon as they are ready, or they may spoil. Many vegetables will require about two to four weeks for the plants to grow. If you do not pick them up when they are ready, they will start to rot and blacken.

Conclusion

Although growing vegetables indoors without sunlight is challenging, it is possible. With the use of artificial light and proper care, you can grow any vegetable that you desire. The vegetables we discussed in this article are relatively easy to grow. They are easy enough for anyone to grow. Following these step-by-step instructions, you can grow your favorite vegetable or herbs indoors without sunlight or artificial light. Additionally, you should know that the vegetables you grow indoors during the winter months taste a lot better than those grown outdoors. You can also grow fruits indoors; just like with vegetables, these fruits taste a lot better than those grown outdoors.