What Is UV And What Does It Do For Plants?

Ultra Violet (UV) light plays a significant role in all aspects of plant growth. Plants, in their natural environments, are exposed to natural sunlight which includes UVA and UVB light. Many of the lights used for indoor plant growth produce very small amounts of UV and some produce none at all.

What Is UV?

Ultraviolet light is a type of electromagnetic radiation present in natural sunlight. This light is broken up into three different sections of wavelengths:

UVA = 400-315nm

UVB = 315-280nm

UVC = 280-100nm

Natural sunlight produces these three sections of UV, however, UVC is not naturally present on earth because the atmosphere blocks the extremely harmful light from reaching the earth’s surface. Manufactured UVC is used in small doses to sanitize the air in places such as hospitals. 

Natural Sunlight Spectrum

What Does UV Do for My Plants?

Think of what happens to your skin when you are exposed to the sun for long periods of time. It begins to burn and sweat. Plants are no different. UV light activates a plant’s defense mechanisms. UV causes plants to produce oils, antioxidant vitamins and flavonoids to protect themselves from the damaging effects of UV. These compounds produce the vibrant colors, smells and tastes of plants.

When the correct amount of UV is present, it:

• increases oils and resins
• increases root mass
• causes more branching and less stretching
• improves taste and smell
• creates higher potency plants
• increases resistance to insects, bacteria and fungus
• can speed up the seed germination process

Keep in mind lighting measurements such as lumens, PPF and kelvin temperature do not measure UV (PBF includes UV). Only a UV meter or a spectral distribution chart can provide information on UV output.