Fluorescent Lighting

A fluorescent lamp, or fluorescent tube, is a low-pressure mercury-vapor gas-discharge lamp that uses fluorescence to produce visible light. An electric current in the gas excites mercury vapor, which produces short-wave ultraviolet light that then causes a phosphor coating on the inside of the lamp to glow.

Fluorescent lighting is low-intensity light that doesn’t give off too much heat. This makes it great for propagating seedlings and clones. Fluorescent lighting also works well for growing plants that don’t need a lot of light.

Fluorescent lights are ideal for plants with low to medium light requirements, like African violets. They are also good for starting vegetables indoors. … In addition to this, fluorescent bulbs use 75 percent less energy than incandescent lights.