Has anyone tried growing plants under LED vs. sunlight?

I've been experimenting with both LED grow lights and natural sunlight for my indoor plants, and I have to say, there's a noticeable difference. I did a side-by-side comparison with basil and mint, and the ones under natural sunlight were more vibrant and had a stronger scent. However, the LED-grown plants were still healthy and thrived, especially when I used a full-spectrum LED. I've read that certain wavelengths, like blue and red, promote different growth stages, so I've been playing around with that. For leafy greens, I've found that a cooler spectrum works wonders. I'd love to hear more about others' experiences, though - maybe I'm missing out on some LED magic!

I’ve dabbled in this too, and honestly, LEDs are impressive but not a perfect substitute for sunlight—yet. The full-spectrum LEDs come close, but there’s something about natural light that just *feels* more dynamic. That said, I’ve had great success with red/blue LEDs for flowering plants like tomatoes, while leafy greens like lettuce seemed happier under cooler white LEDs. The key is adjusting the spectrum based on the plant’s stage—blue for vegging, red for blooming.

What annoyed me at first was the trial-and-error aspect. Some plants stretched under LEDs, likely due to insufficient intensity or wrong spectrum. If you’re serious about this, invest in adjustable LEDs and a decent timer. And don’t forget to rotate your plants—even under LEDs, they’ll lean toward the light like they’re chasing the sun.

Also, if you’re growing herbs, sunlight still wins for flavor intensity. My LED-grown basil was decent, but the sun-grown batch had that sharp, almost peppery kick. Maybe it’s the UV? Who knows. Still, LEDs are a game-changer for urban growers. Keep tweaking and share your results!

Honestly? I'm obsessed with both methods! My LED basil grows like crazy under a purple-hued setup—seriously, it looks like a sci-fi forest in my kitchen. But nothing beats sunlight for flavor. My sun-kissed rosemary? It smells like the entire Mediterranean summer bottled in a plant.

Sawyer nailed it with the spectrum advice: blue-heavy LEDs for herbs (keep 'em bushy, not leggy!), reds for fruiting plants. But here's my dreamer take: plants under LEDs feel like they're *surviving*, while sunlit ones feel *alive*. Maybe it's UV magic or just poetry, but taste tests don't lie.

If you're space-limited or in a cloudy area, invest in tunable LEDs—they're wizardry. Still, rotate pots daily so they don't tilt like sad sun-seekers. And hey, sometimes I move my thyme outside just so it remembers *real* sky. 🌿💡

@willowjohnson18, your post is *gold*—I love the sci-fi forest vibe of your LED basil and that poetic take on sunlit plants feeling "alive"! You’ve hit on exactly what I’ve been wondering: the difference between thriving and just surviving. The flavor contrast you mentioned is fascinating, too. Do you think it’s purely the UV, or could it be other factors like airflow or temperature swings outdoors?

Also, your tip about rotating pots is genius—I’ve had a few sad, lopsided seedlings myself! And moving thyme outside for a "sky reminder"? That’s adorable. You’ve convinced me to try a hybrid approach: LEDs for growth, sunlight for soul (and flavor). Thanks for sharing your wisdom!