Genera Specific PPFD Recommendations

The tables below list our recommendations for PPFD levels based on our experiences at Florawave and Carnivero.  Note that we have not yet tested many genera listed here specifically under artificial lighting but are making recommendations based on experience with light level preference growing under greenhouse conditions.  Some genera have many species and there will inevitably be a somewhat wide range.  Targeting around the low-middle at first should be adequate for most species and hybrids and the lighting can be subsequently increased from there based on desired plant response. 

For all plants, absolute and relative changes in light level play a role in physiological expression.  A thorough discussion is beyond the scope of this page.  However, at the minimum, keep in mind that light will influence leaf size, stem size, flowering, and fruit/seed production.  Anthocyanin and other pigment production is influenced by absolute light levels as well as the spectra.  Higher levels of pigments will give plants a darker, reddish hue. 

PPFD Levels for Carnivorous Plant Genera

Genus PPFD Lower Range (μmol/s/m²) PPFD Upper Range (μmol/s/m²)
Nepenthes 30 200
Utricularia (epiphytic) 30 200
Pinguicula 30 200
Cephalotus 45 300
Darlingtonia* 75 400
Heliamphora 100 400
Sarracenia (low growing) 100 400
Dionaea 100 400
Utricularia (temperate)* 100 400
Drosera 100 500+
Sarracenia (upright)** 200 500+
Drosophyllum* 150 500+

Assumes a 12-14 hour photoperiod

*Estimation (have not tested)

**Have only tried seedlings due to geometric restraints

In all plants, light level, metabolism and nutrient uptake are intimately tied.  For carnivorous plants, these relationships have pronounced physiological effects since the predominant mode of nutrient uptake for most species is through trapping mechanisms (see videos of plants grown under the PPFD recommendations)  Observations suggest that as light levels increase, characteristics that are conducive for trapping also increase.  For an example of this, take a look at the lighting response in Nepenthes.  Increased nutrient uptake by roots and traps increases metabolism.  When the roots are responsible for uptake, the plants express trap characteristics more conducive to photosynthesis as opposed to capture.  Our observation is that the increased energy devoted to trapping mechanisms can take its toll over time if not rewarded with increased nutrient uptake and plants will suffer from deficiencies.  We should advise that the light level recommendations are based on tests with moderate feeding with insects, fertilizers into traps as well as fertilizer directly into the soil.  Growing conditions and nutrient supplementation may lead to different optimal lights levels for the targeted plants.

PPFD Levels for Orchid Genera 

Genus PPFD Lower Range (μmol/s/m²) PPFD Upper Range (μmol/s/m²) AOS Suggestion (ft-candles)
Paphiopedilum  25 100 1000-2000
Phalaenopsis* 25 100 1000-2000
Paphiopedilum (multi-floral)* 40 150 3000
Phragmipedium* 40 150 3000
Oncidium* 40 150 3000
Dendrobium* 100 300 4000-5000
Cattleya* 100 300 4000-5000
Shomburgkias* 100 350 6000-6500
Vandas* 100 350 6000-6500
Assumes 10-14 hour photoperiod
*Estimation (have not tested)










PPFD Levels for Ornamentals and Others 






Genus
PPFD Lower Range (μmol/s/m²)
PPFD Upper Range (μmol/s/m²)




African Violets*
30
90




Begonias*
30
100




Aroids (lower light species)
15
100




Tropical succulents*
50
200




Philodendron
20
150




Monstera
30
150




Anthurium
15
100




Alocasia
20
150




Crops (tomato, pepper)*
100
400







Assumes 10-14 hour photoperiod
*Estimation (have not tested)



PPFD Levels for Cannabis






Genus
PPFD Lower Range (μmol/s/m²)
PPFD Upper Range (μmol/s/m²)




Seedlings, clones and mother plants*
150
400




Vegetative Growth*
200
500+




Flowering and Budding*
300
500+






*Estimated based on literature


 













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References


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Blankenship, Robert E. Molecular Mechanisms of Photosynthesis. Oxford: Blackwell Science, 2002. Print.


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Bugbee, Bruce. 2020. Apogee Instruments. https://www.apogeeinstruments.com/videos-and-tutorials. (01-01-2020)


Capó-Bauçà S, Font-Carrascosa M, Ribas-Carbó M, Pavlovič A, Galmés J. 2020. Biochemical and mesophyll diffusional limits to photosynthesis are determined by prey and root nutrient uptake in the carnivorous pitcher plant Nepenthes × ventrata. Annals of Botany. 126. 25–37.


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Pavlovič, A., Singerová, L., Demko, V. et al. Root nutrient uptake enhances photosynthetic assimilation in prey-deprived carnivorous pitcher plant Nepenthes talangensis . Photosynthetica 48, 227–233 (2010).


Pavlovic, A., Masarovicová, E., & Hudák, J. (2007). Carnivorous syndrome in Asian pitcher plants of the genus Nepenthes. Annals of botany, 100(3), 527–536.


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Schulze, W., Schulze, E., Pate, J. et al. The nitrogen supply from soils and insects during growth of the pitcher plants Nepenthes mirabilis, Cephalotus follicularis and Darlingtonia californica . Oecologia 112, 464–471 (1997).


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