The amount of light we need to read by isn't enough to keep most plants alive, yet we often fail to provide them with additional light. The easiest way to increase lighting for plants is to move them to a brighter spot. However, you may have too many plants or you may want them in specific locations to accent room design. Artificial or supplemental lighting is the answer. Many of the new light fixtures are attractive and can be attached to specially designed planters or to shelves above plants.
Light quality is as important as the right amount.
Use equal amounts of cool white and warm white fluorescent lamps. To do the job right, the light source must be close enough to the plant. Robert Nuss is a horticulturist at Penn State. He coordinates all extension horticulture programs. He has bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in ornamental horticulture and has been on the Penn State faculty since 1966.