Does Stars, Moon, and Street Lights Affect Pot Plants?

Plants rely on sunlight and photosynthesis to survive, but what happens when their environment isn't dark enough at night? Many people wonder if the stars, moon, and street lights affect the growth of pot plants. Let's dive into the science behind this phenomenon.

The Effects of Light on Plants

Light is a crucial factor in a plant's growth process. It's what triggers photosynthesis, the process that allows plants to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose. Without light, plants can't produce the energy source they need to survive. In fact, too much light can also be harmful to plants, causing them to go into shock and die.

Starlight and Moonlight

While stars and the moon can provide some light to plants, it's not enough to fully sustain their growth process. NASA conducted an experiment in 2002 where they grew lettuce plants under simulated moonlight and compared the results to those grown under sun lamps. The plants grown under moonlight had a lower photosynthetic rate and produced less biomass compared to the plants grown under the sun lamps.

Similarly, starlight has little effect on plants because it's too dim to trigger photosynthesis. However, it's important to note that plants do use the stars for navigation. They use the positions of the stars to determine which direction to grow in.

Street Lights

Street lights, on the other hand, can have a significant impact on plant growth. Most outdoor street lights emit light in the blue to green spectrum, which can disrupt a plant's natural growth cycle. This is because street lights can interfere with the plant's ability to produce the hormone melatonin, which regulates their growth and development.

In a study conducted by the University of Exeter, researchers found that street lights reduced the growth rate of the common bean by 60%. The researchers also noted that the plants grown under street lights had smaller leaves and a lower photosynthetic rate compared to those grown in complete darkness.

The Importance of Darkness

While light is crucial to a plant's growth, darkness is just as important. Plants need a period of darkness to regulate their growth and development. This is because the hormone melatonin, which is produced in the dark, plays a key role in their growth and development cycle. In fact, research has shown that plants need at least six hours of darkness per day to properly grow and thrive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while stars and moonlight may provide some light to plants, it's not enough to fully sustain their growth process. On the other hand, street lights can have a significant impact on plant growth by disrupting their natural growth cycle. It's important to provide plants with a period of darkness to regulate their growth and development.

So, next time you're growing pot plants, make sure they're getting enough darkness and keep them away from street lights to ensure they're growing to their full potential.