How Long Should You Light Seeds for Tomatoes Plants?

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in a home garden, and starting them from seeds can be a rewarding experience. However, starting tomato seeds indoors can be more challenging than planting purchased seedlings outside. One important factor to consider is how long to light your tomato seeds to ensure they grow successfully into healthy plants.

Why Do Tomato Seeds Require Light?

Tomato seeds require both moisture and light to germinate, which means that they will not start to grow without consistent exposure to both. While moisture can be controlled through watering, light must be provided to tomato seeds artificially within the first few weeks of growth if you're starting the seeds indoors.

How Long Should You Light Tomato Seeds?

Tomato seeds should be exposed to about 14-16 hours of light per day within the first few weeks of growth. The best way to achieve this amount of light is by using grow lights as natural light can be unreliable, especially during the winter months. Additionally, because tomato seeds require darkness to help them germinate properly, it's vital that you balance the amount of artificial light they receive with periods of darkness.

When Should You Stop Lighting Tomato Seeds?

Once your tomato seedlings have reached a height of 2-3 inches, you can start to reduce the number of hours that they're exposed to light each day. As a general rule, tomato seedlings can be reduced to 10-12 hours of light per day until they're ready to be transplanted outside. When it's time to transplant the seedlings, they should be hardened off by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions over a period of several days.

Final Thoughts

While growing tomatoes from seeds can be challenging, the hard work pays off in the end with a bountiful harvest of fresh, delicious tomatoes. By providing adequate lighting to your tomato seeds within the first few weeks of growth, you can ensure that they'll grow into healthy plants that will provide you with juicy, ripe tomatoes all season long.