Harnessing LED Lighting for Sustainable Indoor Gardening: A Review of Techniques, Benefits, and Future Directions

Abstract:
Indoor gardening has gained significant attention as a sustainable solution to urban food production and year-round cultivation. Among the many technologies enabling this growth, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) stand out due to their energy efficiency, customizable light spectra, and long operational life. This paper reviews the critical role of LED lighting in indoor gardening, focusing on plant physiological responses, spectrum optimization, and system-level benefits. Studies demonstrate that specific light spectra (particularly red and blue wavelengths) significantly influence photosynthesis, flowering, and biomass accumulation. Furthermore, the integration of LED lighting with smart controls and hydroponic systems enhances productivity in constrained environments. This review highlights current advancements, applications, and future prospects of LED-assisted indoor gardening, emphasizing its potential in promoting urban agriculture and food security.

Introduction:
With the global population increasingly concentrated in urban areas, traditional farming faces challenges such as land scarcity, resource inefficiency, and environmental degradation. Indoor gardening has emerged as a viable alternative, enabling year-round cultivation in controlled environments, from small-scale household systems to commercial vertical farms.
Central to the success of indoor gardening is artificial lighting, which substitutes natural sunlight and supports photosynthetic activity. LED lighting, in particular, offers unparalleled advantages over conventional lighting systems such as high-pressure sodium (HPS) or fluorescent lamps. These include tuneable spectra, lower heat emission, and superior energy efficiency.
This article explores the application of LED lighting in indoor gardening, examining how various wavelengths affect plant growth and development, and reviewing technological innovations, challenges, and future directions for sustainable urban agriculture.

 Review:

1. Evolution of Indoor Gardening:

Indoor plant cultivation has evolved from ornamental uses to functional food production. Initially dependent on sunlight or inefficient artificial lighting, indoor gardening has transformed with technological innovations, particularly in the lighting sector.

2. Overview of LED Technology

LEDs are solid-state devices that emit light when electric current passes through semiconductor materials. Unlike traditional lights, LEDs can emit specific wavelengths, allowing growers to tailor light conditions to plant needs. Key advantages include:

1. Spectral customization

2. High energy efficiency (µmol/J)

3. Minimal thermal radiation

4. Long lifespan (>50,000 hours)