Should I leave my grow lights on 24 hours a day or give my plants a dark period?

TL;DR: No. Plants need a period of darkness each day, just as they would get outdoors. Use the timer on your Gathera product to set an automatic on/off cycle.

Why darkness matters

Plants use their dark period for respiration and internal growth processes. Running lights 24/7 does not accelerate growth and can actually stress certain plants or cause them to bolt, where the plant focuses energy on flowering and seed production rather than the leafy growth you want.

What light schedule to use

A 12 to 16 hour light cycle works well for most herbs and leafy greens. Gathera products come with preset timer options of 8, 12, or 16 hours to make this straightforward. Some plants have specific preferences, so it is worth a quick search for the variety you are growing.

A practical example

Spinach is a good example of why this matters. Expose it to too many hours of light and it will bolt, sacrificing leaf growth in favour of seeds.

How to set the timer

Use the controller on your Gathera light panel to select your preferred daily cycle. The light will then switch on and off automatically without any further action needed.

Apr 29, 2026

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