How Much Light Does Leafy greens (lettuce, rocket) Need? PPFD & DLI
Short cycle with low light requirements and cool temperatures.
- Peak PPFD: 210–295 µmol/m²/s
- Peak DLI: 12–17 mol/m²/d
- Air temperature: 16–22 °C
- Relative humidity: 50–70 %
- VPD target: 0.7–1 kPa
- Do not leave the substrate dry for more than 2 days
Targets per growth stage
| Stage | From day | PPFD | DLI | Photoperiod | pH | EC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seedling | 0 | 175–260 µmol/m²/s | 10–15 mol/m²/d | 16 h | 5.5–6 | 0.6–0.8 |
| Growth | 10 | 175–260 µmol/m²/s | 10–15 mol/m²/d | 16 h | 5.5–6 | 0.8–1.2 |
| Mature | 35 | 210–295 µmol/m²/s | 12–17 mol/m²/d | 16 h | 5.5–6 | 1.2–1.4 |
Watering
Avoid drying out completely; keep soil consistently slightly moist.
Sources
- Wuetcher, L.T. & Owen, W.G. (2025). Managing DLI to Improve Vegetable Transplant Quality. e-GRO Alert 10(1), The Ohio State University — Supports: seedling light
- Stallknecht, E. (2025). Calculating and Using Daily Light Integral (DLI): An Introductory Guide. Virginia Cooperative Extension, SPES-720NP — Supports: light targets
Values not covered by a source above are common growing practice, not taken from a primary source.
Sharing a tent with other plants
- Tomato and Leafy greens (lettuce, rocket)
- Pepper and Leafy greens (lettuce, rocket)
- Cucumber and Leafy greens (lettuce, rocket)
- Strawberry and Leafy greens (lettuce, rocket)
- Basil and Leafy greens (lettuce, rocket)
- Leafy greens (lettuce, rocket) and Radish
- Rosemary and Leafy greens (lettuce, rocket)
- Leafy greens (lettuce, rocket) and Pothos
- Spinach and Leafy greens (lettuce, rocket)