25-35% More Yield From Under-Canopy Lighting

Under-canopy lighting can increase productive canopy depth, improve lower flower development, and potentially reduce pruning and defoliation labor, but getting the strategy right requires more than simply adding fixtures below the canopy. In this episode, we break down how under-canopy lighting changes the way growers should think about light distribution, canopy management, and overall lighting intensity. We look at how different under-canopy fixture designs distribute light, how to measure PPFD within the canopy, and why total light intensity matters when combining overhead and under-canopy systems. We also cover the relationship between under-canopy lighting and labor. With more usable light reaching lower flower sites, cultivators may be able to reduce pruning and defoliation while maintaining a productive canopy deeper into the plant. Chapters 00:00 Under-Canopy Lighting Explained 00:37 Types of Under-Canopy Lights 01:15 How Fixture Design Affects Light Distribution 02:01 Measuring PPFD Inside the Canopy 02:51 Balancing Overhead and Under-Canopy Light 03:40 How Much Under-Canopy Light Do You Need? 04:28 Rethinking Canopy Management 05:11 Reducing Pruning and Defoliation 05:55 Potential Labor Savings The goal isn't simply to add more light. It's to distribute light more effectively throughout the canopy and build a cultivation strategy around the additional productive space that creates.