6 Smart Ways Growers Are Rethinking the Light Cycle for Better Results

Your lighting strategy could be the difference between a good harvest and a great one. Cultivators are turning to more refined light cycle techniques to boost efficiency, reduce stress, and maximize yield. From mimicking sunrise to lighting the lower canopy, these practices aren’t just about innovation, they’re about working with the plant and not against it.

As the industry evolves, growers are moving beyond basic lighting setups and embracing smarter, more intentional strategies. These six techniques are helping cultivators unlock better yields and better plant performance, without overcomplicating their grow or draining their budgets.

Strategies Growers Should Adopt

Soft Starts = Stronger Plants

1- Focusing on a soft start with lighting leads to stronger, more resilient plants. While this may go against conventional growers norms, gradual light transitions help prevent a 25% drop in photosynthetic effectiveness caused by sudden light exposure. Mimicking sunrise and sunset indoors can significantly enhance growth and yield. Having patience pays off, especially when growing in controlled environments.

Under Canopy Lighting

2- Under canopy lighting is more than just a trend, it’s a proven method to boost yields and we have the research to to prove it. By targeting light where it’s often overlooked (lower plant areas), strategic under-canopy setups can increase marketable yield by 10% to 20%, without adding plant height. Taller plants don’t always mean better buds.

Under-canopy lighting can increase your yield by 10% to 20% by helping small buds develop into full, marketable flowers. It also enhances trichome development, leading to slightly higher THC and CBD production. However, as I always say, THC and CBD levels can be further stimulated in the last two weeks of cultivation through stress techniques. For example, we use water stress to slightly boost THC levels at the end of the cycle.

– Sylvain Gaudreau, Cannabis Researcher at Canasyga

The 13:11 Flowering Method

3- Rethink the traditional 12:12 method. Switching to a 13:11 flowering cycle mimics natural seasonal shifts and has been shown to increase yields by 10–15%. Backed by research from institutions like the University of Guelph, this adjustment brings indoor environments closer to nature and encourages healthier plant development. Watch the clip below of Sylvain Gaudreau talking about the 13:11 method.

Top Early, Train Less

4- Simplify your workflow. Sylvain’s early topping method that was done during the cloning stage, reduces the need for labor-intensive training later on. The result? More main colas, a more efficient plant structure, and fewer mistakes throughout the cycle.

Use the Right Tools

5- Accurate light readings are essential for optimal plant health. A PAR meter offers the most precise data, but for growers on a budget, a LUX meter paired with conversion charts can still deliver solid guidance. Measuring the right values helps avoid over- or under-lighting, two common and costly mistakes!

Progress Through Research

6- This might sound obvious, but it’s key: the most successful growers never stop learning. Innovation in cultivation doesn’t come from guesswork, it comes from testing, tweaking, and adopting new tools and techniques. Stay curious, stay current, and your grow will thank you for it!

The Bottom Line

As more growers adopt innovative lighting techniques, like gradual transitions, under-canopy lighting, and customized light cycles—they’re seeing real improvements in yield, plant quality, and operational efficiency. These aren’t fads, they’re science-backed strategies, tested by cultivators like Sylvain Gaudreau who are shaping the future of indoor growing.

Want to Dive Deeper Into These Industry-Changing Methods?

These insights were explored in one of our recent webinars “Mastering the Light Cycle”, as part of the Aelius LED Dynamic Webinar Series 2025. This session dives into how growers can improve and take control of their light cycles, without breaking the bank or running LED’s around the clock. The full webinar is available to watch ON-DEMAND and packed with expert insights, visual demonstrations, and practical strategies to help growers improve efficiency, boost yield, and grow smarter.