PAR & DLI Requirements for Sedum at Different Growth Stages

Sedum species are hardy, sun-loving succulents often used in rock gardens, green roofs, and as low-maintenance perennials. Although they are more light-tolerant than many herbs or foliage plants, they still benefit from light optimization via PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) and DLI (Daily Light Integral) to maintain color, compact growth, and flowering performance.

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1. Establishment / Early Growth Stage

Metric	Typical Range	Notes
PAR (µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹)	~150-250	Moderate light helps young plants establish roots and leaves without overheating.
DLI (mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹)	~8-12	Enough daily light for slow-growing succulents in early stage.

Tips:

• Plant in full sun or very bright light; avoid deep shade.
• When indoors or under supplemental light, use bright indirect to mimick ~150-200 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹.
• Monitor for signs of stretch (indicating too little light) or leaf scorching (indicating too much).

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2. Vegetative / Foliage Development Stage

Metric	Typical Range	Notes
PAR (µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹)	~250-400	Supports densification, foliage color (some sedums develop reddish tones under stronger light).
DLI (mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹)	~12-18	A strong daily light integral helps maintain compact, healthy form.

Tips:

• Outdoors, this equates to 4-6 hours of strong direct sun plus bright ambient light.
• Indoors or under grow-lights, aim for ~300 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ over ~12–14 h to hit ~13-15 mol DLI.
• If light is weak, sedum may lose compact form and coloration.

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3. Flowering / Mature Stage

Metric	Typical Range	Notes
PAR (µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹)	~350-500	Higher light encourages flowering and richer leaf pigmentation.
DLI (mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹)	~15-20	Sustained light budget supports bloom production and vibrant colors.

Tips:

• Ideal for outdoor full-sun plantings (6-8 h or more of direct sun).
• Under indoor lighting, ensure the light covers ~15-20 mol DLI (e.g., ~350 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ × 14 h ≈ 17 mol).
• Good drainage plus high light = best results for sedum’s flowering and color. Overly low light or poor drainage reduce quality.

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Quick Reference Table

Growth Stage	PAR Target	DLI Target	Primary Objective
Establishment	~150-250 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹	~8-12 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹	Root establishment & compact growth
Vegetative / Foliage	~250-400 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹	~12-18 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹	Dense foliage, strong leaf color, form
Flowering / Mature	~350-500 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹	~15-20 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹	Flowering, rich pigmentation, mature habit

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Why Monitoring PAR & DLI Matters for Sedum

Even though sedums are quite tolerant, optimizing light ensures compact growth, vibrant coloration (especially for varieties with red or bronze foliage), and thicker flower stalks.
By using a device like the AquaHorti AH-PARDLI Bluetooth PAR/DLI Logger, you can:

• Track actual light dose (DLI) and intensity (PAR) across days and seasons.
• Compare whether your plants under shade or indoor grow-lights receive adequate light.
• Export data (CSV) for analysis and adjust lighting or placement accordingly.