I have just recently began using grow lights to start my greens indoors and to continue to grow them indoors through the hot summer and winter, is my hope. How important is it to have a fan in the room with them? I did use a fan to start with when they were in the basement and I noticed white fuzzy growth on the soil but I have not used one upstairs where they will remain. I have not seen the white growth yet but do not know if that is next. Thank you. northern Illinois

All plants benefit somewhat from good air circulation. However, for most houseplants, it is not a necessity. Mold on the soil is caused by contaminated soil and keeping the soil too damp and a fan won't help those conditions.

Thank you for your reply. Contaminated soil...do you have more information on that please.Soil outside certainly isn't sterilized so why would it matter when growing veg. indoors please?

Garden soil used outdoors may also harbor a variety of insect pests that we can tolerate outside, but don't want in our homes.

Mold spores are in the air just waiting for a comfy cozy place to settle down and grow. They like damp air and dark places. Bright lights and a gentle breeze will do a lot to discourage the mold from growing. If it does grow, a sprinkle of cinnamon will get rid of it.

When you want to grow plants indoors, use soil especially made for containers. If you want to grow plants outdoors in containers, the garden dirt is fine (if its decent garden dirt). The dirt in your yard is harboring all sorts of stuff you don't want in your house. If you absolutely must use yard dirt in your indoor container plants, sterilize it first.

Thank you for your replies and clarifications. They were helpful. I see I need to be more careful with my soil. I store it in the shed and use a scoop that can also be used in the garden outside so there definitely is cross contamination going on.

Is there anyone out there using grow lights successfully for greens indoors without fans or are they really needed? Thank you.

Fans are only necessary if you start seeing mold/mildew problems and it won't necessarily be growing on the soil. Watch the back sides of plants in the stiller darker areas of your growing area. The spores won't grow without the right conditions (Dark, damp and still).

Fans are also important when you are growing plants with a stem. A gentle breeze helps plants grow stronger heftier stems.

Thank you for your help! I appreciate it. Happy gardening!

I have to run fans on my grow room or the plants will have big problems. I use 3 total, one big fat high velocity in the door, one oscillating fan indoors and a small one for under my light fixture. Here a photo of the one on the door. I use a timer and set it 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off.

Thanks again! Looks like you have many more plants and a bigger set up than I do...wonder if that is next, ha. It is fun!