It’s not recommended. While some plants may survive in complete darkness, most require both light and darkness. In light of this, operating a grow light 24/7 can harm a mature plant’s photoreceptor cells, which are essential for nighttime internal processes.
Similar to humans, plants have biological clocks that are controlled by the sun. Depending on where they are native to, various plant species have varying illumination needs and tolerances. However, regardless of where they come from, most plants require some amount of rest to utilize the energy they have stored during the day.
A plant’s chlorophyll molecules absorb light photons during the day, causing photosynthesis to be stimulated and the breakdown of water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, which the plant uses to make sugars and starches. Sugar and starch molecules are stored by plants during the day for usage at night for nutrients and growth. Starch molecules are slowly used by plants to power liquid flow and energy conversion during the night.
On the basis of this biochemical rhythm, plants gradually adjust their resource usage at night to the length and intensity of sun cycles. This control is evident when plants adjust to seasonal climate changes. Plants adjust their production and consumption rates in response to the changing weather and temperature as the day progresses.
