Lighting vegetation in a tropical greenhouse, planted display or zoo reception building requires an understanding of how the space is used. Plants, any animals present, staff and visitors introduce different constraints. GreenVisuaLED can help select horticultural lighting for the planted part of the project.
Define the planted area
A living wall in an entrance hall, plants under a glazed roof and vegetation within an enclosure cannot be planned using the same assumptions. Describe the area, heights, plant species and available daylight. Identify shadows from structures, foliage and equipment.
For an existing installation, record fitting types, positions and operating hours. Observations at several locations help distinguish local lighting limitations from other maintenance issues.
Coordinate with animal care teams
Where animals share the space, their lighting requirements must be defined by the animal care and veterinary teams. The horticultural design must respect those requirements: protected areas, schedules, beam direction and species-specific restrictions.
A plant light alone does not address the specific lighting needs of animals. Any UV requirements, cycles and other equipment require separate validation by the competent team. The EAZA Best Practice Guidelines for animal groups can contribute to the zoo’s reference documentation.
Account for the actual environment
Describe humidity, splashing, irrigation, cleaning and accessibility. Check equipment suitability against its instructions and installation conditions. An IP rating alone does not establish suitability for every use.
Position equipment to allow planned interventions without obstructing animal care, plant maintenance or circulation. Technical teams must validate mounting, power supply and controls for the site conditions.
Agree schedules and checks
Public opening hours are not automatically appropriate lighting hours for all living organisms. Coordinate programming across the teams and document agreed settings. Daylight contributions can change with the seasons.
At acceptance, identify agreed measurement points, fitting orientations and measurement conditions. Documented follow-up helps adjust plant lighting while respecting the constraints established for animals.
Prepare your project information
- Location and use: reception, greenhouse, living wall or planted display.
- Drawings, photos, dimensions and mounting heights.
- Planting scheme and existing lighting.
- Animals present and requirements defined by the zoo’s teams.
- Irrigation, cleaning, access and maintenance constraints.
- Schedule, contacts and expected supply scope.
For a planted vertical surface, our living wall lighting guide explains how to prepare the layout.