Garden lighting without light pollution

Key facts in brief: Garden lighting is insect-friendly when it only shines where it is needed, only emits downwards, is warm white to amber (below 2,700 K or 1,800 K amber) and is switched off at night by a timer or motion sensor. Upward-facing spotlights and all-night lighting should be avoided.

Why light in the garden matters

Artificial light can disrupt the rhythm of nocturnal animals adapted to darkness. Lighting should therefore only be used when, where and as much as necessary ^[1]. In a field experiment, a combination of dimming by 50 percent and switching off between midnight and 4 a.m. was most effective at reducing the attraction of insects ^[1].

Five rules for insect-friendly light

The State Institute for the Environment of Baden-Württemberg (LUBW) recommends ^[2]:

Intensity: plan light according to need, not bright "just in case".
Distribution: limit light precisely to the area, no emission into or above the horizontal; always light from top to bottom.
Colour temperature: warm white below 2,700 K or amber at around 1,800 K; avoid cool white light above 3,000 K.
Time: adapt lighting to need, no all-night lighting without reason.
Luminaire: dust-tight housing so that no insects can get in, and a surface temperature of no more than 40 °C ^[2]; licht.de gives 60 °C as the upper limit, which can also be undercut ^[1].
In addition: UV-absorbing luminaire covers and accent lighting instead of area lighting ^[2].

Legal situation in Germany

Section 41a of the German Federal Nature Conservation Act introduced protection of animals and plants against adverse effects of lighting. The provision only comes into force once an ordinance with specific requirements for outdoor lighting has been issued ^[3]^[2]. Some federal states are further ahead: Baden-Württemberg's nature conservation act, for example, requires insect-friendly lighting on public roads, paths and squares and the retrofitting of existing installations by 2030 ^[2]. Regardless of this, it makes sense to plan this way today.

The Federal Environment Ministry has announced that it will issue the ordinance by 2027 ^[5]. Already in force since 2022 is the general ban on installing new street lighting in nature reserves outside built-up areas (§ 23(4) BNatSchG) ^[5].

Amber, warm white and spectrum

Amber light has a colour temperature of about 1,800 kelvin and emits only between 500 and 700 nanometres; it may attract considerably fewer insects than other LED light sources ^[1]. Where colours should look natural, for example on the terrace, warm-white LED light up to 2,700 K is the practical compromise ^[2].

Consideration for neighbours

Authorities use the German Light Guideline (Licht-Leitlinie) to assess light immissions. It distinguishes two nuisance effects: room brightening (light falling into living rooms and bedrooms, measured as illuminance in the window plane) and psychological glare from bright light sources ^[4]. Shielded, downward-facing luminaires avoid both.

What a good solution looks like

Paths: low bollard luminaires emitting downwards only, motion sensors
Terrace: warm white, dimmable light, switched off at bedtime
Trees and façade: sparing accents instead of floodlighting, no spotlights into the sky
Ponds and hedges: leave as dark as possible

Frequently asked questions

Are solar lights insect-friendly?

Not automatically. Many shine cool white and all night. Look for a warm white colour, upward shielding and a switch-off function.

Am I allowed to light my garden at night?

In principle, yes. However, light that significantly disturbs neighbours can become relevant under immission control law.

Which light colour is best in the garden?

Warm white below 2,700 K or amber around 1,800 K. Cool-white light above 3,000 K should be avoided outdoors.

Sources (in German)

Author: Paul Rostand Ndjeundoun, M.Sc. (Hons), Certified Lighting Expert (LiTG), Registered European Lighting Expert · As of November 2026. Standard values have been carefully researched but do not replace consulting the currently valid edition of the standard.