Minecraft crops don't need sunlight - they only need farmland, water within 4 blocks, and any light source providing level 9+ illumination. You can grow crops underground using torches, glowstone, or other artificial lighting.. Do Minecraft Crops Need Sunlight to Grow? Minecraft is one of those games that most people have at least tried once. Everyone who has played can attest to trying to build the most complicated houses, tunnels, or sometimes just a hideaway. There are even certain places where Minecraft players can find things like waterfalls or cliffs to build a.
No and no. They do need to have some light, but where this light comes from is irrelevant. You can build a farm way underground and use lava as a light source if you want.. The short answer is this: crops in Minecraft need a light level of 9 or higher at the block directly above the plant to grow. This doesn't have to be sunlight; artificial sources like torches, lanterns, and glowstone are just as effective.