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Some LEDs come with reflective aluminum panels to increase efficiency, and larger spread-style LEDs often feature internal cooling systems. When it comes to growing plants, there are a variety of methods to choose from, each with its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages. Two of the most popular methods are soil-based growing and hydroponics, but there is a third option that is often overlooked – coco coir. In this article, we'll explore the differences between these three methods and help you determine which one is best for your needs. There are also integrated LED light strips underneath the head so you'll never have to switch out a bulb.
To figure out which will be the best grow light for you, there are a handful of important things to nail down before you start shopping. Chances are you're buying lights to either start seeds indoors or to have happier houseplants, and there are several styles of lights for each. Both types of lights also have their own lineup of features to consider, depending on your setup. This full-spectrum spread-style grow light can be used for every growing phase, providing 2 x 2 feet of vegetative coverage and 1.5 x 1.5 feet for flowering plants. There's also a 2-inch stand extension for tall plants, a timer, plus a 6-foot grounded cord with a switch. The stand takes up minimal space and comes in two sizes, but the fluorescent bulb isn't as effective for coverage as other options.
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We've rounded up a fantastic selection of grow lights for you to consider, so read on for our recommendations plus everything you need to know before buying. This affordable, adjustable-spectrum LED grow light allows you to customize settings for your plants’ growth stages. The three settings are full-spectrum white, blue for seedlings and early-stage growth, and red for the budding and flowering stage. These versatile full-spectrum LED grow lights are a great value and have a solid lineup of features. For starters, their plug-and-play design allows you to link them end-to-end, plus you have a choice of three installation options with all hardware included.
All of the grow lights featured have average user ratings of at least 4 stars, and the majority have average user ratings of 4.5 stars or higher. Our selection includes a range of styles, from large hanging panels to floor lamps as mentioned above, and our choices span multiple price points. Most are available in more than one size and color, and we note these options for each product, when applicable. If you need a ton of coverage, it's tough to beat Spider Farmer's SF4000 LED grow light.
Gardening Basics
If you're growing fewer plants and don't want to deal with mounting or hanging lights, this is a smart pick for getting the job done. The stand is basic and effective, with a pulley system attached to the suspended full-spectrum fluorescent that can be lowered far down for seedlings. There are three installation options and the fixture features two integrated light strips with a 25,000-hour lifespan.
We'll also discuss how to use LED grow lights effectively and the science behind their ability to influence plant growth. This clip-on grow lamp is an easy-peasy, inexpensive way to give your desk plants a little love. It features two fixtures with adjustable arms and five levels of brightness ranging from 20 to 100 percent, plus there's a timer with three duration settings on the attached controller. The lamp features integrated LED strips with a 30,000-hour lifespan, and you have the choice of powering it via USB in addition to AC plug. AeroGarden is best known for their awesome indoor hydroponic gardens, but the brand also makes freestanding grow lights for gardeners who don't mind getting their hands dirty.
Edible Gardening
Each 42-watt light boasts a 50,000-hour lifespan, and they're available in 2- or 4-foot length sets. The downside is that they aren't dimmable and the bulbs are narrow, so they may not offer as much coverage as other higher-priced options. Though wattage is usually listed on LEDs, it doesn’t give you a complete picture of how powerful a light is. That’s because they burn bright but use far less energy than incandescent bulbs.
There's also a reflector to help increase efficiency up to roughly 20 percent. LED grow lights are a popular choice for indoor gardening and hydroponics because they are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and produce minimal heat. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of using LED grow lights for your plants, and provide some tips for choosing the right LED grow light for your setup.
Grow Lights & Stands
Those with a more design-savvy approach can choose from stylish hanging pendants, floor lamps, desk lamps, and more. All that's required to diversify your plant collection or start seed trays is a grow light. Though many are purely functional and prioritize tech over design, there are also options disguised as home lighting that will accent your décor and keep your plants happy to boot.
The lamp is reasonably priced and comes in a desktop version, but is only available in black, which may not suit all home design schemes. It has a sleek, eye-catching design and comes with a 3-year warranty, plus fire-resistant iron housing and quiet high-speed fans to dissipate heat. You can also link several together without additional cords and the light boasts roughly a 100,000-hour lifespan. This fixture provides a lot of light for your money at a high photosynthetic efficiency.
You'd never guess this chic pendant wasn't lighting decor from a design store. The grow light is available in black and white in two sizes, and it gets rave reviews, with an average 4.8 stars from more than 200 customers. —doesn't need to be hardwired, plus it includes a basic outlet timer, along with wall fairleads and a hook to keep the cord in place. There's an LED chip instead of a bulb, which has an approximate 15-year lifespan. If you're in the market for a grow light that doubles as a reading lamp, it's tough to do better than this one. Place this attractive light stand on your countertop to keep fresh herbs and greens within reach, or set a few potted succulents on the base to brighten up the kitchen.
There's a dimming knob for precise light intensity and the panel has a 100,000-hour lifespan, plus you can connect additional panels that are controlled with one switch. Most people buy full-spectrum lights to cover all stages of plant development. But more serious indoor gardeners may want adjustable lights with multiple colors for different growth stages. These typically include blue, red, and white, giving you the ability to fine-tune your lighting for different plants and seasons. For the most coverage, you can go with a spread-style hanging panel dotted with tiny light-emitting diodes , or standard tube lighting to mount or suspend under a shelf. You can also buy a stand with a light panel or tube lighting with adjustable height and light angles, some of which are ideal for kitchen gardens.
This model is designed to set on a countertop or other flat surface, or you can suspend it above plants using the included carabiner hanging system. Plants absorb light in the 400 to 700 nm range of the spectrum, and color is used for different stages of development. Blue is at the lower end of the color spectrum, used for early-stage growth and cultivating compact, stocky plants for ground coverage. White light encompasses all colors in the spectrum, which is why full-spectrum lights are useful for growing plants indoors. Although light outside the visible spectrum doesn’t contribute to photosynthesis, it’s still beneficial. Ultraviolet light can affect flower scent and leaf color, and far-red light can increase leaf size and cause plants to “stretch” tall and thin.
The lights are non-dimmable but stay cool—and you can link up to four fixtures, sold individually and in a handy 4-pack set. Many grow lights link together just like Christmas lights—a bonus if you need a more coverage—a strategy that provides you ample lighting without requiring multiple outlets. There's typically a maximum number of lights that can be safely connected—two to six among the grow lights we cover.
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