Plants use light in the photosynthetically active radiation spectrum, which includes wavelengths ranging from 400 (violet) to 700 (red) nanometers. Both types are typically available at local hardware stores, online and at garden centers. They also do not produce excess heat and have become available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. LEDs are usually more expensive than fluorescent bulbs, but they are very energy-efficient and long-lasting. There are other types of grow lights like sodium vapor lights, but they are harder to find and more commonly used in commercial greenhouse settings.įor many years, fluorescent shop lights were the go-to seed starting bulbs for gardeners, but LEDs have quickly replaced them as the standard choice. ![]() Most gardeners use either fluorescent lights or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. Bulb technologyĪ small shop light can provide coverage to one or two trays. If you’re starting multiple seedling flats, a longer shop light will allow fairly uniform coverage across your trays. A better, usually more expensive option, would be a tube light that is the length of your seedling tray so that the light is more evenly distributed. So, if you only have one tray of seedlings, a single bulb model will likely work fine, especially if you have some natural lighting to supplement it like a bright window. If it’s off to the side or too high above them, they will stretch to reach it, resulting in thin, weak stems. Ideally, your light should be positioned directly above your seedlings. The best size and shape for you depends on the orientation of your seed starting setup. Grow lights are sold in a variety of shapes and sizes, from bulbs that look like those you would put in a lamp, to clip-on rods, to long shop lights. Let's break down which options may best suit your seed-starting needs. They come in a variety of colors, shapes and prices. If you’ve shopped for grow lights recently, you have likely noticed that there are a lot of different options for seed-starting lights. To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team Though HID bulbs are powerful, even more so than LED ones, they are expensive and energy-inefficient and require special fixtures. However, because their output is fairly weak, you have to put them a few inches from your plants. These bulbs have almost entirely replaced fluorescent and HID ones.įluorescent bulbs are useful for growing plants that require a modest amount of light. They also come in different colors and temperatures to suit your lighting needs. LED lights are long-lasting and energy-efficient. Most grow lights on the market today use LED bulbs. These provide a balance of warm and cool lighting to resemble natural sunlight. If you have both flowering and leafy plants or don’t know which type of light your plants need, you can find full-spectrum grow lights. Cool light, meanwhile, helps seeds grow stems and leaves and greens expand their foliage. Warm light helps with fruit and flower production. Lightĭifferent plant species and growth stages require different colors and temperatures of light. You can also purchase several lights if one isn’t enough. On the other hand, you need a large overhead light if you have rows of plants. ![]() For one plant, you can get a small light that can move from room to room with your plant. Size/NumberĬhoose a light that’s large enough to cover all of the plants in your indoor garden. ![]() To make an informed purchase about what grow light works best for your gardening needs, consider the following factors.
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