Being a plant parent is beyond Instagram-worthy aesthetics. There is that, but nothing beats the sheer green beauty, the greenery home decor, and the plant pots in all their glory. Perhaps these are the things you consider while plant shopping for your already plant-cramped space. Not judging, okay? We are equally guilty (you do not want to see our plant wishlist).
However, there is more to it. Science has proven that keeping indoor plants improves air quality, reduces stress levels, boosts creativity, and serves as a form of horticultural therapy. Here is what to do the next time you water your plants; breathe deeply, maintain focus, admire, touch or talk to the leaves and flowers. Watch how it will enhance both your and your plants’ wellness.
The Science of Indoor Gardening
With indoor gardening comes great responsibility. Many plant lovers are charmed by the watering, fertilizing, trimming, and tending to fussy houseplants. They feel emotionally connected to the plants and are invested in their growth.
The social media frenzy about plants has also helped to amplify care tips, research findings, and other resources. Light, water, temperature, and nutrients remain at the core of these conversations.
Light intensity fluctuates according to the season. In the spring, the intensity and quantity of natural light begin to rise. The springtime temperature and light changes will encourage plants to emerge from winter dormancy and sprout new leaves.
Well-tended houseplants thrive in the summer because of the abundance of sunlight.
Many plants lose their leaves in the fall when the light cycle starts to alter, while the reduced light in the shorter days of winter inhibits plant growth.
It’s crucial to select houseplants that will thrive in the available lighting conditions, just as you would when deciding which plants to place in sunny or shaded parts of your outside garden. Artificial lighting, also called grow light, may be required to supplement the energy plants receive from the sun.
We love research as much as we love plants. As a result, many types of grow lights are available on the market, from LEDs, fluorescent bulbs, high-pressure sodium, and incandescent bulbs.
Finding the best grow lights can be difficult when various wattages, styles, and types are available. Thus, we tested many grow lights to help you choose the best option(s) for your indoor plants.
Check Amazon- Designed to replace traditional greenhouse lighting.
- Great for all phases of indoor plant growth.
- Emits 448 nm blue and 630 nm red light spectrums.
Check Amazon- Full-spectrum LED grow lights for indoor plants.
- A low-energy, low-heat bulb.
- Provides natural light temperature.
Check Amazon- Allows for the growing of up to three plants at a time.
- Uses 10-watt LED lights.
- Includes an herb seed kit.
Check Amazon- Uses Samsung LM301B diodes.
- Works for all stages of growth.
- Vegetable coverage is 5x5 feet, while flowering coverage is 4x4 feet.
Check Amazon- Adjustable tripod stand, from 15 to 47 inches.
- Three spectrum modes: purple light, clear yellow light, and clear white light.
- Automatic on/off timer included.
Check Amazon- Features a diverse spectrum of red and blue light.
- Also comes in a yellow light designed to mimic the sun's spectrum.
- Advertised as having excellent heat dissipation.
Check Amazon- Smart app enabled via the Modern Sprout app.
- Includes a wall-mountable steel frame.
- Advertised as providing an optimal growing environment.
- Multiple frame color options available.
Best Overall: Feit Electric Full-Spectrum LED Grow Light Bulb
- Designed to replace traditional greenhouse lighting.
- Great for all phases of indoor plant growth.
- Emits 448 nm blue and 630 nm red light spectrums.
Our best pick is the Feit Electric Full-Spectrum LED Grow Light. When someone says your plants need more than a single grow light bulb to thrive, tell them about the full-spectrum LED light from Feit Electric.
It’s a versatile, energy-efficient light suited for all growth stages of houseplants. In addition, it’s adaptable for soil and hydroponic gardening. It emits light in the 448 nm blue and 630 nm red spectrums for a photosynthetic response.
The LED light fits into existing lamps. However, it must be placed close to the plants to achieve the best results.
We tested this in a somewhat dark and small apartment where the houseplants couldn’t get enough energy from the sun. But, looking at the beautiful hues on the Amaryllis, this product was instrumental to the growth.
Pros and Cons of the Feit Electric Full-Spectrum LED Grow Light Bulb
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| Versatile. | Doesn’t work from a distance. |
| Suited for soil and hydroponic plants. | Only 9 watts. |
| Emits low heat. | |
| Delivers better plant growth with less energy use. |
Best Value for Money: GE BR30 Grow Light LED
- Full-spectrum LED grow lights for indoor plants.
- A low-energy, low-heat bulb.
- Provides natural light temperature.
The simple GE BR30 is a dream for every minimalist plant lover. It features low-energy, soft natural lighting for indoor plants that require supplemental lighting. Thus, it blends with the existing decor of your home, as opposed to some other grow lights that emit harsh brightness.
Another main draw is that it works with most regular desk lamps. This, however, happens to be one of its weak points. It doesn’t come with a lamp, so you either have to repurpose an old desk lamp or get a new one.
It is a balanced-spectrum light that supports the growth of seeds and greens. Consider it perfect for your flowering plants, herbs, tomatoes, cacti, peppers, lettuce, cucumbers, and other veggies.
While it has 9 watts and emits low heat, this light falls short of longevity. Its performance may diminish after a few months of continuous use.
A dedicated plant dad tried the GE BR30 for his medium-lighting plants. After 3 weeks, he noticed an improvement in his spider plant, fern, and jade.
Pros and Cons of the GE BR30 Grow Light LED
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| Easy to use. | Doesn’t last long. |
| Affordable. | Has to be used with a lamp. |
| Optimizes the growth of seeds and greens. | Doesn’t come with a timer. |
| Light is warm. | |
| Minimalistic design. |
Best for Beginners: AeroGarden Sprout LED Hydroponic System
- Allows for the growing of up to three plants at a time.
- Uses 10-watt LED lights.
- Includes an herb seed kit.
This beginner-friendly LED light has an innovative touch that enhances your indoor planting experience. It’s literally a starter kit; water is all you need to set it up.
The automated timer and touch button are our favorite features. The lights go on and off at the right time, but you can also use the button to regulate them and schedule plant feeding reminders. How cool is that?
It has a full spectrum of 10-watt red, white, and blue LED grow lights tuned to the needs of each plant. However, the lights aren’t replaceable. They are also super bright; this is something else to consider when making a purchase decision.
What’s more? There is enough room to grow up to 3 of your favorite plants simultaneously to a 10-inch maximum height.
The AeroGarden Sprout comes with a 3-ounce bottle of patented natural plant food, dill, Genovese basil, and curly parsley. Despite being a welcome addition, there are complaints that not all the pods grow.
“I got this grow light as a gift from my partner. I have had problems with even the most low-maintenance plants in the past. So it is fantastic to have something that only needs water to grow,” a user said of the AeroGarden Sprout LED Hydroponic System.
Pros and Cons of the AeroGarden Sprout LED Hydroponic System
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| No gardening expertise required. | Lights are too bright. |
| Comes with a timer. | Herbs may not germinate. |
| Provides you with fresh herbs. |
Best For Large Spaces: Spider Farmer SF-4000 LED Grow Light
- Uses Samsung LM301B diodes.
- Works for all stages of growth.
- Vegetable coverage is 5x5 feet, while flowering coverage is 4x4 feet.
Looking for a grow light with a large area capacity? This full spectrum light from Spider Farmer is your go-to because of its excellent features and extras. The waterproof casing, upgraded SF4000 light, a pair of black hangers, and a pair of silver hooks are intended to improve usability.
It’s packed with 450-watt natural-looking light that produces white, red, blue, and infrared lights suited for every growth phase. The lights also help to assess plant health. The dimming can be changed from 10% to 100% using a knob.
The Spider Farmer SF-4000 LED Grow Light doesn’t emit much heat because of its aluminum build. It has 4×4 ft and 5×5 ft flowering and vegetative coverage, respectively. Thanks to its new diode layout, the multi-connection with uniform dimming makes it appropriate for large indoor growing spaces.
The only snag is the absence of a timer.
“The dimmable feature is what I like best. My plants need full spectrum lighting at the appropriate brightness level throughout the plant growth cycle,” a user raves about Spider Farmer SF4000 grow light.
Pros and Cons of the Spider Farmer SF-4000 LED Grow Light
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| Comes with extra equipment. | Has no timer. |
| Easy to use. | |
| Light distribution is even. |
Best With Multiple Lights: Juhefa Three-headed LED Grow Light
- Adjustable tripod stand, from 15 to 47 inches.
- Three spectrum modes: purple light, clear yellow light, and clear white light.
- Automatic on/off timer included.
What do you get when style meets functionality? The Juhefa Three-headed LED grow light. Its 3 heads of artificial lighting and spectrum modes are matched with a line-in controller to select the fitting brightness and mode for your large houseplants.
The stylish tripod can be adjusted and extended from 15 to 47 inches. Not to forget the 360-degree flexible rotation feature. Perhaps, you can deduce that this grow light is not for small spaces.
Depending on your settings, the timer’s automatic On/Off function can be used daily, especially when you are away from home.
The Juhefa Three-headed LED grow light is “a worthy investment for your houseplants. Quick setup and overall good light. I’d choose this over again, “a tester stated.
Pros and Cons of the Juhefa Three-headed LED Grow Light
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| Easy to install. | Isn’t suitable for small spaces. |
| Sturdy. | Timer could be better. |
| Worth the price. | |
| Has 3 different light settings. |
Best Hanging: Roleadro LED Full-Spectrum Grow Light
- Features a diverse spectrum of red and blue light.
- Also comes in a yellow light designed to mimic the sun's spectrum.
- Advertised as having excellent heat dissipation.
This LED light features upgraded hanging baskets for all your indoor plants. Houseplants in soil, aquarium plants, and seedling trays work nicely with the Roleadro.
It has a diverse spectrum of light that promotes growth. Your lettuce, chili, orchids, and tomatoes are safe under the 460-465 nm, 620-740 nm, and the 6000-6500k wave band.
The Roleadro LED Full-Spectrum Grow Light has a 75-watt aluminum cooling plate that reduces heat. A power cord, carabiner, and 4 hanging wires are also included. However, a timer function is not included.
One user tried the Roleadro LED light based on the recommendation of a fellow plant mum. “This light is exactly what my seedlings needed. But is it worth the money? Yes. I’ve only had it for a month, but I hope it lasts long.”
Another user chronicles their experience. “The amount of growth my succulent is experiencing from this light has me quite pleased and amazed. My succulent had long, slender leaves that should have been rose-colored but were instead yellow.
After one and a half months of growing under this light, the plant’s head has almost tripled in size; the leaves are fuller and more compact, the edges are turning rose-colored, and, most amazingly, every single space where the plant was extending is now being filled with brand-new head growth.”
Pros and Cons of the Roleadro LED Full-Spectrum Grow Light
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| Light distribution is even. | Installation isn’t easy. |
| Works with seedlings. | Instruction manual left out some details. |
| Light spectrum is diverse. | No built-in timer. |
| Doesn’t get hot. |
Smart Choice: Modern Sprout Landscape Grow Frame
- Smart app enabled via the Modern Sprout app.
- Includes a wall-mountable steel frame.
- Advertised as providing an optimal growing environment.
- Multiple frame color options available.
Let your plants grow in style. Even better, monitor them with finesse. The wall-mounted grow frame uses natural white LED light to display your houseplants beautifully and give your space a sophisticated look.
You can use the Modern Sprout App to control the grow settings and get personalized plant care programs and pairing recommendations.
Aside from the relatively high price point, the app leaves much to be desired. For example, there are reports of poor connectivity and timer function.
A New Yorker expresses satisfaction with the grow frame. According to them, it brightens their dark apartment.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Sprout-Landscape-Growframe-Mounted/dp/B08L9SC42W
Pros and Cons of the Modern Sprout Landscape Grow Frame
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| Comes in two sizes. | Pricey. |
| Has a powder-coated steel finish. |
Choosing The Best: What To Look For
Type
Considerable variety exists among grow lights. However, you can limit your options by identifying the sort of plants you have, their location, and the amount of natural light.
Size
Do you want to be able to move your plant around or do you prefer a static location? No matter what you do, ensure there’s enough space to accommodate the grow light and avoid obstructions with other objects.
Up Next…
- The Best Deer Fence To Protect Your Garden
- 7 Best Gardening Books That Will Turn Your Thumb Green
- 7 Best Books About Houseplants That Will Stop You From Killing Them
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
