There are many options for plants, so there is no one answer. There are however some rules to be aware of. Mars Hydro is a company that provides an economically viable LED grow light for indoor growing horticulture. They provide lighting solutions to grow medicinal and food crops and also efficient components and scientific designs.
Low-light houseplants
These plants are shady or understory plants that thrive in northern-facing corners or windows. They can survive in indirect light all year and require little sunlight. To thrive, these plants require 10-15 watts of 50-250 lumens/square foot. These plants include:
- Calathea
- Pothos
- Philodendron
- Peace lily
- Snake plant
- English ivy
Houseplants for medium-light homes
These plants are well-suited for an east or west facing window. They also thrive in indirect light. To thrive, they require 15-20 watts of light or 250-1000 lumens/square foot. These plants are medium-light:
- Rubber plant
- Fiddle leaf fig
- Asparagus fern
- Spider plant
- Jade
- Peperomia
Houseplants that require high light
High-light plants thrive in southwest or south-facing windows and can grow in direct sunlight. To thrive, they need more than 20 watts and more than 1000 lumens/square foot. These plants are high-light:
- Poinsettia
- Cactus
- Successful
- Jasmine
- Orchid
- Citrus
- Hibiscus
Research the needs of the plants that you have or those you wish to grow before you buy a grow light. Determine what light intensity they need, how much light they need each day, and which spectrum they prefer. A grow light can be used to provide sufficient light in your space if it isn’t enough.
The best grow lights for flowering and fruiting plants
You can choose a full spectrum bulb that has the ability to adjust to red spectrum light for fruiting or flowering. The VITA grow bulb is our favorite, providing 1:4 red to blue light at 3000 Kelvin. The Aspect Hanging Grow Light is a similar hanging option.
The best grow lights for starting seeds and plants
Anything that requires full sunlight will require 2000 to 3000 lumens. This includes seedlings. You can choose a full-spectrum or a blue-colored bulb. To prevent any legginess, hang your grow light as close to your growing tray as possible. Because they don’t heat up too quickly and burn tender seedlings, LED bulbs are a good choice.
The best grow lights for tropical houseplants
Standard tropical houseplants require full spectrum bulbs that have a good mix of blue and green light. Houseplants can grow with around 500 lumens/square foot at 20 to 25 watts. The versatile Uplift grower is a favorite with its full-spectrum LED that can be adjusted (and removed) to suit your needs.
Indoor herb growing with the best grow lights
To grow well, most herbs require full sun. Even though some plants may thrive in a south-facing window or in the shade, adding supplemental light to your garden will make them more productive and less leggy. A full-spectrum bulb should have more than 1000 lumens per square feet.
The Smart Grow frame, which can be mounted on a wall, is our favorite indoor herb grower. It has full-spectrum LEDs with a 4000 Kelvin temperature and 1480 lumens. You can also opt for a hydroponics grow cabinet if you are interested in growing year-round edible plants.
Growing plants under lights: Tips
Plants with similar lighting requirements can be grouped together so that they receive the same amount of light.
To reduce your costs, you can buy grow lights that fit in with your existing light fixtures. Desk lamps are great for houseplants. Tube lights are great for groupings or seedlings.
You should choose lights that can be adjusted in intensity and/or spectrum. You can also choose a grow lamp with a warmer spectrum to create a warm, cozy atmosphere in your home.
Your grow lights can be set to a timer to ensure that your plants receive the correct amount of light each day. Most grow lights have a built in timer. To achieve constant, consistent light, you can use a plug in timer.