Grow lights
In a dim apartment, most food plants need a grow light, at least in winter. University of Minnesota Extension says low light isn't enough to start seeds, and even a bright window can leave tomatoes and peppers leggy (UMN Extension). Choose one by where it mounts, how much power it draws and the light color you'll see in the room.
Strip lights for under a cabinet, panels for a shelf, and lamps and bulbs that look like home lighting. Compare power, light color in the room, size and how they mount.
7 of 7 grow lights match
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Questions people ask
How far should a grow light be from my plants?
University of Minnesota Extension gives 4 to 6 inches for seedlings and 6 to 12 inches for hydroponic lettuce and herbs. Raise the light as plants grow (UMN Extension). University of Maryland Extension keeps seedlings 1 to 2 inches below a fluorescent fixture (UMD Extension). Check each light's maker page for how close it can go.
How many hours a day should a grow light be on?
University of Minnesota Extension suggests 16 to 18 hours a day for seedlings and 12 to 14 for hydroponic lettuce and herbs, set on a timer (UMN Extension). Its seed-starting guide adds that plants need some dark each night, so don't leave lights on all the time (UMN Extension).
Do I need a purple grow light?
No. University of Minnesota Extension says white or balanced lights suit most plants at any stage of growth. Blue or mixed light suits seeds and leafy greens, and red or mixed light suits flowering (UMN Extension). To see only lights that look like normal lighting, use our plain white grow lights page.
What do PPF and PPFD mean on the box?
PPF is how much plant-usable light a bulb gives off each second. PPFD is that light as it reaches a leaf, and it drops as the plant gets farther from the light (UMN Extension). Many makers list neither. When a maker doesn't, we say "Not listed".
How much electricity does a grow light use?
Each light shows the maker's watts. University of Missouri Extension works out a grow light's power use as hours on times the maker's watts, divided by 1,000, for kilowatt-hours, then times your price per kilowatt-hour (MU Extension). A 40 W light on for 14 hours uses 0.56 kWh a day, or about 204 kWh a year (our math).
Will I have to drill?
Not always. Barrina's strip lights come with double-sided tape, clips and cable ties (Barrina). GE's grow bulbs screw into a standard E26 lamp or fixture (GE). Gardener's Supply's SunLite gardens hold the light on their own frame over a tray (3-tier, tabletop). Soltech's Aspect hangs from a hook that goes in the ceiling, and Soltech also sells it with a freestanding Stello stand (Soltech). Each light shows "Drilling or plumbing" on its page. Check your lease or building rules before you drill.