September 26, 2022
When trying to grow vegetables indoors or from seed, natural light isn’t always enough, especially in cooler climates or seasons. While some houseplants can survive low-light conditions, others require supplemental light from grow lights.
Light-emitting diode (LED) grow lights are the first choice for many home gardeners because they are an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly option and can produce full-spectrum light. LED grow lights are different from standard LED light bulbs, such as those used in household light fixtures. Read on to learn more about how to choose the best LED grow lights for your home.
How many watts per plant do I need?
When comparing the power of various grow lights, look at the “actual power draw” or “actual power consumption” in watts. Generally speaking, grow lights should use 32 watts per square foot of grow space at the absolute minimum, though 50 to 80 watts per square foot is ideal.
The actual brightness of LED lights is measured in lumens rather than watts, which is another way of measuring light intensity. Vegetables typically require 2,200 lumens per square foot, while other plants generally need approximately 1,375 lumens per square foot.
ECO Farm ECOD Samsung UV+ IR 640W Dimmable LED Grow Light
Features:
The ECO Farm LED grow light provides more higher PAR/LUMEN output, it can reduce the amount of electricity needed to grow plants and minimize the heat output, which can keep the grow room in the desired temperature range of 72–88 ℉.The grow light has a power draw of 640W (consumes 0.64 Kw per hour).The average price in the USA is $0.13/kWh,The per hour cost to operate this grow light is $0.08,which can save a lot of money. This LED grow light has high-energy efficiency with 2.8 umol/J,The 1514 μmol/(m2·s) can provides high-intensity full spectrum light for your plants,The 6 bar configuration helps to provide more even coverage accross your tent.
OCL SKWID 1900 Pro LED 680W Grow Light
Features:
The OCL SKWID 1900 PRO LED grow light offers an absolute market leading PPF up to 1.938 μmol/s! A high-performance energy-efficient alternative to the traditional commercial 1000W DE HID fixtures. The eight bars are passively cooled in an extra wide shape to enhance spread and coverage. The absence of moving cooling parts reduces the possibility of mechanical failure. The OCL SKWID 1900 PRO LED is dimmable and delivers broad, full-spectrum light anywhere from 400w to 680w while maintaining efficiency. The dim switch on the driver makes it easy to control the light intensity. Developed for growers by growers whose cultivation is in low rooms, on vertical racks, over rolling benches, and in tents. For maximum uniformity, hang the fixture 6–12 inches from the crop.
Photonican Aurora 2000 680W LED Grow Light
Features:
The Aurora 2000 is a full-spectrum output luminaire that provides consistent energy savings while also delivering an ultra-high red output. The Aurora 2000 is a full spectrum output luminaire that delivers consistent, energy-efficient results. At the same time, it provides ultra-high red output in spectral performance. A 30% increase in red results in better crop quality, higher yields and an increased cycle of the year. Equipped with 8 passively cooled 6063 aerospace-grade aluminium LED strips, the Aurora 2000 provides high-intensity light distribution and uniformity, remarkable PPFD readings compared to other similar luminaires. High PPFD is used in combination with CO2 to maximize plant potential.
If you’ve done your research when you’re thinking about buying grow lights for your houseplants, you’ll likely find a variety of options, both types and brands. So how do you choose which one to buy? Well, as long as you keep in mind the basic features that your grow light should have to keep your indoor plants healthy, you’re safe. So, without further ado, let’s talk about the key features to keep in mind when choosing.
1. Choose the right light for your plant
There are two types of grow lights that are good for indoor plants — LEDs and fluorescent lights.
The choice will depend on your preferences and needs. While they will both help your houseplants grow healthy and lush at every stage of growth, LED lights are more energy efficient. Although modern fluorescent grow lights save more energy than in the past, LEDs will still use less electricity because it only produces the blue and red light that plants need.
That’s why fluorescent lights are white, and you can use them indoors with no problem, as they won’t look unpleasant if your plants are near the everyday room of your home. When it comes to LED lights, they do produce a purple light, so they can be a bit difficult to see, which is why they’re a better choice for enclosed grow tents or rooms just for plants.
2. Chromatography affects plant growth
Depending on the growth stage of houseplants, they need different colors for energy and growth, so you should use grow lights based on that fact.
However, it is best to use grow lights that emit a full color spectrum, as they are versatile and can be used for every stage and many different plants.
3. Material and weight
If you want to make sure you’re buying a quality grow light, you should choose one that’s made of high-quality, sturdy materials, preferably stainless steel.
Why? Because planting tents and areas around plants, in general, can be damp. Since water is constantly approaching the grow lights, they should be waterproof for extended use.
Even though the material should be sturdy, the grow lights you buy shouldn’t be too heavy, especially if you need to hang them. Lightweight grow lights will be easier to adjust and there won’t be any risk of falling on the plants.
4. Dimming levels so you can use grow lights on different houseplants
As you have already noticed, some models offer the possibility to choose between different lighting intensities, which is also very useful.
This feature offers a lot of versatility and allows you to use the same grow light for different kinds of plants and different stages of the same plant. So if possible, invest in models that provide this solution.
5. Timer
If you travel a lot or generally spend a lot of time outdoors, you should choose grow lights that have an integrated timer, or at least those that can be hooked up to a timer you own or want to buy.
The timer will allow you to choose the time interval at which the plants receive light. Typically, you can set them to turn on and off automatically every 3, 6, or 12 hours, and some can be programmed to do this at the same time every day. Very convenient, right?
6. Easy to set up and adjust
It’s always better to choose simple products, right? With that in mind, buy grow lights that are easy to install, use, and even take with you when necessary.
Plus, it’s very convenient to buy grow lights that can optionally be connected with a daisy-chain cable, because then you only need a single power outlet to connect multiple grow lights — clutter-free installation!
When choosing the right grow light from all the options on the market, it’s always best to look for those that can be easily adjusted. This is important because each plant needs a different distance from the light source.
Not just different plants, but the same plant is in different stages of growth. That’s why, if you plan to hang lights above plants, you should be able to adjust them when needed.
After reviewing this guide, you should now know more about shopping for plant grow lights for your indoor plants. We recommend the ECO Farm grow light for its low power consumption, full-spectrum LEDs, and relatively affordable price. Those on a budget may appreciate the Juhefa full-spectrum grow lamp, which offers great performance at a lower price point.