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For flourishing plantsno sunlight needed.
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The brightness is not adjustable.
Setup was easyall we had to do was tighten a few screws and parts together.
Plus, extending the tripod stand as our plants got taller proved to be similarly intuitive.
PHOTO: Amazon
It has allowed our plants to thrive throughout the winter months, with no noticeable changes in quality.
Since it’s compact, we also think it would work well in a small apartment.
jot down:LED bulb |Wattage:30W|Size:16 x 8 x 8 in.
Best Budget
Leoter Grow Light for Indoor Plants
It has nine dimmable modes.
It gives off a purplish glow, which may not appeal to everyone.
During testing, we found it to be effective at growing plants at all different stages.
We tested the 12-hour timer, and the light worked consistently and accurately throughout.
While we like this feature, we wish it had a longer interval available.
After six months of use, we still have no complaintsthis is an effective and inexpensive choice.
jot down:LED bulb |Wattage:40W |Size:13 x 6 x 3 in.
The app is somewhat complicated to set up.
For that, we recommend it for small desk plants or anindoor herb gardenonly.
Setup was a breeze and only required us to plug it in and position the lights for our plants.
It also comes with a connected app, which we found a bit confusing.
Despite this drawback, there are plenty of standout qualities.
If you’re eager to grow a small garden year round indoors, this pick is a no brainer.
punch in:LED bulb|Wattage:15W |Size:15 x 6 x 6 in.
Best Large
Mars Hydro LED Grow Light
Its powerful but doesnt generate much heat.
It doesn’t have a timer function, and the light may be too strong for seed starters.
Our plants benefited greatly from using this grow light.
We noticed that most of our plants were healthier than those with only natural sunlight.
Even after six months of use, it’s still going strongsometimes even a bit too strong.
We don’t recommend this pick for those growing a variety of plants at different stages.
Instead, we think this choice is better for those seeking a strong light cast on a small footprint.
punch in:LED bulb|Wattage:150W|Size:14 x 13 x 1 in.
Best Hanging
Dymond LED Grow Light
This grow light is affordable and effective.
It does not come with a built-in timer.
This was our first time using a hanging grow light, and the Dymond BoostGro did not disappoint.
It also has red lamp beads for seed germination and fruit and flower growth.
Unfortunately, the instructions werent clear, leaving us to guess how much distance to put between the screws.
PHOTO: Real Simple
We were impressed that our tomatoes (a typical summer crop) grew about 16 inches.
key in:Hanging LED|Wattage:16W|Size:22 x 4 x 1 in.
Best Clip-On
GooingTop LED Grow Light
Its brightness was ideal and concentrated around the plants.
Basil and spinach did not fare well with this lamp.
That said, our tomatoes under the light did grow far more than those by the window sill.
Since it is an LED light, it hardly generated heat and had enough brightness without overpowering the room.
After six months of use, it’s still working as well as it did on day one.
key in:Clip-on LED |Wattage:50W, 100W |Size:22 x 14 x 8 in.
The adhesive strip that comes with it is not very strong.
It fits perfectly under your kitchen cabinets to grow delicious herbs year round.
Equipped with an adhesive sticker and a magnetized grow light fixture, this model is designed for easy setup.
Once we purchased new adhesive strips, we were able to hold the grow light in place.
PHOTO: Real Simple
After six months of use, the light is still working as good as new.
It also has 360-degree rotation to swivel and rotate as needed.
We found the light to be very bright on the highest setting, which could disturb some.
jot down:Mounted LED |Wattage:11W |Size:18 by 1 by 2 in.
It takes longer to set up than most other options.
Even after six months of use, the light is still performing perfectly.
jot down:LED shelf |Wattage:Not listed |Size:31 x 16 x 21 in.
There are nodimmer prefs.
It has to be mounted on the ceiling, so some DIY know-how is necessary for installation.
Once you pass that hurdle, it only needs to be plugged in for it to work.
However, the timer is not digital, so it might be hard to get the exact time.
Our grow light tomatoes grew into healthy seedlings, while our basil similarly thrived.
PHOTO: Real Simple
We felt a subtle heat beneath the light, though it was ultimately insignificant.
We found the light to be very bright, making it ideal for low-traffic areas or room corners.
The main downside to this option is that the lights are not dimmable.
That said, the light quality was superb and kept our plants in optimum shape during our testing.
key in:Overhead LED|Wattage:20W, 40W |Size:7 x 4 in.
Best Bulb
Sansi Grow Light Bulb
Its a powerful light featuring a 4000K color temperature.
Its not a stylish option.
This light has a 4000K color temperature, which is ideal for plants to flower and bear fruit.
Just keep in mind that unlike traditional grow lights, it doesnt have a connected app or dimmer.
After six months of use, it’s still performing as expected.
The basic design is ideal for beginners who can live without the bells and whistles.
We think this is a powerful and inexpensive option, making it a good central or backup grow light.
PHOTO: Real Simple
jot down:LED bulb|Wattage:10W, 15W, 24W, 36W|Size:5 x 7 in.
It also includes a 15-inch tripod stand that extends to 48 inches for larger plants.
If you want an inexpensive grow light, theLeoterGrow Lightis dimmable and has a unique purple hue.
We also used the same soil in both groups to ensure our results were fair and accurate.
For those who have many plants, Trautz-Awot recommends opting for a light fixture (ie.
hanging lights) that provides a lot of light.
Bulbs typically come in either LED or fluorescent types, both full-spectrum lights.
Full-spectrum lights contain the red or blue lights essential to healthy and steady plant growth.
The other common punch in of grow lights are HID (high-intensity discharge) lights.
While they are more commercial, home gardeners can use them, too.
According to Trautz-Awot, this is usually between 2,700 to 7,000 Kelvin, similar to natural sunlight.
Most experts recommend 40 watts per square foot for optimal growth.
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Most plants thrive between 200 to 900 PPFD, depending on their stage of maturity.
For instance, fluorescent lights are ideal for low-light plants like lettuce, snake plants, and peace lilies.
HID lights are great for herbs, fruits, orflowering plants.
Questions You Might Ask
Can any LED light be used as a grow light?
Where should you put grow lights?
I recommend placing the grow light above the plant to prevent it from growing sideways, Trautz-Awot says.
Are grow lights worth it?
Without enough sunlight, your plants will struggle and could even fail to grow, Trautz-Awot says.
If your plants are receiving enough sunlight throughout the day, a grow light may not be necessary.
Expert tips were provided byNancy Trautz-Awot, horticultural specialist at Burpee Gardening.
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Real Simple
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