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Plant Growing Lamps:
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The best of Plant Growing Lamps by number of unique Reddit comments:
![AMAZINGCATS [2018 Upgraded] 18W Dual Head Timing Grow Light, Growing Lamp, 36 LED Chips with Red/Blue Spectrum for Indoor Plants, Adjustable Gooseneck, 3/6/12H Timer, 5 Dimmable Levels](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41884PSlm+L._SL500_.jpg)
![[6-Pack] LED Grow Light Strips for Plants 2FT, 60W (6 x 10W) t5 High Output Integrated Fixture Extendable 24 Inches Grow Lights for Greenhouse, Plant Grow Shelf, Easy Installation](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51zrMTLQSiL._SL500_.jpg)
![Ankace GrowLight [2018 Upgraded Version] 18W Dual Head Timing, 36 LED 5 Dimmable Levels Grow Lights for Indoor Plants with Red/Blue Spectrum, Adjustable Gooseneck, 3/6/12H Timer, 3 Switch Modes](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51K1u0wSv1L._SL500_.jpg)
Top Reddit reviews mentioning Plant Growing Lamps:
It is this Kingbo one. I have a lot of pots under it, approximately two to four inches above the plants, on for approximately 17 hrs a day.
I got it for $44 on Amazon not really knowing what I was doing but they seem to be working! Here's the link
When I say bigger one, it is a bit bigger regrettably.
Honestly the coverage at about 1.22m-1.52m up is great, I had 4 plants in a 1.22x1.22x2.44m tent and the only issue I had was my own stupidity misreading nute amounts for several months. The heat it throws is significant though, so make sure your cfm is calculated right for it (which I did not do initially).
I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073GRNGRM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I ended up getting a few of them, but sometimes I think about buying a single headed one for other plants. It's got a clip on the bottom, so make sure that works for you! As in, it doesn't stand on its own.
Thanks, and yes. I suggest you make sure you get them from a source that has been started in salt water. Most of what's sold on ebay and online retailers has been grown in fresh water even if they say it hasnt. If you want PM me in a month or two when the props start dropping and I will send you some for just the cost of shipping. Obviously if youre near the beach collect some.
I dont like to get behind this product but they seem to grow well in miracle mud. Is there enough room to grow down there? You would be surprised how fast they grow under the right conditions. The root structure in my tree busted right through PVC. They like heavy light but you have to ramp them up. I suggest one of the grow pendants on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/KINGBO-Reflector-Spectrum-Seeding-Flowering/dp/B01LYBGVRG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497408726&sr=8-2&keywords=grow+led+panel
This one has grown them well in my experience. As they grow use anodized aluminum wire to make them grow in the direction you want (think bonsai). Think of their environment, they love light but they also get a lot of rain. I would hit them with a little water from a spray bottle once a week. I like to put a tiny amount of MG and iron in my bottle. There's methods of developing the cool root structure as well but this will at least get you started. You will be surprised how much they are capable of pulling out of your system once they get started.
Also bought a couple of these and they are amazing for veg. I cannot figure out how they’re so cheap. I’ve also gone on the meanwell website and the drivers are real. Completely insane deal
U-MAX Sunlike Full Spectrum Waterproof Plant Grow Light UMAX-1000 Compatible with Superior SMD Chips & Mean Well Driver, Indoor Greenhouse Grow lamp with 5 Years Warranty for Succulent Veg. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08CGLF1ZK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_S6YA8V5XVY1FFMCBGD9P?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I bought two of these. Best deal on Amazon. ESP for vegging
U-MAX Sunlike Full Spectrum Waterproof Plant Grow Light UMAX-1000 Compatible with Superior SMD Chips & Mean Well Driver, Indoor Greenhouse Grow lamp with 5 Years Warranty for Succulent Veg. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08CGLF1ZK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_S6YA8V5XVY1FFMCBGD9P?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I used the viparspectra 450 par for this grow except for the last three weeks of flower, at that point and time I had upgraded to the top model you can find them on Amazon
This is my new light, if you can afford it I recommend it $350 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UORXUBA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_PhDSFb1PKAS7R?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
VIPARSPECTRA IS MY FAVORITE
There's also a great desktop grow light that I use- it's available on Amazon for $40. I have two of them, and put the plants that need the most light directly underneath the bulb, and then the ones that need indirect light towards the edges of light exposure.
Thanks! I picked mine up on Amazon. They seem to work pretty well - I just picked up a second set for the bottom shelf.
What is your grow space?
The LED market is flooded with low quality grow lights, they are usually recognizable by the fact that they lie and give way higher wattages than they actually provide.
For example the 'VIPARSPECTRA 1200W' actually consumes only 524w.
HPS or CMH lamps will outperform these lights at comparable wattages.
There are high quality LED lights which are capable of outperforming HPS and CMH at comparable wattages.
High quality LED > HPS/CMH > cheap Amazon LED lights.
There are some manufacturers like 'Pacific Light Concepts', 'Horticulture Lighting Group' and 'Timber Grow Light' who offer high quality LED fixtures for a reasonable price ($1.25/w-$1.50/w) based on white LED.
Companies like 'ChilLED Tech' offer even more expensive builds which are more sophisticated with modified spectra, network control etc.
These are more in the ~$2.00/w range.
Most of the higher quality light meet high safety standards like IP65 up to IP67 ratings. These are especially interesting for commercial grower who are regulated and insured.
Depending on your craftsmanship, you can also build high quality lights on your own and reduce the price to about $1.00/w.
Sorry if this is a silly question (I’m not OP)...
When I searched “grow light 6400K” on Amazon, the only results were either individual bulbs or big $100+ grow lights that you hang from the ceiling. Are there any simple, low energy LED lamps that you can just clip onto something, with your recommended Kelvin output??
I’m using something like this lamp for my succulents, for 12 hours everyday.
Mine was doing at first, and then I switched my basil to the hydroponic garden. Now I have 4 basil plants in my hydroponic garden.
I'm also using this light and it really helps.
For such a small number of plants, you can keep lighting cost down. But know that common LED lamps are entirely different from grow lights. Common lamps, shop and work lights use green and yellow wavelengths to make the human eye see white. That's why they talk in lumens. Lumens refers to light effect on human eyes, not on plants. The common LED's can be used, but they will consume more electricity for the same effect as grow lights. The specifically exclude red and blue ends of the spectrum, the most essential wavelengths for plants. You can do it with them, but you will be substantially guessing.
Actual grow lights specifically provide for essential red and blue light, as well as other wavelengths that have been found to be useful.They will not be rated in lumens but will have PPFD ratings for various distances, and all information about the light needs of plants will refer to calculations based on PPFD.
Just for example, this is an inexpensive grow light that I happen to know is honestly rated, because I tested it with a PAR meter that measures the light most useful to plants.
https://www.amazon.com/Lights-GVG-Plants-UV-High-Performance-Hydroponic-Greenhouse/dp/B099JB42G3
A dozen strawberries can easily be done in no more than 2' x 2'. I grow 25 in 2' x 3' trays.
Yes! So firstly the thing I like to look for in a grow light is wattage. I like LED since they're cheaper to run, and don't put off as a much heat. I'd recommend around a 600w equivalent (25w actual usage). Secondly, lumens is only about how bright the light is perceived as, but that doesn't help much with growing plants. Look for lights that list the PAR value, or PPFD, which will tell you that it's probably more aimed at use for growing plants. I personally like 800+ PPFD for succulents. Also needs to be full spectrum. I'll link you the one I have, because IMO it works really well and is a good price. This one has UV though, so just remember to not stare at the light directly or hold your skin directly under it for too long (can burn like the sun) and adapt your plants to it slowly so they don't burn either.
Those are notoriously kind of a rip off, in that they don't really help succulents much for the price. Maybe it'd work for another houseplant, but in my experience they don't work at all for succulents, sadly. Most succulents are full sun plants, that like at least 6+ hours of light daily. You need at least 800+ PPFD of light output for indoor succulents, in my experience. Lumens isn't very helpful, just as an FYI. You want to look for lights that tell their PAR or PPFD value because typically the better and more reliable brands will have this sort of thing listed. I use a 600w equivalent LED. I'll link you to it, because admittedly it's a lot of trial and error to find the right one. This one has worked beautifully for my succulents, even the really high light ones.
To preface, I'd still take the time to adjust them to a grow light, just like you would sunlight.
I hope this helps you!! If you have more questions, feel free to hit me up!
Those are notoriously kind of a rip off, in that they don't really help succulents much for the price. Maybe it'd work for another houseplant, but in my experience they don't work at all for succulents, sadly. Most succulents are full sun plants, that like at least 6+ hours of light daily. You need at least 800+ PPFD of light output for indoor succulents, in my experience. Lumens isn't very helpful, just as an FYI. You want to look for lights that tell their PAR or PPFD value because typically the better and more reliable brands will have this sort of thing listed. I use a 600w equivalent LED. I'll link you to it, because admittedly it's a lot of trial and error to find the right one. This one has worked beautifully for my succulents, even the really high light ones.
To preface, I'd still take the time to adjust them to a grow light, just like you would sunlight.
I hope this helps you!! If you have more questions, feel free to hit me up!
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This will start you out. As your plants mature you will need to upgrade to a bigger light, but for seedlings this will work really well.
Sounds like it may be an issue with the grow light not being strong enough. Took me a few tries to find a good one on Amazon, and sort out what to look for in one, but eventually I landed on this one which has been doing wonderfully for my plants so far. You want to look for the PPFD value when possible on these LED lights, as it really helps give you an idea of the actual strength. Also read lots of reviews and avoid ones with bad reviews mentioning a persistent common problem that is serious. Wishing you luck!
This company should start paying me for how often I plug them. Really any similar light with a Meanwell driver and Samsung LEDs will do.
I have 2 of these that are working great so far. 1 would be plenty for 1 plant.. BESTVA Dimmable Pro1000 LED Grow Light Built in Samsung LM301H Diodes and MeanWell Driver Full Spectrum Grow Lamp for 3x3ft Coverage Greenhouse Hydroponic Indoor Plants Veg and Flower https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PD35XP2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FCH9MJVKAX04HQ2JC6K7
You will soon probably want to grow more area than that one box, so I would recommend a light that would be sized for about a square meter. I'll show you one I use for some things and have tested. It says for 2'x2', but lettuce is not so demanding that a full square meter couldn't be done with a light of this kind.
https://www.amazon.com/Lights-GVG-Plants-UV-High-Performance-Hydroponic-Greenhouse/dp/B099JB42G3
In a different configuration, Barinna lights have proven to be good low-cost lights. These would easily cover one-third square meter.
https://www.amazon.com/Barrina-Equivalent-Spectrum-V-Shape-Integrated/dp/B07ZYPNG17
These are of the U.S. site, but essentially the same things will be on the UK site. These are actual grow lights with published PPFD ratings and spectrum, which shows the maker isn't ashamed of what they really are.
DLI is very simple actually - imagine your plant is a bucket, and the DLI is the daily amount of water you supply it. Every plant is a different size bucket, like a cactus is huge, and a shade loving houseplant like salvia is fairly small. If you give it more light than it can absorb in a day, it starts to experience light stress. But if you know exactly how much light you can give it, you can maximize its growth potential. here’s all you gotta know practically speaking:
Get a light meter (that app is great because otherwise light meters are hundreds of dollars) I recommend the Photone app
Use any decent plant light (I like Maxsisun MF1000, it’s way more than salvia needs, but you can dim it down or raise it higher and cover a large area potentially with a single light and it’s very cheap, giving you options)
Adjust the height/intensity/timer for your light such that you’re giving it at least 12 hours of light, and a DLI reading of around 12. This will maximize the metabolism of your plant and be automatic forever
If you haven’t unboxed that light, return them.
COB (circuit on board) lights have gotten cheap…unless you buy a weird novelty one;)
Here is a light I just purchased. Great deal, and I think it would work well for your plants.
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There are quite a few. I'll link to one as an example. It's not special, but it's one I own four of and one I've personally tested with an Apogee PAR meter to confirm the maker claims.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B099JB42G3
Consumption is 60 watts. More precisely, PPFD numbers are 490 at 18 inches and 679 at 12 inches. That means DLI within good range for strawberries with 9 to 14 hours at 490 or 6 to 10 hours at 679.
Keeping in mind that the PFD numbers were metered dead center of the area and will fall off to the sides and edges, the higher intervals are appropriate to minimum DLI over the area.
Grow lights light more evenly the higher they are mounted, so I would opt for the 18 inch mounting, which will produce about reduction of about 1/3 of the center at the corners. I would run at 18 inches for 14 hours.
There are others that I haven't personally tested, but I assume most makers' published numbers to be honest, since it's too easy to catch them if they're not. Avoid makers who provide no data.
Very much so. Why would a maker not post PPFD and spectrum data unless (1) it was not very attractive or (2) they bought some junk to resell that even the maker didn't know the specs for.
It is my opinion that you can mostly believe numbers when a maker publishes them. It's too easy to be caught in a lie. Admittedly, I have only tested the claims of one maker for one light. This one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B099JB42G3
It's a very common sort of light. At the time, I had found it to help a new grower who wanted a not expensive light, and this was a new product that looked good and seemed to be taking advantage of some of the later research in near-red, far-red and UVA, and I bought two for myself. I have an MQ-500 Apogee PAR meter. The reality stacked up to the claims, considering my rather casual testing conditions. I'm sure the seller was getting data from the maker, probably a maker of many similar lights under multiple brands.
When you find one that simply gives a single PPFD number for each distance, assume that's the number at the dead center. You can use the behavior of similar shape lights with more elaborate data as a PPFD map to get an idea how it covers the area.
Try this one from Amazon that is same brand but full spectrum. I have one in my 3 plant grow and am about to get a second due to my PAR reader showing my levels were ok for veg state but I wanted more for flowering state