Having enough light is crucial to plant health, especially in the seedling stage. Plants use light to create energy and food for growth. That’s why it’s important to have one of the best grow lights for indoor plants.
Not given enough light, plants grow leggy and weak. Given too much light, plants can suffer from burned leaves or stunted growth.
So, which grow light is best for you? Keep reading to learn more about the nine best grow lights for indoor plants!
Our Top Picks
Best Seed Starting Light Kit:
Hoss Indoor Seed Starting Light Kit
Best General Purpose:
Mars Hydro 100W LED Grow Light
Best for Width & Shelf Growing:
Hoss Hanging Grow Light Kit
Best Free-Standing Low Power Light:
Ezorkas Grow Light
The Nine Best Grow Lights for Indoor Plants
We selected the following nine models as our top picks for the best grow lights for indoor plants. We evaluated features as well as the pros and cons of each one to help you decide which is right for you.
Best Kit
Hoss Indoor Seed Starting Light Kit
My top pick overall for the best grow light for indoor plants is Hoss’ Indoor Seed Starting Light Kit.
When they say kit, they’re not lying. It doesn’t just include two 18″ LED grow lights. It also includes seed trays and a watering reservoir.
The height of the grow lights can be adjusted as plants grow to keep them from burning. The lights also have over 50,000 hours of life, so they can be used for many years to come.
Seed trays can be placed in the water reservoir, where they’ll have continuous access to water without being overwhelmed.
This kit is handy for starting seeds to transplant to the garden. Or, try growing your own microgreen garden indoors.
Pros:
- Comprehensive kit
- Long-lasting LED lights
- Self-watering reservoir
Cons:
- Pricey
Best General Purpose
Mars Hydro 100W LED Grow Light
The Mars Hydro 100W LED Grow Light is lightweight and energy efficient. The aluminum shell measures two feet in width and length, so it will cover most shelves well.
Along with being full spectrum, it puts out 100 watts of light. For most seedlings, this is more than enough brightness.
It also comes with adjustable carabiners. So, you can ensure that your plants are getting enough light by adjusting the grow light up or down.
This light makes the list of best grow lights for indoor plants for many reasons. But, one of the top reasons is the brand’s customer service. If you’re not happy with your light or have any problems, Mars Hydro is quick to help, according to reviewers.
Pros:
- Full spectrum
- Adjustable
- Good customer service
Cons:
- Runs hot at times
Best for Width
Hoss Hanging Grow Light Kit
If you use a seed-starting shelf, I consider Hoss’ Hanging Grow Light Kit the best grow light for indoor plants.
The kit comes with two large 36-inch grow lights. The lights attach to rails, which can be attached to a shelf via the included carabiners. It’s easy to adjust the ropes above the lights as seedlings grow taller.
Even though the kit comes with two lights, they can be connected. So, you only have to worry about one power switch. This saves you time and energy if you don’t have a light timer.
The kit doesn’t come with other seed starting materials like the other kit. But, these lights are large enough to accommodate seed starting trays up to 36 inches in width.
Pros:
- Wide coverage
- Easily adjustable
- Both lights connect together
Cons:
- Pricey
- Doesn’t include other seed-starting materials
Phlizon 900W LED Plant Light
The Phlizon 900W LED Plant Light is the best grow light for indoor plants if you’re wanting the full spectrum. I’ll get into more detail on what this means further down. But, basically, your seedlings will be getting the same benefits of being out in the sun.
Not only is the light full spectrum, but it’s also 900 watts. If you didn’t know, that’s bright! You won’t have to worry about leggy seedlings here.
You can also switch functions on the light if you only want a portion of the colors on. Blue and white work best for seedlings, while red and white work well for mature plants.
With all these functions, you’ll be happy to know this light is also friendly on your energy bill.
Pros:
- Full spectrum
- Bright
- Multi-function
- Energy efficient
Cons:
- Fan inside light can get noisy
Best Free-Standing Light
Ezorkas Grow Light
If you need a free-standing light, Ezorkas has the best grow light for indoor plants. The light can stand by itself, or it can be clamped to a table or shelf.
The light itself has four different arms. Each one has a combination of red and blue LED lights, which help with plant energy and growth.
Ezorkas light also has nine different light settings, so you can get the light as bright or as dim as your plants need.
So, you’re not next to an AC plug? The light also comes with a USB plug-in, so there are multiple ways to get power to your grow light.
Pros:
- USB plug-in
- Nine different brightness settings
- Free-standing or clamped
- Cost-friendly
Cons:
- Not as durable as other lights
Best Grow Bulbs
GE Grow Light Bulbs
Many indoor gardeners already have a lamp or light fixture they can use for seed starting. In that case, GE Grow Light Bulbs work like a charm.
These LED grow light bulbs may look like white light, but they put out a spectrum of red and blue. This is helpful for seedling and indoor plant growth.
The bulbs only use nine watts. So, they’re the most energy-efficient on this list of best grow lights for indoor plants.
Coming in around $20 per pack, this is a budget-friendly route since LED bulbs are known for lasting a long time.
Pros:
- Cost-friendly
- Energy efficient
- Emits red/blue spectrum
Cons:
- Need light fixture or lamp to use
Best for Automatic Timer
GooingTop LED Grow Light Kit
The GooingTop LED Grow Light Kit is the best grow light for indoor plants if you need a timer function.
Life is busy. The automatic light timer will save you when you forget to turn the grow lights on or off. It will turn on/off in intervals of either four, eight, or 12 hours.
This clamp light features two arms with full spectrum LED lights. The arms can be adjusted to cover a large collection of seedlings or indoor plants.
Similar to other LED lights, this grow light is energy efficient. The company also offers a one-year warranty. If you have any problems, you can request a replacement or refund.
Pros:
- Automatic timer
- One-year warranty
- Energy efficient
Cons:
- Not as bright as other grow lights
Best Grow Light Strips
Mosthink LED Grow Light Strips
Next on the list of the best grow lights for indoor plants are Mosthink LED Grow Light Strips.
These strips can be attached to an overhead surface by screw or double-sided tape. This is useful if your seedlings will be below a cabinet or solid shelf.
The lights may look slender, but they emit a bright, full spectrum light. The lights also include a switch that lets you choose between four different brightness settings. If you’re away on vacation, the switch also lets you set an on/off timer.
The light strips come with a 78-inch power cord, so they don’t have to be wired in.
Pros:
- Automatic timer
- Easy installation
- Full spectrum
- Great for under cabinets and shelves
Cons:
- Height can’t be adjusted
Best Halo Light
Lordem Full Spectrum Plant Light
The Lordem Full Spectrum Plant Light is one of the best grow lights for indoor plants. The halo-shaped grow light is attached to an extendable pole. The end of the pole is shaped like a stake, so it can be inserted into soil.
This grow light works best for potted plants and seedlings. The soil will need to be about six inches deep to support the light.
This full spectrum LED light also comes with different brightness settings and an automatic timer.
The small, sleek design of the light looks stylish in your living space. So, you don’t have to move your seedlings into another room.
Pros:
- Extendable
- Full spectrum
- Sleek design
Cons:
- Doesn’t work well for seedling trays
Choosing the Right Grow Light for You
There are several different factors to consider when choosing the best grow light for indoor plants.
What you want out of a grow light will depend on a few things. This includes what you’re growing, the space you have, and how energy efficient you want your lights to be.
Wattage
Wattage affects how bright a light will be. The higher the number, the brighter the light. A higher wattage doesn’t necessarily make the best grow light for indoor plants.
You may want a higher wattage if your light is fixed in position. If your grow light is adjustable, wattage isn’t as important. This is because you can move the light closer to make up for brightness.
LED v. Incandescent
The best grow lights for indoor plants are LED. That’s because compared to incandescent lights, LED lights will stay cool when left on for long periods.
Grow lights should stay on for around 12 hours per day.
Heat is how an incandescent bulb creates light. So, they will be extremely warm when left on for many hours. That could negatively affect your plants when left too close.
Size
Grow lights come in many different sizes from six to 36 inches wide. To pick out the perfect light for you, think about how many seedling trays you will be using. Or, consider how many houseplants you want to provide light for.
If you are using a seed starting shelf, choose lights that are the same width as the shelves. This will allow you to utilize the whole shelf without any seedlings getting more/less light than others.
Spectrum
Grow lights are special because they contain a spectrum of light not used in regular bulbs. A full spectrum light is meant to give the same benefits as being in the sun.
The sun doesn’t just emit white light. It’s actually emitting the full electromagnetic spectrum. This is comprised of all colors between ultraviolet and infrared.
That’s why many of these grow lights appear red and blue.
Full spectrum lights are the best grow lights for indoor plants if you want to give them a good energy source.
Hanging v. Free-Standing
Most grow lights are attached to overhead shelves by ropes and carabiners. But, you can also find free-standing grow lights.
Free-standing lights work well if you’re growing on a tabletop or top shelf. Hanging lights work best for those using a shelf or miniature greenhouse.
Wrapping Up The Best Grow Lights for Indoor Plants
By adding one of these grow lights to your cart, your seedlings and indoor plants will thank you!
My top pick overall for the best grow light for indoor plants is Hoss’ Indoor Seed Starting Light Kit. It comes with all you need to start seeds successfully.
Gather all you need for next year’s garden by visiting our Seed Starting page. We have blog posts to teach you how to start different vegetable and flower seeds, along with the best equipment to use.
Shopping for your garden can get overwhelming, fast. So if you’re looking for advice on garden tools and garden supplies, then you’re in the right place!