Quality grow lights make a huge difference in the health of indoor gardening plants. This is especially true when you’re starting seeds or growing edibles indoors.
If you’re unsure how to find the best grow lights for indoor gardening, this post is for you! Here you’ll find a list of the top indoor gardening grow lights for seed starting, indoor herb gardens, potted plants, and all your indoor growing needs.
Whether you’re looking for a large grow light, a small light, or something in between, keep reading to find a quality grow light to meet your needs and your budget.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Hoss Hanging Grow Light Kit
Budget Option:
MARS HYDRO TS600 100 Watt LED Grow Light
Easy Install Clip-On Option:
GooingTop LED Grow Light
Best Overall
Hoss Hanging Grow Light Kit
The Hoss hanging grow light kit is one of the highest-quality grow lights on the market. This light is made to last with durable materials and high-quality construction.
The light provides plenty of bright, full-spectrum light for your plants. Unlike some grow lights, this light doesn’t get very hot, so you don’t have to worry about burning yourself or your plants on the light. The light doesn’t make any noise, and it’s easy to set up and use.
Product Features
The kit includes two 36″ inch light strips with 6400K LED light bulbs. The bulbs provide 50,000 hours of light which makes this one of the longest-lasting grow lights out there.
The light strips attach to the light kit in several different ways allowing you to adjust the light to your needs.
Carabiners and a pulley system are included for attaching to a shelf or stand. The pulleys make it easy to adjust the height of the light as plants grow.
Pros
- High-quality
- Large size
- Long-lasting
- Includes hardware for hanging
Cons
- More expensive than other options
- Doesn’t include a stand to hang the lights on
Budget Option
MARS HYDRO TS600 100 Watt LED Grow Light
At only 100 watts, this light uses a small amount of energy but puts out a lot of light. The light is made to be highly reflective to maximize the amount of light energy available to your plants. This model is one of the best grow lights for indoor gardening at this price point.
The bright white light provides full-spectrum light for optimum plant growth. A built-in cooling system keeps the light from getting too hot, though you still want to avoid touching the top of the light or the actual light bulbs while the light is on.
Product Features
This model has a hooded rectangle design. It measures 12.2″D x 14″W x 1.4″H.
A layer of reflective aluminum around the edges intensifies the light providing even more energy for your plants.
Hanging hardware includes an adjustable pulley system that makes it easy to raise and lower the light.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Low energy consumption
- Strong, bright light
Cons
- After a few months of use, the light can start to get a bit hot
- There isn’t a power switch, you turn it on by plugging it in
Best Clip-On Model
GooingTop LED Grow Light
If you’re looking for an affordable grow light for indoor gardening, this LED light from GooingTop is an excellent option. This light is simple and easy to install. Just clip it onto your shelf or table, and you’re ready to go.
The light includes a timer, so you don’t have to worry about turning the light on and off every day. It’s one of the easiest grow lights for indoor gardening out there!
When you’re not using it as a grow light for indoor plants, this lamp doubles as a reading light.
Product Features
The light includes two 10-inch light bulbs, each attached to the large clip with an easily adjustable gooseneck.
The clip is sturdy and secure. Attach it to a table, shelf, desk, or wherever you need additional light.
The light is dimmable with five different brightness levels and a timer function. The bulbs are long-lasting, with a 30,000-hour lifespan.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to adjust
- Includes a timer
Cons
- Small
- The neck isn’t long enough to reach over large plants
Hoss Indoor Seed Starting Light Kit
Sometimes grow lights for indoor gardening include more than just a light. This all-in-one system makes indoor gardening simple and convenient. Four seed starting trays are included so you can get started right away!
The simple black design blends in well wherever you want to use it. I have one of these in the corner of my kitchen that I use to grow fresh herbs year-round. It doesn’t take up a ton of space which is convenient for many indoor gardeners.
This light kit makes it easy to grow all different types of plants indoors. It’s a great size for growing leafy greens, herbs, or starting seeds.
Product Features
An adjustable top slides up and down, making it quick and easy to adjust the light canopy.
Two 18″ grow lights are included in the canopy, along with reflectors to maximize the available light. The bulbs have a 50,000-hour lifespan.
A moisture-wicking mat and water reservoir at the bottom make watering a breeze.
Pros
- Long-lasting light bulbs
- Includes seed starting trays
- Makes watering easy
Cons
- Expensive
- Doesn’t hold very many large plants. It’s better for smaller plants like herbs and vegetable seedlings.
Phlizon 900 Watt LED Plant Grow Light
The Phlizon light is very bright, giving your plants plenty of energy to grow. With 900 watts of energy, this indoor gardening grow light can put out a lot of light!
The light is large and sturdy, giving you a good amount of space to grow plants underneath the light. You have three different light settings to choose from, red, blue, or full spectrum light which gives you more light options than many similar products.
The built-in cooling system includes a fan to keep the light from overheating. One drawback is the fan is a bit louder than other models, but if you don’t mind a little bit of white noise, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Product Features
The case that surrounds the lightbulbs is made from durable metal. The light measures 16″D x 7″W x 12″H.
It’s quick and easy to connect multiple lights together using the daisy chain function.
This light has an extra-long lifespan of 50,000 hours. Hardware for hanging the light is included.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Three different light options
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Uses more energy than other models
- The instruction manual is confusing
- Cooling fans are louder than other models
Grow Lights For Indoor Gardening Buyer’s Guide
Wondering how to choose the right grow light for your indoor garden? Here’s some information to help you decide.
Different Kinds of Indoor Gardening Grow Lights
Hanging grow lights
Hanging grow lights can be hung from the ceiling or used with a plant shelf or stand. Most of the time a stand is not included, but the hardware for hanging usually is.
Grow light kits
Grow light kits come in all different shapes and sizes. Kits that include a base are extra handy because you don’t need anything to attach the grow lights to.
Clip on lights
These types of grow lights are usually on the smaller side. They clip onto the edge of a table or shelf where your plants are. These are usually small, so they don’t work for large numbers of plants, but they’re usually much more affordable than larger grow lights.
What to Look For in an Indoor Gardening Grow Light
Light
Plants need full-spectrum light to meet all of their growing needs. Red and blue lights are helpful for certain growth periods, but they aren’t enough for long-term, everyday use.
Size
Consider how many plants you want to put under the grow light to help you decide how big it should be. There’s no need to get a large grow light if you only have a few small plants. On the other hand, you don’t want your plants to compete if there isn’t sufficient light for all of them.
Wattage
The wattage of a product tells you how much energy it uses. The higher the wattage, the more energy is consumed when the grow light is in use.
Higher wattage also results in a higher light output which means more energy is provided to your plants.
How to Use Grow Lights for Indoor Gardening
Turn the grow lights on for 12-16 hours daily and turn them off each night. Plants need a resting period of darkness, so it’s important to turn the lights off for at least eight hours each day.
Check the product recommendations to see how far the tops of your plants should be from the light. The recommended distance can vary depending on the strength of the grow lights. Generally speaking, the higher the wattage, the farther your plants should be from the light.
A good rule of thumb is to keep the light at least six inches above plants. Adjust the height of the light as the plants grow to keep them a healthy distance apart.
FAQs About Grow Lights for Indoor Gardening
What color light is best for seedlings?
Plants do best in light that mimics the sun. Since the sun provides full spectrum light, that’s what you should look for in a good indoor gardening grow light.
White LED lights contain a full spectrum of light
Can any LED light be used as a grow light?
It’s possible to use a standard LED light, though it may not work as well as lights for growing plants indoors. Grow lights for indoor gardening are designed to provide the right amount of energy for plants to grow. Standard LED lights typically don’t have enough power to give plants all the energy they need to grow.
Do LED grow lights use a lot of electricity?
Not really. Modern LED lights use considerably less electricity than older types of grow lights. They put out less heat and last longer too.
Can you grow vegetables indoors with grow lights?
Yes, you can grow many vegetables from start to finish completely indoors using a high-quality grow light. To get some ideas on what you can grow, check out Indoor Vegetable Gardening Ideas
Get Some Grow Lights for Indoor Gardening!
Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong with these grow lights for indoor gardening. With good light, your indoor plants will be happy and healthy. If you want the best product, the Hoss hanging grow light kit is the one to go with.
For more information on indoor gardening, visit the Seed Starting page on our website. We’ve put together many resources to help your indoor garden thrive. From what tools you need, to ideas on what to grow, and how to plant — you’re sure to find answers to all your questions there.