Plant Trends: Plant Lights and Lamps
Everyone knows that plants need sunlight to live (or at least, we hope everyone knows!). Plant leaves “breathe in” carbon dioxide, absorb water from the ground, and use energy from the sun to create the food they need (in the form of sugars) and “exhale” oxygen. While the process is much more complicated, there is one thing for certain: light is important! Without proper lighting, plants cannot perform the very processes they need to survive. Some plants have more specific growing needs than others, which is why cacti and calathea cannot be treated the same.
So what happens when we take a plant that is grown in a greenhouse mimicking a climate near the Earth’s equator and stick it in upstate New York in February? We can almost guarantee that the plant’s main struggle will be getting enough sunlight to survive. Now, we aren’t saying don’t bring tropical plants home. That would be no fun. Instead, recognize the signs that your plant is struggling with low light. One way we can help our plants find their light is to provide them with supplemental lighting in the form of grow lights and plant lamps.
No two grow lights are the same. Many lights are listed as grow lights but provide little valuable light to your plants. Be savvy in your supplemental light decisions. Regular light bulbs are designed to light our homes, but may not have the spectrum of light that plants can actually use. When choosing a light, look for ones specifically designed for plants. You will probably see a variety of colored lights in your search, so keep in mind that certain colors on the light spectrum are better for different types of plant growth - vegetative, flowering, fruit-producing, etc. In terms of houseplants, your plant should not have to rely solely on the average grow light - they are supplemental and will help your plant get through the winter, but will likely not provide your plant with the ideal growing conditions. You should still take care to choose a spot for your plant wisely.
The good news about grow lights is that in recent years, aesthetics have come into play. Providing your plants with supplemental lighting no longer means adding long fluorescent lighting fixtures above the window in your dining room. Instead, there are clever and creative ways to provide light for your plants while accenting your style. What is more, you can even replace your existing light bulbs with grow light LEDs that not only provide the correct lighting spectrum but also barely look different from regular light bulbs. Some lighting fixtures and lamps even come with timers, helping your plants grow even when you forget to flick on the light.
Here are a couple of basic lights we have tried!
This Aceple LED Grow Light is currently being used as a desk lamp. While it is quite bright, the heads can be redirected easily and the lights do not produce a ton of heat. The timer can be set to turn on for 6, 10, and 12 hour periods, allowing for it to be used for plants that need different light exposure. There is no way to adjust the light intensity, however, so care should be taken when using on plants that burn easily. Since setting up, the Ficus Bonsai and Money Tree have both started producing new leaves, and the leggy succulent is growing with a shorter internode length! The basic look of this light allows it to fit into most decor, though the power cord could be longer to allow it to reach more places without an extension cord. 8/10, would purchase again.
Similar to The Plant Halo, the Awesda Grow Light is lightweight and has a spike that slides right into the soil of the plant you’re lighting. With three different light modes (white+yellow, white+yellow+red, red light), ten different light intensities, a timer with 3, 9, and 12 hours, and an adjustable height up to 28 inches, it is the most adaptable by far. The color of the light can be changed depending on what type of growth you are looking for (e.g., vegetative vs. flowering). The light intensities allow for its use on a wide range of plants with different light needs. We were not expecting it to be the favorite, and coming in at under $20, we are interested to see how well it does in comparison! This was also one of the only small light options that came in black. 9/10 would recommend, especially for those low light plants that need a little extra help.
Much needed by this leggy and struggling Fiddle Fig, this GHodec Grow Light is functional if not a little clunky. Like the Aceple light, the timer allows for its use on a variety of different plants. This light is dimmable, which is a great option for plants that need a lower light intensity. The lights are a bit more difficult to maneuver, and the clip is a little unstable. However, it is doing its job, though I wouldn’t choose it for its aesthetics. 5/10, prefer the look and functionality of the Aceple light.
If you fall into a houseplant hole on Instagram as often as we do, you have probably seen the ads for The Plant Halo. However, as our order has been stuck overseas for a few weeks now, we cannot offer an adequate review of the light itself. ?/10
For the year-round gardener or someone who wants to get a jump start on their vegetables, we have been using Rise Gardens’ Single Family Garden. This nifty contraption is a lighting and a water system all in one. While on the pricey side, this gives you an idea of how far we have come with indoor lighting and gardening options. So far, we have had pretty good results with growing herbs like cilantro and basil continuously, and we managed to get a few cherry tomatoes (though they are never quite the same as sun-grown). Overall, this product is sound. It has an app that sends an alert when water is needed and for periodic maintenance reminders. The Rise customer service also helps customers with troubleshooting. 7/10 would recommend.
Like most things in this world, you will get what you pay for. If you have found a cheap option for under $30, chances are that the lamp is not providing good light levels for your plant and you should expect it to only supplement your lighting. If you want a scientific breakdown and are up for a read, check out The Science of Grow Lights for more in determining your best options! We’ve also broken down some information on an earlier blog: Wild Interiors — All You Need to Know About Grow Lights. Check it out!