What Are the Benefits of Using a Grow Light?

  • If you’ve got a sunlight-hungry plant and a bright spot by a big window, using a grow light may not be necessary. But during the winter months when the sun is low or obstructed, plants often don’t get enough of what they need, and an indoor LED light can fill that void, keeping them growing all year long.
  • Even if you do have sun-facing windows, you may be running out of windowsill real estate for new plants, and a grow light allows you to put your new additions anywhere you want, even in a small backroom with poor natural lighting.
  • Achieving a balance of light across the spectrum is important too, as plants tend to compensate for whatever color of the spectrum they’re lacking. For example, plants with an excess of shady blue will grow stretchy to search for the sunlight, while on the opposite end, an overdose of high-end infrareds can cause burning and bleaching.
  • Whatever light you grow with, it’ll need to be on for long stretches, often 12-16 hours, with at least eight hours of darkness. Keep that in mind especially if you’re getting plants for a bedroom, where you may not want a light shining all day. Also if the light doesn’t already come with a built-in timer, we suggest investing in one, to set it and forget it.
  • Gardening, even with just a couple small plants, is a deeply rewarding activity where you reap the benefits of a greener home, connection to nature, and get fresh fruits and veggies too. These are the best grow lights to help you get there.