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Choosing a grow light might seem simple—just pick a bulb, right? But one glance at the options online, and you’re drowning in colors, specs, and techy jargon. Red, blue, yellow, purple—it’s like a disco for plants, not to mention totally overwhelming if you’re just trying to keep your basil alive.
We’ll break down exactly what you need to know, so you can confidently buy a grow light that helps your plants thrive.
Let’s start with a little bit of a simple question first: why would you need grow lights for your house?
All plants need light to survive. If you want your plants to thrive, not just hang in there, they need consistent, strong lighting.
But not all homes have the bright conditions plants love, especially during winter. That’s where grow lights step in—they provide the supplemental light your plants crave, especially in darker corners or during seasons when natural light is scarce.
Of course, there are plants that you can buy that are good for lower light conditions. But ultimately, you need a bright spot for your plants to thrive in and love you back as much as possible.
I’ve had plants that have been in dark spaces where they’ve become leggy, they just haven’t grown, and they just haven’t flowered because they haven’t had enough light.
Grow lights just give them that extra boost they need to help keep them flourishing and happy. And during winter when the days are shorter and it’s a little bit darker, grow lights can be a lifesaver to help plants thrive through winter.
Let’s go in order of how I would choose a grow light.
The first thing you have to look at is the spot where you’re going to put it. This will dictate the size, shape, and style of the grow light you need.
So first things to look at in the space:
* Do you have an electrical outlet?
* Is there a power cord nearby?
Because your light will need a power source. I’ve tried using non-corded or wireless lights that you have to plug into a USB to recharge.
I can tell you, if your lights are going to be on 10 to 12 hours a day, it’s just a nightmare—don’t go there. Get one with a cord. It’s a lot easier and will save you the trouble.
Also, where is the light going to sit?
* Is it going to sit on the floor?
* Do you have a really big plant?
* Do you have a small plant on a desk?
You can buy lights that have a clip on them. They can clip onto the side of a cabinet or the side of a desk.
Ultimately, you just want to find a light that’s going to cover as much of the plant as possible without getting too close and burning the leaves.
You don’t want it too close—I’ve had that happen in my cabinet setup (again, I have a whole video about that).
Your lights shouldn’t be too close or your leaves will burn and your plants won’t be happy.
A good rule of thumb for lighting distance is to keep the light about 20 to 30 cm away from the plant. Of course, that depends on how strong the light is. But start around the 30 cm mark and adjust from there—closer or further depending on how your plant responds.
Ultimately, just find a light that fits your plant, fits the size, and fits the space.
Once you’ve figured out the spot in the house, that will help dictate how big or small the light is. You’ve now got a bit of an idea of what size and shape you’re looking for.
Grow lights come in all different sizes:
* Bar lights are ideal for wide shelves.
* Ring lights shine directly downward—great for desktops.
* Bulb-style grow lights fit into regular lamps and provide more focused lighting.
* Flexible multi-arm lights are perfect for plant shelves or setups with multiple small plants.
So once you’ve looked at the space and figured out the size and shape, you may have one or two ideas in your mind.
Here’s where it gets fun (and nerdy). You’ll see grow lights in different colors, and they each do something specific:
Blue light = encourages strong leaf and root growth (ideal for foliage lovers).
Red light = great for flowering and fruiting.
Purple light = often a combo of red and blue, useful for seedlings.
Yellow light = softer, easier on the eyes, but less efficient for plants.
White light = usually full spectrum, the closest mimic of natural sunlight. My favorite.
Pro tip: Light is key—but not everything. Plants also need the right soil, water, humidity, and environment to thrive.
Let’s talk Kelvin, Lumen, and Lux:
Kelvin (K): The color temperature of light.
* 3,000K = warm yellow
* 5,000–6,000K = daylight white (best for mimicking natural sun)
Lumens (lm): The amount of light output.
* 1,000–1,500 lm = shade outdoors
* 3,000+ lm = direct daylight equivalent (ideal target)
PAR: Photosynthetically Active Radiation – tells you how useful the light is for plant photosynthesis.
Skip it if you’re going with full spectrum—it’s already covered.
Lux: Measures light intensity over area.
You don’t have to buy a “grow light.” Some regular LED or halogen bulbs from any hardware store can work—just check their Kelvin and lumen values.
LED = costs more upfront, lasts longer, and saves on electricity.
Halogen = cheaper short-term, but burns out faster and uses more power.
I personally check Amazon reviews (start with the worst reviews first) to spot quality issues. Then I just pick the cheapest one with the specs I need.
Use a timer or smart plug. Plants need 10–12 hours of light daily—but they also need a rest period. Don’t forget to turn off the lights.
Eye safety: Don’t stare directly at grow lights—just like you wouldn’t stare directly at the sun. Point them at your plants, not your eyes.
Environment matters: Light is crucial, but it’s not the only factor—humidity, soil, and watering are all key too.
✅ Choose your light size and type based on plant size and space.
✅ Look for “full spectrum” lights for best all-around results.
✅ Kelvin = color temp, aim for 5,000–6,000K.
✅ Lumens = brightness, aim for 3,000+ if possible.
✅ LEDs beat halogen for energy savings and lifespan.
✅ Use a timer, don’t burn out your plants.
From custom light planning, to tailored quotes, and everything in between, our team of horticulture experts are always ready to assist.
Vanten LED
Guzhen, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
WhatsApp: +86 180 2409 6862
Email: info @ vantenled.com
We are a professional LED plant light manufacturer, committed to using technology to enhance the maximum potential of the lamp, continuously maximizing the benefits for growers, and saving energy for the planet.
