Cavb.org is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Best Grow Lights For Herb Garden : Review And Buying Guide

Gretchen Rubin
  Mar 29, 2024 9:13 AM

Today, how are you doing? Your search may be for the best grow lights for herb garden or for a specific item to purchase. We've done the legwork for you, so you don't have to. Find out about what's happening now in best grow lights for herb garden that interests you.

This blog post is for individuals who are wanting to buy an best grow lights for herb garden and need help picking which one to get. You can count on me to offer you my honest thoughts on several best grow lights for herb garden that have been highly suggested by professionals in the field.

So let’s get started!


Overview

Thinking about starting an indoor herb garden? Plan on investing in a grow light for your indoor herb garden? Are you interested in learning which herb garden light would best suit your needs? Where to put your kitchen herb garden? In the sun or under the counter?

Long periods of bright light are typically necessary for the continuous, harvestable growth of herbs indoors (6-8 hours of direct light for most varieties). The difference between a bountiful crop and shriveled sprigs and stems can be the indoor herb garden light you choose.

Why?

Herbs can't make the aromatic oils that give them their unique flavors without lots of light. Sufficient illumination is essential for the growth of your indoor herb garden.

Your herbs won't taste like herbs if they don't get enough light.

Light from the sun is best for growing herbs, but it can be difficult to obtain enough indoors, especially in the winter.

In this article, we'll discuss a variety of methods for providing adequate illumination for your plants.


Compare Products

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Types

Can herbs be grown with little light?

A grow lamp is an essential piece of equipment for cultivating plants indoors. Indoor gardening newbies should not pick a grow light at the seedling stage only on the basis of its aesthetic appeal.

Learn about fluorescent lights, high-intensity discharge lamps, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and how they might benefit indoor farmers, below.

Fluorescent grow lights

Indoor plants, such as herbs, benefit from the artificial lighting provided by fluorescent grow lights. Compared to incandescent bulbs, fluorescent lights have a far longer lifespan and use significantly less energy. When starting from seeds or cuttings, or even for young plants like lettuce, fluorescent grow lights are ideal.

HID lights or High-intensity discharge lights

Most greenhouses today employ extremely bright lighting. These extremely bright bulbs are used to enhance the main lighting.

Since high-intensity lights generate a lot of heat, there must be enough space between the plants and the bulbs for the heat to dissipate. In spite of the extreme intensity, the bulbs last for an unusually long time.

The flowering and fruiting phases of plant development are ideal for high-intensity lighting.

LED lights or Light-emitting diode lights

Supplemental LED lighting is the cutting edge of technology for indoor plants. In addition to its extended lifespan, it is also noted for its low energy consumption.

LED lights can be set to just emit red or blue light, depending on your preference. Nonetheless, LED lighting generates little heat. The range of available wattages makes it ideal for usage at any stage of plant development.

Size

Think about how many plants you'll need to cover when deciding on a grow light's size. Another consideration is portability; if you need to take your light with you, you'll want something lightweight, but if it's going to stay put, portability won't be as important. Think about where you'll put it and whether or not it will have enough room to function without bumping into walls, windows, or other obstacles.

Type

Grow lights come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including panels, pendants, and adapters that screw into standard light sockets. You can limit down your options based on the plants you already have, the amount of available natural light, and the location of your plants. Lights that are hung from the ceiling tend to be larger, whereas desk lamps are often more compact and portable. A garden kit that includes a planter with an integrated light is a good option if you're looking for a comprehensive solution.

Wattage

The wattage of a grow lamp isn't as crucial as one may think, but it's still something to think about. The photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) is a better indicator of a light source's efficacy, as it quantifies the light's usefulness for photosynthesis. Wattage is a helpful tool for figuring out the right fixture for your plants, which might be tricky to do otherwise. Although the general rule of thumb is 32 watts per square foot, most houseplants (and especially herbs) can thrive with much less intensity.

Light Intensity Output

The intensity output must be taken into account in addition to the spectrum output. That is the main distinction between a grow light and a regular colored light bulb.

It's not as simple as replacing the bulbs with some blue and red LEDs and calling it a day.

Your herbs would naturally be illuminated by the sun's powerful rays. In an indoor garden, you must simulate sunshine to provide adequate lighting for photosynthesis.

Lumens are the standard unit of brightness measurement. Seven thousand to seven and a half hundred fifty lumens per square foot of plants is the sweet spot for herbs. Two thousand lumens will plenty for plants like herbs that don't need a lot of light. The 5,000-lumen-per-square-foot range is a good compromise between low and high intensity lighting.

PPF (Photosynthesis Photon Flux)

PPF, or photosynthetic photon flux, measures the rate at which photons of PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) are emitted and is thus relevant when growing herbs inside under artificial light. There are a certain number of micromoles in this. The 400-700 nm region of visible light, which spans the entire spectrum from blue to red, is what is covered by the PAR scale.

A light source's photons-per-second (PPF) output can be determined in this way. This helps you get a sense of the LED's total output, so you can judge whether or not it will be bright enough for your plants.

Consider Your Setup

When may we see your herb garden? Where exactly in your house does your garden sit? When planning the lighting for a larger indoor garden, you need to take a few things into consideration. Do you anticipate needing multiple? If that's the case, grow lights with several gooseneck arms may be all you need to provide your plants with the proper lighting.

A single grow lamp or bulb may suffice if you only have one or two plants.

It's important to carefully consider your alternatives before settling on a grow light.

FAQS

Why is light important to your plants?

Plants can't survive without light. Plants, such as vegetables and herbs, are able to yield usable food via the process of photosynthesis.

Sunlight is the primary source of energy for plants. Seventy percent or more of the light reaching a plant is used for photosynthesis. Without exposure to sunshine, plants like vegetables and herbs would not receive enough energy to survive, let alone thrive. However, it can be fatal to plants in large quantities.

The introduction of indoor farming into people's homes was a game-changer in terms of providing for their existence. Herbs and many other plants can flourish in indoor gardens without worrying about overexposure to sunlight thanks to ultraviolet or LED grow lights.

Indoor gardening relies heavily on grow lights. Everything has the potential to provide light without significantly damaging the vegetation.

How far should grow lights be from plants?

Grow lights should be put at least 2 feet away from your indoor plants to prevent overheating; however, this distance varies depending on the wattage and light wavelengths used. However, because of the lesser heat generated, LEDs and fluorescent lights, in general, can be placed closer together.

How long should grow lights be on for?

A grow lamp should be on for eight to sixteen hours a day, depending on where you live, the time of year, and the type of plant, to properly simulate the sun's natural light. If your plants get some sunlight, they won't need as much artificial lighting as one that doesn't, which might be up to 16 hours each day.

Conclusion

Indoor herbs, foliage plants, succulents, and even some veggies like tomatoes respond well to grow lights and can be grown successfully in the home. Successfully accomplishing this may require some familiarity with indoor herb planting and strategic preparation.

The key to successful growth is in the planning, so it's important to know what to look for and how to structure an indoor garden. With the advent of grow lights, the game was completely changed in terms of harvesting high-quality goods and crops. Herbs and veggies have never been simpler to cultivate than with this.


5
2 ratings