6 Inexpensive Grow Lights for Indoor Plants
Growing plants indoors is great. However, when plants are grown indoors, they often do not receive enough natural sunlight to meet their needs. This is where grow lights come in. Of course, you can choose to spend a lot of money on grow lights. However, you don’t have to do that. There are some great options for inexpensive grow lights for indoors plants.
What Are Grow Lights?
Grow lights are special lights designed just for plants. They emit a range of light wavelengths, including red and blue light which are important for photosynthesis. Grow lights can be used as the only source of light for indoor plants. However, most of us have at least some natural light in our homes, especially during the warmer months of the year. Therefore, most of us are seeking inexpensive grow lights for indoor plants that supplement that existing natural light.
Types of Grow Lights
Before we get into the most inexpensive grow lights for indoor plants, let’s look at the different types of grow lights along with their relative costs. The first three on this list are the most common options and the latter three are alternatives that some people prefer.
Fluorescent Grow Lights
Fluorescent lights are a popular choice for indoor growers due to their affordability and energy efficiency. They come in two main types: T5 and T8. T5s are more efficient and produce more light per watt than T8s. Fluorescent lights emit mostly blue light, which is good for vegetative growth. However, they don’t emit as much red light, which is needed for flowering. Fluorescent lights are generally the most inexpensive grow lights for indoor plants. They typically cost anywhere from $20 to $200.
LED Grow Lights
LED grow lights are becoming increasingly popular among indoor growers due to their energy efficiency and versatility. They emit both blue and red light, which is important for both vegetative growth and flowering. LED lights also produce less heat than other types of grow lights, which can be beneficial for certain plants. The cost of LED grow lights varies widely, but they tend to be more expensive than fluorescent lights, ranging from $50 to $1000 or more. Still, there are some good inexpensive grow lights for indoor plants in this category. In fact, they are a preferred choice over fluorescents for most people.
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Grow Lights
HID lights are the most powerful grow lights available and are commonly used by commercial growers. They come in two types – one better for flowering and one better for vegetation. HID lights can cost anywhere from $100 to $1000 or more. Moreover, they tend to cost a lot to operate, so your utility bill will go up when using them. These aren’t your best choice.
Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) Grow Lights
CMH grow lights are a relatively new type of HID light that uses ceramic arc tubes instead of quartz. CMH lights are also cooler and more durable than other types of HID lights. However, they can be more expensive than other types of grow lights.
Plasma Grow Lights
Plasma grow lights are another type of HID light that uses plasma technology to produce a full spectrum of light. They are highly efficient, producing more light per watt than other types of grow lights, and have a long lifespan. However, plasma grow lights are among your most expensive option.
Induction Grow Lights
Induction grow lights use a high-frequency magnetic field to generate light. Therefore, they are highly efficient and long-lasting. They emit a full spectrum of light and are a good option for indoor growers looking for a low-maintenance and energy-efficient grow light. However, induction grow lights are also among the most expensive options.
6 Inexpensive Grow Lights for Indoor Plants
With all of that in mind, the most inexpensive grow lights for indoor plants will be fluorescents and some LED options. That said, arguably the LED lights are the better choice for most gardeners. Here are some good choices:
1. LORDEM Plant Grow Light
This is a 72 LED Full Spectrum Grow Light. Therefore, it’s good for most plant types. It’s highly adjustable in terms of plant height and has a long cord to make it easy to set up indoors. Amazon sells this for about $20.
2. Yadoker Plant Grow Light
This one is almost identical to the previous suggestion including the price point.
3. GooingTop LED Grow Light
This one is designed with a clip so that you can clip it onto a table and adjust the light accordingly over tabletop indoor plants. According to Amazon, it is “equipped with 10 Red + 74 White LEDs, this growing Lamp is similar to the full-spectrum sunlight at noon.” Moreover, it comes with a one year warranty. It sells for about $35.
4. Aokrean Grow Lights for Indoor Plants
This is a cute little stand on which you set your flower pot. The light can be adjusted up to 26″ to accommodate different pot sizes. It’s a stylish option that looks kind of similar to the Ring Light for humans. They are sold individually but you get a much better deal if you get a two pack. Pay abut $25 for two.
5. Mosthink LED Plant Grow Light Strips
Most of the inexpensive grow lights for indoor plants are little lamps like the ones above. However, you can also get glow light strips. These can be a great way to give the proper light to multiple plants in one area of the home. This one is 13″ long and you get a two pack for under $20. However, you can also find ones that are longer if you need to cover more area for your plants.
6. DOMMIA Grow Lights for Indoor Plants
In terms of aesthetics, I really like this option. It’s a panel that looks a bit like a sunburst or stars. You can place the panel like a shelf on a multiple-shelf plant stand, illuminating the plants below it on that particular shelf. An entire set of these looks really striking. And, of course, it gives your plants the light that they need to thrive. This costs about $20 per panel.