Gardening Under Lights: Indoor Growing with Grow Light Systems

Efficient Grow Light Stands Bring Sunshine Indoors

Grow lights are perfect for indoor seed starting. You can also grow light-loving houseplants like orchids.

Compact 2-Tier SunLite Garden grow lights are attractive enough for the kitchen. Vermont-made SunLite Gardens come in standard (4-foot) and compact (2-foot) models.

With grow lights, you can grow many plants indoors: houseplants, orchids, some fruits and vegetables. Ideal for seed starting—ensuring stocky, green seedlings. Winter harvests of herbs and salad greens are possible. Understanding how plants use light and fixture options helps you select the right system.

The Right Color

Sunlight contains the full spectrum—red through violet. Plants use the full spectrum for photosynthesis, though red and blue are most critical. Choose "full-spectrum" lights to ensure plants get needed light types.

The Right Intensity

Intensity depends on bulb wattage and plant-to-light distance. Plants differ in intensity needs. Tropical/jungle natives need less than dry, sunny climate natives (Mediterranean, southern Mexico).

• Flowering houseplants (African violets, begonias): 10-12 inches from light.
• Foliage plants (ivy, philodendron): up to 36 inches.
• High-light plants (orchids, gardenias, citrus, vegetables): much higher intensity for flowers/fruit.

The Right Duration

Plants need darkness to respirate—critical for growth rate, bud and fruit set. Botanists categorize by day length:

• Short-day (chrysanthemums, kalanchoe, azaleas, begonias): <12 hours light; need even shorter days to set buds.
• Long-day (vegetable/flower seedlings): 14-18 hours; without enough light, they become pale and leggy.
• Day-neutral (foliage plants, geraniums, coleus, African violets): 8-12 hours year-round.

Vegetable seedlings need 14-18 hours of light daily.

"Can't I Just Use Shop Lights?"

Yes, but full-spectrum lights have more of the light plants need. Plants are healthier and more vigorous with abundant full-spectrum light.

Using Fluorescent Bulbs

Fluorescents produce 2-3x more light than incandescents for same energy—most inexpensive for indoor gardening. Full-spectrum fluorescent bulbs (SunLite) balance cool/warm light replicating 98% of solar spectrum. Excellent for seedlings, houseplants, herbs. Use less electricity, last longer than standard fluorescents. For complete kits, check Green State Gardener.