Artificial Lighting for Houseplants in Low-Light Interiors

Choosing the Right Grow Lights for Your Space

Houseplants in an east-facing window blocked by trees need supplemental light. Metal halide and T5 fluorescent bulbs are too intense for a living room. Can compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) in standard lamps work?

Lighting Recommendations

• CFLs: A single CFL in a regular fixture provides insufficient light unless each plant has its own 60-75 watt equivalent bulb positioned no more than 12 inches above the foliage.
• Better option: Standard fluorescent tubes in a two-tube fixture deliver more usable light. Build a simple wooden box attached to the ceiling to house the fixture(s) and add diffusers to soften glare.
• Timing: Run lights during daytime hours to supplement natural light; they won't appear glaring in daylight.

This setup works well for raising many plants under fluorescent light, even in basements.