If your houseplant collection has become a little more demanding or you’re considering starting some seedlings early in the year, an indoor plant lamp may be useful. Artificial lighting can support plants that you’ve popped in spots where natural light is low, too, ensuring they’re receiving enough to grow and stay alive. A plant grow lamp is one of the few things you may need in your houseplant toolkit to help your new friends settle into their new homes and stay healthy.
Though your plants will grow well in bright parts of your home, artificial light can provide intense light levels in places where natural light is low – which can occur during short, winter days. Plus, they can support seedlings when planted early in the year. If you have a hydroponics system for microgreens and herbs, it’s likely you know how helpful LED grow lights can be – which are different from domestic lighting.
Best indoor plant lamp at a glance
• Best indoor plant lamp: Garpsen Grow Lights (Pack of 2) – View offer at Amazon UK
• Best budget indoor plant lamp: DAMAHOU Grow Light for Indoor Plants – View offer on Amazon UK
• Best indoor plant lamp for small plants: HygroPod – View offer at Dunelm
Plants mostly absorb blue and red light to thrive. The Royal Horticultural Society adds, “Blue light generally stimulates growth, while red light is important for growth and flower production.” With an artificial plant light, your home-grown tomatoes can be started earlier in the year. As for your beloved houseplants, ferns and smaller, tropical foliage, houseplants can be “kept healthy long-term under simple artificial lighting.” As the UK winter brings frosty windowsills and little to no natural night, an indoor plant lamp may be your salvation, bringing light and a little humidity, too.
After all, how can we let our favourite houseplants die off during the colder months? To keep momentum year-round, your plants may need more than just water and plant food. If you’re looking for some artificial plant lighting, grow lighting or a stylish plant lamp, you’ve come to the right place. Thanks to the Royal Horticultural Society, we have a jam-packed guide for increasing the light in those shady spots in your abode, with a Buyer’s Guide and FAQs answered if you keep scrolling.
Best indoor plant lamp and lighting
Best indoor plant lamp
Elevate your plant care with Garpsen Grow Lights (Pack of 2). Boasting an extended timer, full-spectrum LEDs, and three lighting modes with 5 dimming levels, these lights nurture your plants at every stage. The flexible gooseneck ensures a wide illumination area, making it user-friendly and perfect for home or office use. Not only is it super easy to set up, but it doesn't make a dent in your energy bills.
Customer review: "So far, just under two weeks into using this product, it seems to be decent, and worth the price. It is very easy to set up. It comes with a UK plug and can also be plugged directly into a USB slot. Its clamp is very strong and study. Overall, the product can be set up in under 2 minutes once out of the package. The gooseneck is extremely flexible and it is able to hold its position without any issues. I have placed the lights above some young seedlings, and they are responding to the lights. However, it has only been two weeks, so it is still too early to fully judge it.
"But, so far, I have not had any problems. The timer can be set in 6, 12 & 16 hour modes. There's a small variance of 1-2 seconds per day that it will slowly come out of sync, so eventually, you'll need to reset the timer. But this is a common and minor problem with many other lights that I've used, so I would not say it is a big disadvantage.
"Overall, I would say this is a satisfactory product that has met my expectations, and it is worth the price.
The biggest pros are the strength of the clamp, the flexibility of the gooseneck and the fact that it has warm white, red and blue colours. In comparison to other grow lights that use clamps that I have used, the only negative is that this product only has two lamps whereas most others I have used have either had three or four. But the product makes up for it in the spectrum of light that it offers, and if you are looking for something compact and budget-friendly, then this should meet your expectations."
Pros
- Good value set of two plant lamps
- Easily adjustable with full spectrum
- Complete with a timer for ease
Cons
- May not come with a UK plug
Best indoor plant light for shelves
Support your plant's growth with Kullsinss Grow Lights for Indoor Plants. Featuring 120 LEDs in a full spectrum, including white, warm white, and red, it closely mimics natural light for optimal plant development. The high-efficiency 20W LED chips, timer, and 10 dimming functions ensure hassle-free care. Easy installation and wide usage make it a perfect addition to any indoor shelving set-up.
Customer review: "Decent amount of light output if placed not too far above the plants. I'm using it within an old bookcase and I just used the sticky tabs to affix it which has been problem-free. These are cheap/cheerful compared with bigger, more expensive and heavier units, but so far so good. They also don't put out lots of heat compared with other plant lights I own, which is good."
Pros
- Fits fixtures and surfaces under cabinets and shelves
- Effectively promotes the growth speed of plants
- Energy-efficient LED chips with a timer function
Cons
- Perfect when not too far from the plants
Best indoor plant lamp for terrariums
www.etsy.com
The Warm Adjustable LED Grow Light in Black may suit your growing collection with a 15cm adjustable gooseneck, It's perfect for shade plants and moss. Ideal for small geometric and round terrariums, it comes with various board options. The spotlight, with adjustable intensity and timer function, ensures optimal plant care. Plus, universal USB compatibility adds convenience to this stylish plant accessory.
Customer review: "Another great purchase. Seller is always kind and helpful."
Pros
- Choose from different pole lengths for your terrarium
- Program your grow light for two, four or eight hours
- Stylish, 5W warm set, suited to shade plants and moss
Cons
- Only one light setting - with two intensity levels
- Will likely not be suitable for all types of plants
Best budget indoor plant lamp
Boost your plant care with the DAMAHOU Grow Light for Indoor Plants. Boasting an intuitive automatic timer for precise cycles, this light ensures optimal care even when you're away. The exterior enhances durability, featuring an aluminium housing for improved heat dissipation. With a full spectrum and 48 high-efficiency LEDs, it promotes plant growth effectively. Enjoy 10 dimmable levels, adjustable height, and innovative design for a brighter, customisable, and more convenient growing experience.
Customer review: "So good! I bought one for a rescue alocasia, and she’s since popped out a huge new leaf! Easy to set up and the timer setting is a lifesaver, definitely recommend it to keep plants happy, especially in winter and if you’re on a budget. Just make sure you have the light pretty close to the plant."
Pros
- With a full spectrum and 48 high-efficiency LEDs
- Boasts 10 dimmable levels and adjustable height
- Automatic and intuitive timer for precise light
Cons
- Some customers would feel that it would be better if it was rechargeable
5.
HygroPod
Best indoor plant lamp for small plants
www.dunelm.com
HygroPod brings the magic of nature indoors with 10 stimulating LEDs for photosynthesis. The self-watering pot with a wick ensures easy maintenance, and a transparent window lets you effortlessly monitor water levels. Compact and versatile with a telescopic arm, it's ideal for herbs, seedlings, veggies, small plants, and cacti. Dunelm calls it your green thumb's best friend. Easy.
Pros
- 10 LEDs that stimulate photosynthesis
- Self-watering pot with extendable arm
- Ideal for herbs, seedlings, small plants and cacti
Cons
- No customer reviews yet
Best indoor plant lighting bulb
www.etsy.com
The Sansi 15W Grow Bulb offers optimal conditions for various plants, including cacti and succulents. It brings the sun indoors for your green friends. With a versatile E27 screw fitting, it fits into desk or floor lamps, ensuring flexibility in placement. Its patented design ensures efficient ventilation and heat dissipation while providing a full spectrum of light essential for plant growth.
Pros
- Ideal for hydroponics, greenhouses, indoor gardens
- Versatile e27 fitting to suit most desk and floor lamps
- An ideal alternative if you have a strict aesthetic
Cons
- No customer reviews yet
Best indoor plant lighting for seedlings
www.thompson-morgan.com
The IHS Treviso LED Grow Light 20W is perfect for home growers seeking to extend growing seasons or cultivate plants without natural sunlight. Designed for effortless installation in vertical farms, racks, or shelving, its lightweight build includes an integrated heatsink for optimal thermal management. Enjoy full spectrum output for multiple wavelengths, while its built-in lens provides broad 120-degree coverage, making it an ideal replacement for traditional indoor plant lamps.
Pros
- A lightweight model with an easy, simple installation
- Features a broad light spectrum for all seedling growth
- Perfect for greenhouses, propagation and shelving
Cons
- No adjustable light modes (warm, blue/red)
Best indoor plant floor lamp
Illuminate your indoor garden with the chiphy Floor Lamp for Houseplants. Featuring high-quality LEDs with a 4000K colour temperature, it mimics sunlight, perfect for all growth stages. With adjustable height and brightness settings, it caters to various plant heights and light needs. Durable and stable, this metal lamp provides super brightness and energy efficiency. Multifunctional, it doubles as home decor, suitable for any style, making it a versatile lighting solution for every need.
Customer review: "I am delighted with this natural sunshine lamp in my living room, which is pretty dark and devoid of light in the wintertime due to saving heating and keeping the curtains pulled. The lamp has a modern, contemporary design and an adjustable height pole. The base is heavy and stable, lending the same stability to the entire assembly. Moreover, the light is also adjustable/ dimmable.
I have a SAD lamp placed on my desk, as I work from home, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. I am hoping that this grow light/ natural sunlight lamp will achieve the same results and impart that sunshine-good feeling in a rather dark room. Nevertheless, I am happy with the design, sturdiness, and quality!"
Pros
- Full spectrum grow daylight for indoor plants
- Features a bright, energy-saving LED light
- Multifunctional ambient light for various home styles
Cons
- May not fit your home style
Best hydroponics garden
www.notonthehighstreet.com
This self-watering Acqua Smart Garden One Hydroponic Growing System allows you to grow your own fresh produce wherever you live and whatever your lifestyle may be. After all, nothing beats the flavour of homegrown herbs. Simply set it up, add seeds, and this system does the rest. It features different LED grow light settings to simulate the sunlight spectrum, promoting plants to grow quickly and healthily.
Pros
- Grow your own herbs and produce wherever, whenever
- Supplied with peat-free medium, plant food and seeds
- LED growth light promotes quick and healthy growth
Cons
- No customer reviews
Verdict: Which is the best?
The Garpsen Grow Lights is our top pick. At a great price, this two-pack lamp set has all the flexible adjustments to make your plants stay happy, healthy and illuminated in daylight.
Buyers guide: Indoor plant lamps
Buying artificial growth lighting requires careful consideration - to ensure your (not so) easy-to-care-for houseplants are kept safe, not dried out, and your newly sown seeds can propagate. So, we've written a guide covering all the factors you should think about, from light intensity and spectrum to coverage area.
No leaf has been left unturned.
Light spectrum
For versatility, we recommend plant lamps that offer a full spectrum of wavelengths, including blue (400-500 nm), red (600-700 nm), and sometimes green (500-600 nm) and white (4000-7000K). After all, different wavelengths may be needed for various stages of plant growth.
Light intensity
This is typically measured in lumens or PPFD in grow lights. For this aspect, ensure the light intensity of your chosen artificial plant lamp is helpful for the specific plants you're looking after and the area that may need to be covered. Remember: different plants have varying light intensity requirements.
Coverage area
Coverage should be determined by the size and amount of plants you need to illuminate. So, choose a light with the appropriate coverage area to ensure all your plants receive adequate light for optimal growth. Plant lamps may have a shorter range, but shelving lights may offer more coverage.
Energy efficiency
Energy-efficient options are available - which will help keep your energy bills low, which is ideal since prices are rising. As such, LED grow lights minimise cost and environmental impact. Plus, they're highly efficient and produce less heat compared to traditional lighting options, such as fluorescent or HID lights.
Adjustability
This comes in handy with artificial plant lighting - as you may need to tailor the light intensity and wavelength to your plant's specific needs or, indeed, change it to suit several. Look for lights with adjustable features, such as height, brightness, and spectrum. Customisability offers optimum conditions.
Durability
This will ensure reliability, longevity and a long lifespan. Luckily for you, our list is full of durable and long-lasting LED grow lights, which typically have a longer lifespan compared to other types. This will, hopefully, reduce the need for frequent replacements - and your indoor plant lamp will remain perfect.
Heat management
Heat management is important for the overall running of your new plant growth light. So, for this, consider the heat output of the grow light and its heat dissipation mechanisms. Essentially, effective heat management prevents overheating and damage to your plants, especially in confined indoor spaces.
Budget
As for budget, it can be set to your specific needs and requirements. Set a budget - and peruse our list, which has options in all price brackets. While high-quality grow lights may come with a higher price tag, they often offer better performance, efficiency, and longevity, providing better value in the long run.
Compatibility
This is something else to consider. Whether ordinary houseplants, indoor herb gardening or hydroponic microgreens, you should determine what is best for the plants you're looking after. Consider mounting options, power and connectivity to ensure seamless integration with your houseplant paradise.
Indoor plant lamp FAQs
Will a grow lamp help plants grow?
Yes - a grow lamp can help plants grow, especially when natural light is unavailable.
If you're interested in the science aspect, indoor plant lamps emit specific wavelengths of light that plants need for photosynthesis, growth, and development.
These lights provide the necessary energy for plants to produce sugars and other essential nutrients, enabling them to grow and thrive even in indoor or low-light environments. As such, they're great for seed starting and plant propagation, as well as providing supplemental lighting.
Are they safe?
Grow lamps are safe, however, there are a few things to consider to ensure the safety of your well-being plant babies and minimise risk for you. These can range from protecting your eyes from lamps that emit UV to ensuring the timer function and heat management systems are in good nick - to avoid any electric or water risk issues.
Can you use regular lamps to grow plants?
No, says the Royal Horticultural Society, plants cannot be grown under normal lights as they are unsuitable; "The light intensity is not enough and they are less energy efficient. For these reasons alone, it is best to choose specialised horticultural lighting".
Can plants live with only artificial light?
Yes - ensuring you choose the right type that meets the plant's specific needs.
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Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Modern Gardens Magazine, an all-rounder. When she’s not writing about houseplants, she’s tending to her own growing collection…