Do indoor plants need a grow light?
An indoor plant needs a grow light when it sits away from a window, in a north-facing room, or behind curtains most of the day. Leggy stems, small new leaves and leaning towards the window are the usual signs. A clip-on light suits one or two pots; a bar light suits a shelf.
Which plants manage with little light?
Snake plant, ZZ plant, money plant and peace lily tolerate low light. They still grow faster and keep their colour better under a grow light.
How far from the plant should the light be?
15 to 30 cm above the leaves. Keep the clip-on light at the closer end of that range.
How many hours a day?
8 to 12 hours a day, with a dark period at night. Use fewer hours if the plant also gets daylight from a window. The built-in timer runs 4, 8 or 12 hours a day.
Clip-on or bar?
| Model | Suits | Mounts on |
|---|---|---|
| Clip-on | 1–2 pots | Pot rim, desk or shelf edge |
| Bar | A row of pots | Under a shelf or across a stand |
Questions
- Can an ordinary LED bulb grow plants?
- It helps a little. A grow light gives more of the light plants use, at a closer distance, so the same plant grows better under it.