Growing your herbs indoors can bring a touch of nature to your home and provide fresh, flavorful ingredients for your meals. However, only some homes can access the right amount of sunlight needed to help these plants thrive.
That’s where grow lights for indoor herb gardens come into play. Grow lights can perfectly mimic sunlight and promote healthy plant growth, ensuring they receive the right amount of light regardless of where you place them.
If you are a seasoned gardener, a beginner or an avid indoor gardener looking to take your herb garden to the next level, this guide is here to help you make an informed decision.
We’ve carefully curated a list of the top grow lights designed for indoor herb gardens. We’ve reviewed each product extensively, considering factors like light spectrum, intensity, energy efficiency, and durability.
Let’s dive in and discover the best grow lights for your indoor herb garden!
Best Grow Lights for Indoor Herb Gardens
We have compiled a list of the best grow lights that guarantee optimal results for your indoor herb garden.
1. DIGLAB Indoor Garden LED Grow Light
A great option for indoor herb gardening, offering customizable settings for optimal plant growth. What we like most about the DIGLAB Indoor Garden LED Grow Light is the adjustable settings feature.
The auto ON/OFF timer with different setting options (3/9/12 hours) guarantees optimal lighting for your plants without constantly switching them off/on. The various light intensity levels also cater to the different growth stages of your plants, maximizing photosynthesis.
Also, thanks to this grow light’s compact design, you can place it anywhere, even in tight places. It has an adjustable height feature to accommodate your plants as they grow. Still, be cautious of the delicate plastic knob when adjusting the height.
Note that you must purchase pots separately with the DIGLAB LED grow light. Overall, this is an excellent & reliable choice to maximize the potential of your herbs, ensuring they receive the perfect amount of light throughout their growth cycle.
| Pros | Cons |
| Auto ON/OFF timer with multiple settings | Not inclusive of pots |
| Perfect for various plants and locations | |
| Adjustable height | |
| Four dimmable modes |
2. MARS HYDRO TSW2000 Led Grow Light
ASIN: B07PLYR5HG
The MARS HYDRO is perfect for those looking to maximize their indoor herb garden’s yield and growth with minimal energy consumption.
Fortunately, this is a grow light we’ve had the opportunity to test, and we’re impressed by its performance in assisting our indoor herb garden’s growth. The unique, highly-reflective hood allows the light to cover a broader range and enhance its intensity, making it more effective for plant growth.
The upgraded diodes layout makes the light distribution more uniform between the middle and sides of the grow area, which is especially important for larger grow spaces. MARS HYDRO grow light is perfect for a 3x3ft bloom stage and a 4x4ft veg stage, and we have noticed significant growth improvement in our indoor herb garden.
One of the standout features of the MARS HYDRO TSW2000 is its low energy consumption. With only 300W power, it delivers a fantastic performance compared to other LED grow lights on the market. Not only does this help save on energy bills, but it also ensures an environmentally friendly growing solution.
Unlike many other grow lights in this list, MARS HRDRO brightness may be too intense for smaller grow spaces, leading to potential issues for those trying to maintain a small and contained herb garden.
Lastly, while excellent for noise reduction, the fanless design may present concerns for heat dissipation, particularly in smaller grow spaces or those not adequately ventilated.
| Pros | Cons |
| Highly reflective hood for better light intensity | Could be too bright for small growing spaces |
| Low energy consumption | |
| New diodes layout for uniform lighting |
3. GrowLED Indoor Garden
The GrowLED Indoor Garden is a perfect addition for plant enthusiasts with limited space, providing a flexible, easy-to-use grow light solution.
The GrowLED Indoor Garden is a versatile and effective solution for growing herb and vegetable seedlings indoors. Its 20W full spectrum LED grow light promotes healthy growth even in the dimly lit corners of your home.
The height adjustability of the light fixture helps tailor the amount of light each plant can receive depending on its unique needs. This remarkable feature ensures that all plants thrive and receive sufficient light exposure, regardless of their growth rates.
Moreover, the 8/12/16/24 hour timer options come in handy, allowing users to customize the light cycle for their plants. The only drawback with the GrowLED Indoor Garden is purchasing pots separately.
| Pros | Cons |
| Promotes growth of various plants with its full spectrum LED light | Doesn’t include pots |
| An automatic timer option | |
| Adjustable height for customizable lighting |
4. GoGrow LED Plant Light for Indoor Plants
ASIN: B08T16RK5K
We highly recommend the GoGrow LED Plant Light for its efficient full-spectrum lighting, adjustable height, and automatic timing function to enhance indoor herb garden growth.
The GoGrow LED Plant Light provides a full wavelength spectrum, mimicking natural sunlight to promote healthy plant growth. The dimmable feature with four levels (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) allows users to control the light intensity as needed, making it suitable for seedlings, vegetative growth, and flowering stages.
One of the distinctive features of this desk grow light is its automatic timing function and adjustable height. With a 3/9/12 hour timer setting, you can ensure your plants receive the proper light without manual intervention. Also, height adjustability helps users maintain an optimal light distance for their plants throughout their growth.
Some customers have complained of the relatively short power cords limiting the placement of the grow light. Also, The GoGrow LED Plant Light may be better for gardeners with short plants. Overall, this light is budget-friendly for growing plants such as basil, cilantro, mint, and lavender.
| Pros | Cons |
| Automatic timer | Relatively short power cords |
| Adjustable height to accommodate different plant growth stages | Ideal for short plants & herbs |
| 4 Dimmable levels |
5. AETHLUX LED Indoor Herb Garden with 4 Plant Pots
An excellent choice for growing various plants indoors with its height-adjustable design and intelligent timer.
AETHLUX LED Indoor Herb Garden is another product on this list that we recently tried out and found to be an excellent option for growing different types of plants indoors. Its full-spectrum smart grow light guarantees plants receive ideal light to grow healthy and avoid excessive growth.
The 20-watt grow light is highly efficient, reducing electricity costs while providing strong plant coverage.
One feature we appreciated was the adjustable height and built-in smart timer. With a maximum height of 18.5 inches, the light panel adapts to the various growth stages of plants. The smart timer offers a 16-hour- and 8-hour off cycle, ensuring the plants get the ideal daily light.
The kit comes with a generously-sized anti-overflow tray, which can hold up to eight 4-inch pots or a rectangular self-watering planter (if smaller than 17.64″ x 7.05″). The tray effectively prevents water from overflowing and keeps the surroundings clean. Four plant pots are included in the package, making it easy to start your indoor garden.
Assembling the product was easy. However, the kit does not contain plant seeds or soil, so you must purchase those separately. Additionally, the AETHLUX LED Indoor Herb Garden has a rather sizable footprint, occupying significant space.
| Pros | Cons |
| High performance full-spectrum smart grow light | An enormous footprint |
| Adjustable height with a smart timer | |
| Inclusive of anti-overflow tray with 4 plant pots |
6. APLANT Grow Lights
ASIN: B08MT1XQJH
APLANT Grow Light is an excellent choice for indoor herb garden enthusiasts looking for a versatile, user-friendly solution.
Convenient and practical, APLANT Grow Lights have 360° adjustable gooseneck arms allowing users to position the lights precisely where plants need them the most. The timer function is yet another handy feature.
The full spectrum LED lights provide plants with a light source that resembles natural sunlight, which is essential for their growth and overall health. Note that APLANT grow light is best suited for small indoor gardens or a few plants at a time due to their coverage limitations.
| Pros | Cons |
| 360° adjustable gooseneck arms for precise light positioning | Not suitable for large areas or many plants |
| Full spectrum LED lights that mimic natural sunlight | |
| 6/10/12H timer function for convenience and automated lighting |
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Buying Guide
As we explore grow lights for indoor herb gardens, we must consider a few key factors when choosing the best product. In this buying guide, we’ll cover the primary features and aspects to consider before deciding.
1. Lighting Spectrum
The lighting spectrum is one of the most crucial factors for selecting grow lights. Plants need different light ranges for various growth stages, such as vegetative growth and flowering. To ensure proper growth, look for grow lights that provide a complete, balanced spectrum, including blue, red, and white light.
2. Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is vital when selecting grow lights, as it affects your electricity bills and carbon footprint. LED lights are popular because they consume less energy, emit less heat, and last longer than their HID or fluorescent counterparts.
3. Coverage Area and Light Intensity
The coverage area and light intensity suitable for your indoor herb garden depend on the size of your growing space and the number of plants. Be mindful of growing lights with enough coverage area and light intensity (measured in PPFD or μmol/m²/s) to ensure all your plants receive adequate light for healthy growth.
4. Adjustability and Installation
Ease of installation and adjustability are crucial factors, especially for indoor gardens with limited space or plants with varying light requirements. Look for grow lights that are easy to install, have adjustable height, and offer features like dimming or timing functions.
Conclusion
By investing in high-quality grow lights, you’re not only ensuring the health and vitality of your precious herbs but also opening doors to a world of culinary possibilities. We hope that this review has empowered you with the knowledge and insights needed to make an informed decision to maximize your indoor garden’s potential.
Remember, when selecting your ideal grow lights, consider light spectrum, intensity, energy efficiency, and durability factors. More importantly, consider the specific needs of your herb garden, and choose a product that aligns perfectly with your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of grow light is suitable for herbs?
We recommend using either LED or T5 fluorescent grow lights for herbs. They provide a good mix of intensity and energy efficiency. Also, these grow lights are available in various sizes and spectrums to suit different herb varieties.
How many hours of light do herbs need indoors?
Most herbs require at least 12-14 hours of light daily for optimal growth. We suggest setting up a timer to ensure consistent lighting schedules, which you can adjust depending on the specific requirements of the herbs you are growing.
What is the optimal distance between grow lights and herbs?
The optimal distance between grow lights and herbs largely depends on the type and intensity of the light. For T5 fluorescents, we recommend placing them about 6-12 inches above the herbs. For LEDs, a distance of roughly 12-24 inches is ideal.
It’s crucial to ensure that the entire canopy receives adequate light.
Do herbs require a specific light spectrum?
The light spectrum plays a significant role in the growth of herbs. Generally, herbs need full-spectrum grow lights emitting red and blue wavelengths. The blue spectrum stimulates vegetative growth, while the red spectrum supports flowering and fruit production.
Full-spectrum LEDs and T5 fluorescents are suitable for this purpose.
Can a single grow light be used for both herbs and vegetables?
You can use a single grow light to grow herbs and vegetables, provided it’s a full-spectrum light. This spectrum ensures that the light addresses the needs of both herbs and vegetables at different stages of growth.
What types of grow lights are energy-efficient for indoor herb gardens?
LED grow lights are the most energy-efficient option for indoor herb gardens. They consume less power and generate less heat than other grow lights. This reduces power consumption and minimizes the need for additional cooling and ventilation in the growing space.
T5 fluorescent grow lights are also an energy-efficient option, though LEDs are more efficient.
Hey, I’m Lisa and I’ve been an avid gardener for over 30 years. I love writing, talking and living in the garden! Feel free to connect with me on my socials below
