Hey there, fellow plant parents! Are you tired of watching your indoor plants struggle and suffer from lack of sunlight, like an angsty teen without their phone? Me too! That's why I'm excited to introduce you to our comprehensive guide on clip-on grow lights for indoor plants.
As a food and garden blogger, I've had my fair share of plant drama - including a fiddle leaf fig that feels almost like a family member. But don't worry, this story has a happy ending!
With the help of clip-on grow lights, I've been able to bring my fiddle leaf fig back from the brink of death. Join me on this enlightening (ha, see what I did there?) journey as we explore the functionality, benefits, and essential factors to consider when choosing the perfect lighting solution for your green companions.
Let's shed some light on this, shall we?
Jump to:
- My fiddle leaf fig drama: a back story
- Grow lights for indoor plants, could they save my fig?
- Clip on grow lights for indoor plants are a great option
- Indoor gardening with grow lights
- A guide of clip-on grow lights, their benefits, and top considerations
- 3 common types of grow lights
- The indoor plant grow lights I ordered
- How to attach clip on grow lights for indoor plants
- Grow light light fixture - too good to be true?
- A note about safety
- Comments
My fiddle leaf fig drama: a back story
I've had a gorgeous fiddle fig for ten years. It's tall, lanky leaves have gracefully filled the corner in our dining room just to the side of a south facing bay window. The sunny rays that reach the leaves have always been filtered and not too much sunlight. And we all know fiddles are like the first day at the beach on spring break. The burn SO FAST!
She (for some reason I've given my plant a personality) has always thrived... until we took out the bay window and added a covered deck off our kitchen. Suddenly, the perfect southernly sunshine was gone. This was the only window in our home that had bright light for a fiddle leaf fig, and now that it was gone, I was stumped. What started as an 18 inch plant had grown to a towering 9-foot tree, and I couldn't bear to give up on her without pulling out all the stops.
Grow lights for indoor plants, could they save my fig?
I was talking with my sister, who happens to be both an interior designer for luxury homes and #plantladygoals , and she rallied to my rescue. Mo (short for Morgan - my kids nicknamed her Aunt Mo and it's stuck) explained that the ideal setup for my fig would be to mimic the perfect amount of direct sunlight by using energy-efficient LED.
In her gorgeous home, she has well over a dozen plants. That's a lie, there are so many more than that. I'm not going to put a number on it, but there's a definite urban-jungle vibe and I swear I feel super oxygenated whenever I visit.
And her plants are so healthy! She has massive south-facing windows, but even the plants in dark rooms look really damn good. She even has a pink pothos in her master bathroom that is thriving with just a small clip on grow light!
Mo explained the trick is to find lights with either rigid or flexible goosenecks, and she stakes them into the pots of her big and small plants. Even in low light rooms, the plants continue to grow and put on new leaves. Consider me inspired! I asked her to snap a few photos and she obliged, so here ya go!
Anyways, my research began! Come along with me and I'll give you the short version of what I learned.
Clip on grow lights for indoor plants are a great option
I always kind of thought that light bulbs were just light bulbs. I knew that blue light from my computer was 'bad,' and that red light from a sauna was 'good,' but that was about the extent of my knowledge.
Oh, and let's not forget the wonky random blue lightbulb on a chandelier of warm yellow, those stick out like a sore thumb. But there is so much more to the story! Let's chat fluorescent bulbs, full-spectrum light, artificial light and figure out what is the best option for our living room with less than doesn't have much light at all.
Indoor gardening with grow lights
Indoor gardening has witnessed a surge in popularity, allowing plant enthusiasts to create thriving ecosystems within the comfort of their homes. However, the absence of natural sunlight can pose a challenge for indoor plants, hindering their growth and vitality. That's where clip-on grow lights come to the rescue. These innovative lighting solutions can be easily attached to various surfaces, ensuring your plants receive the precise amount and quality of light they need to flourish.
By incorporating clip-on grow lights into your indoor gardening routine, you can mimic the natural sunlight your plants crave, promoting healthy growth and abundant harvests. But the benefits don't end there. These versatile lighting options offer flexibility, convenience, and cost-effectiveness, making them an ideal choice for both novice and experienced indoor gardeners.
Enter, the clip on grow lights. I've been using grow lights for my garden seedlings for years. In fact, I've converted an entire wall of our windowless basement storage room to racks of LED grow lights and shelves for seed starting. They work like a dream, minus the times I forget to check on them! The clip-ons work the same way. The need to be really close to the plant and mimic the natural sunlight.
A guide of clip-on grow lights, their benefits, and top considerations
In this guide, we'll walk you through the types of clip-on grow lights available, their unique benefits, and the top considerations to keep in mind when selecting the perfect lighting solution for your indoor plants. Additionally, we'll provide you with a curated list of top-rated clip-on grow lights, helping you make an informed decision that caters to your plants' specific needs.
Whether you're nurturing a collection of succulents or cultivating an indoor herb garden, our guide will equip you with the knowledge to create an optimal lighting environment for your indoor plants.
3 common types of grow lights
When choosing a grow light for your houseplants, consider factors such as the light spectrum, energy efficiency, heat output, and the specific needs of your plants. Different plants have varying light requirements! It's important to select the right type of grow light that will support their growth and development effectively.
I've made a list of several types of grow lights are commonly used. While none are the same as natural light, each type has its own unique characteristics and benefits. Here are the most common types of grow lights for houseplants:
- LED (Light Emitting Diode) grow lights have gained immense popularity in recent years. They are energy-efficient, produce low heat, and have a long lifespan. LED lights provide a wide spectrum of light, including specific wavelengths that cater to different stages of plant growth. They are available in various colors and can be customized to provide the ideal light spectrum for your plants. In my opinion, this is these make the best grow lights.
- Fluorescent lights, specifically T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes, are a popular choice for indoor gardening. They are cost-effective, produce less heat compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent also offers a balanced light spectrum that promotes overall plant growth. Fluorescent lights are available in warm white, cool white, and full-spectrum options, making them suitable for various plant species.
- CFL bulbs are a smaller and more energy-efficient version of fluorescent lights. They fit into standard light fixtures, making them convenient for use in small spaces. CFL bulbs are available in various spectrums, including full-spectrum options, providing plants with the necessary light for photosynthesis and growth.
The indoor plant grow lights I ordered
As an amazon associate, this post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
For my fiddle leaf fig, I went with a grow light with a telescopic base. I can raise and lower the base depending on the plant's growth, or which leaves I want to illuminate. It has worked well!
These small grow lights are also a good option for houseplants that are in smaller pots and not as tall. I liked this style because it has a flexible base and can be adjusted to fit any of my less uniform plants. Specifically, my giant aloe vera that looks like a squid trying to climb out of it's pot and escape down the table.
I looked all over amazon for the grow lights I use on my basement shelf for seed starting, but I couldn't find the exact ones I have. The grow lights I'm tagging are similar and have good reviews (4 feet long, 5000 lumens, can plug in to each other).
How to attach clip on grow lights for indoor plants
Attaching a clip-on grow light to your houseplant is a breeze! First, find a suitable spot near your plant where you can easily secure the light. Look for a sturdy stake, your plant's support structure or even the pot. I also like the style that is on a freestanding stake and I can push it into the soil of the planter.
Once you've found the perfect spot, open the clip and gently position it so that it is several inches above the plant. Make sure the clip is securely fastened, ensuring the light won't slip or fall.
Adjust the angle of the light to ensure it's shining directly on your plant's foliage. Don't worry about getting it exactly right on the first try; you can always fine-tune the positioning later. Once you're satisfied with the placement, plug in the grow light and switch it on.
Voila! Your houseplant now has its very own personalized light source to keep it happy and thriving.
Grow light light fixture - too good to be true?
Let me just blow your mind for a minute. Did you know that ANY light fixture can be converted to a grow light? Here's the deal, though. If you are using your bathroom vanity lights as a grow light for your zz plant by the bathroom sink, you've got to leave the light on all day. Can you commit to that? If so, you're good to go! Just swap out the regular lightbulb in the fixture with a suitable grow light bulb. Full-spectrum LED or fluorescent bulbs are ideal for providing the necessary light spectrum for plant growth. So a great way to help the hoya hanging next to your bedroom pendant lights can be converted!
Consider the light output by checking the wattage and lumen of the grow light bulb. Make sure that it is appropriate for the size of your dark room and that it meets the light requirements for you plants. Try using multiple bulbs, if needed! You'll also need to adjust the position of the fixture so that it directs the light to your plants. Depending on the type of fixture, you may be able to adjust the height or angle to optimize light distribution. A practical example of this would be swinging the adjustable heads of a funky desk lamp so that it is angled directly towards your cactus.
Just like the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, plants need nighttime, too. Use a timer or a smart plug to control the on/off schedule of the grow light. Most plants require between 12-16 hours of light per day, so set the timer accordingly to mimic a natural day-night cycle.
A note about safety
Remember to always prioritize safety when modifying electrical fixtures. If you're unsure or uncomfortable working with electrical components, consult a professional electrician for assistance.
Once you've switched to a grow light, keep an eye on your plant. Observe any changes and make adjustments to the light fixture's positioning, height, or light intensity if you notice any signs of light stress or inadequate growth.
If you love plants, I think you'd enjoy reading my recent review of the Greenstalk Garden and why vertical growing is perfect for small spaces!
I'd love to hear about your houseplants! Leave me a comment and tell me if this was helpful or ask any questions that have popped into your head after reading this!
Hope you go get planty and try adding indoor plant lights to your jungle collection!
Your garden loving friend,
Meg
B
Did you... seriously recommend people clamp a grow light directly to their plant????? That is one of the single worst bits of advice I've ever read/heard. Please people do not EVER do that. First the light will be WAYYYYY too close! Second, the plant is not meant to have something like that clamp around it! This is ridiculous.
Meg
Clip on grow lights are generally fastened to the pot (like a paper clip) or wall (think command strip). I LOVE the telescoping stake-style that can be pushed into the soil. Grow lights are extremely beneficial to houseplants that can't get adequate light from windows.
Alishia
Article was very informative. I have a majestic palm tree and I purchased a clip on light with red and blue lights. I have it clipped to the pot. One arm one one side of the plant and the other on the opposite side.one light gets the base of the plant and the other is pointed towards the top.
Is that good enough or do the lights have to come from above the plant shining down on it?
Wish I could submit a photo.
Thank you in advance!
Alishia
Meg
Alishia,
Is there any way you could position your light above the plant's leaves so that the light shines down on it? More like natural sunlight? I'm not familiar with how majestic palms grow, I've never had one, but I know my fig had wide leaves and preferred the light to be directly above.
- Meg