Decorative Grow Light Styles: Pendants, Lamps and Bulbs for Houseplants

The short answer

Decorative grow light styles include pendants, floor lamps, desk lamps, track heads, shelf strips and screw in bulbs that light houseplants while fitting home decor. Most use white LEDs so the room looks normal. Pick the style by where the plant sits, then place the fixture close and aim it down.

A good decorative grow light lets you grow plants in a dim corner without turning the room purple.

What makes a grow light decorative?

Traditional grow lights are bars or panels that often glow pink or purple. Decorative versions hide the same LED technology in shapes that look like normal home lighting: hanging pendants, arc floor lamps, desk lamps, track heads and standard screw in bulbs.

Many use full spectrum white LEDs. The US Department of Energy page on LED basics explains that white LEDs combine colors to make white light, and that LEDs run cool and use little energy. So they work well near furniture and plants.

Sources: University of Maryland Extension, US Department of Energy, University of Missouri Extension.

How close should a decorative grow light be?

Closer than most people think, since light drops sharply with distance. A bulb two feet away gives far less light than one a foot away.

The University of Maryland Extension Maryland Grows article on fine tuning your indoor plant lighting choices explains that many decor fixtures are only useful within a foot or two of leaves. Aim the light down onto the plant rather than across the room.

If leaves stretch toward the light or new growth is pale and spaced out, move the light closer.

Our post on optimal lighting for growing indoors covers light intensity and distance in more depth.

How do you match a light to the plant?

Start with the plant’s needs. Low light plants, such as pothos, ZZ plant and snake plant, do fine with a modest pendant or lamp. Medium light plants, such as philodendron and peace lily, want a brighter fixture closer in. High light plants, such as succulents, herbs and fiddle leaf figs, need a bright fixture close by or a dedicated grow light.

The University of Missouri Extension guide to lighting indoor houseplants (G6515) groups plants by light needs and explains how duration and intensity work together.

Check the light output. Look for a stated brightness in lumens or, better, a plant light rating. Our post on grow lights for cannabis explains common light ratings and what they mean.

How long should the light run?

With some window light, 12 to 14 hours a day may be adequate. Plants need a dark period.

A plug in timer holds the schedule steady so you don’t forget. Smart bulbs and plugs let you set schedules from a phone. Our post on grow light timers covers timer types and setup.

How to: step by step

1. List each plant’s light needs.
2. Pick a fixture style that fits the spot.
3. Choose a full spectrum white LED.
4. Mount or place the light close and aimed down.
5. Set a timer for about 12 to 14 hours.
6. Watch new growth and adjust distance.

Troubleshooting

Plants stretch toward the light. Too far away. Move it closer.

Leaves bleach or scorch. Too close or too bright. Raise the light.

Room looks pink. Fixture is a colored grow light. Switch to white LEDs.

Uneven growth. Light hits one side. Rotate pots weekly.

No change in growth. Fixture is too weak. Pick a brighter one.

The right decorative grow light helps plants and rooms look good. Kind Seed Co offers more for indoor growers along with quality cannabis seeds.

Sources

• Fine tuning your indoor plant lighting choices, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland Grows, Fine tuning your indoor plant lighting choices
• LED basics, US Department of Energy, LED basics
• Lighting indoor houseplants (G6515), MU Extension, Lighting indoor houseplants (G6515)