Searching for the best grow light bulbs for indoor plants?
Good news: You'll never run out of choices because there are numerous on the market at wide price ranges.
Bad news: Too many options might make you overwhelmed.
Worry-free, here are the six most favorite grow light bulbs for indoor plants by our experts, along with a helpful buying guide.
Here are the best grow light bulbs for indoor plants you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Seed Starting: Briignite BRGL03W11E26
- Best For Seedlings: SANSI C21BB-3E26
- Longest Lifespan: Briignite BR30
- Best For Lower-Light Houseplants: Bioluz BA19-3KFS9
- Brightest: Lonwon PAR38 Grow Light Bulb for Indoor Plants
- Energy-Saving: Mexhom LED Grow Light Bulbs
| 6 Best Grow Light Bulbs For Indoor Plants | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Seed Starting | Briignite BRGL03W11E26 | |
Best For Orchids | SANSI C21BB-3E26 | |
Longest Lifespan | Briignite BR30 | |
Best For Lower-Light Houseplants | Bioluz BA19-3KFS9 | |
Brightest | Lonwon PAR38 Grow Light Bulb for Indoor Plants | |
Energy-Saving | Mexhom LED Grow Light Bulbs | |
Best For Seed Starting: Briignite BRGL03W11E26
- Ideal for seed starting – 4000K neutral white color temperature
- Easy to match many indoor garden decors
- Wish it lasted longer
These grow light bulbs from Briignite deliver a full spectrum of light, including red and blue wavelengths—equivalent to natural sunlight, that are essential for seed starting, especially small-seeded species.
With an output of 1000 lumens, they're comparable to traditional 100W bulbs while only consuming 11W of power - saving you money on your electric bill.
The 4000K color temperature provides a pleasing white light to eyes without harsh or soreness. It also blends well to many indoor garden settings and home decor styles, unlike those reddish or purple grow light bulbs.
Installation is easy - just screw the E26 base bulb into any standard size socket and you're ready to go.
To promote the best germination, also watch for the soil you choose for indoor seedlings. Together with the right light, soil plays an important role in successful seedlings. Consider the type of plants and gardening method to choose the best soil for your project.
| Briignite BRGL03W11E26 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Wattage | 11W |
Brightness | 1000LM |
Color Temperature | 4000K |
Lifespan | Up to 25,000 lifespan. |
Highlight Features | 4000K neutral white color temperature |
We consider the Briignite BRGL03W11E26 as the best grow light bulbs for seed-starting due to its 4000K neutral white color temperature and 1000-lumen LED chips.
Best For Orchids: SANSI C21BB-3E26
- High output PPF of 36.2umol/s - the exclusive patented COC technology
- Promote orchid blooming
- Reliable – CE-certified and UL-listed quality
- Not last as long as our other picks
- A bit pricey
You're a fan of orchid and want to have those beauties around the house? Get these grow light bulbs to grow them and get more blooms indoors.
The SANSI C21BB-3E26 because of its incredibly high output PPF of 36.2umol/s to provide your orchids with more supplementary light to photosynthesize, produce leaves and blooms.
The secret for such an amazing performance?
It's the SANSI's patented COC technology that directly attaches the LED chip on a non-conductive ceramic heat sink. This boots up heat conduction, decreases the system thermal resistance between the heat sink surface and the LED PN junction, and levels up the lighting efficiency.
Besides, its color rendering index Ra is nearly 100 for the perfect daylight-mimicking glow, promoting orchids growth or else, your orchids will be weak and leggy.
| SANSI C21BB-3E26 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Wattage | 24W |
Brightness | 2160 |
Color Temperature | 4000K |
Lifespan | Up to 25,000 hours. |
Highlight Features | the exclusive patented COC technology nearly 100 Ra |
Seeking the best grow light bulbs for orchids? Try the SANSI C21BB-3E26
Longest Lifespan: Briignite BR30
- Offer the longest lifespan – great heat-dissipation cooling system
- Ideal for flowering – 3500K color temperature
- Wish the directions were clearer
The BR30 has the longest lifespan among other brands on the market.
Its cooling system is made with high-quality materials including aluminum and plastic, which helps minimize the heat output and increase the lifespan up to 50,000 hours (while most of our other picks just last 20K-25K hours).
The high brightness and energy-saving design of these bulbs delivers 180-degree 850 lumens of bright light while only consuming 11 watts of power. So, they are more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs.
With 3500K color temperature, these grow light bulbs are great for flowering.
| Briignite BR30 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Wattage | 11W |
Brightness | 850LM |
Color Temperature | 3500K |
Lifespan | Up to 50,000 working hours |
Highlight Features | aluminum and plastic cooling system 3500K color temperature |
Lasting up to 50,000 hours, the Briignite BR30 has the longest lifespan of all the contenders we tested.
Best For Lower-Light Houseplants: Bioluz BA19-3KFS9
- Suitable for low-light houseplants – 3000K color temperature
- More efficient than regular LED bulbs – 1100-lumen LED chips with 9W of power consumption
- No complaint
If you're looking for a grow light that will give your low-light houseplants the full spectrum of light they need to thrive, look no further than Bioluz BA19-3KFS9.
This bulb emits a soft white 3000K color temperature light, which is beneficial to plants in producing flowers, and thus fruit without affecting your daily life.
It uses 1100-lumen LED chips that only consumes 9W of power, which is way more efficient than regular LED bulbs.
| Bioluz BA19-3KFS9 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Wattage | 9W |
Brightness | 1100 |
Color Temperature | 3000K |
Highlight Features | 1100-lumen LED chips with 9W of power consumption 3000K color temperature |
The Bioluz BA19-3KFS9 is the best grow light bulb that works well with lower-light houseplants and provides truly warm, pleasing light for your living space.
Brightest: Lonwon PAR38 Grow Light Bulb for Indoor Plants
- Suitable for many indoor plants – 3418 lumens & PPFD of 1313 umol/m2.s
- Durable - 50K-hour long lifespan
- Quite heavy
The Lonwon PAR38 Grow Light Bulb for Indoor Plants is the brightest option in our testing. It delivers nearly 3500 lumens of brightness at 4000K color temperature, perfectly imitating the sun’s spectrum without hurting your eyes.
In addition, it has PPFD of 1313 umol/m2.s.
The high brightness and high efficiency of the bulbs make them a great choice for all indoor gardens, regardless of the plants you grow—such as cacti, orchids, flowers, vegetables, peppers, cucumbers, or tomatoes.
And their 50K-hour long lifespan ensures that you won't have to replace them anytime soon.
| Lonwon PAR38 Grow Light Bulb for Indoor Plants Specifications | |
|---|---|
Wattage | 30W |
Brightness | 3418 lumens |
Color Temperature | 4000K |
Lifespan | up to 50.000 hours |
Highlight Features | 3418 lumens & PPFD of 1313 umol/m2.s 50K-hour long lifespan |
In search of the brightest grow light bulbs for houseplants? Look no further than the Lonwon PAR38
Energy-Saving: Mexhom LED Grow Light Bulbs
- 85% more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs – 720 lumens at 9W of power
- Safe for use – cool-to-touch housing
- Very affordable
- Not for large areas
The Mexhom LED Grow Light Bulbs use premium LED chips that are equivalent to a 100W traditional light bulb while only consuming 9W. For that good reason, they're stated to save you more than 85% on the monthly energy bills.
Their 720-lumen bright light output is perfect for indoor potted plants, hydroponics, and seed-germination in various zones.
The plastic and aluminum material help keep the bulbs cool to the touch, making them safer for your home.
| Mexhom LED Grow Light Bulbs Specifications | |
|---|---|
Wattage | 9W |
Brightness | 720LM |
Color Temperature | 4000K |
Lifespan | up to 20,000 hours |
Highlight Features | 720 lumens at 9W of power |
If you’re looking for the most energy-saving grow light bulbs for your small indoor plant garden, we recommend the Mexhom
How To Choose The Best Grow Light Bulb For Indoor Plants?
Brightness Level
Not all grow light bulbs are created equal.
Different brands and types of bulbs can emit different levels of light, which can impact the health and growth of your plants.
When choosing a grow light bulb, it's important to consider the brightness level to ensure you're providing your plants with the right amount of light.
The brightness of a grow light bulb is measured in lumens. The higher the lumen rating, the brighter the light. Generally, you'll need to provide houseplants with a grow light bulb that has a high lumen rating—around 20 to 25 lumens per square foot.
However, there are other factors to consider, such as wattage and beam angle.
Wattage & Energy Efficiency
Wattage is how much energy a bulb uses and is not necessarily indicative of brightness.
A 100-watt incandescent bulb, for example, produces about 1,600 lumens while a LED bulb emits the same brightness level but at just 20 watts. So, when comparing wattage, be sure to also compare the lumen output.
How to find an energy-efficient grow light bulb?
The simplest way is to look for the Energy Star label. A light bulb that has earned this label delivers exceptional illumination while using less energy.
But if the bulb you’re about to choose doesn’t have this label, compare it to other options at the same brightness level. If its wattage is lower than other, this bulb is more energy-efficient.
Beam Angle
Beam angle is important to consider because it determines how much light is directed towards your plants.
A wide beam angle will provide more even coverage than a narrow beam angle.
For most grow lights, you'll want a beam angle between 110-140 degrees.
Color Temperature
Choosing the right color temperature for your grow light bulbs can help ensure that your plants get the right amount of light.
The color temperature of a light bulb is measured in Kelvin (K), and it can range from 2000K to 10000K.
Grow lights with a color temperature of around 3000K are perfect for general purpose growing, while lights with a color temperature of 6000K or higher are better for blooming and fruiting.
If you're not sure which color temperature to choose, you can always ask a gardening expert for help.
Lifespan
Most grow light bulbs have a lifespan of between 2,000 and 10,000 hours, so they need to be replaced periodically.
One way to extend the lifespan of your grow light bulbs is to use them in a cycle, meaning that you turn them on for a set period and then turn them off for a set period. This will help to prolong the life of the bulb while still providing your plants with the light they need to grow.
Another factor to consider when choosing to grow light bulbs is the bulb type.
There are two main types of bulbs: fluorescent and LED.
Fluorescent bulbs tend to be less expensive and have a shorter lifespan than LED bulbs. However, they provide a higher quality of light, which can benefit plant growth.
LED bulbs are more expensive but have a longer lifespan—typically from 15,000 to 50,000 hours, provide a more consistent quality of light, and consume less energy.
Which Brands Make The Best Grow Light Bulb For Indoor Plants?
Briignite
Briignite's goal is to illuminate the world with light and hope; they provide high quality products that improve visibility in your home. These include heat lamps, reading books, and functional lighting for growing plants.
SANSI
SANSI has been dedicated to innovation in LED technology since 1993.
From commercial to residential lighting to house plant lighting, SANSI offers affordable products using state-of-the-art LED technology.
They have reached 40+ countries and have had a team of 480+ researchers and engineers.
Bioluz
If you want top-quality, affordable lighting for your indoor plants, Bioluz LED® is the company for you. They're committed to designing aesthetically beautiful, sustainable and affordable products.
FAQs
What kind of light bulb do I need to grow plants indoors?
You should choose grow lights for indoor plants with color temperature ranges from 4000-6000K to mimic the natural sunlight.
What is the difference between a grow light and a LED light?
The difference between a grow light and a LED light is: a grow light offers a wider spectrum of both red and blue light which are known to stimulate plant growth, flowering, and fruiting. A LED light just delivers illumination.
Can any light bulbs be used as a grow light?
Yes, they can.
Any household light bulbs can be used as a grow light. It’s worth noting that, however, regular bulbs don’t help houseplants grow as healthily as dedicated grow lights.
What color grow light is best for indoor plants?
For promoting flowering and budding, the recommended color of grow light is red, in the 610 – 720 nm range.
For boosting houseplant growth, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll absorption, pick violet-blue light in the 400 – 520 nm range.
How long should plants stay under a grow light?
Plants should stay for 8-10 hours per day under a grow light.
Conclusion
There you have it! The best grow light bulbs for indoor plants, based on our research. We hope that you'll find one or more of these products to be helpful in providing your houseplants with more light. Thanks a lot for reading, and happy shopping!
Harry RamosI’m Harry Ramos, who's crazy about all things green. I’m here to share some experience in my gardening adventure and how to choose the best products for your garden. Let's dig in, get our hands dirty, and celebrate the simple, earthy pleasures of the garden together!
