3 best fluorescent grow lights

Fluorescent grow lights are popular lighting fixtures used in indoor gardening, hydroponics, and various horticultural applications to provide the necessary light spectrum for plant growth. These lights are particularly well-suited for starting seedlings, growing leafy greens, and supplementing natural sunlight for plants in indoor environments. Here's what you need to know about fluorescent grow lights in the context of indoor gardening, hydroponics, and outdoor landscaping:

  1. Light Spectrum: Fluorescent grow lights emit a spectrum of light that is suitable for photosynthesis, which is crucial for plant growth. They produce a balanced combination of blue and red light, which are essential for different stages of plant development.Blue light encourages vegetative growth (e.g., leaves and stems), while red light promotes flowering and fruiting.

  2. Types of Fluorescent Grow Lights:

    • T5 Grow Lights: These are popular and energy-efficient fluorescent grow lights. They come in various lengths and are well-suited for growing seedlings and young plants.
    • T8 and T12 Grow Lights: These are older and less efficient options but can still be used for some indoor gardening applications.
    • CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp) Grow Lights: CFLs are energy-efficient and come in various shapes and sizes. They are suitable for small-scale indoor gardening and can be used as supplementary lighting.

  3. Benefits:

    • Energy Efficiency: Fluorescent grow lights are generally more energy-efficient compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.
    • Cooler Temperature: They emit less heat, making them suitable for use in close proximity to plants without overheating them.
    • Affordability: Fluorescent grow lights are often more affordable than high-intensity discharge (HID) lights like HPS (High-Pressure Sodium) or MH (Metal Halide).

  4. Indoor Gardening and Hydroponics: These lights are commonly used in indoor gardening setups, including hydroponics systems, where precise control over light levels and spectrum is crucial for plant growth. They allow year-round cultivation of plants without relying on natural sunlight.

  5. Lighting Placement: Fluorescent grow lights should be positioned close to plants, typically a few inches to a foot above the canopy, to provide sufficient light intensity for photosynthesis.

  6. Light Cycles: To mimic natural day-night cycles, fluorescent grow lights are often used with timers to provide plants with the right amount of light and darkness at different growth stages.

  7. Supplementary Lighting: In outdoor gardening, fluorescent grow lights can be used as supplementary lighting during cloudy days or in shaded areas of the garden to ensure consistent plant growth.

  8. Plant Types: Fluorescent grow lights are suitable for a wide range of plants, especially those that do not require extremely high light levels, such as herbs, lettuce, and some houseplants.

In summary, fluorescent grow lights are essential tools for indoor gardening, hydroponics, and providing supplemental light to outdoor plants. They offer an energy-efficient and cost-effective way to support plant growth by providing the necessary light spectrum for photosynthesis. Proper placement and control of these lights are crucial for achieving healthy and productive plants in indoor and outdoor settings.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best fluorescent grow lights on the market
  

Durolux DL822N T5 HO 2Ft 2 Fluorescent Lamps Grow Lighting System with 5000 Lumens and 6500K Full Spectrum and Low Profile 7" Wide Reflector

DuroLux

Based on 296 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Plug in and go with this beautiful light. Perfect for indoor gardens, green houses, almost anywhere. Outlet on fixture - If you buy multiple, you will be able to connect them together with daisy chaining. For max yield, make sure to place fixture 3-4 inches above the plants. Fluorescent fixtures do not get hot enough to damage the plant with heat. Included in Package: 2ft 2-lamp T5 light-weight grow fixture, Qty2 F24T5HO 6,500 kelvin blue-white grow lamps, 4.5-foot power cable - also good for daisy chaining. UL-approved ballast already installed in fixture. 120V Input, 48W Input, L23"x W7" x H3". Has Made-In-Italy lampholder with I certificate to prevent fire if tubes get loosed during operation. Do not plug into GFI/GFCI outlets (the outlets with the little light on them). 30% less weight than any another brand products enables EZ installation. Discrete Shipping in a brown box. Special T5 super low profile design ideal for small space and seeding and JumpStarter grow lights system.

  • 5000 Lumes - 50W Full Light output - Powerful Grow Lighting System with low profile.
  • 2Ft x 7" 95% Reflective German Hammer Tone Reflector provide over 50% nice light than comparable light system
  • Full alum body and BallastWise ballast would be supper cool operation to extend life.
  • Comes with 2x2Ft T5 Lamps with 6500K, and prewired 4.5' power cord with one on/off switch, hanging chains
  • Outlet on body more convenience chain up to 15 units with 120V Input, UL Listed, Discrete Shipping in Brown Box

User questions & answers

Question: So I asked a question about the cord only being 4.5ft and not 6ft then seller changes description but does not contact me about complaint? pfft
Answer: I hand wash this so I don't know about the dishwasher safe.
Question: Can it handle input voltage if 220v
Answer: The product description should say. I got only one.
Question: Could this be mounted below a kitchen cabinet? Any issues with heat buildup
Answer: no, it cannot be ironed as the material will melt/burn. The fold lines should smooth over once you place items on top of it.
Question: Is this a good light for succulents? I'm seeing mixed reviews as far as using it for house plants and succulents
Answer: No, it’s prefolded in the pkg, but when opened, the folds are easy to smooth out.

Durolux T5 Ho Grow Light - 4 Foot 4 Lamps - DL844 Fluorescent Hydroponic Indoor Fixture - Bloom Veg Daisy Chain with Bulbs

Durolux

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This listing is for a brand new, never-before-opened 4 ft 4-lamp fluorescent grow light. Plug in and go with this beautiful light. Perfect for indoor gardens, greenhouses, almost anywhere. If you buy multiple, you will be able to connect them together with daisy chaining. For max yield, make sure to place fixture 3-4 inches above the plants. Fluorescent fixtures do not get hot enough to damage the plant with heat. Included in Package: 4ft 4-lamp T5 light-weight grow fixture, Qty4 F54T5HO 6,500 kelvin blue-white veg lamps, 8-foot power cable - also useful for daisy chaining. Included mounting chain and hooks, UL-approved ballast already installed in the fixture. 120V Input, 230W Input, L47.5"x W12.5" x H4". Each switch turns each two bulbs on/off independently. 30% less weight than any another brand products enables EZ installation. Not compatible with GFI outlets. Works with timers. The fixture is UL/CUL listed. Discrete Shipping in Brown Box.

  • HIGH LIGHT OUTPUT: 20000 Lumen, Professional Grow Lighting System, 95% Reflectivity German Hammer-tone Reflector. 30% more light output vs comparable systems
  • ALL ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: Qty4 6500K 4ft Lamps, Hanging hooks and chains, 8 FT Power cord
  • OUTLET ON FIXTURE - Power up to 5 fixtures off one wall outlet - less clutter, more convenience
  • FLEXIBLE LIGHT OUTPUT: 2 switches on body allow for step dimming - one for inner 2 bulbs, another for outer 2 bulbs
  • SAFE OPERATION: Rated for operation in Wet/Damp environments. Has Made-In-Italy AAG Stucchi lampholder with I certificate to prevent fire if tubes get loosed during operation, UL/CUL safety approved. 5 year warranty

User questions & answers

Question: How much heat does this produce with the 6500k bulbs
Answer: These lights are hot for germination purposes. You asked a good question. Before I bought these lights I read this — and the responses, which mostly seemed to miss your point. The correct application of your question has to do with how the heat of the bulbs affect the growing/germination conditions for the seeds/seedlings. I bought the fixture — then ordered another one before really learning the correct answer. It took 10 days — and no germination of seeds I had planted — to actually put a meat thermometer into the soil and learn that the soil temperature was 94 degrees. I raised the lights to 7 inches — waited some hours — and the temperature had gone down to 81. That was with all four lamps lit. Seeds will likely be cooked with these lights at the height with a plastic dome over the flats (about 4 inches above soil surface) if all four lights are on. As the old joke goes — lights, or cool....can’t have both;((. I am trying to decide what will yield the best germination condition.....four lights on at 8 to 10” height, or two bulbs at 4” height. If the latter, which two will give best germination. Wish I had the warning. Could have saved me some precious — and expensive seeds — and precious time.
Question: Is there a significant difference between the grow lights for seedlings and the bloom lights
Answer: If you go with a full spectrum mix that's good from start to finish. I use all 6500 K while vegging & all 2700 k for blooming. The answer is YES. just remember 6500 for vegging & 2700 for blooming.
Question: Anyone using this fixture for orchids? What bulbs would be best
Answer: The bulbs that come with it are terrific .. 54watts each and put off a great spectrum from what my plants tell me ;) also they run so cool I keep the plants within 3"-5" from the fixture holding 4bulbs
Question: Can you hang these sideways? Or any other angle
Answer: they are meant for hanging horizontally, I dont know how one would do it sideways nor why. Note that if plant tips touch the tubes they will burn, the tubes are warmer than t12 bulbs.

T5 HO Grow Light - 4 FT 8 Lamps - DL8048 Fluorescent Hydroponic Indoor Fixture Bloom Veg Daisy Chain with Bulbs

DuroLux

Based on 688 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This is a brand new 4 ft 8-lamp fluorescent grow light. Plug in and go with this beautiful light. Perfect for indoor gardens, green houses, almost anywhere. Outlet on fixture - Power up to 3 fixtures off one wall outlet - less clutter, more convenience. Included in Package: 4ft 8-lamp T5 light-weight grow fixture, Qty8 6500 kelvin blue-white veg bulbs, 8-foot power cable - also good for daisy chaining, UL-approved ballast already installed in fixture. 120V Input, 432 Watt Input, L47x W18 x H4. Has Made-In-Italy lampholder with I certificate to prevent fire if tubes get loosed during operation. 30% less weight than any other brand products enables EZ installation. Control each 4 bulbs independently. Works with timers. Fixture is UL/CUL listed. Do not use with GFI/GFCI wall outlets (the outlets with the little light on them). Discrete Shipping in Brown Box.

  • HIGH LIGHT OUTPUT: 40000 Lumen, Professional Grow Lighting System, 95% Reflectivity German Hammer-tone Reflector. 30% more light output vs comparable systems
  • ALL ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: Qty8 6500K 4ft Bulbs, Hanging hooks and chains, 8' Power cord, Discrete Shipping in Brown Box
  • OUTLET ON FIXTURE - Power up to 3 fixtures off one wall outlet - less clutter, more convenience
  • FLEXIBLE LIGHT OUTPUT: 2 switches on body allow for step dimming - one for inner 4 bulbs, another for outer 4 bulbs. Buy now while supplies last
  • SAFE OPERATION: Rated for operation in Wet/Damp environments. Has Made-In-Italy lampholder with I certificate to prevent fire if tubes get loosed during operation, UL/CUL safety approved. 5 year warranty.

User questions & answers

Question: is this for 110 or its works with 220v
Answer: This one is 120V. Works with 110V. If you want an identical 220V fixture, go here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B2FXBQF Thanks for your question about this high quality T5 HO grow light 4 FT 8-bulb fixture for indoor gardening.
Question: Do they cause static interferance on radio
Answer: No, but it increases the noises in my head.
Question: What is the difference with the duro and doublelux 8 light system
Answer: The duro is a 24" wide fixture while the doublelux is 18". Basically it's the same 8 bulbs spaced closer together. The doublelux is the choice if you're growing around 6 plants in 2-3 gallon pots in 2 rows of 3
Question: Is there a warranty
Answer: 5 year warranty

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