Brightness is measured in lumens, abbreviated as “lm.” Another major plus of LED lights is that they don’t get nearly as hot as florescent bulbs, which were used before LEDs were made, so there’s less of a chance you’ll burn leaves.

That’s because they burn bright but use far less energy than incandescent bulbs. Though wattage is usually listed on LEDs, it doesn’t give you a complete picture of how powerful a light is. These typically include blue, red, and white, giving you the ability to fine-tune your lighting for different plants and seasons. But more serious indoor gardeners may want adjustable lights with multiple colors for different growth stages.

Most people buy full-spectrum lights to cover all stages of plant development. Ultraviolet light can affect flower scent and leaf color, and far-red light (700 to 750 nm) can increase leaf size and cause plants to “stretch” tall and thin. Although light outside the visible spectrum doesn’t contribute to photosynthesis, it’s still beneficial. White light encompasses all colors in the spectrum, which is why full-spectrum lights are useful for growing plants indoors. The red-light spectrum (600 to 700 nm) is ideal for the flowering and fruit stages. Blue is at the lower end of the color spectrum, used for early-stage growth and cultivating compact, stocky plants for ground coverage. Plants absorb light in the 400 to 700 nm range of the spectrum, and color is used for different stages of development. Those with a more design-savvy approach can choose from stylish hanging pendants, floor lamps, desk lamps, and more. You can also buy a stand with a light panel or tube lighting with adjustable height and light angles, some of which are ideal for kitchen gardens. For the most coverage, you can go with a spread-style hanging panel dotted with tiny light-emitting diodes (LEDs), or standard tube lighting to mount or suspend under a shelf.

It's easy to get overwhelmed with so many grow light options on the market. Both types of lights also have their own lineup of features to consider, depending on your setup. Chances are you're buying lights to either start seeds indoors or to have happier houseplants, and there are several styles of lights for each. To figure out which will be the best grow light for you, there are a handful of important things to nail down before you start shopping.

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