- marquis matson
- Dec 16, 2022
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When you invest in a grow light for orchids, you’re not just buying a light. You’re buying an essential tool that will help your flowers grow vigorously and bloom bountifully. After all, light is key to stimulating photosynthesis. If you don’t provide enough of it—or the right kind—your orchids won’t reach their fullest, most colorful potential.
But who has time to wade through hundreds of grow lights, not to mention the technical jargon that comes with them? Luckily, we’ve done all the work for you and rounded up our top picks that will help you get the best out of your blooms.
Our top picks
If bodacious blooms and vibrant colors are what you’re after, these grow lights will be the answer to all your orchid-based prayers. Pick the one that best suits your flower situation and get ready for a dazzling display of petals.
1. BEST OVERALL: Barrina Grow Light
Orchid enthusiasts of all skill levels will love the simplicity—and growing power—of this LED set.
Product Specs
- Wattage: This grow light has a 42-watt power consumption.
- Lifespan: This grow light lasts over 50,000 hours.
- Color Temperature: This grow light is 5000K.
There’s no need to beat around the bush—orchid care can be complicated. The folks at Barrina understand this, which is why their full-spectrum LED grow light was designed as a “plug and play” system that allows you to link up to 6 strips to fit your orchid’s needs. That means you can create both low- and high-light setups for different varieties of orchids. Plus, your kit comes with power cords, connectors (in two sizes), double-sided tape, clips, and even cable ties—A.K.A., everything you need to get up and running.
But the benefits of this lighting system don’t stop there. This grow light is also energy efficient, waterproof, and gives off very little heat—which is crucial when growing delicate, easily sunburned orchids. One reviewer loved the powerful yet gentle light, confirming that “they don’t burn the flowers.“
Pros
- Adjustable intensity and power
- Comes with everything you need
- Doesn’t burn the flowers
Cons
- Has a higher price tag
- On/off switch could be improved
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: bseah Grow Light
This economical yet top-notch grow light system will have your orchid blooming like crazy without breaking the bank.
Product Specs
- Wattage: This grow light has a 15-watt power consumption.
- Lifespan: This grow light lasts over 50,000 hours.
- Color Temperature: This grow light color temperature is not clear.
Grow lights don’t need to be complicated—or expensive. This basic yet effective set from bseah has one of the lowest price tags on the market but doesn’t mean your flowers will be starving for light. This bad boy utilizes energy-saving LED bulbs to deliver a full spectrum of dimmable light that’s perfect for growing an array of orchids, from paphiopedilums to phalaenopsis.
Unlike many of the installation-required models out there, this three-head grow light is designed with a clip and metal gooseneck that makes it easy to adjust the angle and height. With its 360-degree coverage, you can grow orchid blooms in any direction. And with a low power consumption of 15 watts, it won’t make too big of a dent in your energy bill. Oh, and did we mention it comes with a nifty timer? ✨
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Very affordable price tag
- Comes with a timer
Cons
- Not ideal for high-light orchids
- Color temperature is not clear
3. BEST FLUORESCENT: 2-Pack T5 HO Grow Light
Fluorescent fans will rejoice over this powerhouse of energy-efficient lighting that will have their orchids singing.
Product Specs
- Wattage: This grow light has a 24-watt power consumption.
- Lifespan: The lifespan of this grow light is unclear.
- Color Temperature: This grow light is 6500K.
Just because grow lights have gone high-tech doesn’t mean fluorescent models are obsolete. In fact, many orchid enthusiasts prefer the softer intensity of these classic fixtures over LED, and if that’s your jam, we’ve got just the light for you. This two-pack option from Durolux uses two high-output fluorescent bulbs to deliver plenty of bright, cool white light with minimal heat—just what your orchids need to thrive.
Water-resistant and timer-friendly, this dynamic duo comes with two 6-foot power cords and two 8.5-inch daisy chains for easy breezy installation that allows you to adjust the height as needed. Reviewers love both the value and the power, writing that their orchids were “a lot happier under them.” Some people complained about durability issues, but most found this grow light to be an exceptional find.
Pros
- Tools for easy installation
- High output with little heat
Cons
- Price isn’t affordable to all
- May not be very durable
4. BEST HPS: Sun System HPS 150 Grow Light
You can replicate the sun itself with this high-powered grow light from Sun System.
Product Specs
- Wattage: This grow light has a 150-watt power consumption.
- Lifespan: The lifespan is unclear.
- Color Temperature: This grow light is 2000K.
If your orchids require you to mimic the power of the sun, Sun System has your back, literally. This high-powered, hanging grow light uses an impressive 150 watts of high-pressure sodium bulbs to deliver a bright, intense light that’s perfect for orchids that love large amounts of it. It also comes with a built-in aluminum reflector for maximum efficiency, as well as a 7-foot power cord so you can place it wherever suits your indoor gardening space.
Despite being such a machine of energy, this grow light is super compact. At only 15 inches by 9.4 inches by 4.3 inches, it won’t take up too much room and is relatively lightweight. Customers love it for its maximum light output—some dubbing it as their “little ball of sunshine”—and although this does require some installation know-how, the results are worth it.
Pros
- Ample power for high-light orchids
- Built-in reflector for maximum efficiency
- Compact size and lightweight
Cons
- Price tag isn’t budget friendly
- Lifespan is unclear.
5. BEST LED: VIVOSUN VS1000 LED Grow Light
For orchids that need just the right intensity and spectrum, nothing quite compares to this customizable option from VIVOSUN.
Product Specs
- Wattage: This grow light has a 100-watt power consumption.
- Lifespan: The lifespan of this grow light is over 54,000 hours.
- Color Temperature: This grow light can reach between 3000k and 5000K.
LED grow lights aren’t just the trend—they’re the future when it comes to orchid cultivation, and VIVOSUN is leading the charge. This model uses a combination of warm white, far-red, red, and cool white LED light at 100 watts to provide just the right intensity for orchids that need bright, consistent lighting. It comes with four levels of dimming and a multi-light dimming daisy chain so that you can adjust it to your exact needs.
Additionally, this grow light uses a unique no-fan heat-sink design to keep it running cool (and quiet) without any grower intervention. Reviewers rave about its output, warning people to “wear your sunglasses” because it is that bright. The price tag is on the higher end, but buyers say it’s worth it for how customizable it is.
Pros
- Four levels of dimming
- Low-heat and quiet operation
- Customizable spectrum and intensity
Cons
- Price tag isn’t budget friendly
Our verdict
Power is the name of the game, and our top picks have that in spades. Both the Barrina Grow Light and VIVOSUN LED Grow Light offer intense, adjustable light for orchids of all types. The former is more affordable and energy-efficient, while the latter allows for more exact customization.
Our recommendations
| # | Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  | BEST OVERALL: Barrina Grow Light | view on amazon |
| 2. |  | BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: bseah Grow Light | view on amazon |
| 3. |  | BEST FLUORESCENT: 2-Pack T5 HO Grow Light | view on amazon |
| 4. |  | BEST HPS: Sun System HPS 150 Grow Light | view on amazon |
| 5. |  | BEST LED: VIVOSUN VS1000 LED Grow Light | view on amazon |
How we chose the best orchid grow lights
The biggest task a grow light needs to accomplish is providing enough light intensity and spectrum for orchid growth. So weighing wattage, color temperature, and lifespan were crucial in our considerations.
We wanted to make sure the grow lights had ample power, but we didn’t want all the options to run up your electric bill. So, we also included models that had adjustable wattage or low-power consumption. Design and function were also taken into account. Indoor gardening can be a complex hobby, so we wanted to find models with features like built-in timers, easy installation, and adjustable settings.
Who this orchid grow light is for
Anyone who is currently growing (or dreaming of growing) orchids indoors can benefit from grow light as they’ll give your flowers the best chance at blooming success. However, they’re especially helpful for those living in northern climates without tons of natural sunlight, as well as people living in apartments with limited outdoor space.
What to know before you buy a grow light for orchids
Technically, you can put orchids in the corner—but that doesn’t mean you should. While these hardy flowers are designed to survive in low-lighting conditions, they’ll only reach their full flowering potential if they’re kept in an area with sufficient grow light. You don’t have to be an indoor gardening pro, but getting a handle on things like wattage, light spectrum, and longevity can help you choose the right grow light for your orchids.
Types of grow lights
You can’t just pop your old desk lamp from high school over your orchid and expect to grow a healthy plant. Different variants of these flowers require different intensities of light. Rather than being at the mercy of the sun and its naturally fickle nature, grow lights and grow lamps allow you to simulate particular light spectrum and intensity levels, giving your orchid the exact nourishment it needs.
Fluorescent
Surprisingly enough, the same bulbs that light up your refrigerator can be great grow lights for orchids. Not only are they affordable and easy to find, but they’re also great at evenly distributing light across a wide area (which prevents leaf sunburn). Just make sure to look for bulbs with a color rendering index or CRI of at least 85 and a color temperature (measured in Kelvin) that falls between 5,000 and 6,000 K.
High-pressure sodium
High-pressure sodium grow lights (also called HPSs) are good at providing intense lighting in a relatively small space. They emit a yellowish hue—think the streetlights that line your local roads—which actually encourages blooming. However, they do also tend to result in some pretty leggy plants, but there are ways to minimize this effect. They also tend to be more expensive.
Light-emitting diodes
Probably the most popular grow light for orchids, light-emitting diodes (also called LEDs) are extremely efficient—especially when they’re full-spectrum. This means they fully resemble natural sunlight, which is obviously key for photosynthesis. LEDs are also more energy efficient and don’t give off as much heat, which can cause your orchids heat stress. The only downside is that LEDs are not really regulated, and many manufacturers falsely advertise their lights as full spectrum.
Wattage
Ideally, you’ll want a bulb that’s capable of providing around 40-50 watts. You can use a single bulb or multiple to create the amount you need. The higher, the more intense it will be.
Where you’ll be placing your bulb also matters. A grow light placed close to your orchid will require less wattage, but one placed at a farther distance may need more in order to provide the same amount of energy. Lay out your setup in advance and calculate your grow light’s wattage needs accordingly.
Light spectrum
Wattage determines a light’s power and intensity. But the quality? That’s dictated by its spectrum. Outside under the sun, plants naturally get exposed to the full spectrum of light. Placing your orchid inside won’t give it that same chance, which is why you have to substitute it with grow lights.
Whatever type of light you choose, it should be full-spectrum. This means it should possess all of the visible spectrum of light, including UV and IR. Most models will be labeled as such, but you can also look for an 85+ CRI and a color temperature range between 5,000-6,500 K.
Longevity
On average, your grow lights will be shining down on your orchids at least 12-15 hours per day. Installing a timer helps, but the only way to ensure you’re not replacing bulbs every couple of months is to buy grow lights that are built to last.
Fluorescents have the shortest lifespan, usually lasting between 7,000 and 15,000 hours, while HPSs won’t burn out for at least 25,000 hours. When it comes to longevity, LEDs are your best bet, as they can run for a whopping 200,000 hours—which is almost 23 years of continuous use.
The advantages of owning a grow lights for your orchid
Grow lights are beneficial to orchids and their owners alike. As anyone who has ever tried “raising” one before will tell you, these flowers are finicky and hard to please. Any equipment you can use to optimize their care is worth its weight in gold—and grow lights are no exception.
Their biggest advantage is, of course, having full control over the light intensity and spectrum your orchid receives. No more second-guessing the amount of sun coming through your window or worrying about inclement weather stunting blooms. In fact, growing orchids under grow lights actually facilitates more blooming so that you can enjoy those gorgeous colors more often.
And finally, grow lights expand the type of orchids you can cultivate. Many indoor gardeners have found that they can experiment with new varieties like miniature Cattleyas and Dendrobiums that would otherwise grow too slowly under natural sunlight. More orchids and more blooms? Sounds like a win-win to us.
- They give you full control over your orchid’s lighting.
- They facilitate more blooms.
- They allow you to cultivate more varieties of orchids.
With absolute pampering, your orchids can live for a long time.
Tips for using grow lights
Part of what makes grow lights so alluring to orchid cultivators is the ease they bring into the equation. But like any equipment, grow lights must be used correctly to reap the rewards. Burning out too quickly is really the biggest threat they face. Installing a light timer prevents them (and your flowers) from overheating.
You should also keep your grow light distance in check. The best grow light setup is when the bulb is placed at an appropriate distance from your orchids—not too close, not too far. Research what your specific orchid variant requires, but 12 inches is a safe starting point.
If you’re cultivating blooms that require a lot of light, you can easily double what your grow lights are giving off by strategically placing a mirror around the grow light fixture. This helps reflect more light back onto your orchids and ensures they can soak up as much of it as possible.
- Use a light timer to prevent premature bulb burnout.
- Place your grow light at least 12 inches away from your orchid’s leaves.
- Use a mirror to double the amount of light your orchid gets, if necessary.
FAQs
Grow lights are a great way to cultivate orchids, but there’s still some uncertainty about the specifics. If you’re still a little confused about grow lights and their applications, don’t worry. This FAQ section will help you answer these common queries so that you can give your orchids the perfect grow light setup for maximum blooms.
Can orchids grow under grow lights
Yes! Grow lights are a great way to grow orchids indoors, and they can actually help your plants produce more blooms.
How far should grow lights be from orchids?
It’s best to research the specific variety of orchids you are growing to determine the optimal distance. But in general, grow lights should be placed at least 12 inches away.
How many hours of light do orchids need to bloom?
Orchid species vary in their lighting requirements but typically, grow lights should be on for 10-12 hours per day to encourage blooming
Sources:
https://www.stouchlighting.com/blog/led-vs-hps-lps-high-and-low-pressure-sodium#:~:text=Typical%20lifespan%20values%20for%20an,midpoint%20of%20their%20life%20span.
https://www.stouchlighting.com/blog/fluorescent-vs-led-vs-cfl#:~:text=Fluorescent%20lights%20have%20good%20lifespan,before%20a%20bulb%20requires%20replacement.
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marquis matson
Marquis *wants* to know how to keep happy and healthy plants, but had a hard time finding information that wasn't written by just another copywriter. After nearly losing one too many plants, it was time to take matters into her own hands. A team of plant scientists and nursery hands was brought together and The Indoor Nursery was born.
