Introduction to Indoor Gardening

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Thank you for joining Strange Roots as we cover the biggest hurdle to indoor growing - lighting. We will move on to outdoor food and herb production, but I am beginning with indoor growing concerns because a lot of people have approached me about this over the years, and it seems to have fewer coherent resources than outdoor gardening.

Note: Learning resources, supplies, and accessibility options are all available on our Discord server Discord server !

Lighting is key to indoor gardening. If your plants are struggling, this is probably why. It’s not your soil, it’s not your watering schedule—it’s the light.

If you’ve ever moved a plant from a windowsill to a corner of your room and watched it immediately start dying, you already know what I mean. Plants need light to survive, and most indoor environments do not provide enough of it—at least not the kind they require. Your overhead bulbs? Not even close. Your bright LED lamp? Still not it. The sun provides far more light than the human eye perceives, and to your plants, your living room might as well be a cave.

Fear not, gentle reader. You can crack this nut, but setting your plants up for success means understanding two things - what your plant’s light needs are, and what prospective lighting provides.

Problems with Indoor Lighting

Not Enough Intensity – Most indoor spaces don’t come close to providing the light levels plants need to grow, let alone fruit or flower.

Wrong Spectrum – House lighting is made for human eyes, not for photosynthesis. Even bright white LEDs lack the full spectrum that plants crave.

Poor Placement – Even if you have good light, if it’s too far away or at the wrong angle, your plants won’t benefit.

How We Fix It

💡 Grow lights. They provide the right spectrum, the right intensity, and the right placement to keep your plants thriving indoors.

In this post, I’ll break down everything you need to know to choose the right lighting setup for your plants—what kind of light they need, how much, and where to put it. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to keep your indoor garden well-lit, happy, and productive.

How to Assess Your Plant’s Light Needs

Before you buy a grow light, you need to know how much light your plant actually needs. Not all plants require the same intensity or duration of light, and guessing can lead to leggy, weak plants, and the certain knowledge that you have snuffed out a living thing with your towering arrogance and diseased pride.

Step 1: Look Up the Plant’s Natural Habitat

A plant’s native environment tells you a lot about its light needs. Ask yourself:

🌞 Does it grow in full sun? (Tomatoes, peppers, strawberries) → Needs high-intensity light for long hours.

🌤️ Does it grow in partial sun or dappled shade? (Herbs, lettuce, ferns) → Thrives with moderate light.

🌑 Does it grow on the forest floor? (Mushrooms, pothos, snake plants) → Survives in low-light conditions.

A quick search for “[plant name] light requirements” will give you a baseline, but let’s go deeper.

Step 2: Understand Light Measurements

Plants don’t measure light the way we do. Your room might seem bright, but in terms of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)—the wavelengths plants actually use—it is dimmer than the future of Western democracy.

Here’s how to measure what your plant needs:

🔹 Foot Candles (FC) – A rough measure of light intensity. Used by houseplant enthusiasts. Plus it’s fun to say. Foot candles.

🔹 PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) – A more precise measure in μmol/m²/s (used for serious growing). Sounds like a medical disorder. Isn’t.

General Light Needs by Category:

Low Light Plants → 50-250 FC | 50-100 μmol/m²/s (e.g., snake plants, pothos)

Medium Light Plants → 250-1000 FC | 100-300 μmol/m²/s (e.g., herbs, leafy greens)

High Light Plants → 1000+ FC | 300-600 μmol/m²/s (e.g., tomatoes, peppers)

If that looks complicated, don’t worry—most grow lights list PPFD ratings or coverage charts.

Step 3: Test Your Current Light Levels

If you’re wondering whether you need a grow light at all, test your space’s light intensity:

📱 Use a Light Meter App – Apps like “Lux Light Meter” (iOS/Android) give a rough estimate of light intensity in foot candles.

📸 Shadow Test – Hold your hand under the light source:

Sharp, crisp shadow = High light

Blurry, soft shadow = Medium light

No shadow / super faint = Low light (get a grow light)

Find out what your plant needs, measure what you have, and fill in the gaps with the right grow light.

Choosing the Right Grow Light

Now that we know how much light plants need, let’s talk about which grow light to buy. Different plants have different requirements, but if you’re growing a mix of herbs, vegetables, and flowers, you may want a versatile, full-spectrum grow light that covers all bases.

Best All-Purpose Grow Light (Covers Most Plants)

💡 Spider Farmer SF-1000 LED Grow Light

Why? Full-spectrum light that works well for herbs, vegetables, and flowers alike.

Best For: Anyone growing multiple plant types in a single setup.

Features:

✅ 100W full-spectrum LED (mimics natural sunlight)

✅ Dimmable, so you can adjust intensity based on plant needs

✅ Covers 2x2 ft growing area, perfect for small indoor gardens

🔗 Spider Farmer SF-1000 LED Grow Light

Best Grow Light for Herbs

🌿 GE BR30 Full-Spectrum LED Grow Light Bulb

Why? Perfect for small setups like kitchen herb gardens or potted plants.

Best For: Basil, mint, thyme, rosemary, and other common indoor herbs.

Features:

✅ Screws into a standard lamp socket—no special fixtures needed

✅ 9W LED, providing medium light intensity

✅ Full-spectrum light that promotes healthy, leafy growth

🔗 GE BR30 LED Grow Light

Best Grow Light for Vegetables

🥦 Mars Hydro TS 1000 LED Grow Light

Why? Designed to provide high-intensity light for leafy greens and fruiting plants.

Best For: Lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries.

Features:

✅ 150W full-spectrum LED for strong vegetative & fruiting growth

✅ Covers 2x2 ft area for high-yield indoor growing

✅ Energy-efficient with built-in dimmer

🔗 Mars Hydro TS 1000 LED Grow Light

Best Grow Light for Flowers

🌸 VIPARSPECTRA P1000 LED Grow Light

Why? Flowers have specific blooming needs, and this light offers a spectrum that encourages flowering.

Best For: Indoor flowering plants like orchids, African violets, or decorative flowers.

Features:

✅ Optimized red & blue spectrum for flowering

✅ Covers a 2.5x2.5 ft area—great for flower groupings

✅ Adjustable brightness for different growth stages

🔗 VIPARSPECTRA P1000 LED Grow Light

TL;DR

Want one light for everything? Spider Farmer SF-1000 is the best all-around choice.

Growing herbs on a windowsill? The GE BR30 Grow Bulb is simple & effective.

Growing leafy greens & veggies? The Mars Hydro TS 1000 provides strong, full-spectrum light.

Want flowers to thrive indoors? The VIPARSPECTRA P1000 boosts flowering and blooming.

Understanding Your Plant's Light Cycle Needs

Just as plants require specific light intensities and spectra, they also depend on particular light cycles—periods of light and darkness—to thrive. These cycles influence various growth stages, from germination to flowering.

Daily Light Requirements

Plants are categorized based on their response to light exposure (photoperiodism):

Short-Day Plants: Flower when daylight is less than a critical length (e.g., chrysanthemums).

Long-Day Plants: Flower when exposed to daylight longer than a critical length (e.g., spinach).

Day-Neutral Plants: Flowering is unaffected by day length (e.g., tomatoes).

Life Cycle Light Needs

Seedlings: Often benefit from longer light periods to establish strong roots and stems.

Vegetative Stage: Typically require 14-18 hours of light to promote leaf and stem development.

Flowering Stage: May need reduced light exposure (~10-12 hours) to trigger blooming.

Implementing Light Cycles with Timers

Maintaining consistent light cycles is crucial, and manually adjusting lights is a hassle. A programmable timer ensures precision, consistency, and saves you time.

Here are three timers I’d recommend for grow lights, along with their pros and cons:

 Fosmon 24-Hour Programmable Digital Timer

🔗 Fosmon 24-Hour Programmable Digital Timer

Pros:

✔ Easy to program with multiple on/off settings.

✔ LCD display for clear visibility.

✔ Battery backup retains settings during power outages.

Cons:

❌ Limited to indoor use only.

❌ Takes up some outlet space due to its size.

DEWENWILS 24-Hour Programmable Digital Timer Outlet

🔗 DEWENWILS 24-Hour Programmable Digital Timer Outlet

Pros:

✔ Compact design with a grounded outlet.

✔ Up to 8 on/off programs with countdown and random functions.

✔ User-friendly interface for quick setup.

Cons:

❌ Display may be small for some users.

❌ Not suitable for high-power devices (max 15A/1875W).

❌ Random alphabet soup brandname

Fosmon 7-Day Programmable Digital Timer

🔗 Fosmon 7-Day Programmable Digital Timer

Pros:

✔ Up to 10 customizable programs for versatile scheduling.

✔ Countdown timer feature for precise control.

✔ Battery backup prevents data loss during power outages.

Cons:

❌ Programming may be complex for first-time users.

❌ Slightly bulkier design compared to other models.

Setting Up Your Grow Lights

Once you’ve picked the right grow light for your plants, the next challenge is setting it up correctly. This is where a lot of people go wrong—either their light is too weak, too far away, or generating more problems than it solves.

Power Usage & Electrical Safety

💡 How much electricity will your grow lights use? Grow lights vary widely in energy consumption. Here’s a rough breakdown:

LED grow lights – Best efficiency (~50-150W per fixture)

T5 Fluorescent – Moderate efficiency (~100-200W)

High-Intensity Discharge (HID) – Power-hungry (~250-1000W)

If you're just growing herbs or a few vegetables, a single LED panel (100-150W) will barely register on your electricity bill. However, if you’re running multiple lights or large-scale setups, power usage adds up.

🔌 Electrical Safety Tips:

✔ Use a power strip with surge protection to prevent overloading outlets.

✔ If using multiple lights, space them across different circuits to avoid tripping breakers.

✔ Set your lights on a timer to prevent unnecessary energy waste.

Temperature Management (Heat Output & Ventilation)

💨 Do grow lights generate heat?

Yes—but how much depends on the type:

🔥 HID (Metal Halide, HPS) – Runs extremely hot and requires ventilation.

🌡️ T5 Fluorescent – Moderate heat output, manageable in most setups.

❄️ LED Grow Lights – Minimal heat, stays cool to the touch.

🚫 Preventing Overheating:

Don’t place grow lights too close to plants—this can burn leaves.

Use a small fan to improve airflow if your setup gets too warm.

Avoid enclosed spaces without ventilation (closets, sealed grow boxes).

For small indoor gardens, LED grow lights are the best option—they produce less heat and don’t require extra cooling.

 Light Exposure & Managing Your Living Space

Grow lights do not always create pleasant ambient lighting. Some emit harsh magenta or bluish-purple hues that make your space feel like Suspiria. Which, you know. Maybe you’re into.

Minimizing Disruption to Your Living Space

✔ Use full-spectrum white LED lights (like the Spider Farmer SF-1000) instead of purple/blue "blurple" LEDs.

✔ Position grow lights in less frequently used spaces (spare rooms, kitchen counters).

✔ Use reflective panels to concentrate light on plants instead of letting it spill into your room.

✔ Set a lighting schedule—plants need dark hours, so give yourself darkness when you need it.

If you’re using stronger lights in your main living areas, consider a grow tent (see below) to contain and focus the light while reducing disruption.

Light Coverage: When to Expand Your Setup

You can’t grow a full vegetable garden in a 2x2 ft area. If you’re serious about growing a significant amount of food, you’ll need more light coverage.

✅ More Small Lights vs. One Big Light?

If your plants are spread out, multiple smaller lights give you more flexibility in positioning.

If your plants grow close together, a single large light (e.g., 200-300W LED panel) is often more cost-effective.

✅ Adjusting Light Height as Plants Grow

Young plants need light closer (~12 inches from top of leaves).

Mature plants need higher placement (~18-24 inches for stronger light).

Many grow lights come with adjustable hangers—use them!

Ideal Light Positions by Setup

Ceiling-mounted lights? Not great unless hung on adjustable pulleys.

Countertop plants? Use clip-on or stand-mounted grow lights for easy height adjustment.

Floor setups? Use a rack or adjustable stand to keep lights at the correct height as plants grow.

The Key to a Successful Setup

✔ Choose an efficient LED grow light to minimize power costs.

✔ Manage heat carefully—LEDs are best for avoiding overheating.

✔ Be mindful of how light affects your space—white full-spectrum LEDs are best for living areas.

✔ Expand your setup thoughtfully—know when to scale up, and use adjustable mounting to keep plants at the right distance.

Choosing the Right Grow Tent & Managing Heat in Your Indoor Garden

Now you’re a-Cheeching and a-Chonging!

A grow tent creates a controlled environment for your plants, maximizing light efficiency, temperature regulation, and humidity control while keeping your setup neat and discreet. However, not all grow tents are created equal—some are better suited for small herb gardens, while others can handle large-scale vegetable production.

I don’t personally do a lot of indoor gardening, but I do use a Vivosun grow tent for starting seeds and raising seedlings to plant in Spring (which requires months of advance planning here in sunny Wisconsin). The heat buildup is real, even with LED lights.

Be advised that tents offer you the most efficiency and control over your growing environment, but between the tent itself and cooling, it can add significantly to your setup cost. I will make an issue just about grow tents and cooling setups, but for now here are some basics since they pertain to lighting efficiency:

VIVOSUN Grow Tent (Best for Beginners)

🔗 VIVOSUN Grow Tent

Pros:

✔ Sturdy 16mm steel poles for stability

✔ 100% reflective Mylar lining for maximum light efficiency

✔ Heavy-duty zippers & observation windows for easy access

Cons:

❌ Assembly instructions can be confusing

❌ Minor light leakage around zippers

Best For: New indoor gardeners looking for an affordable, durable, and functional grow tent.

iPower Hydroponic Water-Resistant Grow Tent (Best Budget Option)

🔗 iPower Hydroponic Grow Tent

Pros:

✔Budget-friendly without sacrificing essential features

✔ Durable steel frame for stability

✔Tool-free assembly for quick setup

Cons:

❌ Limited size options (not ideal for larger setups)

❌ Zipper durability issues over time

Best For: Growers looking for an inexpensive tent that still performs well for smaller setups.

AC Infinity CLOUDLAB 722 Advance Grow Tent (Best Premium Choice)

🔗 AC Infinity CLOUDLAB 722

Pros:

✔ High-quality 2000D Oxford canvas (extremely durable)

✔ Reinforced steel frame supports heavy grow lights & ventilation systems

✔ Excellent light proofing—no leaks, no wasted light

Cons:

❌ Higher price point than budget options

❌ Heavier and less portable

Best For: Serious indoor growers who want top-tier durability, zero light leaks, and a robust frame. Cheech/Chong.

Heat Management in Grow Tents

While grow tents help maintain an optimal environment, they can trap heat, especially if using high-powered grow lights like HID or large LED panels. Excessive heat stresses plants, reduces yields, and increases water loss.

How to Prevent Overheating in a Grow Tent

🌡 Choose LED Grow Lights: LEDs generate far less heat than HID or fluorescent lights. If you’re struggling with high temps, switching to LED is the easiest fix.

💨 Improve Ventilation: Use an inline fan and carbon filter system to pull heat out of the tent and maintain airflow.

🔄 Use Oscillating Fans: Place a small fan inside the tent to prevent hot spots and improve air circulation.

🚪 Keep the Tent’s Vents Open: Most grow tents have adjustable vent flaps—leave some open to allow passive cooling.

💧 Increase Humidity if Needed: Higher heat = faster evaporation. If your tent gets too hot, a small humidifier can help balance moisture loss.

TL;DR

✔ If you're just starting out, go for the VIVOSUN Grow Tent—it's affordable, durable, and easy to set up.

✔ If you’re on a tight budget, the iPower Hydroponic Grow Tent gets the job done without breaking the bank.

✔ If you want premium quality and durability, the AC Infinity CLOUDLAB 722 is the best high-end option.

💡 No matter which tent you choose, heat management is key. Use LED lights, fans, and proper ventilation to create the best environment for your plants.

Next Issue

Earth and water. These tributes are demanded by Xerxes, and also by your plants, which you can come to think of as tiny insane god-kings. Both of these things are important, but neither is as complex as lighting, so I think I can squeeze them both into an exciting double issue! Hubris? Perhaps.