How To Hang A Grow Light – Complete Guide

When growing plants, you have two light options: Sunlight and grow lights. 

While some strongly advocate only using sunlight to grow, every situation is different. Some even believe that grow lights are superior. 

Regardless, if you use grow lights, you’ll need to know how to hang them properly. 

A grow light is a type of artificial light designed to grow plants. It is typically a fluorescent or LED light that emits a certain spectrum of light beneficial for plant growth.

Below, we’ll provide instructions on how to hang grow lights. But first, let’s dive into some pros, cons, and other pertinent information on grow lights. 

Why Choose Grow Lights Over Sunlight?

There are a few reasons why grow lights are often preferred over sunlight for growing plants. 

Grow lights can be easily controlled to provide the exact spectrum of light that plants need for optimal growth. Sunlight can be inconsistent and can vary in intensity depending on the time of day and weather conditions.

Finally, grow lights can be used indoors year-round, while sunlight is only available outdoors during certain times of the year in sufficient strength and length.

Disadvantages of Grow Lights 

Although grow lights have a strong use case, it’s important to also be aware of their disadvantages, even if there aren’t many.

First, grow lights can be expensive to purchase and operate. Sunlight, on the other hand, doesn’t cost anything. However, in some cases, you won’t be able to avoid using grow lights—such as indoor growing operations. 

They also require proper monitoring—since grow lights generate heat, they can damage plants if not monitored effectively. 

Grow Light Stands

If you are growing a small number of plants, you can just hang the grow light from the ceiling. If you are growing more plants or have a larger growing area, you will need to use grow light stands—a stand made specifically for grow lights. They come in various shapes and sizes, and some are adjustable so that you can position the grow light exactly where you want it to cover a larger area.

There are three main types of grow light stands:

  1. Tripods
  2. Shelves
  3. Wings

Tripods are the most common type of grow light stand. They are made up of three legs that extend out from the center, and they are adjustable so that you can position the grow light wherever you want it.

Shelves are simple stands with a flat surface on top that can hold a grow light. They are not adjustable, but they are often cheaper than tripods.

Wings are similar to shelves but have two arms extending out from the center instead of one. This allows you to place two grow lights next to each other on the stand.

Grow Light Spectrums

When choosing grow lights, you want to consider the plants you are growing. Some plants need more blue light, while some need more red light. You also want to consider the size of your grow area. Most grow lights typically emit either a blue or red spectrum. 

Some common plants that need more blue spectrum include: 

  • Lettuce
  • Spinach
  • Tomatoes
  • Broccoli

Some common plants that need more red spectrum for include:

  • Flowers
  • Potatoes
  • Beets
  • Carrots

A mixed spectrum grow light is a type of grow light that emits a combination of blue and red light. This type of grow light is beneficial for plants that require both sides of the spectrum.

Some common plants that need mixed spectrum to grow include:

  • Herbs
  • Peppers
  • Eggplants
  • Cannabis

Peppers under a grow light

How to Hang Your Grow Light

Now that you have the facts about grow lights, it’s time to get it hung! Here’s a basic step-by-step process for hanging your grow light:

  1. Decide which plants you want to grow and what type of grow light they need. 
  2. Consider the size of your grow area. 
  3. Buy a grow light that emits the right spectrum for your plants. 
  4. Find a spot in your growing area where you can hang the grow light. 
  5. Make sure there is enough space above and around the grow light for the plants to grow. 
  6. Hang the grow light using two chains or cables. 
  7. Make sure that it is hanging at the correct height by measuring from the top of the plant canopy to the top of the grow light. 
  8. If you are growing many plants, use LED grow lights or high-output fluorescent grow lights. 
  9. Keep an eye on the temperature and humidity levels in your grow area and adjust them as needed. 
  10. Enjoy watching your plants thrive under your new Grow Light!

Additional Considerations for Grow Lights

Height

It’s important to place the grow lights at the correct height to provide the optimum light for your plants. Grow lights should be hung so that the top of the light is between 18 and 24 inches from the plant canopy. 

Light Uniformity

Light uniformity is the evenness of light distribution across a grow light. It is important to have light uniformity because it ensures that all the plants in the growing area are receiving the same amount of light. This is necessary for plants to grow evenly and healthily.

If a grow light has poor light uniformity, it can cause some plants to grow taller and faster than others, which can lead to problems with harvesting. Additionally, if the plants do not receive equal light, they will not produce the same amount of fruits or vegetables.

The best way to ensure good light uniformity is to use a grow light that emits a wide spectrum of light. LED grow lights are the best option for achieving good light uniformity because they emit a wide spectrum of evenly distributed light.

Grow Area Size & Type of Light 

When it comes to grow lights, there are two main things you need to consider: the size of your grow area and the type of grow light you need.

The size of your grow area is important because you need to make sure that the grow light you buy is the right size for your space. If the grow light is too small, it will not be able to provide enough light for the plants, and if the grow light is too large, it will take up too much space in your grow area.

You also need to consider the size of your plants when choosing a grow light. If you are growing large plants, you will need a grow light that emits a lot of light, such as a high-output fluorescent grow light or an LED grow light.

There are three main types of horticultural light: incandescent grow lights, fluorescent grow lights, and LED grow lights.

Incandescent grow lights are the oldest type of grow light and they work by heating a metal filament until it glows. This type of grow light is not very efficient and produces a lot of heat, which can harm the plants.

Fluorescent grow lights are more efficient than incandescent grow lights and they produce less heat. They pass an electric current through a gas-filled tube, producing light. This type of grow light is available in both T5 and T8 sizes.

LED grow lights are the most efficient type of grow light, and they produce very little heat. They pass an electric current through a semiconductor chip, which emits light. LED grow lights are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. For more advice on making smart LED Lighting decisions take a look at our blog designed to help you avoid common LED selection errors.