Growing Herbs and Leafy Greens Under LED Lights
Lettuce, spinach, kale, basil, mint and parsley, from seed to harvest.
Read the guide: Growing Herbs and Leafy Greens Under LED LightsWhat to Grow Under LED Lights
Almost any plant will grow under the right LED light, but some are easier than others. Here is how to choose a crop by the light it needs, and where to start.
Guides
Three guides, from the easiest crops to the hardest.
Growing Tomatoes and Peppers Under LED Lights
Light, pollination and varieties for fruiting plants.
Read the guide: Growing Tomatoes and Peppers Under LED LightsGrowing Citrus Indoors Under LED Lights
Keep lemons, limes and oranges thriving through winter.
Read the guide: Growing Citrus Indoors Under LED LightsChoose a crop by the light it needs
The single most useful question when picking a crop is how much light it needs. Plants fall roughly into three groups, and the group tells you how strong a light and how many hours of it you will need. The ranges below are common starting points drawn from extension and research sources, and varieties differ.
| Light need | Examples | Typical PPFD (µmol/m²/s) | Typical daily light integral (mol/m²/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | Lettuce, spinach, kale, mint, parsley | About 150 to 300 | About 12 to 16 |
| Medium | Basil and other culinary herbs | About 200 to 400 | About 14 to 20 |
| High | Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, citrus | About 600 to 900 when fruiting | About 20 to 30 or more for tomatoes |
If those terms are new, read what PPFD is and daily light integral explained.
Where to start
Herbs and leafy greens: the easy start
Lettuce, spinach, kale, basil, mint and parsley are quick, compact and forgiving. They are harvested before they flower, they need modest light and they thrive on a shelf, in a small tent or in a simple hydroponic jar. If this is your first indoor garden, start here. See growing herbs and leafy greens under LED lights.
Tomatoes and peppers: the rewarding challenge
Fruiting plants ask more of a light because flowers and fruit take a lot of energy. They need strong light, long days, warmth and often a helping hand with pollination. Compact varieties make it manageable. See growing tomatoes and peppers under LED lights.
Citrus: winter shelter for tender trees
Perhaps you want to grow an orange or another citrus tree that cannot be grown outside year-round because of colder temperatures. Plant it in a large pot that can be moved indoors for winter, and use an LED light to make up for the sun that winter takes away. See growing citrus indoors under LED lights.
Other plants that do well
- Houseplants and ornamentals that need more light than a north window gives, including tropical foliage plants.
- Microgreens, which are harvested within days and need only a few weeks of gentle light.
- Cuttings and seedlings of any plant. See starting seeds indoors with LED grow lights.
Match the light to the crop
The right setup depends on the crop and the stage. Use the dimmer to lower intensity for seedlings and herbs and raise it for fruiting plants. See growing with LED lights for setup guides, and how many LED grow lights you need to size the light. My LED Grow Lights are full spectrum, have a dimmer switch and can be used at every stage of growth. See all of our LED grow lights.