Best Under-Cabinet Grow Light for Herbs: Reviewed and Tested

If you are a fan of indoor herbs like me, join this post to share my knowledge and experiences about a perfect idea that lets you make an indoor herbs garden in a dim place: an under-cabinet grow light for herbs. Before starting to do it, some points you must know. Let’s find them.

I have a PhD in plant Protection science and work as a horticultural adviser. I love houseplants and try to add them to various parts of my house, especially my kitchen. But only a few parts of my home have ideal sunlight for growing plants. I find the under-cabinet grow light an excellent option for growing herbs to have a green kitchen. However, you can use this option for similar spaces with limited natural light.

 ➡ You can also hear the audio version of this article.

What Is the Best Under-Cabinet Grow Light for Herbs?

There are various types of growing lights that are designed to fit under cabinets or shelves. It is important that they can provide focused adequate light directly to the plants below. Based on my experience, fluorescent and LED under-cabinet grow light options are excellent for indoor herb gardens. Both of them work well for growing herbs. If you have ideas and experiences, it’s my pleasure to share them with me below his page.

in the following, I want to tell you some of my experiences and information about fluorescent and LED under-cabinet grow lights for herbs. It will help you to choose the best one for your indoor herb garden.

Fluorescent Under-Cabinet Grow Light for Herbs:

I’ve bought T5 fluorescent tubes and fit them under cabinets as herb lighting. I found them good for my indoor herb garden because:

• There are various lengths of them in the market.
• T5 fluorescent tubes can be linked together to cover a larger area.
• They are energy-efficient growing lights.
• T5 fluorescent tubes produce low heat.
• They provide a balanced spectrum of light for my indoor herb garden. Do you know why it’s important?

As you know sunlight includes seven wavelengths from red to purple. A balanced spectrum of light is necessary for herb growth because plants (including herbs) during their vegetative growth need almost all of them. For example, blue light is important for Chlorophyll production (a vital molecule in the Photosynthesize process) and red light promotes the growth of stems and leaves.

LED Under-Cabinet Grow Light for Herbs:

I also used LED grow lights for my indoor herb garden. I think they are the perfect under-cabinet grow light for herbs because:

• They are energy-efficiency.
• I find them long lifespans.
• LED grow lights are versatile.
• You can find LED under cabinet lights in different sizes and configurations in the market.

I strongly recommend buying full-spectrum LED grow lights with a balanced color temperature (5000K to 6500K). As I said above it’s important for providing the necessary light spectrum for herb growth.

 💡 Overall, if I want to compare fluorescent and LED under-cabinet grow lights, in terms of turning seeds or seedlings into full-grown plants, I found both of them perfect and effective, but in terms of energy efficiency, I think the LED under-cabinet grow lights for herbs offer greater energy efficiency.

However, the LED under-cabinet grow lights are more expensive than the fluorescent types, but I think due to their high energy efficiency and their long lifespans, they will end up cheaper in the long run.

My tested experiences for Under-Cabinet Grow Light for Herbs

In the following, I want to share some of the tips that I find important for growing an indoor herb garden with under-cabinet grow lights. I would be happy if you also share your ideas and experiences below this page to raise our knowledge.

Consider the Light Intensity and Coverage:

I found it very important because the light must reach all the herbs effectively. To ensure it, you must check the following things:

• Various models and wattage of under cabinet grow lights have different light intensity and coverage areas that you should consider before buying. For example, some models in the market are adjustable, they are perfect because let you choose to fine-tune the intensity and direct the light to specific areas. In addition, you must choose lights that provide adequate coverage for your herb garden.
• Additionally, you must Consider the size of your herb pots or trays before buying under-cabinet grow lights for herbs.

Provide Suitable Light Duration for your Indoor Herb Garden:

Do you know what’s the meaning of light duration for plants? Although plants need light for their healthy growth, they also need dark hours which is called light duration. When you want to grow your indoor herb garden with a grow light, you must provide light duration.

Herbs generally require 12-16 hours of light per day for optimal growth. I add a timer to my under-cabinet grow lights to automate the light schedule for my herbs. It allowed me to ensure consistent and regular light exposure for my indoor herb garden. However, I know that some models of under-cabinet grow lights come with built-in timers or dimming functions.

Best Light Distance for the indoor herb garden:

Another point that I find important for having green herb pots is placing the under-cabinet grow lights at an appropriate distance from the herbs. It’s critical to provide adequate light to plants while avoiding light burn or stretching.

Most references suggest around 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) distance between the lights and herbs. But it varies depending on the light intensity and the specific needs of your herbs. So, I strongly recommend considering the following notes before buying an under-cabinet grow light for herbs:

• Measure the distance between the upper and lower cabinets in your kitchen or shelf. It is often 18 inches.
• Find the light requirements of your plant. I discussed it in my other post about lucky bamboo light requirements.
• Read the manufacturer’s instructions for every under-cabinet grow light for herbs to find the -recommended distance based on its light intensity.

Ensure secure Mounting and Installation:

When I bought under-cabinet grow lights, they came with mounting hardware or adhesive strips for easy installation. I think all brands have these additions. Anyway, it is critical to ensure their installation to prevent any damage and provide stable and consistent lighting for them.

Monitor your Plants Regularly

I monitor my indoor herb garden regularly especially when watering them to ensure they are receiving adequate light.

Conclusion

For fans of indoor herb gardens whose kitchens have limited natural light, fluorescent and LED under cabinet grow lights for herbs can be a convenient and efficient solution. I tried to tell you about my experiences in choosing the best under-cabinet grow light along with some information about its different types. Please tell me about your ideas and experiences below this page.