Best LED Grow Lights for Herbs, Greens & Microgreens
- Gabriel Anderson
- Jul 28
- 3 min read
🌿 How to Choose the Right LED Grow Light for Herbs, Leafy Greens, and Microgreens
In modern indoor gardening, lighting isn’t an add-on—it’s essential. Whether you're growing basil in your kitchen, lettuce in a vertical rack, or microgreens commercially, each plant type has unique lighting needs.
Choosing the wrong light can lead to:
Weak stems and poor leaf color
Reduced essential oil content (for herbs)
Slow germination and low yields
This guide walks you through how to choose the best LED grow light based on crop type, grower scale, and CTT Light’s specialized product line—designed for herbs, greens, and microgreens.
🔬 Why Lighting Quality Matters for Indoor Crops
Light drives photosynthesis, which fuels plant growth and nutrient production. For indoor growers, using the correct light spectrum and intensity leads to:
🌱 Dense, flavorful herbs
🥬 Lush, compact leafy greens
🌿 Fast, uniform microgreen germination
Microgreens are especially sensitive during early development. Insufficient light results in leggy, pale sprouts and uneven tray yields.
📈 Lighting Intensity: PPFD by Crop Type
Use PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) to match light strength to your crops. PPFD measures the μmol/m²/s of light in the PAR range (400–700nm).
Crop Type | Ideal PPFD (μmol/m²/s) |
Herbs (Basil, Parsley) | 150–300 |
Leafy Greens (Lettuce, Kale) | 200–400 |
Microgreens (Arugula, Beet) | 100–250 |
🔧 Tip: Maintain light height at 12–20 cm above the canopy for best results.
Effective grow lights deliver a balanced spectrum tuned to your crop’s needs:
🔵 Blue Light (450–495 nm): Promotes compact growth and root development
🔴 Red Light (620–660 nm): Boosts stem elongation, flowering, and flavor
⚪ White Light (5000K–7000K): Supports balanced visual growth
🌗 Far-Red (>700 nm): Optional for flowering and photoperiod response
💡 CTT Light’s GrowBright, TerraGlow, and Adjustable Spectrum Series are optimized for these exact wavelengths.
🛠️ Product Recommendations by Grower Type
1. 🏡 Home Growers
Product: CTT LED GrowBright Light (13W)Best For: Kitchen herbs, cilantro, small leafy green trays
Key Features:
Full-spectrum light
40° fixed beam
Plug-and-play design
Low energy & heat
2. 🌱 Vertical Racks & Hobby Growers
Product: CTT TerraGlow LED Light (12.5W–37.5W)Best For: Microgreens, spinach, kale in shelf systems
Key Features:
Wide 120° beam angle
Compact triangular profile
Full-shelf light distribution
3. 🧑🌾 Commercial Growers
Product: CTT High-Output Grow Light – SUPER (250W)Best For: Multi-bench systems growing lettuce, herbs, greens
Key Features:
~28,000 lux at 1m
Adjustable beam (40°–90°)
Built for scaling operations
4. 🌼 Advanced Multi-Stage Growers
Product: CTD Adjustable Spectrum Series (30W)Best For: Precise control across grow stages—from seed to harvest
Key Features:
Tunable color temp (2700K–13,000K)
Dual beam: 10° spot + 60° flood
Ideal for R&D or commercial plant trials
⏱️ Photoperiod Recommendations
Crop Type | Recommended Light Duration |
Herbs & Greens | 12–16 hours/day |
Microgreens | 10–12 hours/day |
📅 Use timers to automate light cycles and reduce energy waste.
⚙️ Grow Efficiency Tips
To optimize yield, energy, and crop health:
Set light height consistently (12–20 cm)
Use reflective walls or trays to prevent light loss
Maintain airflow to reduce mold risks
Automate light/dark cycles for uniform growth
🔎 Why Choose CTT Light?
CTT Light designs LED grow lights based on real horticultural science:
✅ CE and RoHS certified
✅ Mercury-free and energy efficient
✅ Stable PPFD and long diode lifespan
✅ Designed for home, hobby, and commercial setups
🧪 Downloadable PAR maps, crop case studies, and spectrum data available at www.cttlight.com.
🌿 Grow with Confidence
Whether you’re nurturing a basil pot on your balcony or scaling a full microgreen farm, the right grow light makes all the difference.
CTT Light delivers high-performance, tailored solutions to help you maximize yield, optimize energy, and harvest better flavor—every time.
🔗 Visit cttlight to explore product specs and start growing smarter.
