The 10 Best Indoor Lights for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle leaf figs, or ficus lyrata, are a type of flowering plant in the fig and mulberry family. The plant is a very popular indoor plant that requires a lot of light to survive, and since it is an indoor plant, you will have to look for some indoor lights. What are the best indoor lights for fiddle leaf figs?

The best indoor lights for fiddle leaf figs will be LED because they are the most energy efficient, give off little to no heat, and provide full spectrum lighting. The lights should also be able to hang from the ceiling since fiddle leaf figs can grow up to five feet when grown indoors. 

Taking care of an indoor plant can be challenging. This article will cover what type of light source fiddle leaf figs need, what the best grow lights are for them, and what else you may need to take care of them. Let’s dive into it. 

Why Do I Need to Use Indoor Lights?

Especially for indoor plants, it can be hard to make sure they get enough sunlight. All houses are different, and many don’t have windows in the optimal spots for growing plants. Furthermore, even if you do have a great spot by a window for your plant, you will need some extra light sources when winter comes. 

In order for the plant to reach its optimal growth, it needs to undergo photosynthesis. This process requires sun, and like we mentioned above, sometimes plants will not get enough sun while indoors. Most plants require a minimum of six hours of sun per day, which can be tricky to do so indoors unless you are willing to move your plant to different spots throughout the day.

It is also important to use grow lights because they are made for plants. Plants need specific lightwaves, and the indoor lights provide that. When you use the proper lights for your plants, they won’t be wasting energy by filtering out unwanted lightwaves. 

Do Fiddle Leaf Figs Need Sunlight as a Light Source?

Harnek Singh, gardener at New York City’s Wave Hill Public Garden, recommends placing the plant in an east-facing window because the direct sun would be too harsh. The plant doesn’t need a drastic amount of sun, but it can’t survive without it. This is why fiddle leaf figs are great indoor plants. Most apartments and homes can provide proper light for the fig in the summer. 

What Are the Different Types of Indoor Lights?

Before choosing what grow light to use for your plant, it is good to know the different types of lights. Let’s take a look. 

Fluorescent Lights

These lights are usually long fluorescent tubes and are suitable for plants that need little or medium light. They are also commonly used for growing vegetables inside. The fluorescent lights are very efficient compared to incandescent lights, and the smaller tube you get, the more efficient it is. 

Fluorescent lights are useful if you want to mimic a greenhouse or outdoor growth rate since they use both cool and warm light. 

Incandescent Lights

These lights are used for a particular type of plant. Incandescent lights give off more heat than they do light (about 90% heat to 10% light). These lights are good for plants that need low levels of light like vines, dracaenas, or ferns. Incandescents are not good for plants that don’t thrive in warm and hot weather. 

Halides

Halides are usually used for larger plants since they can cover a wide surface area and can be up to 1000 watts. For normal indoor plant needs, you will not need a halide light. If you do want to use them but do not have a greenhouse or larger area, you can get smaller halides. 

Compact Fluorescent Lights

Compact fluorescent lights are great for small to medium indoor plants. They also come in various wattages, so you will easily find one that is suitable for your plant’s needs. Compact fluorescent lights are usually used for phalaenopsis orchids and carnivorous plants.

LED Lights

LED lights are the most popular indoor lights used for plants. They are very efficient, giving off little heat while providing full-spectrum lighting. Full spectrum lighting means light that covers the electromagnetic spectrum, including infrared and near ultraviolet light. The sun provides full spectrum lighting that plants need to survive. This is why it is so important to find the proper lighting for your plants. 

LED lights can also be tailored to have the specific light spectrum that your plant needs. Furthermore, a lot of LED lights can be controlled remotely with your phone, so you can look after your plants even when you are away. This is a great feature since leaving lights on or off for long periods of time can cause lasting damage to your plants. 

Lastly, there are many different types of LED lights, including different designs, colors, and wattage power, so you will easily be able to find the right product for your plant needs. 

Below is a list of ten great options for indoor LED grow lights. You can find them for purchase by clicking the names of each.

GE BR30 Full Spectrum LED Grow Light Bulb

These light bulbs are great because they give off lots of light but barely any heat, which is optimal for plant growth. Plants can actually get scorched if they are exposed to too much heat, so this won’t be a problem if you use these bulbs. 

The GE BR30 bulbs only use nine watts of energy and are cost-efficient. The bulbs also appear to be a white light, but they have both red and blue in its spectrum to optimize growth. 

If you want to keep your plant space aesthetically pleasing, these bulbs will be one of the best options for you. You can easily buy any style of lamp and simply place the bulb on the stand. This way, you can keep your space stylish while providing proper light to your plant. 

Phlizon Newest 600W LED Plant Grow Light

Since fiddle leaf fig plants can grow to be quite large, this option will be useful since it is a bit bigger than the previous bulbs mentioned. This light is available in three different wattages, 600, 900, and 1200.

This particular light is made to be safer than others because they do not use a reflector. LED reflector bulbs reflect light in a different direction and create a more aesthetically pleasing look, but they are not heat resistant, so there is always a fire hazard when lights have reflectors. 

This bulb has a two-year warranty and is very efficient. The light is made to mimic sunlight and includes red, blue, and white LED lights. 

Large Black Aspect Luxury LED Grow Light

If you want a more aesthetically pleasing option, Soltech Solution lamps will be a great option for you. These grow lights are more expensive than others because of their design, but it is worth it if you want to keep your room stylish. 

This light is 40 watts and is good for medium to large plants. Additionally, these lamps are said to last for at least 15 years at 16 hour/day usage. If you want a lasting, stylish grow light, this option will be the best for you. 

VIVOSUN 2020 Latest VS1000 LED Grow Light

This light is one that hangs from the ceiling, which makes it great for larger plants. Fiddle leaf figs can grow pretty tall, so having a hanging light will be desirable. This specific light is one of the most efficient on the market, taking only 100 watts of electricity. 

The light emits very little heat and almost no noise. It also has ventilation holes. Since the bulbs don’t give out too much heat, you will be able to place the plant directly under this light. 

EnjoYield 1000W LED Grow Light With Timer 

The EnjoYield light is great for busy plant lovers. This specific light has a timer and dimmer, so you are able to control the light exposure when you are away for the day. The light mimics natural sunlight by having both red and white light. Additionally, there are a few safety measures in place like fans and cooling systems to ensure the light does not get too hot. 

This light also has a different design than the basic square lights and is more aesthetically pleasing with it’s smooth, silver finish. 

MARS HYDRO SP 3000 LED Grow Light 

The Mars Hydro grow light is great for people who want a more simple design. This light is long and slim, unlike the previous box-shaped ones. The minimal design light has a dimming switch so you can adjust the brightness, and is effective for all growth stages of the plant. Lastly, this light can be used both as a main light and a side light. 

SPIDER FARMER LED Grow Light

While this is a more expensive option, this light will last longer than others due to its higher quality materials. This light has a white, blue, and red light to ensure the optimal growth for your plant. The grow light is made for all stages of your plant as well. 

Furthermore, this is also a hanging light, which is great for fiddle leaf figs. The light emits low heat and almost no noise since it has no fan. The spider farmer light also only uses 100 watts of energy and, again, emits little heat. This is one of the most energy efficient lights on the list, so if that is something that is important to you, the higher cost will be worth it. 

Feit Electric GLP24F2/19W/LED 

This specific light is popular because it is easy to hang, and the design is versatile. It also has a more modern design, which is appealing for more stylish plant lovers. The grow light comes in six different sizes and colors if you want some more options. You can use this light for greenhouses, hydroponic planting, and indoor gardening. 

If you want a more cost-efficient option, this one is the way to go. It is one of the cheapest lights in the list and has many key features that fiddle leaf figs need, including both blue, red, and white light. Because of the light spectrum, you can use this light for any stage of growth that your plant is at. Lastly, you will not have to worry about the light burning or damaging your plant. 

100W LED Grow Light Bulb – Full Spectrum Lamp for Indoor Plants

If your plant does not get a lot of natural light because of where it is placed in the house, this might be the best option for you. This particular grow light is rated as the best LED bulb, which is what you want to replace natural light. This particular grow light takes only 20 watts of electricity and has 150 LED lights in the bulb. 

This light is stronger than many other LED lights on the market and is easy to install. The light also regulates temperature well, so you won’t have to worry about the plant getting too hot or too cold. If you want your plant to grow as quickly as possible, this bulb would be a great option for you. There have been multiple reviews saying that the light quickens the growth rates of their plants. 

LED Grow Light, Roleado 75W

Finally, the Roleadro is rated the best LED grow light overall in regards to price, versatility, design, and light quality. This light can be placed either next to the plant or on top of the plant. Thanks to its aluminum housing, the light stays cool to the touch and will not cause heat damage to your fig.

The different colors of light are also evenly distributed to the plant and create the perfect conditions for photosynthesis. If your plant is showing a bit of health issues, this light is said to be great for reviving dull-looking plants. Furthermore, the light comes with an 18-month warranty and has low power consumption. 

How Do I Use the Lights Properly? 

Even if you have the right light, there are a few things to remember when taking care of your fiddle leaf fig. Your plant can still die if you use indoor lights incorrectly, and you will still have to monitor the amount of light it is exposed to when caring for an indoor plant. 

Remember to Give Your Plant Breaks From the Light

The number one thing to remember about grow lights is to not leave them on 24/7. Even plants need time to rest in the darkness. For fiddle leaf figs, you can leave your grow lights on for eight hours straight, then turn them off for the night. This is why using a timer is a good idea for making sure your fiddle leaf figs get the proper amount of light. 

Give Your Plant the Right Amount of Light Each Day

Fiddle leaf figs need at least six to eight hours of sunlight or artificial light a day. Also, make sure that the plant is getting light from all sides so the whole plant will grow healthy. 

You will be able to tell if your plant is not getting enough light by looking at the leaves, stem, and color. The leaves will be turning yellow, and the stem will be a faded-green color. If the plant is getting too much light, the leaves will start to fall off and the plant will become crunchy and will have burned patches on the leaves. 

Place the Plant Under the Light

When you are setting up your indoor lights, there are a few things to keep in mind. Plants will grow in the direction of the light source, so if you place one grow light to the right of the plant, it will grow lopsided. Make sure to place the main light source directly above the plant. 

You can also have more lights placed beside the plant as well, but the top light should be the strongest light source, while the side lights can be dimmer. 

Final Thoughts

There are a few things that make indoor lights suitable for your fiddle leaf figs. The best indoor lights will be LED since they are the most energy efficient and give off little to no heat. They are also great for plants that need a lot of light during the day, and fiddle leaf figs will need up to eight hours of light. Another useful function to look for in a grow light is an automatic timer. 

Secondly, you will need lights that are able to be placed above the plant since fiddle leaf figs can grow pretty tall. The best grow lights will also have full spectrum lighting (full spectrum lighting mimics the wavelengths that the sun projects), which is what most LED lights have.