Thank you, cannabis growers and houseplant collectors. I’m going to assume that it must be in part due to the increasing popularity—well, explosion— of this type of gardening that we now have such a great selection of grow light options.
I considered a basement seedling operation about 15 years ago, with the usual fluorescent shop light set-up. The idea quickly faded; our basement just isn’t an enjoyable place to be, and I knew there would be neglect. I’ve seen similar set-ups at friends’ houses; they’re all productive and they all look like the basement is where they belong. But that’s just one option now, and it seems to be losing popularity.
These days, there are really quite presentable and equally functional free-standing, shelf-centered operations; small tabletop growing stations; and some cute lights that can be attached to anything. I could use most of these in almost any room of the house. I just received some VOGEK full spectrum LEDs (shown above) that are kinda snazzy. Now, if I was crazy enough to fill our tall Victorian—with several rooms that are completely deprived of light—with plants, I absolutely could. I won’t, but I am thinking of trying this 4-light clip-on with some seedlings later in the new year.
Even for those who don’t want to deal with seedlings (and I’m not sure I do), some of the grow lights now are attractive enough to provide accent lighting as well as plant sustenance over the dark days of winter. And you don’t have to go find your city’s one hydroponic store to buy them. These are gift shop items now. I suppose having to endure the term “plant parent” is a small price to pay.
I am not a plant parent. I am a plant referee and slave..
Yeah, me too, Vicky (comment above). BUT, although I’m not a houseplant connoisseur, I have a need for this kind of lighting and was happy to read about it. All of my “houseplants” stay outside for the majority of the year where they thrive. Come winter, I bring them in to sit on a 10′ x 2-1/2′ potting bench where they languish by a window. A few small lights would help them through their suffering. Thanks for this rant!
Elizabeth,
Thank you, thank you for your quote, “I suppose having to endure the term “plant parent” is a small price to pay.” As a horticulturist for over 40 years, I have cringed every time I have seen or heard that term. I AM a parent of a wonderful son. Caring for and enjoying plants is not the same at all.
I enjoy your writing,
Jennifer Brennan
This website is hilarious because the whole schtick is about being crotchety and out of date.
Indoor growing also has to do with how it’s less common for people to live somewhere where they are permitted to use a shovel. You know?
Have you considered picking up an aspidistra which would go so well with the old Victorian? It has added grandmillennial charm for being so out of date for a century.
Thanks, but I have 70plus houseplants in the rooms with light so the aspidistra will have to wait until one of them croaks. We who have loved houseplants for decades were old-fashioned, but I guess now we’re cool. Not cool enough to say “plant parent” though.
Where l live (NC mountains) the winters are long and wet. So l bought a 4-shelf rack and growlights last year to early-plant seeds for flowers the big box stores are NEVER going to offer. I was pleased with the results. But l had to laugh when my neighbor reported that her son saw the blue glow through the front window and speculated aloud, “What is that woman growing??” Because pot is still illegal here.