Microgreen Grow Lights and Grow Rack Setup: What We Use

Our standard microgreen lighting setup is three 20 watt daylight LED shop lights per shelf, rated 5500 to 6500K, mounted 6 to 12 inches above the trays and run on a timer for 17 hours on and 7 hours off. That gives roughly 2,000 lumens per shelf for a 10x20 tray. This page links the exact gear we use, our rack and tent lists, and every guide we have written on lighting and grow space setup.

We have tested lighting setups since 2018, from budget shop lights to panel grow lights. We keep coming back to simple daylight LEDs because they grow good microgreens, cost little to run, and let you see true plant color.

The Amazon links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our Disclaimer and Affiliate Disclosure.

Grow Lights We Love

The exact LED lights we use and recommend, including T5 and T8 options. Affiliate link. For the full reasoning, read our microgreen lighting guide.

Grow Racks We Love

Shelving for trays and lights. Affiliate link. To build one from scratch, follow our professional grow rack setup guide.

Grow Tents

An enclosed grow space for containing light and controlling climate and humidity. Affiliate link.

Build Your Own Grow Shelf

The whole shelf in one list: rack, tent, lights, and supporting gear. Start here if you want the full setup rather than one piece. Affiliate link.

Our Standard Setup at a Glance

Lights: three 20 watt LED shop lights per shelf
Color temperature: 5500 to 6500K, daylight spectrum
Output: about 2,000 lumens per shelf, for a 10x20 tray
Height: 6 to 12 inches above the canopy, starting at 10 to 12 inches on an empty tray
Schedule: 17 hours on, 7 hours off, on a timer
Running cost: about $3.67 per month per shelf at $0.12 per kWh. Your own rate per kWh changes that figure
Start lights after the tray finishes its weighted and blackout phase

Microgreen Lighting: Best Grow Lights After 7 Years of Testing

Light intensity, spectrum, duration, T5 vs. T8 vs. panel lights, budget setups, common mistakes, and lighting by growing method. Our complete reference.

Fluorescent vs. LED Lighting Experiment

An in-depth side by side comparison of lighting types, using Rambo Radish.

When to Turn the Lights On

Timing matters as much as duration. Turning lights on before the weighted and blackout phase ends is one of the most common reasons trays stay short. See also Why Are Your Microgreens Staying Short?

Panel Grow Lights

Panel lights such as the Spider Farmer SF1000 (affiliate link) give higher output and dimming. We use them for our aeroponic and deep water culture systems and other indoor plants. They work for microgreens when positioned and dimmed properly, but they cost more and run hotter than shop lights.

Grow Rack Setup Guide

A step by step build for a pro grade rack, so you can mount lights, trays, and timers on a sturdy frame.

Trays, Mediums, and Methods That Fit the Setup

Bootstrap Farmer 10x20 trays for a standard shelf
Reusable grow mediums, with the note to keep lights at least 8 inches from wet mesh to reduce algae
Trays and kits for every size we carry
Kratky method, which may want a bit more light because the plants grow larger

Microgreen Tracker

Keep notes on which lights, height, and schedule each tray grew under. In Microgreen Tracker every tray has its own notes field and seed record, so when a batch comes out leggy or bleached you can look back instead of relying on memory. It also sends watering and task reminders at a time you pick. It comes with a 7 day free trial. Try Microgreen Tracker Free.

Videos: Microgreen Grow Lights Playlist

Our YouTube playlist, Microgreen Grow Lights: Tests, Comparisons and Setup Guides, has 28 videos testing LED shop lights, blurple LEDs, natural window light, and more, so you can see how light type and wattage change a tray. Watch it here or open the full playlist on YouTube. More topics are in our Free Video Library.

Grow Lights FAQ

What kind of light do microgreens need?

Microgreens grow best under daylight spectrum LED lights in the 5500 to 6500K range. White full spectrum LEDs give strong growth and true color across nearly every variety, and specialty red and blue grow lights are not required for home growers.

How many hours of light do microgreens need per day?

Most microgreens do best with 16 to 17 hours of light a day and 7 to 8 hours of darkness. We run 17 hours on and 7 hours off on a programmable timer.

How far should grow lights be from microgreens?

Position lights 6 to 12 inches above the canopy. Start at 10 to 12 inches on an empty tray and let the plants grow toward the light. If you see stretching, lower the lights. If you see bleaching or crispy edges, raise them.

When should I turn the lights on?

Wait until the tray finishes its weighted and blackout phase, which is around day 3 to day 5 depending on the variety. Turning lights on too early is a common cause of short, stunted trays.

Can microgreens grow without grow lights?

Yes, on a bright south facing windowsill, but expect slower growth and more legginess than under lights. A basic LED shop light setup is one of the highest value upgrades for consistent results.

What is the cheapest grow light setup for microgreens?

A budget setup runs about $50 to $100 per shelf using 2 to 3 basic 20 watt LED shop lights in the 5500 to 6500K range plus a simple timer.

How much does it cost to run microgreen grow lights?

Our standard setup of three 20 watt LEDs running 17 hours a day costs about $3.67 per month per shelf at $0.12 per kWh. Your local electricity rate changes the figure, so run the math with your own number.

Do I need a grow tent?

No. A rack with lights works well in an open room. A tent helps if you want to contain light and control climate and humidity in a dedicated space.

Not sure where to begin? Start with the Build Your Own Grow Shelf list and our lighting guide. The Microgreen Masterclass is there when you want the full walkthrough.

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Affiliate disclosure: the Amazon links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we use ourselves. Read our full Disclaimer and Affiliate Disclosure.

The results and opinions on this page come from our own first hand testing in our grow space. Mentions of a brand or product reflect our own experience and are not a sponsored or definitive review. Your climate, water, seed, and setup are different, so your results can vary. Always follow the manufacturer's electrical and installation instructions for lights, timers, and racks.

Happy growing!