If there’s one thing I learned living in an old home in Cleveland, Ohio, it’s that sunny days are few and far between—especially come winter. This is bad news for my newfound love for all things house plants. I have house plants in about every room, but sadly, I don’t have adequate sunlight in every room to support them. Enter Soltech Solutions Hanging Grow Light, a hanging grow light for my plants that do require a bit more sun love. This grow light hangs from the ceiling, mimicking the sun overhead—something my windows can’t always offer. Based on the photos, I knew I’d love the look of this handy grow light. But after seeing the installation instructions, I procrastinated installing it for a few days because I’m not the sharpest when it comes to drilling into my ceilings. Plus, this was much easier as a two-person operation. So, I called in my husband to help. All in all, installation took about one hour, with drilling required. (Fortunately, the equipment like screws and cord clamps are included.) Installation was far from my favorite thing about this lamp, but looking at the light itself? That’s a different story. Soltech Solutions Hanging Grow Light is sleek enough to double as a decorative overhead light. Plus, the power on this light—20 watts and 2000 lumens for the small—adds serious natural-looking light to the room. After several weeks admiring it, I’d honestly install one of these even without the sun-starved plant! But, of course, that’s what we’re here for, my sad little plant. I opted to use this one on my aloe plant. Aloes love the sun, and sadly, I have so many of them they can’t all share my direct-sunlight window. But Soltech Solutions Hanging Grow Light is a great alternative. After three weeks of use, I noticed my aloe plant had a few new growths sprouting up—much more than it had experienced without the light. That’s largely why I keep using it—and I do so for 16 hours per day. At first, I thought this was excessive. Wouldn’t this obliterate the longevity? But Soltech Solutions says its lights last for a whopping 15 years when used for an average of 16 hours per day. 15 years! That’s not only great news for my plants, but also for my sanity. It’s nice to know I won’t have to replace this light every couple of months. The positives definitely outweigh the negatives for this light, but that said, there is one negative beyond the installation process. The cord for this light is pretty short, and even though the 15-foot length sounds long, I assure you, unless there’s an outlet directly or close by below this light, you’ll need an extension cord. Soltech Solutions does include cord clamps for the ceiling and wall, but sadly, not enough to cover an extension cord. Of course, the addition of the outlet timer so I don’t have to worry about turning it off and on is a plus. So, all in all, I would definitely install this grow light again!
What does the light come with?
Soltech Solutions Hanging Grow Light comes with the LED grow light, a 15-foot fabric cord, an outlet timer, a three-pack of ceiling hooks, two wall fairleads, one swag hook, and instructions.
How powerful is the light?
With 20 watts and 2000 lumens for the small and 40 watts and 4000 lumens for the large light, Soltech Solutions Hanging Grow Light is definitely powerful.
How big is it?
It comes in two sizes: small and large. The small is 4.35 pounds and 5.8 inches tall by 3.8 inches wide. The medium is 4.7 pounds and 7 inches tall by 4 inches wide.
Does it work?
So far! I’ve noticed a few new growths on my aloe plant, and with 20 watts (for the small), I’m confident this will continue.
What color is the light?
The light is a nice natural white LED light. It’s also worth noting the exterior comes in either black or white.
How long does it last?
Soltech Solutions says its grow lights can last for up to 15 years when used for 16 hours per day.
Is it hard to install?
If you’re handy, probably not. I’m sadly not handy so it was a two-person operation that required a ladder (given the ceiling installation) and the drill.
Soltech Solutions Hanging Grow Light vs. Roleadro LED 75W Grow Light
Soltech Solutions Hanging Grow Light is a minimalistic, aesthetically pleasing light that seamlessly fits into home décor. But, it’s not the only grow light on the market. Another one of my favorites, the Roleadro LED 75W Grow Light, is a lot more affordable—think $33 compared to Soltech Solutions light’s $150—and it offers a more diverse light spectrum. This means it works for delicate tropical plants as well as vegetables and herbs, with hanging brackets for streamlined setup. Does it look as nice as Soltech Solutions’ light? I don’t think so, but it’s a great option for those who are focused on plant growth versus décor. Soltech Solutions Hanging Grow Light will help your plants grow, and look good doing so, which means it’s ideal for those highly trafficked areas like a living room. If you need an out-of-sight plant light, though, you may be better off with a more affordable option.
