You can use any sort of fixture for your fluorescent lamps -shop fixtures are just fine - but you need to make sure they will fit T5 or HO T5 lamp tubes.

Many home-improvement stores will carry a bevy of basic fluorescent lamps, and some may stock fluorescent grow lights. But don’t rush to the hardware store and grab just any fluorescent tube. You should distinguish between fluorescents used for ambient room lighting and those designed for plant growth.

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Small self-contained LED growing units aim to provide both ambient full-spectrum and blue or red spectrum light for plant growth. LED lamps produce only about a quarter of the heat that other high-intensity lamps emit because they can convert more watts into light.

Low heat output also means you can place LEDs close to your plants without the risk of scorching foliage or damaging young seedlings. LED units like this one can be used to grow small succulents, tropicals, or low-growing herbs.

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Plants that are fast rooters, such as angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia sp.), usually do just fine rooted directly into potting soil. They root before they rot.

While you can root your cuttings directly in potting soil, you can also use inert media (peat, coir, soil-less potting mixes). Bioactive soils may contain pathogens that can rot the stem of your cutting before it has a chance to produce roots.

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Miltonia is a low light orchid (200-300 PPF) that sports impressive blooms and a nice fragrance. So if you want to grow orchids indoors, but suffer from only moderate light levels, you can give Miltonia orchids a try.

Some orchids will benefit from high light conditions in summer (or winter if you’re south of the equator) and may fall into two categories, depending on the season. Therefore, you will sometimes see Miltonia listed as a medium light orchid (300-600 PPF).

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Basil is one of the easier herbs to grow, as long as temperatures are on the warm side. Plants should never be exposed to temperatures below 40 F. Basil needs bright light indoors, with direct full-sun exposure for 6 to 8 hours outdoors. Choose cool-spectrum HO T5, CFL, LED, MH/CMH grow lamps.

Basil does not require a lot of space and grows easily in containers. Some varieties are very compact, reaching only 8 inches tall, while others can get much larger. If you have limited space, choose dwarf cultivars.

New BOOK! Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers

Soilless seedling peat pellets, also known as seed plugs, are an easy seeding option. These are compressed dry disks of peat, plus a small amount of fertilizer, wrapped in a biodegradable film.

When you use pellets, seed plugs, or soil blocks, allow the seedling to grow in the small casing until the roots hit the edge of the netting or newspaper, then transplant it to a larger container.

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You might be wondering, what exactly are microgreens? Are they the same things as sprouts? Microgreens are the seedling sprouts of many different types of vegetables and herbs, including spinach, kale, chard, beets, arugula, basil, lettuce, broccoli, cilantro, and others.

The difference between microgreens and sprouts is that microgreens are a bit older than sprouts and have developed at least a couple of true leaves and a small root system. You'll harvest and eat microgreens a little later, after they've developed true leaves - whereas sprouts are eaten right after they germinate.

New BOOK! Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers

You can grow many outdoor perennials--such as this 'Burgundy' Oxalis--on counters or shelves under cool-spectrum HO T5 fluorescents or on tables and desktops using full-spectrum LEDs. If you have a bright south-facing windowsill, it might even be happy there.

If you have low light conditions in your home, you can grow many foliage plants indoors without supplemental light; and there are plenty of books and resources available to teach you how to cultivate specific types. However, you'll find that many plants, especially any that typically grow in bright light or full sun outdoors, will need supplemental grow lighting when you grow them indoors.

New BOOK! Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers