I am looking for a grow light that can be powered by battery or usb charge. My apartment has very limited outlets, only 3, and an extension cord is not an option. I can charge an usb on my pc if the usb cord is detachable. I would prefer a desktop model but that is not a hardfast.
Problem is every where I check for a grow light that says it is cordless, then checking the specs it is not. power source will say corded electric, connectivity usb.
So, does anyone have any experience with these? How exactly is it powered? Thank you for any information you can give!
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uneksia

What size plant are you trying to support? I cannot imagine such a light being very bright for very long.

Just browsing Amazon, there are a number of USB powered small, inexpensive grow lights. Pick one that fits your space and give it a try.
They are not battery powered, they have a cord and plug into a USB port. You could leave it plugged in and put the plant on your desk. They work fine.
I've never come across one powered by a rechargeable battery. I suppose you could try plugging it into a portable battery charger. I don't know if this could keep the light on all day, and you'd have to recharge the portable charger nightly. I'm not sure this would work, and it still would not be cordless.
What are you trying to grow?

Sally is right. At first I thought perhaps a large 4ah (amp hour) battery like what they use in tools like drills or weed whips might work. But I did the math, and a charge would only last 6 hours using a 2 foot LED tube that uses 8 watts.

https://hitlights.com/pages/ba...

sallyg..... They are small plants. a few medium-light variety such as purple waffle. All the windows in my apartment are taken up with other plants. Between plants and books I am simply running out of space! A few darker corners I can use, but alas not enough outlets for a light. Much as I hate to do it seems I am going to just have to rearrange the jungle.
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MsDoe..... Thank you for the info and taking your time to browse Amazon. Problem would still be tho that I don't have an outlet I can use. I think your observation on a portable battery charger would probably not work is accurate. I will keep the small usb powered lights in mind if i can juggle my outlet usage.
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Leftwood.... That is a pretty nifty website! I will be using that for a few power needs. Thank you for the info and the time it took you to research the usage.
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You would have a lot more options if you choose low light plants, like sanseverias, chinese evergreeens and pothos.

LOL. I can often play a little 'plant tetris' and cram thing together just a little more efficiently, until time to water, (chuckle). Like, if there's a small plant that can sit on the surface of the soil in a larger plant's pot.
(Off topic- I work in a library, so I should like books. But I do not collect books. You can borrow almost any book from your public library- it may not be on shelf immediately but can borrow from an extended library system. )
And e books!

Sorry for the shameless plug for libraries.

Good luck with your new lights! Sounds like you love your plants let us know what you get if you do.

Leftwood .... Agree and I have two of the three mentioned. Then there is the challenge aspect. Tho in my experience Mother Nature always wins.
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sallyg..... shameless plugs for libraries always welcome! For a small town we have one of the best libraries in the state. I am more than what you would a frequent visitor. Then there is the Libby app. The books I have at home are older editions, think 1800's, along with collections of favorite authors.

I like the idea of a smaller pot sitting on soil of larger pot, going to utilize that idea. Will let you know what I decide with the light.

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It's the houseplant corollary to Parkinson's Law.
A plant collection will expand to fill all available space.
It doesn't matter if you have a small apartment or a large greenhouse.
If you're a plant person, and your plants do well, they will eventually fill every spot.

MsDoe...... Exactly!
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I can do some serious plant cramming too! I really enjoy my micro jungles. Practicing Sally's suggestion is how I ended up with a lot of combo pots, at first sitting small pots on the soil surface of large pots. IMVHO, if I can see dirt, there's room for more in a pot. I don't have potted plants to look @ dirt.

Hanging pots can be a way to get more out of a window, or putting a little shelf that goes across the window.

I share your lack of outlets. Our house was built before electricity and obviously we have some now, but not enough for living in this century.

There might be a solar type of light but placing the panel in the sun could be tricky if being in your best window isn't enough power. A great option if they make something you could use because they're free to run.

purpleinopp .......oh I never thought of solar! I have a lot of solar lights on my deck, which isn't even that sunny, and they work even on the gloomiest of days. I will look into that, and if it doesn't work I simply have another solar light on the deck!
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Happy to suggest. : ) I've been really pleased with the various solar lights I've bought over the past decade or so. None were for plants, so I have no idea what might be available in that category.

If all else fails, stick all of the plants in the pot close to the window! LOL!


Let us know how it goes!

Can you add an outlet? An electrician can do it in no time at all.

Ganoob..... sadly that is not an option at this time. My apartment is next to a home that will eventually, within two years, be connected to my apartment. At that time the whole house and apartment will be rewired then I will have more outlets and more room.
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