Indoor Grow Light Bulbs

Why your harvest isn't as heavy as it should be

Let’s be real for a second. You’ve spent cash on premium genetics, you’ve got the top-shelf nutrients, and your ventilation is on point. But when harvest day comes, the buds are airy, the weight is disappointing, and the potency just isn't hitting the mark. Does that sound familiar? It’s a massive buzzkill.

More often than not, the culprit is hanging right above your plants. Lighting is the food for your cannabis; everything else is just a supplement. If you are using old bulbs, the wrong spectrum for the phase, or insufficient wattage, you are basically starving your girls. You can't expect a bumper crop if your light source is weak or degraded. It’s the bottleneck of your entire operation.

Rookie mistakes with grow lights you need to drop

We see it all the time. Growers trying to save a few bucks by stretching the lifespan of their HPS bulbs way past their prime. Just because it lights up doesn't mean it's working; lumens drop significantly after a few crops, and your yield drops with them. Another classic error is using the wrong spectrum at the wrong time—like flowering with a pure metal halide bulb, which kills your potential for fat, dense colas.

And don't ignore the heat. blasting a 1000W HPS in a tiny closet without cool tubes or proper extraction is a recipe for heat stress, not big buds. Ignoring the specific needs of your space is why many growers struggle to level up.

How to choose the perfect bulb and nail your grow

Getting this right is easier than you think once you know the basics. It’s all about matching the bulb to the stage of life and your grow room conditions. For the vegetative stage, you want that blue spectrum light to encourage bushy, strong growth—this is where MH Lamps shine (pun intended). They keep internodes short and plants sturdy.

When you flip to flower, you need to mimic the autumn sun with a red/orange spectrum. High Pressure Sodium (HPS) has been the king here for decades for a reason. However, if you are dealing with heat issues or want to boost resin production with UV light, you should definitely look into LEC Lighting (CMH). These bad boys offer a spectrum much closer to natural sunlight and produce less heat per watt. And hey, if you are just starting seeds, rooting clones, or keeping a mother plant in a small space, CFL grow lights are your best friend—low heat, low energy, and perfect for delicate young plants.

Turn your tent into a high-yield factory

By upgrading your lighting game, you aren't just buying a bulb; you are investing in grams. The right light intensity and spectrum mean faster metabolism, better nutrient uptake, and ultimately, rock-hard buds dripping in trichomes. At Pevgrow, we’ve curated a selection of lamps that cover every need, from the hobbyist with a micro-grow to the pro looking for maximum gram-per-watt efficiency.

Whether you need a dual-spectrum bulb to handle the whole cycle or specialized lights to fine-tune each stage, we've got you covered. Stop guessing and start growing with the confidence that your plants are getting exactly the energy they need to explode.

Frequently Asked Questions about Indoor Grow Bulbs

How often should I replace my HPS or MH bulbs?

Great question. Even if they don't burn out, HPS and MH bulbs lose intensity over time. For maximum yield, we recommend changing them every 3 to 4 crops (about 9-12 months of continuous use). After that, the lumen output drops enough to affect your final weight.

Can I use the same bulb for growth and flowering?

Yes, you can! These are called "Dual Spectrum" or "Mixed" bulbs (usually HPS with added blue spectrum). They are super convenient and give great results, although purists prefer using specific MH for veg and HPS for bloom to optimize every last percentage of growth.

What is the difference between HPS and LEC?

HPS (High Pressure Sodium) is the classic powerhouse for flowering, known for raw intensity. LEC (Light Emitting Ceramic) is a newer technology that provides a more natural spectrum (including UV-B) and produces less heat. LECs often yield higher quality resin and terpenes, while HPS is famous for sheer biomass.

Do I need a ballast for these bulbs?

Yes, most high-intensity discharge lamps (HPS, MH, LEC) require a ballast to regulate the current. Make sure your ballast matches the wattage of your bulb. CFLs, on the other hand, usually have the ballast integrated and plug directly into a standard socket (E40 or similar).