Tower Garden LED Grow Lights: Setup & Timer Instructions
Tower Garden LED Grow Lights make it possible to grow indoors when natural sunlight isn't sufficient. Once installed, the lights surround the Tower Garden and provide consistent light for lettuce, herbs, leafy greens and other indoor crops.
This guide walks you through how to install your Tower Garden grow lights, position the LED lamps correctly and set the grow light timer.
This article is included in both our Get Started with Tower Garden Guide and our Tower Garden Light Guide to help you set up the right lighting for successful indoor growing.
← Get Started with Tower Garden | Explore the Tower Garden Light Guide →
Tower Garden Grow Light Settings at a Glance
For indoor growing, run your Tower Garden LED Grow Lights for approximately 14–16 hours per day, followed by complete darkness overnight. Position the lights roughly 6–8 inches from the tops of your plants and adjust them as the plants grow.
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Before Installing Your Tower Garden Grow Lights
Turn off and unplug your Tower Garden before installing or adjusting the grow light system.
💡 Light Time
Plan for approximately 14–16 hours of grow light each day.
📏 Light Distance
Keep the lamps roughly 6–8 inches from the tops of your plants.
🌙 Darkness
Give your plants complete darkness overnight rather than running the lights continuously.
Step 1: Remove the Tower Garden Shower Cap Lid
Unplug your Tower Garden and carefully remove the shower cap lid from the top of the Tower. The grow light unit will be installed in this location.
Step 2: Insert the Tower Garden LED Grow Light Unit
Remove the main grow light unit from its packaging and insert it into the Tower Garden shower cap. Make sure the unit is pushed completely into position so it is seated securely.
Step 3: Attach the LED Lamps
Next, attach the individual LED lamps to the grow light unit.
- Connect the wire terminals together.
- Insert the base into the lamp and snap the pieces together.
- If a lamp doesn't fit easily, don't force it. Rotate the lamp 180 degrees and try again.
- Position each light fixture so the LEDs face inward toward the Tower Garden and your plants.
Step 4: Position the Tower Garden Grow Lights
The light arms are flexible, allowing you to position the lamps around the Tower Garden as your plants grow.
Space the lamps evenly around the Tower and keep them approximately 6–8 inches from the tops of the plants. Adjust the light arms as your crops grow so the lamps remain close enough to provide good light without the leaves touching the fixtures.
Why Grow Light Distance Matters
As plants grow, their distance from the lamps changes. Check the lights regularly and reposition them when necessary so the tops of your plants continue receiving consistent light.
Step 5: Organize the Grow Light Power Cord
Use the supplied conduit or cord organizer to keep the grow light cord neat against the Tower Garden.
- Trim the conduit or cord organizer to fit if necessary.
- Place the grow light power cord inside the organizer.
- Peel away the adhesive backing.
- Attach the organizer to the Tower Garden directly below the point where the power cord exits the light unit.
Step 6: Set the Tower Garden Grow Light Timer
The grow light timer is a 24-hour mechanical timer with 15-minute intervals. Once programmed, it repeats the same light schedule every day.
- Set the current time. Rotate the timer dial clockwise until the arrow points to the current time. For example, if it's currently 9:00 a.m., rotate the dial until the arrow points to 9:00.
- Set the hours you want the lights ON. Push the appropriate timer segments outward for the period you want the grow lights running. Each segment represents 15 minutes.
- Program approximately 14–16 hours of light. Choose a schedule that provides your plants with consistent light during the day and complete darkness overnight.
- Plug the grow lights into the timer and wall outlet. Make sure the timer is set to operate from the programmed schedule rather than remaining continuously ON.
- Check the time after a power outage. If power is interrupted, check the timer afterward and rotate the dial back to the correct current time if necessary.
Example Tower Garden Grow Light Schedule
A simple schedule is to run the lights from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., which provides 14 hours of light followed by 10 hours of darkness.
The exact clock times aren't important. Consistency and providing your plants with a dark period each night are what matter.
How Long Should Tower Garden Grow Lights Stay On?
For most indoor Tower Garden crops, use the LED grow lights for approximately 14–16 hours each day. Turn the lights off overnight so the plants receive a regular dark period.
Avoid leaving the grow lights on 24 hours a day. Plants benefit from a consistent day-and-night cycle, and running the lights continuously isn't necessary.
How Far Should Tower Garden Grow Lights Be From Plants?
Keep the Tower Garden LED lamps approximately 6–8 inches from the tops of your plants. Because the plants will grow toward the lights, check the distance regularly and reposition the flexible arms as needed.
What Can You Grow Indoors With Tower Garden Grow Lights?
Tower Garden LED Grow Lights work especially well for many leafy crops and herbs, making it possible to grow fresh produce indoors throughout the year.
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Swiss chard
- Bok choy and other Asian greens
- Basil and many other herbs
- Other compact leafy greens
Fruiting crops such as tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are more demanding indoors. They require strong lighting as well as additional attention to pollination, pruning and plant support.
Tower Garden LED Grow Light Safety Tips
- Use the Tower Garden LED Grow Lights indoors only.
- Unplug the lights before installing, moving or adjusting components.
- Keep water away from the LED fixtures and electrical connections.
- Keep the indoor growing area well ventilated.
- Check the distance between the lights and plants regularly as the plants grow.
Your Tower Garden Grow Lights Are Ready
Once your Tower Garden LED Grow Lights are installed and the timer is programmed, the system can provide consistent daily lighting automatically.
Check your plants regularly, keep the lamps roughly 6–8 inches from the growing tips and adjust the flexible light arms as your crops get taller.
Continue Learning
Learn more about lighting and growing successfully with your Tower Garden indoors.
💡 Tower Garden Light Guide
Learn how much light Tower Garden plants need and how lighting changes between indoor and outdoor growing.
Explore the Light Guide →🌱 Get Started with Tower Garden
Find our essential guides for water, nutrients, lighting, seedlings and everyday Tower Garden care.
Get Started →🥬 Easy Tower Garden Crops
Discover beginner-friendly greens, herbs and vegetables that are great choices when you're getting started.
See the Easiest Crops →
