Would like to grow annual herbs indoors, as even the summer months here are less than ideal. (Thinking Basil especially) Looking at grow lights or a kit including a planter and lights would be nice. Wondering if any of you have had success with any specific one, as there is so many of them out there. Not looking for a hydrophobic kit as I find them noisy, just a simple soil base set up.

If you decide on lights only (my choice), the brighter the better - flourescent tubes 5000 - 6500k, LED up to 20,000 lumens. Whatever you choose, they should be full spectrum and stay on for 12 - 16 hours a day.

Lights are directional, so only plants directly under the lights will be getting the full benefit of the lights. Plants outside that area will be in the shade.

Make sure you can adjust the height of the lights. A combination of light fixture height, brightness of lights and time they are on combine to make your plants
happiest. If your lights are a little less than bright, lower them and/or leave them on
longer. Don't be tempted to leave lights on for more than 16 hrs - even plants need their beauty sleep (the chemical reaction that is photosynthsis is completed at night).

Thank you so much for all the information! Cleared it up for me, and I now know what to look for.

Great! I should point out also that fluorescent tubes are being phased out in the European Union so will become unavailable here in the very foreseeable future. LED will be your best long term option.

So I've found a LED light that can be put under my kitchen countertop. The light would be about 16 inches from the counter. Would potted herbs be too high for this light, or should I look for smaller plants ( such as African Violets ). Still hoping to grow indoor herbs though.

I think the herbs would love growing right up to that light. You can try and see how they do. And African violets are a lovely backup plan.

I personally have never tried indoor herb growing as I just doubt they can thrive and produce meaningful harvests. I hope I am wrong, for you!

Its an under cabinet LED? Under cabinet lights are always low light, probably less than 500 lumens. Even African violets need more than that.

I'll try a picture of my light shelf, you might be able to see that the lower is dimmer than the upper.

Even with the upper, I would elevate seedlings to be closer to the light.