Lighting for houseplants

I'm working (slowly!) on decorating my new house, and would really like to have a pair of large plants in my living room. However, the lighting in there is not sufficient for plant growth. Does anyone know of a good resource or some ideas for providing lighting that is both cost effective and not too terribly cumbersome? I am prepared to drop a light from the ceiling, but the cost of reflectors and lights vary so much that I'm confused.
Home Depot and the like have simple fluorescent strips and "growth promoting" fluorescent strips, and these are relatively cheap. Has anyone used these or something similar? Are there any lamps that are more focal and not in a strip?
I would GREATLY appreciate any advice.

Also, while I'm at it, can anyone offer any advice on possible species? I would really like a small tea olive (I live in GA, so could eventually plant it outside).

Thank you!

Welcome to DG Sabrina:

I don't know anything about the Tea Olive Tree, but if you click on this link it will take you to Plant Files and give you some information. I don't know if this tree would survive indoors or not. There are some Palm Trees that do well as indoor plants and of course there's always the Ficus Benjamina (weeping fig) or Schefflera. The Ficus just like to be in spot and after they have been there if you move them even a few feet they begin to lose their leaves. I don't know anything about lighting, but I'm sure someone on here will be able to help you with suggestions on that.

Good luck with your new home and again, Welcome To Dave's .... lots of really nice folks here in the "Garden" and always willing to help! I have learned so much since joining and gotten some great information on different plants.

Sabrina: Click on this link for some information on indoor palm trees: Just scroll down and there are quite a few listed.

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1508.htm

I saw on the forum tropicals about lighting and heating mats....there is a big stand with gro lights...also a light stand from either Lowes or Home Depot with 3 different level bulbs that just sits on the floor.....wish I knew how to do this hyperlink thing......

bettygail: Did you see the stand with 3 different level bulbs on the Tropical's forum or on a Home Depot/Lowes website?

It was on the tropical forum and the thread was related to lights and heating mats............scroll on down and one lady shows a picture of the 3 bulb standing gro lights....perfect for plants sitting on the floor in an area of the house...

I found the thread on the Tropical Forum... click on this link:


http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/687086/

I have a neat clamp on grow-light forget which web sight I bought it maybe Charlies . Lots of places sell them and it came with high spectrum grow light in it. Mine just has 40 watt you could get 60.
When the weather got coold here Hubby put a bunch of porch plants on dinning room table one my EE African Shield plant ! and he rigged it into the ceiling fan and everyone has been happy until soon they will go back out on the screen porch or in the ground.
But these lights can be used to shine on plants in a corner shelf where ever you have them.
That pole lamp with three lights in link above from Lin Heh weren't those popular in the 70's ! Those are cool too. And you put gro -lights in them and shine them on the plants . Very pretty decorating and happy healthy plants !
These type of lamps should not be too to be close to you plants.

Looks like the "Floor Lamp" from Lowe's is just a regular lamp (sorta like the old ones we had back in the 50's & 60's) with the 3 adjustable shades you can move around! I might have to make a trip to Lowe's to check the price on those. You could point the 3 lights at different angles for the plants. I wonder if she is using those special "Grow" light bulbs, or just regular light bulbs in it? Farther down that thread someone shows a plant stand with the shop lights just like the one I got at Wal-Mart for $29.99. The shop lights were $7.96 each. Here's a photo of my stand I put in the study and moved plants in from the deck and Florida Room for the winter.

Allison was typing the same time as me! :)

I like the grow-light spot lights or pole with a few to light up and enhance a few beautiful stunning house plants !
It's been a dark WInter here so mine has been handy as I sold all my grow-lights and stands.
I know Lowes sells all the grow-light bulbs too !

This is the light I have been using. I've had it for awhile. I bought it last year or two and was using it frow a large hanging Gesneriad plant.
Now its helping us out again until the warm sun comes back onto our porch. For the cost and it came with light not bad :))
http://www.homeharvest.com/spotgrowlightbulbs.htm