The 5 Best Seedling Heat Mats and Thermostats to Buy

In this article, we will be discussing some of the best Seedling Heat Mats and Thermostats to buy. For a gardener, it is very much important to take proper care of plants and trees. Well, nature is the love of the gardener so it is obvious he will be more serious about this topic. A gardener must know about different techniques and some advanced methods by which the plants can be grown healthier.

Quick takeaways:

• Different seeds require different conditions but a very common necessity is keeping the seeds in a warm place.
• Heat mats and thermostats are the best options for you.
• The heat mats are made of a strong heated wire covered in multiple layers of plastic that have been heat-bonded, not glued.
• The thermostats are used for measures the temperature of a physical system and take action to keep it close to a specified setpoint.

In this article, we will discuss the conditions suitable for the seeds of any plant you grow same as the chocolate soldier plant. So, if you are planning for household planting but don’t know where you can find a warm place to grow seeds then this would be helpful for you. 

So, let’s learn about facts related to heating mats and thermostats and we also suggest you top five best to buy.

What are Heat Mats?

The Heat Mats are rather thick, made of a strong heated wire covered in multiple layers of plastic that have been heat-bonded, not glued. The primary purpose of heat mats is to gently warm the soil, which promotes quicker germination and robust, healthy seedlings. They help in cutting germination. 

To know more about the plant world, you may also read related articles, 5 Best Grow Tent Humidifiers in 2022 (& How to choose one?)

Heat mats are also sold as propagation mats and seedling heat mats, although they serve the same purpose. It works on a very simple principle that when you plug in the mat, it starts producing heat due to the passage of current which further increases the temperature of the soil(generally from 6 to 11 degrees Celsius). This warm soil boosts the growth of the seeds. 

What are Thermostats?

Theoretically, a thermostat is a part of a regulating mechanism that measures the temperature of a physical system and takes action to keep it close to a specified setpoint. We discussed above that we are going to use heat mats for the growth of the seeds. 

But while using them, we need to maintain a suitable range of temperature. From the definition of a thermostat, it is clear that this can be used in a device for ensuring the working of that device until a particular temperature is reached. Simply, you can say that a thermostat depicts temperature and makes changes according to it. 

Uses of Thermostats for Seedling Heat Mats

Now before moving further, let us first learn how to use these two tools together. This is important for the better and safe working of your devices. Follow the instructions given below:

• To better collect and retain the heat, add some insulation underneath the heat mat.
• Instead of a hardwood table, try to set the heat mats on a wire rack or a cement floor. Heat mats that become too hot might burn the table.
• Never set seedling pots down on the mat immediately. Utilizing a plastic starter stray is always advised by the manufacturers.

As often as you can, measure the soil’s temperature. Don’t let your soil become too hot. 

The 5 best Seedling Heat Mats and Thermostats to buy

Here is the list of the top five heat mats you can try and some of them also come with a thermostat combo. Choose anyone according to your needs and requirements.

Hydrofarm Jump Start MT10006 Seedling Heat Mat

The Jump Start heat mat is robust and weatherproof. A worldwide safety consulting and certification group called UL has certified it. At 8.87′′ by 19.5′′, it is larger than the Apollo horticultural mat. It would be a great choice for you. 

Apollo Horticulture 9″x20″ Seedling Heating Mat and Digital Thermostat Combo Set

One heating pad and a digital thermostat are included in the Apollo horticulture combination set. According to Apollo Horticulture, it measures 9′′ x 20′′ and heats the root region to 10–20°F above ambient temperature, which is ideal for promoting root development.

VIVOSUN 48″x20.75″ Seedling Heat Mat and Digital Thermostat Combo Set 

This beginning set includes a 48″ x 20″ mat from Vivosun along with its smart thermostat. This ensures they maintain the precise temperature you want them to and provides you with enough heated surface area to handle four propagation trays.

i-power Seed Germination Starter Kit

It is the iPower 54W 4 Feet T5 Fluorescent Grow Light Stand Rack (6400k) and 10″ x 20.5″ Seedling Heat Mat and 40-108 Degrees Fahrenheit Digital Heat Mat Thermostat Controller Combo Set for Seed Germination. A very healthy seedling mat, a temperature that is simple to adjust, and one tray of seedlings.

Root Radiance Warm Hydroponic Heating Pad, 20.75 by 10-Inch 

There is no thermostat included with the Root Radiance heating pad. It is a little longer than the previous variants, measuring 20.75″ by 10″. It keeps a consistent temperature of 10 to 20 degrees higher than the surrounding room temperature.

Pick the model that would suit you the most from these well-rated items. These heating mats can help you start your seeds off right, even if you are a beginner. We hope this guide will help you and we wish you the best if you are experimenting with heat mats for the first time.

What should you look for before buying Heat Mats?

You must have a look at the below-given points before buying any heat mat. You should have the best heat mat for the growth of seeds faster and for seeds that last long. Some of the features to be kept in mind are:

• Heat mats ought to be water-resistant.
• Choose the right size for your gardening needs among the several sizes of heat mats.
• Power cables for heat mats should be long enough to reach your outlet without the need for extension wires.
• Verify if there is enough electricity in watts. Wattage is a measurement of a device’s power consumption and maximum operating temperature.

The wattage depends upon the amount of heat you want to increase according to your surrounding temperature conditions. So, decide as per that.

What should you look for before buying a Thermostat?

You know that conditions should be optimized for your seed to grow. If you are supplying heat from any external device there must be any other device to control the amount of heat and that is a thermostat. You need to buy a good thermostat because you must measure the temperature of a room and the soil side by side. So, remember the below-given points:

• Select a probe or thermostat sensor that you can bury in the ground. To adjust the heating mat’s heat level, you must be aware of the temperature of your soil.

• To avoid having to calculate, use a thermostat that has scales for both Celsius and Fahrenheit temperatures.

• Some thermostats provide simultaneous control of many heat mats. Considering how much more resilient they are, having one wouldn’t hurt. 

Concluding lines

In this guide, you come to know that The Heat Mats are rather thick, made of a strong heated wire covered in multiple layers of plastic that have been heat-bonded, not glued. The primary purpose of heat mats is to gently warm the soil, which promotes quicker germination and robust, healthy seedlings. They help in cutting germination. A thermostat is a part of a regulating mechanism that measures the temperature of a physical system and takes action to keep it close to a specified setpoint. We discussed above that we are going to use heat mats for the growth of the seeds. I hope this guide will help you. 

FAQ‘s