If you grow indoors, you probably know the name Eye Hortilux. For decades, this brand powered greenhouses, hydro shops, and basement grows, becoming a household name in the horticultural lighting space. Their high-quality HID lamps have long been seen as the gold standard for yield-focused growers.
But in an industry facing tech shifts and supply headaches, even the best can hit snags. Over the past year, alarm bells have rung about the future of Eye Hortilux. Is it true? Are they going out of business—or already gone? Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and what you should plan next.
Announcement of Closure: The Lights Go Out at Eye Lighting International
On December 29, 2022, EYE Lighting International’s President & COO Greg Barry delivered the tough news. The 31-year-old U.S.-based manufacturer would shut its doors mid-2023, closing not only their HID lamp lines but all their brands—including the full Hortilux range.
The statement pulled no punches: production was winding down and the company would stop accepting orders for anything but stocked inventory. That meant no more made-to-order Hortilux, no new factory runs, and the impending end of a major U.S. grow light supplier.
Industry outlets like Inside Lighting confirmed the closure a few days later. Orders for assembled items were halted “immediately,” and the company shifted to clearing out existing inventory across all EYE Lighting and Hortilux-branded products.
Impact on Hortilux Brand: What’s Left, and What’s Gone
If you’re hoping this is just a hiccup, here’s the real talk: EYE Lighting’s closure covers every division connected to their Mentor, Ohio factory. Hortilux, their signature horticultural lighting division, is no exception.
So, what does that mean for you or your business? No new Hortilux products are being manufactured in the U.S. anymore. The plant and headquarters—the backbone of the operation—have shut down their production lines for good.
That said, “going out of business” doesn’t mean every Hortilux bulb or ballast has disappeared overnight. Stocks are still sitting on distributor shelves, and some may trickle through to retail sites while supplies last. Spot a “not discontinued” label online? That often just means the retailer hasn’t updated listing info, not that fresh bulbs are coming from the factory.
The heart of the matter: treat any new-in-box Hortilux products you buy in the coming months as closeouts. Once those bulbs are sold, they’re gone for good.
Why Is Eye Hortilux Closing? A Perfect Storm of Industry Change
Is this a shock, or simply the last domino to fall? Let’s dissect the factors that put Eye Hortilux out of business:
- Supply Chain Disruption: In their own words, “The global component supplier base has almost all dried up.” A shortage of key lighting components made local manufacturing nearly impossible.
- Cost Inflation: Rising costs, from raw materials to shipping, hammered profit margins. In many cases, price hikes weren’t sustainable for a manufacturer tied to legacy technology.
- Market Trend Toward LEDs: Here’s the elephant in the room—LEDs have stormed the grow lighting market. Growers, motivated by lower power bills and longer-running lamps, started to leave HID tech behind. HPS and MH (the bread and butter of Hortilux) became “legacy” products almost overnight.
A Reddit post from a cannabis grower sums it up: “It’s a shame they’re going out of business, but I think LEDs have taken over.” In a world where everyone wants more yield per watt, the move to LEDs is a runaway train.
The company itself states, “supply chain interruptions, cost inflation, and shifts to LED products” made ongoing business a non-starter.
The Current Market Situation: Can You Still Get Hortilux Products?
Here’s where it gets interesting—and maybe a little confusing if you’re stocking a store, or just planning your next grow cycle. The short answer: yes, you can still buy Hortilux for now. Here’s how it works:
– EYE Lighting has stopped all new assembly and manufacturing.
– They’re only selling through existing, pre-made inventory.
– Distributors and hydro shops are in “closeout mode,” moving product until the shelves are bare.
Some retailers still feature the full Hortilux range in their catalogs and search results. But look closer—most of those listings are now driven by in-house stock counts, not new incoming shipments from Ohio.
Don’t expect replenishment. Once the box on the shelf is sold, it’s gone. The metadata may say “not discontinued by manufacturer,” but the business reality has changed. In some cases, products may show up at clearance prices, as shops seek to clear warehouse space for LED gear and new offerings.
What’s Next for Growers and Retailers?
As a grower or a retail manager, here’s what to consider to keep your plans (and lights) on track:
1. Inventory Will Soon Be Gone
Stock up if you’re loyal to a specific lamp or ballast, but don’t expect these supplies to last more than a season or two. If you rely exclusively on Hortilux HID bulbs, now’s the time to check your numbers and plan purchases. Keep your business running, but don’t get caught out as inventory dries up.
2. Warranty and Support Concerns
With the manufacturer out of business, support is a gray area. Expect most remaining warranties will be unenforceable. Replacement parts and technical advice? Those will get harder to find as experienced staff move on and the brand’s digital presence fades.
3. Compatibility and Long-Term Risk
Think about your current lighting setup. If you’re running ballasts tuned specifically for Hortilux bulbs, you may run into headaches matching up future replacements. Now’s the moment to make a plan: transition to a more widely-supported line, or start testing LED alternatives.
4. Retailers: Manage Your Listings and Customer Expectations
Retailers, now’s the time to get ahead of questions. Update your e-commerce listings to clarify stock status and mark remaining items as “while supplies last.” Train your staff to explain what’s happening, so customers feel confident and can weigh their options. Consider reaching out to loyal buyers with notification emails or educational posts about what’s changing and why—being proactive builds trust, especially when supply chains get messy.
5. Look at the Bigger Picture—LEDs Are Here to Stay
Don’t clutch too tightly to legacy gear out of habit. The good news is: upgrading to LED isn’t just a phase. Lower energy bills, longer lamp life, and customizable spectra are real benefits. Sure, the upfront cost can sting—especially compared to clearance HID bulbs—but in the long run, most operations see their investment pay off quickly. Use this transition as a prompt to review your operations, spot any time-sucks, and refocus your team on growth.
How Do You Know It’s Really Over?
With rumors flying, it pays to check the facts. The closure impacts the entire U.S. operation—the Mentor, Ohio, factory and all brands, including Hortilux. Even though you can still buy “new” Hortilux from certain shops, remember: those are just leftovers, not a sign of ongoing production.
If you’re planning a long-term business or growing strategy, assume Hortilux as you know it is finished in the U.S. market. Replacement lamps, matching ballasts, and technical support are all on a ticking clock.
Need another data point? Industry reporting and grower community discussion agree: production is done, inventory is simply being emptied out, and LEDs have solidified their position as market leaders. For a deeper look at adapting your business or operational plans to avoid lighting-related disruptions, see this planning resource. By planning now, you’ll sidestep headaches later.
Conclusion: Bright Ideas for Life After Hortilux
Let’s call it straight: Eye Hortilux, once the leading name in HID grow lighting, is shutting down alongside its parent company, EYE Lighting International. U.S. production ended in mid-2023. What’s on the market now is only leftover stock, with no new factory runs on the horizon.
Growers and retailers, you have a window—maybe a season or two—to adapt. Stock up if you must, but think ahead: shift toward lighting technologies that will support you long-term. Educate your team and your customers about the changes, update your listings, and prepare for a growing future that is undeniably LED-driven.
Like any big shift, this one can seem daunting. But by tracking your inventory, clarifying your replacement options, and focusing on operational resilience, you’ll avoid panic and plant seeds for new success. Today, it’s not about clinging to yesterday’s bulbs—it’s about powering your next crop, your next sale, and the next chapter of your growing business.
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