growing plants in my house over the winter?

Your question is about color temperature. Light is made up of the entire visible spectrum, but some lights lean more to the red or blue ends of the spectrum. Look for Daylight bulbs with a color temperature number above 5000K http://image.lampsplus.com/is/image/35256.fpx?qlt=... to get a bluish light. Look for low color temperatures (less than 3000K) to get a reddish light. Mixing high and low color temperature lights should give a more complete spectrum. Different types of lighting give off different wave lengths, none of which match sunlight. https://offgridcabin.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/l... Tubular fluorescent fixtures probably take no larger than a T8 (1-inch diameter) bulb. They are hotter than the older T10s and T12s, but still should not burn leaves that touch them. Compact fluorescent lamps are much hotter and will scorch leaves that touch them. Both types of fluorescent lamps should be placed close to the growing plants to make sure lumens get to the plant. Metal halide and low-pressure sodium lights produce the maximum amount of lumens, but they also produce lots of heat and use lots of electricity. For indoor plants through the winter months fluorescent lighting is effective and efficient.

http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/CTGY/Colo...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_temperature

If you're overwintering outdoor plants that prefer full sun try to use "full spectrum" bulbs. Other plants can live with "wide spectrum" bulbs. I get mine from the big box hardware stores for a decent price. I prefer the tubular fluorescent type bulbs.