"Seedlings" do not stay on heat mats. The bottom heat is used only until the "seeds" are germinated, then removed, and then the seedlings are placed under lights, very close to the lights, about an inch or two away. HTH

Agree. Heat mats are for germination only. The containers are removed from the heat mats just as soon as the seedlings break the soil surface.

If you search 'heat mat' here you'll find many discussions about this.

Dave

Heat mats are certainly useful for every propagator. Because I have my HID lamp over my heat mat(3x6 ft)when my seeds have germinated I raise them up on top of 4 inch nursery pots to get them off the heat, but still have the light. I always have an assortment of containers of cuttings which need the heat to form roots, on the same heat mat. My chainsaw is hard to start in the winter, so when I am going to need it the next day I put it on the heat mat the night before and it starts a lot easier. Al

Thank you everyone for the information. I'll have to start checking Home Depot and Lowes for some shop lights.