Best Overall
AeroGarden Harvest Indoor Garden
Runner-Up
Moistenland Indoor Garden Starter Kit
Best Bang For The Buck
Torchstar LED Indoor Garden Kit
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Indoor garden are fun addition to virtually any space , and they ’re especially well suited to those who have sex cooking with smart herb or savor coloured flower in the winter . Indoor gardens can be territory - based systems , but most are hydroponic , meaning the plant ’s roots rise only in piss . But how well do they perform in real - worldly concern conditions ? To con whether the claims made by the manufacturers of these growing system are true , we put them to the test .
We choose a motley of the most popular indoor gardens to see which one were best suited for rise good for you plants . We cautiously play along each maker ’s seed - sowing instructions and then waited for petite seedlings to appear . All functions on each model were tested , and the plants ’ success was monitored . The highest - scoring indoor garden earned a spot on this batting order — however , not all of the products we tested made the cutting .
The skillful indoor garden is abject maintenance , attractive , and functional . Check out these top picks when shopping for an indoor garden and obtain out what we discovered about each mannikin we tested — both the pros and the cons .
How We Tested the Best Indoor Gardens
In selecting indoor gardens for our tests , we count at well - known brands — AeroGarden is a leader in the diligence — but did n’t automatically eliminate lesser - lie with companies if the unit were well - made and had beneficial features . We tried to test various indoor garden case that would suit a wide chain of users .
Indoor gardens are only deserving the investing if they can grow respectable herbs , flush , or other plant , such as leaf lettuce . To accomplish that — if they ’re aquicultural — they must keep the pods systematically moist until the germ germinate and also provide an ample amount of full - spectrum illumination that mimics sunlight . Our primary goal in prove theindoor hydroponic gardenswas to make up one’s mind whether they could provide the surround necessary for works to prosper .
We only had one territory - based indoor garden , but to make the baseball swing , it had to provide sufficient light to keep our little seedling alert .
We forgather the indoor garden as instructed and then filled the hydroponic models with filtered reverse osmosis urine . We adjust the background , such as weak panel height , synchronise the smart models with Wi - Fi , and then observe the plants over the next 4 week , note how quickly the seedlings grew and how hefty they appear . We add water and fertilizer when prompted ( or every 2 weeks ) . We used a statute title to immortalise our watching , and we awarded point free-base on relaxation of use , quality of design and material , and how well the included function performed .
At the end of the testing , we tallied the point and used them to find the prize in this card .
Our Top Picks
The follow indoor garden offer a range of feature — some automatically turn the lights on and off ; others come with fans to align humidness . Some prompt the drug user to add water system or fertilizer , while still others tender get summit . The one thing they all have in common is that each performed well enough in hands - on tests to earn a spot in our batting order of the best indoor gardens .
The AeroGarden Harvest Indoor Garden comes ready to go with six pods and non - GMO ejaculate ( St. Basil the Great , parsley , dill , thyme , Thai sweet basil , and good deal ) . The outfit also includes plant life food . AeroGarden is arguably the top name in indoor gardens ; right out of the loge , it was light this indoor garden was designed to uprise fresh , delicious herbs .
We filled the water system army tank with filtered water from a rearward osmosis ( RO ) organisation , conform the LED light as close as possible to the surface of the grow deck , and dropped the pre - seeded pods into the growing port . Lights are on a timer , so all we had to do was hit the power button . The lights automatically followed a 16 - hour - on , 8 - hour - off docket . Every 30 minutes or so , a gentle trickling could be get wind , which indicated a ticker within the tank pass on the water .
We found there was nothing more to do — except wait . In 6 days , we spotted teeny seedlings in the sum of some of the grow pods . Within 2 more workweek , all the seeds had pullulate , and the herbs varied in pinnacle from about 1 inch to 3 inches . After that , they grow rapidly , bolster by pot of light and fluent fertilizer . Every 14 day , the AeroGarden Harvest prompted us — via a bright green light source — to add more fertilizer to the tank , and when the water horizontal surface souse too low , a bright blue light appeared , reminding us to add water .
Measuring 11 in by 8 inches by 15 in , this indoor garden is small enough to fit on a kitchen heel counter and come in a choice of white or bootleg to match . As a soil - destitute system with nutrients cede directly to the root , its flora grew quickly and we were harvesting small snips for cooking in just 4 weeks .
Get the AeroGarden Harvest indoor garden atAmazonorWalmart .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Those attend for a tumid hydroponic indoor garden might like to check out the Moistenland Indoor Garden Starter Kit . It can accommodate up to 12 flora pods and has an automatic light timer ( 18 hours on , 6 hours off ) , so we did n’t worry about turning the light-emitting diode light on and off . We were also pleasantly surprised by a small fan in the short cowl that hail on periodically , mimicking the gentle breeze plants experience out of doors .
The grow seedcase included with the Moistenland organisation were n’t pre - seeded , so we chose to plant basil and Anethum graveolens for our tests , ( prefer not to habituate all 12 grow port and covering four with the include interface chapeau ) . The abstemious panel , which is n’t adjustable , sits at just under 9 inch above the top of the grow pack of cards . In the 4 week we tested the garden , our herbs did not grow tall enough to reach the lights , but they likely would have in a few more week .
The Moistenland sport a see - through plastic cartoon strip that indicate when the water level is getting low . The ticker in the water armoured combat vehicle circulates about every 30 minutes — often enough to keep the water from stagnating .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
While this indoor garden did n’t come with fertiliser , we used an all - intent liquified veggie fertiliser to advance industrial plant growth . The light-emitting diode grow lights offer a full spectrum of colour , and they swan a slightly rosy tint , which we found to be pleasing . The unit evaluate 10 inches improbable by 13 inches wide by 11 inch cryptic .
Get the Moistenland indoor garden atAmazon .
We find the budget - friendly Torchstar Indoor Garden Kit to be just the just the ticket for growing little plants or commence seedling in grow mix . It comes with an adjustable calorie-free panel that can be extended up to 18 inches , making it suited for supplying lighting to brusque or tall plants . This indoor garden has an automatic timekeeper ( 16 hours on and 8 hour off ) . However , it does n’t admit pots or seeds , so we tested it with some purplish seedling we planned to transfer outside afterward . The tray is 17 inch wide and just under 8 inches deep , so we place it along the back of a countertop where it was out of the way .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
This simple indoor garden provides full - spectrum grow light and a trickle tray for retaining water that range through the pots , but we had to do all other horticulture duty ourselves . Still , the light seemed to encourage the violet to develop — even without being fertilized — and we were able to raise the light gore when plant got near to the Christ Within .
This cost - effective outfit is a great pick for a traditional indoor raise situation . It does n’t feature a good deal of Alexander Bell and whistles , but it will keep plants respectable by offer sufficient twinkle even in a dim way . Seeds , soil , and pot are the user ’s option .
Get the Torchstar indoor garden atAmazonorWalmart .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Aquaponic Garden
The kit includes fish food , a weewee pump , and organic microgreen semen . We borrow a few goldfish for our tests ( and returned them safely afterwards ! ) . The outfit come with a large computer software of wheatgrass seeds and another of radish come . We opted for wheatgrass and followed the instruction manual for sprinkling the source over water - absorbent material lava rock in three grow BIN located at the top of the building block .
When the pump is connected and plugged in , it perpetually pulls water from the tank and dust it in the lava rocks to keep the seeds and tiny roots wet . The wheat-grass sprouted in just a few daytime while the Pisces swim happily in the armoured combat vehicle below . In a lifelike aquaponic scene , Pisces permissive waste fertilizes the plants , and decomposing bits of plants feed the fish . This is a small rendering of an aquaponics system , so the fish necessitate daily auxiliary feeding as well .
This system of rules does n’t come with a light , so we place it near a northerly window where it would n’t get direct sunshine — we feared direct sun ray might overheat the water supply , although the outfit did n’t come with that word of advice . This aquaponic garden is small maintenance , and it ’s an excellent way to teach children about ecosystems . While it will produce sprouts and microgreens , we felt its straight value to be its educational prospect .
Photo: amazon.com
Best for Beginners
iDOO 12 Pods Indoor Garden Kit
Those young to indoor horticulture may do well with the iDOO 12 Pod Indoor Garden Kit . We found it easy to fix up and stockpile with everything involve to get grow — except seed . This garden is ego - lachrymation , the light source are robotlike ( 16 hr on , 8 hours off ) , and gentle devotee cycles on once every 30 minutes . It also include pee - soluble gritty plant food and instructions on how to supply it to the tank .
The iDOO has a magnanimous tank , and in our 4 weeks of testing , we never had to tot any body of water since the beginning were still so diminished that they did n’t use much . By the time we were done examination , there was still more than half a tank . That enjoin , we know from experience that the larger plants get in a aquacultural system , the more water they use and the more often the storage tank requires take .
We added a bit of all - intent liquified vegetable fertilizer to the army tank every 2 weeks , starting with planting the seeds in the pods . The iDOO indoor garden measure 10.5 inches high by 13 inches wide by 11 inches cryptical , induce it well suited to a kitchen countertop or even a mesa .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the iDOO indoor garden atAmazon .
Best Smart Garden
AeroGarden Bounty Elite Indoor Garden
It does n’t get much more intelligent than the AeroGarden Bounty Elite Indoor Garden . As we unpack the Bounty Elite , we were impressed with its sleek untarnished steel tankful ( that pair our stainless steel appliance ) and its adjustable light panel — and that was only the starting signal .
The Bounty Elite resembles other AeroGarden hydroponic systems , although it ’s tumid than most , with 12 grow seedpod . The pods descend pre - seeded , so we popped them into the grow port wine and fill the army tank with filtered water . The herbs admit a salmagundi of basil , parsley , thyme , and pile . The pod label “ dill ” never evolve , but the cod labeled “ thyme ” grew a dill seedling .
The Bounty Elite features a full spectrum of colored light waves that break off a slightly violet gleam . Like the other AeroGarden we tested , this one came with liquid fertilizer . We ca n’t say whether the AeroGarden fertilizer is better than the all - intention product we used in the other garden or whether the LED light was better — but the herbaceous plant in this garden excelled during our tests .
Photo: amazon.com
For technical school - savvy user , the sassy compatibility of this model is a aspiration . As presently as we deform the whole on , it walk us through the Wi - Fi setup without a hitch . We were capable to supervise the weewee point from our smartphones , and when it was fourth dimension to impart water or fertilizer , we receive an alerting . In addition to all that , the Bounty Elite offers dimmable lights and displays growing bakshish on the LED screen and the downloadable app . All in all , we found it extremely operational and really liked how well the app worked . The building block stands 17 inches high when the clean panel is fully extended ; it ’s 16 inches across-the-board and measures 10.5 inches from front to back .
Get the AeroGarden Bounty elect indoor garden atAmazonorLowe ’s .
ALSO TESTED
come home and produce Smart Garden 3 Indoor Herb Garden
We really wanted to care the Click and acquire Smart Garden 3 Indoor Herb Garden . right on out of the boxwood , we accrue in love with its silklike purpose — at less than 5 inches wide , it fits in several minute spots , admit some windowsills . It come with three pre - sown grow pod and an extendable extend light arm that could raise as the seedlings turn .
The LED light on the Click and Grow was so bright , it was hard to see the tiny plants when it was on , but the lights were on a timer so we did n’t worry about turning them on and off .
Photo: amazon.com
However , the Click and Grow had one fateful defect , which became apparent about 2 weeks into the testing : It did n’t number with a pump to circulate the weewee as the other hydroponic systems did . Although we used filtered water from a reverse osmosis system , it was n’t long before the airfoil of the bantam develop pods develop a thin , blank layer of mould . Soon after , the seedlings all succumbed . After further researching the Click and Grow , we discovered other users had the same experience .
As peachy as the Click and Grow is in some aspects — it has a nifty floating water level indicator that allowed us to see when it was time to add H2O — the deficiency of a pump was a hatful breaker . We hope to see the manufacturer update this fashion model to let in a pump in the close future , because without one , the chances of the piddle slug and go to mold or other fungal disease are just too bully .
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing an Indoor Garden
There are various factors to keep in judgement when looking for the best indoor garden for your home or office . Decide whether you like to raise efflorescence or herbs , require a soil - based or hydroponic system , and how much maintenance you’re able to put in . We take the following into consideration during our tests .
Size
The size of your ideal indoor garden will depend on a few factors . You ’ll obviously need it to fit in the available blank you have for it . A few herbs , for object lesson , wo n’t take up much space , but avid cooks who frequently achieve for an categorization of herbs will want to dedicate as many as nine to 12 plants in an indoor garden . In addition to domain , deal the acme of plants : Vegetables tend to grow tall and expect ample way .
Plant Type
Most indoor garden are designed to get herbs , but some can successfully grow heyday , too , especially if the industrial plant are comparatively small — typically less than a foundation tall and wide , such as miniature daisies .
The exception is large - scale indoor gardens that offer extra room for plant to get and total with light panels large enough to propagate light over widespread foliage . While manufacturers often show images of indoor garden with flora laden with tomatoes and cucumber , a system that will accommodate such vegetables is the elision , not the rule .
System Type
Indoor herb garden develop plants using dirt , hydroponic , or aquaponic organization . Soil - based indoor gardens expend a traditional potting mix , similar to outside garden . aquicultural systems use weewee that now delivers add up nutrients to the roots of flora ; no soil is required .
Aquaponic systems are similar to hydroponic systems in that there ’s no stain , but they include a perhaps surprising additional component . Fish live in the H2O that nurture the plants , and their waste make fertilizer to enhance works development . As the plant utilize the waste , the unconscious process helps keep the armored combat vehicle clean and the Pisces sizeable . In short , it ’s an ecosystem .
Grow Lights
All plant need light to grow , so evaluating an indoor garden’sgrow lightsis essential . Most indoor gardens get with LED grow lights , which mimic raw sunlight for vigorous plant emergence . Some even have reflexive dimming characteristic to further mimic sunlight throughout the twenty-four hour period .
Those who are unable to expend much clock time taking concern of a garden may do well with a model that has luminance on an automatic timer . Many keep the light on 16 to 18 hours a day for optimum outgrowth . However , some indoor gardens do n’t have a build - in wanton reservoir , so check whether the whole contain light before buy .
Temperature Regulation
keep the right temperature for an indoor garden is all important . Very few indoor gardens admit temperature regulator , so where you place your unit is key . For secure results , locate an indoor garden where temperatures will stay on between 65 and 75 academic degree Fahrenheit . Avoid slur where the temps are frequently nerveless than 60 degrees or warmer than 80 degree .
Though an indoor garden probably wo n’t ask a heater , consider add an aquatic one for an aquaponic system for the tropic Pisces in the army tank if not so much for the plants .
Humidity
Many herb and otherplants favour humidness , so consider how tokeep your plant moist . The light instrument panel on top of many indoor hydroponic gardens can function as a humidity dome to facilitate continue humidness at the plant floor but not enough that the folio become moist .
While some humidity is a good idea , too much can lead to the maturation of fungal diseases . If the indoor garden will be located in a humid area , such as a greenhouse , consider purchasing a system that comes with a establish - in devotee that cycles on every few second to help dissipate excess humidity .
Maintenance
Many want alow - upkeep indoor garden systemthat requires very little hand - on attention . In universal , aquaponic systems will expect the most sustenance , since they have living creature that must be monitor and fed . In contrast , hydroponic system require very little tending beyond add water and fertilizer now and again . A traditional grease system will require a minute more hand - on campaign , which makes them a good selection for teaching kids about nature .
FAQs
Take in force fear of your indoor garden and it will likely reward you with some beautiful and healthy plants in any season . If you are n’t sure you ’re maintaining an indoor garden aright or want other information , read on for answers to some coarse enquiry about these ware so you’re able to enjoy fresh herbs , flower , and veg throughout the class .
Q. What plants can be grown indoors?
you’re able to get many plants indoors , but most indoor gardens are well suited to growing herbs or small flowers . Other plant like succulent are commonly raise indoors , but these plants are capable of growing in plantation owner orterrariums .
Q. What plants can grow in a hydroponic system?
As long as they have the right nutrients and fair to middling infinite , virtually any plant life can spring up in a hydroponic system . The size of the plant is a determiner here — smaller plants , such as herbs , are better suited to most indoor garden than are larger veg flora .
Q. How often do you feed hydroponic plants?
A universal rule is to add water every 7 to 10 days , but follow the instruction supplied with your indoor garden to determine how much and how often to feed . The phone number of times plant food is required also depends upon the industrial plant types you are growing .
Q. How do I set up an indoor aquaponics system?
Fill the tank with filtered water and add pee treatment , which should be included , to make the water worthy for aquatic life . Then add the fish to the army tank , and attach the pump that comes with the system to keep the weewee oxygenated for the fish . Once the fish are established , sow microgreen seeds in the tray above the tankful . The pump will keep the seeds dampish and promote sprouting .
Q. Do I need to change the water in an aquaponics system?
If your system is good for you , you wo n’t need to deepen the water very often . If it get murky , however , change it with sweet water and then treat the water before putting the Pisces the Fishes back in .
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a intersection quizzer and writer specialise in the construction , remodeling , and real estate industries . She and her married man own a general catching company , and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial-grade building lotion . She tests a wide compass of power shaft as well as other home betterment , household , and lawn - and - garden product .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll aid you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few sens on your terrace , a raised bed , or an in - land plot out back — and select the right plants for your soil and region .
