Table of Contents
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Pros
- Ideal countertop size
Cons
- Short grow height
The AeroGarden is beloved for its slim profile and fast grow times—up to five times faster than traditional soil grow times. It has space for plants up to 12 inches tall, so it’s optimal for lettuce, herbs, tomatoes, or other low, bushy produce.
Best for Vegetables
Gardyn Home Kit 2.0
Best for Vegetables
Gardyn Home Kit 2.0
Now 25% Off
Pros
- Grows up to 30 plants at once
Cons
- Expensive
Towering and sleek, the Garden Home Kit 2.0 is perfect for tall stalks and a wide variety of produce. This system offers AI monitoring 24/7 so you can rest easy knowing that you’ll be alerted if any of your plants need assistance.
Best for Beginners
Click and Grow Smart Garden, 3-Pod
Best for Beginners
Click and Grow Smart Garden, 3-Pod
Pros
- Only have to water once a month
Cons
- Only three growing spots
This three-pod indoor gardening system is designed primarily for herbs. The beginner kit comes with three pots of basil. With a 40-ounce water tank, this system self-waters for up to three weeks (depending on other conditions, like the temperature).
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Pros
- Self-watering and self-fertilizing
Cons
- Can be complicated to set up
Equipped to water and fertilize up to 20 plants at once, the Farmstead Nook can grow lettuce, herbs, flowers, and more year-round. The compact tower is great for smaller spaces and displays the greenery like art rather than a traditional vegetable patch.
Best for Quick Results
Personal Rise Garden
Best for Quick Results
Personal Rise Garden
Pros
- Helpful companion app
Cons
- Not great for taller produce
With grow times as fast as 30 days from sprout to harvest, the Personal Rise Garden is good for impatient home farmers. Each Rise Gardens comes with an eight-plant starter pack to get you going, but you can fit as many as 12 plants in the bed.
Best for Science Lovers
Tower Garden FLEX
Best for Science Lovers
Tower Garden FLEX
Pros
- Payment plan available
Cons
- Grow lights aren’t included
Each Tower Garden comes with a seed starter kit that includes a germination tray, rockwool cubes (for seed starting), vermiculite growing medium and net pots, and seeds for leafy greens, lettuces, and herbs. This system is self-watering, but you have to set up the drain tube and pump. It may need more maintenance than others on this list, but it’s great for hands-on learners.
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Best on a Budget
CYBSDF Indoor Garden Hydroponics Growing System
Best on a Budget
CYBSDF Indoor Garden Hydroponics Growing System
Now 33% Off
Pros
- Relatively inexpensive
Cons
- No companion app
Budget friendly and good for beginners, this indoor growing system has 12 pod slots for plants, an adjustable full-sun grow light, and an easy-to-see water gauge so you always know when it’s time to refill. It also has three different preset modes you can choose depending on what you’re growing to give you the best results every time.
Best for Lighting
Stack-n-Grow Lights – Base Unit
Best for Lighting
Stack-n-Grow Lights – Base Unit
Pros
- Stackable
Cons
- No self-watering capability
Lightweight and easy to build (no tools needed), this system focuses on the sunlight needs of your plants. It doesn’t include any fancy self-watering or app capabilities, but it’s easy to customize and expand. It comes with two full-spectrum T5 fluorescent bulbs that are spaced for optimum coverage, and the lights are super easy to raise or lower as plants grow. High-tech reflectors direct light down onto them for healthier growth and less glare into your space.
Best for Small Spaces
Modern Sprout Smart Landscape Growframe
Best for Small Spaces
Modern Sprout Smart Landscape Growframe
Pros
- Wall-mounted design
Cons
- Not self-watering
Grow succulents, houseplants, produce, herbs, you name it, all while keeping your floors clear. This grow frame, complete with grow lights, mounts to the wall and turns your indoor garden into a work of art. You can adjust the light to suit your plants’ needs—there are full sun and low-light modes.
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Best for Microgreens
ZestiGreens Microgreens Growing Kit
Best for Microgreens
ZestiGreens Microgreens Growing Kit
Pros
- Self-watering
Cons
- Only for microgreens
If you’re really into the microgreens health craze and add them to everything you eat, you’ll benefit from growing the miniature superfoods at home. Now it’s easy: This tray, sized perfectly for a deep windowsill or countertop, only needs to be watered once in between planting and harvesting (really).
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful’s SEO Editor. She has covered everything from curated decor round-ups and shopping guides, to glimpses into the home lives of inspiring creatives, for publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, and Architectural Digest’s Clever.
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