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Not everyone who wants a garden can grow one. Apartment dwellers without access to outdoor space might feel limited to growing a few small herbs on a windowsill, while would-be gardeners living in harsher climates might feel resigned to getting all of their produce from the grocery store. Others might simply not have the time to properly maintain fresh herb or veggie plants.
An AeroGarden is an excellent, simple way for anyone to enjoy their own fresh herbs, vegetables, or even flowers. AeroGardens are hydroponic indoor gardening systems that come complete with everything needed to start an indoor garden. These low-maintenance gardening systems are easy to get started: simply add the included seeds, fill the water reservoir, add plant food, and wait for your garden to grow—no soil or gardening tools required.
AeroGarden makes several different collections of their gardens. With different sized models and a variety of extra features, there are options to suit everyone from the budding gardener to the expert grower. Whether you want to supplement an existing outdoor garden or cultivate your bounty indoors, here are some of the best AeroGarden systems for getting started with an indoor garden.
- BEST OVERALL: AeroGarden Harvest Elite
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: AeroGarden Harvest 360 Indoor Hydroponic Garden
- UPGRADE PICK: AeroGarden Bounty Elite Indoor Hydroponic Herb Garden
- BEST LARGE: AeroGarden Farm 24 Basic
- BEST EXTRA-LARGE: AeroGarden Farm 24 XL
- BEST MINI: AeroGarden Sprout
- ALSO CONSIDER: AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Hydroponic Herb Garden
What to Consider When Choosing the Best AeroGarden
These convenient, indoor hydroponic gardens are great for growing vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, and more, but each model has its own unique features that buyers will want to consider based on their own specific needs. From size and pod capacity to extras, like smart technology or automated settings, here are a few key features to keep in mind when choosing the best AeroGarden for you.
Type
AeroGarden’s different product lines have different features, so finding the right fit is important. For example, the Bounty line allows users to grow up to nine different herbs, veggies, and flowers. It also has the largest water tank of all AeroGarden’s countertop gardens, meaning the garden won’t run out of water or dry up if you go on vacation. Meanwhile, the Farm collection allows for up to 12 different 24-inch plants and features a touch screen and Wi-Fi connectivity for tech-savvy growers.
On the smaller end of the AeroGarden collection, the Harvest line is capable of growing six 12-inch plants, while the Sprout collection offers 10 inches of growing room for up to three plants.
Pod Capacity
Depending on the number of plants you’d like to grow, pod capacity is a key consideration. AeroGarden’s models can grow anywhere from 3 to 12 plants, with some models having greater plant height capacity than others. From mini gardens to full-fledged garden replacements, the best AeroGarden should have the ability to house all the plants you want.
Those who want to use an AeroGarden to supplement a traditional garden may only need space for a few plants or herbs. However, if your new AeroGarden garden will be your only garden—and you have space for it—consider one of the models with a higher pod capacity.
Grow Lights
Different AeroGardens have different grow lights and wattages, and most contain the full spectrum of light, including red and blue wavelengths, to mimic the sunlight plants need to grow. However, different collections contain different numbers of watts (W).
- Farm Collection: 60W
- Bounty Collection: 30W
- Harvest Collection: 20W
- Sprout Collection: 10W
All of AeroGarden’s collections contain LED grow lights, which last longer and use less energy than fluorescent lights. Since high-light plants need at least 20W per square foot, AeroGarden’s grow lights cover most of the plants they’re designed to grow. The exception is the Sprout collection, which is designed for plants with low to medium-light requirements.
Water Pump
Since AeroGardens are hydroponic and don’t use soil to grow plants, water pumps are necessary to circulate nutrients in the water to the plants’ roots. Each AeroGarden has a water pump which goes on and off on a timer, the intervals of which are preprogrammed depending on the chosen settings.
Different AeroGarden models have different water reservoirs, the capacity of which may be important for those who plan on leaving their AeroGarden unattended for some time. The AeroGarden Bounty Basic has the largest water reservoir of all available AeroGardens.
Smart Technology
If having smart technology incorporated into your AeroGarden is a priority, consider that not every selection has the ability for Wi-Fi connectivity to be controlled remotely from either a smartphone or tablet. While the Farm collection comes with Wi-Fi and Alexa connectivity for easy remote operation, other models, such as the Sprout and Harvest, do not. The AeroGarden Bounty Elite features smart technology and can be paired with the AeroGarden app or Amazon Echo to remotely monitor and control the garden’s settings.
Additional Features
Some Aerogardens have other features that users may find handy. The Sprout collection’s one-touch control simplifies operation, while the Farm collection features a touch screen for monitoring water levels and adjusting the lights.
All gardens come with programmed lights that automatically turn on and off and provide reminders about when to add plant food. Some models include preprogrammed settings such as Vacation Mode, which ensures plants will thrive even when you’re away from home.
Seed Kits
Each AeroGarden comes with a seed kit, which provides everything needed to get a new garden started. Keep in mind that different AeroGarden collections come with different seed kits. Some include seed pods for commonly used herbs, while others include pods for growing vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce.
For those who already have seeds or want to grow something different than what’s provided in the included seed kits, AeroGardens can accommodate seeds from other sources as well.
Our Top Picks
From sleek stainless steel systems with touch screens and smart technology to small, no-frills setups that can grow a handful of herbs, the following AeroGardens are some of the best hydroponic gardens on the market. Selected based on their price, size, number of seed pods, and features that make daily use simple, the best AeroGarden for your home awaits you.
Best Overall
AeroGarden Harvest Elite
For those who want to grow their own fresh herbs but don’t have a lot of space to dedicate to their plants, the Harvest Elite model is a worthy choice. This system can grow up to six 12-inch plants and comes with seeds for six herbs: basil, Thai basil, curly parsley, dill, thyme, and mint.
Although it has a small footprint, the Harvest Elite isn’t short on great features. It has automatic light timers, an LCD control display, and reminders about when to add water and plant food. The Harvest Elite also features AeroGarden’s helpful Vacation Mode setting. Its brushed stainless steel design is sleek and stylish, and the affordable price is equally good-looking.
Best Bang for the Buck
AeroGarden Harvest 360 Indoor Hydroponic Garden
Aspiring gardeners who are just getting started with AeroGarden or looking for a budget-friendly option should consider the Harvest 360. With a small footprint and seeds for six commonly used herbs, this system makes it easy to get a garden started. A simple, three-button control panel alerts the user as to when it’s time to add water and food, and the grow lights are set on an automatic timer for optimal plant growth.
This compact design takes up less space without compromising on plant growth and health, yet is still capable of accommodating up to six 12-inch plants. The versatile matte black finish adds a touch of style.
Upgrade Pick
AeroGarden Bounty Elite Indoor Hydroponic Herb Garden
Go all-in on indoor gardening with the AeroGarden Bounty Elite. With the ability to accommodate nine 24-inch plants, this AeroGarden is a great pick for those who want to grow tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, herbs, and more. The LED grow lights automatically dim during sunrise and sunset to mimic the plant’s outdoor growth cycle.
It has a high-resolution touch screen control panel, automatic food and water reminders, and Vacation Mode to ensure plants are never without adequate food, water, or light. Available in a sleek stainless steel finish, the Bounty Elite also features Wi-Fi connectivity; simply connect to Wi-Fi or Alexa to control the garden remotely.
Best Large
AeroGarden Farm 24 Basic
With the ability to grow up to 24 12-inch plants, AeroGarden’s Farm 24Basic is for those who want a larger indoor garden. In addition to its ability to accommodate two dozen plants, this AeroGarden’s design allows it to be stacked with other similar models for an even larger garden. The system is also divided into left and right sections with separate controls for each one.
It also has a high-resolution touch screen to control the system, or take advantage of its Wi-Fi connectivity by connecting to the AeroGarden app or Alexa to remotely monitor and control the garden. Complete with Vacation Mode, auto-dimming lights, and water and food reminders, AeroGarden’s Farm collection offers maintenance-free gardening.
Best Extra-Large
AeroGarden Farm 24 XL
With adjustable, motorized light hoods and separate left and right sections, AeroGarden’s Farm 24XL allows for large harvests for the whole family. This family-size system allows for gardeners to grow up to 24 36-inch plants, making it an ideal choice for those who want to grow larger plants, such as tomatoes and peppers.
The system features a high-resolution touch screen for easy control, Wi-Fi and Alexa connectivity, and automatic food and water reminders as well as Vacation Mode. Like the Farm 24Basic, the Farm 24XL also has a stackable design, allowing for the ability to create a wall of indoor gardens. With easy setup and 24 herb and vegetable seed pods included, this setup is the best AeroGarden for large plants and harvests.
Best Mini
AeroGarden Black Sprout
Limited counter space shouldn’t keep anyone from having a great indoor garden. As a mini version of larger or basic AeroGarden models, the AeroGarden Sprout can accommodate up to three 10-inch plants. With a silent water pump and automatic food and water reminders, the AeroGarden Sprout simplifies the process of cultivating an indoor herb garden.
This AeroGarden has a simple one-touch button control to regulate the system with automatic lights, reminders, and more. With a thinner grow hood, improved growing deck, and versatile matte black finish, the AeroGarden Sprout can also grow smaller varieties of vegetables as well as other herbs not included in the starter kit, which includes seeds for basil, curly parsley, and dill. For those who opt to use their own seeds, rather than the included seed pods, keep the lower wattage on this model in mind.
Also Consider
AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Hydroponic Herb Garden
Don’t be fooled by the word “basic”: there’s plenty to be excited about with the AeroGarden Bounty Basic. In addition to the ability to grow up to nine 24-inch plants, this model is equipped with handy features that make cultivating an indoor garden super easy. A high-resolution control panel allows the user to easily program settings and access 140 helpful gardening tips to get their plants growing. Automatic reminders let the user know when it’s time to add food and water, and the Vacation Mode setting helps keep the garden growing even when the gardener is away from home. The lamp arm is extendable as plants grow. And, with LED lights, there’s no risk of the bulbs burning out.
Available in a stylish matte black finish and containing the largest water reservoir of AeroGarden’s models, the Bounty Basic also includes an herb seed kit, with seeds for growing basil, Thai basil, curly parsley, Italian parsley, thyme, chives, dill, and mint.
The Advantages of Owning an AeroGarden
AeroGardens allows home gardeners to grow fresh herbs and produce year-round. They’re advantageous for people who can’t get out to the store often, whether because of time constraints, distance, or even mobility concerns.
The hydroponic setup and lighting systems allow plants to grow up to five times faster and healthier in controlled conditions. Simply add plant food and water to the reservoir and watch the plants grow. While AeroGarden includes seed pods to get things started, users also have the option of planting their own seeds in the pods.
With a variety of options from mini to extra-large, AeroGardens offer advantages such as:
- Minimal mess since there’s no soil
- Low-maintenance gardening with automatic water and food reminders
- Bigger harvests to maximize on investment
Tips for Using an AeroGarden
While AeroGarden makes using an indoor gardening planter simple, there are a few things you can do to optimize your AeroGarden and ensure plants stay healthy.
- Always read the provided instructions to set yourself up for success.
- Plant seeds at the same time to ensure plants grow the same height, which will make it easier to adjust the light hood.
- Trim the plant’s root systems so that they don’t become overcrowded and potentially cause issues with the water pump.
- Completely change the water in the reservoir and clean out the reservoir approximately once a month to ensure proper water quality and prevent fungus or bacteria growth.
- If growing herbs, be sure to prune them regularly. Never cut off more than one-third of the plant to ensure the plant will grow back and provide enough harvest for future cuttings.
- When watering an AeroGarden, always fill up to the recommended line. Over- or under-filling can lead to problems with the water pump.
FAQs About Your New AeroGarden
From what to grow in an AeroGarden to when you can expect those first plants, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about AeroGardens.
Q. What can I grow in an AeroGarden?
AeroGardens can grow everything from small herbs to large tomato plants, depending on the model.
Q. Is it easy to grow plants in an AeroGarden?
Yes. All you need to do is assemble the system, plant your seeds, fill the reservoir, and add plant food. AeroGarden even includes seeds with every kit, so you can get started as soon as the AeroGarden arrives.
Q. How long does it take to grow herbs in an AeroGarden?
It takes about 30 to 40 days for herbs to fully grow in an AeroGarden. With the right care, they can grow for up to six months.
Q. Where should I place my AeroGarden?
An AeroGarden can be situated anywhere in the home. Many people like to set theirs up in the kitchen, which makes it easy to use herbs and vegetables.