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Rating: 4/5
As much as I love the look of a healthy houseplant and take pride in homegrown vegetables and herbs, I’m truly a lazy gardener at heart. My gardening philosophy is less “green thumb” and more “hope and forget.” Imprecise watering, inadequate sunlight, and poor pruning habits have killed most of my houseplants and kitchen herbs over the last decade. So when I say I’ve found a product that keeps my plants alive, you know it’s a miracle—and the AeroGarden Tabletop Grow Light truly is.
Best Overall
AeroGarden Tabletop Grow Light
My favorite houseplant accessory brand is not a newcomer to the plant care scene. More successful gardeners on the Bob Vila team have all used and reviewed the classic AeroGarden hydroponic planters for years and love this brand for its long history of low-maintenance offerings. It won out as a favorite when we tested the best indoor gardens, and we also named its Harvest model the best hydroponic system for beginners.
But I’ve used hydroponic systems intermittently for years, and I’ve pushed them to their limits to find their weak spots. I’ve managed to let a water reservoir dry out during a vacation, and I’ve allowed my herbs to go untrimmed for so long that they grew out of control. Plus, most hydroponic systems typically only support pod-grown plantlings—and not the already-mature plant one might pick up on a whim at the local big-box store. Ultimately, I prefer an AeroGarden accessory that provides more flexibility in greenery and freedom from the pressure of routinely harvesting. Enter the company’s tabletop grow light.
In my household, the smart AeroGarden Tabletop Grow Light pulls double-duty as both a decorative reading lamp and a gardening hero. Thanks to its four options for lighting (full spectrum, warm, cool, and a white standard hue) and the Wi-Fi–enabled mobile app with customizable settings, my plants no longer need to huddle around windowsills for sunlight. I can tuck this lamp into any dimly lit corner and use my phone to set the light settings and timer.
For example, during peak growing season, I have the light set to full spectrum to mimic the sun for 10 hours a day. Then, when seasons change, I can switch to cool light for a shorter window and give my plants a break. When I lived in an apartment starved of natural sunlight, this lamp helped me keep a single bit of greenery alive—an about-face after I killed off a full 6-month subscription to low-light houseplants from The Sill. As my space changed, so did my challenges, but this tabletop lamp still allows seasonal mums or a pilea to grow even in a cozy (but dark) reading nook.
I’m a creature of habit: I’m still guilty of forgetting to water if I don’t also set up a watering bulb. Even so, this one lamp doubles my houseplants’ lifespans. Plus, with brushed gold accents, it does the job while also injecting my little library corner with a modern schoolhouse aesthetic. Similar table lamp styles price out in the same ballpark but don’t offer plant care, so choosing this double-duty tool is a no-brainer. Not ready to commit to a full-sized lamp? The brand’s Stem Grow Light offers the same plant-saving power for under $25, and it tucks neatly into an existing planter.
Where to Buy the AeroGarden Tabletop Grow Light
