Best Hydroponic Herb Gardens

Miracle-Gro AeroGarden

PROS: The Miracle-Gro AeroGarden is the best choice if you are looking for an indoor hydroponics device. It has excellent consumer reviews, some different sizes, and features to choose from. Atheistically it looks great on a kitchen counter. It is incredibly easy to use; the display tells you exactly what you need to do and when. Guaranteed to grow” if yours doesn’t they send you a free replacement with free shipping.

Cons: The refill seed kits and other accessories can get a little pricey.

Overview: The Miracle-Gro Aerogardens are hands down the leader in the indoor hydroponic systems, they are best sellers, very highly rated and users love them. They look fantastic, provide exceptional results and come in at three (very affordable) price-points to meet your needs. It even grows plants five times faster than soil. You can also use it to produce many different things including fresh herbs, vegetables, salad greens, flowers, etc.

There are a couple of different sizes you can get: the 3 SL, 3, 6, 7, the Extra and the Ultra. Any of these models are a great option. The main difference between the various models is the number of pods each has as well as some of the functions on the display panel.

Depending on the system you choose they come with various items including growing lights, self-watering devices, and over 40 different seed pod kits ranging from chili peppers to salads.

The systems can be put together very quickly, meaning that even if this is your first time growing, you won’t face any setup headaches. All the parts are manufactured so that it’s as easy as just clipping the pieces together.

What reviewers love

Users find the Aerogardens extremely easy to use, all you have to do is  add water and mix in some nutrients, and you are all set to go. The performance of the plants is also extraordinary; things grow quickly and effortlessly, and if you do happen to get a pod that doesn’t produce anything it will be replaced free of charge.

Reviews have also noted the excellent customer service that Miracle-Gro provides. If you have any questions or get stuck, they will happily help solve your issues.

$70-$350,

Available from Aerogarden.com and Amazon

Back to the Roots Water Garden

PROS: Looks great, and it is a fun introduction to aquaponics. Once you get the aquaculture and the hydroponics in sync, you will have a fish tank that requires little to no cleaning, that is producing fresh herbs for you to use.

CONS: You have to deal with trying to reach a “self-cleaning” state of the tank by getting the nitrogen cycle and the plant growth working together, this may be a little easier said than done for some users.  Some customers have trouble keeping the plants growing if they don’t have enough light. It doesn’t come with a heater for the tank (you have to purchase that yourself). You will need to learn about your fish and fish care if this is new to you, as well as nitrogen cycling and the theory behind aquaponics.

Bottom Line: This isn’t a hydroponics garden but an aquaponics product, but it is pretty cool, so we included it anyway. Aquaponics just kind of means that you are adding fish into a type of hydroponics system. The fish waste provides an organic food source for the growing plants, and the plants produce a natural filter for the water the fish live in. This particular system comes with: wheatgrass, basil alfalfa, radish sprouts, parsley, cilantro, mint, and arugula. If you end up purchasing the Back to the Roots, you will need to spend a bit of time reading the directions for use and making sure you understand each component of the system. Many users seem to find this product a little difficult to get everything right and working correctly.
What reviewers love: It is a fun system for kids to learn. It is easy to install. Users like the concept of this product and are fascinated by how it works together.  Once it is up and running correctly, there is little to no cleaning, which is a definite plus for most people.

What could be improved: A few reviewers have had some trouble with the pump. Others have mentioned that they would have liked to have a heater for the fish included in the kit.

Available from Amazon

Grow Up! Vertical Hydrogarden Deluxe Kit

PROS: Easy to assemble and easy to use. The pots are made of thick, durable plastic and the assembly very easy. Since it is vertical, you get more growing room.

CONS: Doesn’t come with enough perlite to fill all growing spaces. It also doesn’t come with any seeds or plants.

Overview: This is an excellent entry level hydro garden system for people who would like to grow a variety of plants, but have a limited amount of space to do so. You can use it indoor or outdoors and it is easy to maintain and uses as much as 90% less water than conventional planting and the plants grow twice as fast. You can produce a lot of different plants in the Grow Up! including eggplants, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, peppers, and more

What reviewers love: Users love that the system is much cleaner and easier to use that growing with dirt and that it lets you develop a wide variety of organic, local produce with minimal effort.  Users have also found the companies support and customer service to be very helpful in solving problems that customers have run into.
What could be improved: Many users have found that the kit does not provide enough perlite to fill all five levels.

Available from Amazon

Click & Grow Smart Indoor Grow Kit

PROS: Straightforward setup: put the pots in the device, add water, and plugin. The simple ultra- modern design will fit nicely into most kitchens.

CONS: Some users find the refill cartridges to be pricey. There are a few complaints that one or more out of the three pods didn’t end up growing and had to be replaced.

Overview:  Using the Click and Grow Smart is easy. You can have it set up in just a few simple steps. Each set comes with three herbs. All you have to do is install the cartridges in the dome and add water to the tank. Once it’s all set up, you plug in the LED light. Then you can just let it go. The bulbs and water do all the work for you. If the water needs to be replenished, the light starts blinking, so you don’t even need to worry about monitoring that.  This kit comes with Thyme, Basil, and Lemon Balm which is an excellent starter selection. They also offer Chilli Pepper, Salad Rocket, and Mini Tomato for your consideration in replacement cartridges. Setup instructions are clear and straightforward – including advice on positioning for adequate light and overall best practice options for a thriving garden. This system makes it easy and fun to grow your herbs.
What reviewers love: Reviewers love the beautiful design of the Click and Grow, it is easy to use, and the plants last for a long time.

What could be improved: Some users have found pots are not growing, although this is to fix as Click & Grow will ship you a new cartridge if this happens.

Available from HomeDepot