CNET’s expert staff has reviewed and rated several indoor smart garden systems to help users find the best option to suit their gardening needs and goals. Indoor smart gardens are a great way for apartment dwellers to enjoy gardening without the need for outdoor space. These systems provide their own lighting and watering systems, making it easy for beginners to grow a variety of plants. The Click & Grow Smart Garden 3 is recommended as the best indoor garden system for growing herbs and salad greens. It is user-friendly and comes with three basil pods but can also accommodate other types of seeds.
The AeroGarden Bounty Elite is another recommended indoor smart garden system, particularly suitable for growing herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and flowers. It can accommodate up to nine plants and features adjustable LED lights that can grow with the plants. The Ingarden is a compact smart garden designed for growing microgreens, with a sleek design that fits easily on a windowsill or bookshelf. It is soil-free and uses LED grow lights to promote fast growth of microgreens like mustard, radish, and broccoli.
The Smart Growhouse, commonly known for its stylish brass exterior, is a basic indoor garden system that emphasizes simplicity and style. It does not include seed pods or self-watering features, but it offers full-spectrum LED lights on a timer for optimal growth. The Rise Single Hydroponic Garden is recommended for those looking for a stylish indoor garden that doubles as furniture. It is a self-watering system with a 5-gallon water tank, LED grow lights, and mobile app integration for easy monitoring.
The Lettuce Grow Farmstand is an indoor/outdoor farmstand that is well-designed and easy to operate. It features a unique water and nutrient cascading system over seed pods and LED lights that make a significant difference in plant growth. The Chef’n Microgreens Grower is a compact option specifically designed for growing microgreens, suitable for garnishing soups, salads, and other dishes. It is affordable and does not include LED lights.
For those with limited space, the Gardyn upright grow system is recommended, providing space for up to 30 plants in just 2 square feet. It features individual watering and LED lights on a timer, with sensors and cameras for monitoring plant growth. Despite its higher price tag, the Gardyn system is efficient and has been successful in growing fresh herbs, tomatoes, and salad greens. Overall, there are plenty of indoor smart garden options available to suit different preferences and budgets, offering the opportunity for anyone to enjoy the benefits of gardening indoors.
