Are you tired of digging and growing your plants in the dirt? Are you tired of pests? If yes, then you should consider looking into a hydroponic herb garden.
Hydroponic gardens are rewarding and easy to use, and they’re cool! Using this technique allows you to be rid of the dirt while still giving your plants the things that they need to grow, and without having to worry about disease, contamination, weeds, or pests.
It’s a daunting task knowing where to start with your hydroponic garden system, even knowing what herb garden kits you should invest in. However, in this article, you’ll find a list of the things that you should look for in an herb garden kit, and we’ll even give you some ideas of potential ones.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | AeroGarden Ultra LED | • Easy to use • Up to 7 plants grow at a time | |
 | AeroGarden Sprout LED | • Remind you to add nutrients • Easy to use | |
 | AeroGarden Harvest Elite | • Adjustable height to up to 12 inches • Stainless body • Can accommodate up to 6 plants at a time | |
 | iDOO Hydroponics Growing System | • Adjustable height up to 19.72 inches • 2-grow modes for fruits and veggies • 10pcs grow domes | |
 | iDOO 12Pods Hydroponics Growing System | • Sleek • Adjustable height up to 11.02 inches • Value for money | |
 | Rise Gardens Personal Garden and Starter Kit | • Compact • Good for small indoor gardening needs • It can accommodate up to 8 plants | |
 | Rise Gardens Personal Garden and Starter Kit | • Compact size • 6 plant pods • Good for the beginners |
What Is the Hydroponic System?
Hydroponic systems refer to working with water, which is what happens when you do hydroponics. However, this isn’t normal water that you’re working with. It’s full of nutrients that help feed the roots of your plants without needing soil.
Did you know that soil isn’t even necessary when growing plants? Soil is only a medium that helps hold the nutrients that the plants need, which water can do too.
With this in mind, for hydroponic systems to work, you need to plant your herb into a medium that lacks nutrients so that your plants must rest on and grab nutrients from the water. This typically includes vermiculite, rock wool, clay pellets, peat moss, and perlite.
Remember that oxygen is important for your plants, and the type of medium that you use is supposed to help oxygenate them.
Hydroponics requires the use of a heavily controlled environment: you set the conditions for your plants, and they grow happy, healthy, and clean.
Best Hydroponic Systems
To help you get started with your hydroponic herb garden, we’ve compiled a list of two of the best indoor herb garden kits that you can find on the market.
Whether you want to grow only herbs or if you want to challenge yourself with a vegetable garden, these hydroponic growing kits are perfect for you.
1. AeroGarden Ultra LED
The company that is known to make the best hydroponic garden kits, AeroGarden, is owned by Miracle-Gro. This company makes a variety of countertop hydroponic systems, like the one in the picture, which are fully contained.
You aren’t required to have special hardware like a nutrient solution, lightbulbs, or a growing medium with this kit. The whole system is basic, which is ideal for those who are wanting a simple system, and it’s a great option for those who want to use “grow pods.”
Grow pods are pods that you simply plop into the system, choose the setting, and then forget about it until you want to use the plants.
This system is best for growing smaller plants without big roots.
Pros:
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Energy efficient LED lighting
- Simple setup
- Easy-to-use display panel
- Quiet pump
Cons:
- Made from flimsy plastic
- Few options for planting
2. AeroGarden Sprout LED
With this particular system, you can grow your herbs year-round. You can grow up to three plants at a time.
The full spectrum of the grow light that is equipped allows your plants to maximize photosynthesis – which helps them grow faster.
These lights are easy to use, and they remind you to add nutrients. This kit also comes with a seed kit containing dill, curly parsley, Genovese basil, along with three ounces of patented nutrients for a full season worth of growing.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Promotes fast growth
- Great reminder system
- Comes with an herb seed kit
Cons:
- Made from flimsy plastic
- The LED light is easily scratched
Getting started with your hydroponic herb garden takes more than just getting the perfect starting kit. You’ll find a list of five of the top products you’ll need to get started with hydroponics at this page from the Yard Surfer.
3. AeroGarden Harvest Elite
If you want to grow herbs and have them close at hand, go no further than the AeroGarden Harvest Elite. You can now bring the entire garden indoors using this device. And here, you have a stylish and portable herb and veggie garden right on your kitchen tabletop.
Furthermore, this device will meet your desire for an inside greenhouse. You’ll also appreciate the digital display, which reminds you when to water and feed your plants.
The AeroGarden Harvest Elite has a sleek look and various powerful features, such as:
- Adjustable height to up to 12 inches
- Stainless body
- Can accommodate up to 6 plants at a time
- Comprises a hydroponic system
- Packed with 20 Watt LED Grow Lights
- LCD control panel
- Customizable settings
- There is also a vacation mode
The best part is that your plants will grow 5 times faster in this germination kit than in an outdoor garden.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Compact
- Include 6 herb seed kits
- Plants grow in water
- No soil, no mess kit
- Vacation mode
Cons:
- Customers have complained about obtaining a plastic body product rather than a stainless steel one
4. iDOO Hydroponics Growing System
When discussing hydroponic herb gardens, it is impossible not to mention the brand that has made its name shine in the indoor growing market- iDOO. And this brand DO(es) what it says it does: it grows excellent herbs indoors hassle-free.
The nicest feature of this indoor grow kit is the silent water pump circulation mechanism.
It boosts the oxygen level in the water without creating unpleasant sounds, allowing plants to develop quicker. As a result, it is an excellent choice for individuals who like to grow their plants in water rather than soil.
Furthermore, the LED gro-light will assist your pants in low-light settings.
Furthermore, because the kit includes 20 degradable palm sponges, you can transport them with the plants for transplantation. This procedure guarantees the new seedlings have as little transplant shock as possible.
This product’s standout features include the following:
- Silent water-pump
- 2-grow modes for fruits and veggies
- 10 plants can be accommodated at a time
- Adjustable height up to 19.72 inches
- 20pcs degradable palm sponge
- 10pcs grow domes
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Silent
- Can grow up to 10 plants
- Adjustable height
- Plants grow faster
- Can be kept anywhere
- Easy-push button panel
- Good for beginners
Cons:
- No pet shield
5. iDOO 12Pods Hydroponics Growing System
The iDOO 12Pods Hydroponics Growing System is another iDOO indoor growing kit on our list. Unlike the previous one, this hydroponic kit allows you to grow 12 plants at once.
Using this unique kit, your plants will grow 20% faster indoors, without a mess of dirt, pests, and other external elements.
When we compared it to the iDOO hydroponic growing system with 10 pods, we discovered that this was superior in terms of plant accommodation and other aspects, such as the air system.
The air system is the standout feature of this product, which aids in pollination. This device also includes a 4.5L independent water tank that can help plants flourish for 1-2 weeks.
Some highlighting features of this product include:
- LED grow light
- Fan mode
- 12 plant pods
- 4.5L independent water tank
- 22 Watt 2 LED growing modes
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Compact
- Sleek
- Can accommodate 12 plants at a time
- Adjustable height up to 11.02 inches
- Plants grow 20% faster
- Low maintenance
- Value for money
Cons:
- The fan may seem too loud for the living room
- Flimsy rubber stopper of the water tank
12 plants seem to overcrowd the kit, obstructing the light from each other
6. Rise Gardens Personal Garden and Starter Kit
If beauty with functionality had a face, it would have looked like the personal garden and starter kit from the Rise Gardens Store. Unlink the conventional hydroponic kits we reviewed for this post; this one’s stylish look impressed us the most.
The combination of white and a wooden hue keeps the aesthetics of this product intact. Now, let’s examine its features and functionalities.
This product is small enough to fit beside a kitchen counter or a couch set. The brand also considered the needs of modern consumers by incorporating an app-controlled self-watering and lighting system.
With a single tap on your smartphone, you can now manage the water timing and light exposure. The device lets you realize your dream of vertical gardening without stepping outside.
This product measures 18″ L x 11″ D x 16″ H and can accommodate up to 8 plants, which is upgradable to 12 plants. The same company also sells larger goods in which you can grow up to 180 plants.
Some of the highlighting features of the products are listed below.
- Compact
- Good for small indoor gardening needs
- It can accommodate up to 8 plants
- App controlled watering and light systems
- Premium quality build
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- A great option for indoor gardening
- The LED grow light mimics the sun
- Easy to assemble
- Easy for the beginners
Cons:
- Incapable customer service
- The price is on the higher side
7. AeroGarden Harvest
AeroGarden is a brand that has long been associated with the indoor gardening market. This brand manufactures germination kits that look modern and are packed with the most advanced technologies.
AeroGarden is one of our top choices since this brand offers various hydroponic systems in various sizes, colors, and heights. Fom growing just 10 plants at a time, you can grow as many as 20.
The product we are talking about is one of the brand’s basic items and a great option if you are just trying your hands at indoor hydrophilic gardening.
This kit can accommodate 6 plants at a time and comes with herb seed kits, including Genovese Basil, Curly Parsley, Dill, Thyme, Thai Basil, and Mint. We also liked the brand’s all-natural Plant Nutrients, which will run one whole growing season.
There is not much difference between this model and the AeroGarden Harvest Elite except for the price tag.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Compact size
- 6 plant pods
- Good for the beginners
- The height can be extended up to 12 inches
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Other products with more plant pod options available at this price
- Not all plants are likely to germinate properly
Things to Consider Before Buying a Hydroponic Herb Garden
When you’ve decided to need an indoor hydroponic kit, you should look into some facts.
There are numerous possibilities available on the market, and when we reviewed the goods, we learned that both novice and experienced gardeners could use them.
However, not all of them will be suitable for every individual. So, here are some variables to consider when making a purchasing decision.
1. Size
Size matters, especially when it comes to indoor gardening kits. Usually, these kits are compact enough to be mounted on table tops, cabinets, and other smaller surfaces. However, height is more important (specifically).
Hydroponic gardening kits include adjustable heights that can be adjusted to various levels. If you have a limited countertop area, we recommend brands like Aerospace that provide gardening kits with adjustable heights of up to 12 inches.
For businesses such as Rise Gardens, you will need a lot of floors and vertical areas.
2. Energy Consumption
All of these indoor garden systems must be hooked into an outlet. Most hydroponic gardening kits include LED grow lights, timers, fans, water pumps, and other equipment.
As a result, you would want to ensure that the energy consumption required for your kit does not impact your electricity bill.
You should also inquire about the product’s carbon footprint to ensure that it has no negative impact on the environment.
3. Maintenance Level
Certain hydroponic germination kits need more upkeep than others, depending on various features.
For example, if it’s a soil-based growing kit, some might need frequent manual watering to replace the soil, while others, like the iDOO 12Pods Hydroponics Growing System, have a 4.5L separate water tank that can store water for 1-2 weeks. This kit is great for beginners trying their hands at indoor gardening.
4. Grow Light
If you are growing indoor plants, a grow lamp is a crucial element you cannot overlook. However, if you can give your plants access to natural sunlight, you won’t need to use these lights.
You should, however, be aware that even if you think your space is bright, your plants might not get the complete range of light every time. We also want to emphasize the requirement for full sun exposure for herbs like basil.
So, if a full and open sunny area isn’t accessible in your home, your savior can be LED grow lights that mimic the sunlight. Additionally, some kits have automatic timers and dimming capabilities that keep the grow lights on most of the day.
5. Automation
Planters like the Rise Gardens Personal Garden and Starter Kit are automated and can be controlled by apps. Install the planter kit and sync it with the app.
You are done. Now use your smartphone to manage the lighting, feeding, and watering systems. Amazing, isn’t it?
It is unnecessary to stay close to your plants when using these planters constantly. But these characteristics do not come with every indoor gardening kit. Therefore, you must consider your demands and lifestyle while choosing a planter.
The Benefits of Hydroponic Herb Gardens
There are many benefits to growing your herbs in a hydroponic garden, some of which you’ve probably never thought about before.
Here are some advantages to using a high-quality hydroponic system!
Your Herbs Grow Faster
Hydroponic herb gardens are known to grow fast. If you use one of the best hydroponic systems, you can get your plants to mature faster by about 25 percent, and you’ll be able to make more than 30 percent of yield over soil gardening.
Plus, you get to save effort and time, while still getting more output for your input. With hydroponic gardening systems, your plants will grow strong, healthy, and free from the threat of disease, pests, and mold.
You won’t even need a large root system. The less space that you give the roots of your plant, the more the upper parts will grow – this is ideal for leafy plants like spinach or lettuce.
Indoor Gardening
Many city dwellers don’t grow plants for business or personal use because they don’t have space for it. This is true if you only do soil growing.
However, with hydroponics, you’ll be able to grow your plants without needing much space.
Your hydroponics system could be something small that you can put outside on your patio or deck, your closet, or even the roof of your apartment. You just need to have water, a pump, and something to hold your plants in.
Emotional Needs
You might not have known this, but hydroponics can make you happy.
You can sit down next to your hydroponic system in the morning with a cup of coffee and listen to the water cycling through. You can even talk to your plants; in fact, they like it!
Eco-Friendly
Are you worried about the environment?
Hydroponic systems limit the risk of disease, insects, viruses, and another fungus that typically threaten plants that are grown in the soil. This all means that you don’t have to worry about using insecticides, pesticides, and other chemicals – all of which saves the environment.
For more benefits to having a hydroponic herb garden, check out this page from Yard Surfer.
Why Start An Indoor Garden?
We say why not?
After all, what can be a better way to green up your indoor space than an indoor garden? Furthermore, it is a convincible way to grow plants within your reach all year.
However, you should have an indoor greenhouse or a good indoor gardening system/ kit to make the latter happen.
But before you jump into the process, ensure to take into consideration of the extra care that indoor plants require. Since these plants won’t be under the open sky and natural sunlight, the foremost thing to consider is their exposure to light.
The checklist also includes air circulation, humidity level, indoor temperature, watering, planter, growing medium, and fertilization.
Final Thoughts
If you’re excited about what hydroponics can do, then you should consider purchasing one of the two setups that we’ve listed above to start putting hydroponic techniques to the test. Go forth and find the best hydroponic herb garden on the market for your needs and living situation – you won’t regret it.