Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan

AeroGarden is our top choice for growing herbs and greens inside and year-round.

Treehugger Tested & Approved

Even without outdoor space, you can grow plenty of veggies and herbs indoors thanks to innovative new technology like grow lights and hydroponics. Indoor garden systems can really open up a lot of possibilities for gardeners. They are simple to set up, easy to use and produce great results. 

While some of these units have a high price tag, the big benefit to these high-tech gardens is that you can grow your own fresh greens all year long, and tuck them into dark spaces where it would otherwise be impossible for plants to grow. Whether you’re just looking to get started with a tabletop option or you want to go all in to grow lots of plants, there are many great choices. 

Here are the best indoor garden systems you’ll want to consider.

Best Overall

AeroGarden Harvest Indoor Garden

AeroGarden is one of the early leaders in at-home hydroponics and indoor gardens. It's our top choice because there are a lot of options to choose from, from countertop gardens to larger units that will hold more than 20 plants (or pods). With widespread availability, we also like that you can often find AeroGardens and replacement pods at local garden centers and stores.

All of AeroGarden's units are quite compact, and most are designed to sit on a countertop. They all come with an initial seed kit of your choice to get you started. Several of the models feature different housing colors, like black, white, or sage.

You can usually find pretty good promotions and deals, either through the AeroGarden website or other online retailers.

Price at time of publish: $130

What Treehugger Testers Say

"AeroGarden has good customer service, which I know from experience when I was missing a variety I ordered. So if you have any issues, just reach out and they’ll try to make it right."

Best Tower

Lettuce Grow Farmstand

This self-watering, self-fertilizing unit is both stylish and functional and has a range of customizable options. The Farmstand can be used inside or outdoors, but if you're looking to grow indoors you'll want to be sure to include the Glow Rings lights. The different sizes can hold anywhere from 12 to 36 plants. You can buy seedlings as individuals or bundles, and the body of this vertical garden is made from ocean-bound plastic.

Don’t worry about daily maintenance—there’s very little. You'll just adjust the water and add a few scoops of the included fertilizer once per week, and clean the stand once per season. According to Lettuce Grow, The Farmstand uses 95% less water when compared to traditional gardening. There's also an app to help you learn about how and when to harvest.

Price at time of publish: $399

What Treehugger Testers Say

"It can take some time to set up a larger Farmstand for indoor use with lights, so I’d recommend that you give yourself a couple of hours. But once you’ve put it together, it’s incredibly easy to maintain and the plant growth is really fast and exciting to watch."

Left: The Farmstand with Glow Rings assembled, before adding the plants. Center: The Farmstand with seedlings added. Right: Plant growth after three weeks.

Best Splurge

Rise Gardens Single Family Garden

This little unit comes with three little basil seed and soil capsules, add them to the unit and then the smart garden does the rest. All you’ll need to do is add water once a month. With a base that measures only 11.8 inches by 4.5 inches, you can easily find a spot for this on your kitchen counter. Then when the herbs you’re growing are ready, just snip them off and add them to your favorite dish. Basil will continue to grow for months.

When your basil is finished, Click & Grow offers a wide range of herbs, vegetables, and flowers, from mint and chives to kale and chili peppers. Three different color finishes are available. If you want to grow more plants, the company also makes a nine plant unit and a 25 plant unit.

Price at time of publish: $100

Final Verdict

Our top pick of indoor garden systems is the AeroGarden Harvest. However, if you’re looking to grow a lot of plants, check out The Farmstand by Lettuce Grow, which starts with a 12-plant tower that you can add to when you’re ready.

What to Consider When Shopping for an Indoor Garden System

Size

The size of indoor garden systems varies widely, from compact countertop units (like the AeroGarden) to large vertical systems that need significant floor and vertical space (like the Lettuce Grow and the Rise garden). Not only will you want to measure the space where you plan to put your garden system, but also consider how much space you might need to move around it to add water or harvest the plants. 

Larger systems also produce more food, so if you’re just growing for yourself, you might not need a large system. 

Refills

At some point, you’ll need to get more seeds or seedlings, once your initial harvest is over. Typically, you’ll want to get these from the manufacturer who makes your system, although is usually possible to start your own seeds. It’s a good idea to look at the refill options offered upfront, and to consider the range of herbs or vegetables available. You may also need refills of supplies like fertilizer, which you may be able to get on a subscription basis.

Electrical Needs

All of these indoor garden systems need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to run the lights, water pump, or both. Some systems, like the indoor version of the Lettuce Grow, require two electrical connections. If your system doesn’t come with lights, that’s another thing you may need power for, unless you plan to place it in a very sunny spot. 

If You’ll Really Use It

Growing your own greens and herbs can cut down on both food waste and food miles, but indoor garden systems come with the upfront carbon and energy needed to manufacture device. With long-term use, the environmental benefits may outweigh these upfront costs, particularly if you start your plants from seed. However, we don’t recommend getting a new indoor garden system if you’re not planning to use it for the long haul. If you just want to dabble in growing a few herbs, you may be better off with a starting with a simple pot on your windowsill.  

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the pros and cons of indoor garden systems?

  The biggest pro to an indoor garden system is that you can grow plants year-round. If you have a shorter gardening season than you’d like (don’t most of us?), then having a system is the perfect way to get your gardening fix.

  Also, since lettuce and herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow indoors, you’ll be eating better, healthier, and with more flavor. Finally, one of the best benefits is that these units are so easy to use. You’re pretty much guaranteed to have success.

  As for the cons of indoor garden systems, it can be a costly to get started. Many of these units aren’t cheap, so you have to think of it as a long-term investment that will pay you back over the years. Another con is that you need to have space, especially for larger units. It's also worth noting that these units need electricity to run, so the placement of your system may be limited by where you have access to electrical outlets.

• Are these high-tech systems really eco-friendly?

  For the most part, yes. While you are still using electricity in most cases to run these units, technology has helped them become really efficient over the years. In addition, having a system will actually help you live more sustainably because you’ll be growing your own food. This is always a good way to reduce your carbon footprint overall. They can also help you avoid the single use packaging associated with buying greens at the grocery store.

  As you look for units, definitely read how they are made and try to seek out efficient options. Some are better than others, and manufacturers will usually put details like this in the descriptions. For instance, some are made from recycled materials or include replaceable pods and lights—all good options. 

• How much food can I grow in an indoor garden system?

  A lot more than you might think! This will depend a lot on the size of the system you buy, but some can hold more than 100 plants. Keep in mind that these systems are a good long-term investment. It’s not always about the amount of plants growing at once because you can only use so much. Instead, get the size of the unit that works for you or your family, and keep it replenished. You should be able to keep a steady rotation to always have fresh options, and leafy greens are an important source of nutrients. 

• Do hydroponic garden systems require a lot of maintenance?

  No. In fact, most of these hydroponic garden systems were specifically designed to be low-maintenance. Many have apps, telling you exactly when to add water, fertilizer, and other needed adjustments. The biggest thing you’ll have to do for most is to keep it watered (often only once a week but some as infrequently as once per month). Some systems may require the occasional change of bulbs, but most use long-lasting LED lights.

  It's a good idea to wash out the system every year, or whenever you completely change out all the plants.