Indoor Gardening Made Easy: Indoor Garden Kit empowers your green spirit to bloom anytime, anyplace.
Ready for a green thumb revolution? Take on the great outdoors, no yard required!
Indoor gardening is the perfect solution if you've got the gardening ambition but lack space or climate control. And what better way to ease into it than with an indoor garden kit?
Here's the lowdown on what an indoor garden kit is, how to use it, and where to score one for yourself.
What’s an indoor garden kit all about?
An indoor garden kit? That's simple! It's like a box of goodies that sets you up for growing herbs, veggies, or microgreens like a pro – all within the comfort of your cozy apartment living room or kitchen.
"Indoor gardening kits are perfect for anyone scarce on outdoor space, climate, or green thumb experience," says Nikhil Arora, co-founder and co-CEO of Back to the Roots.
Don't worry about taking over your pad with a giant garden setup. Indoor kits are compact—from a flowerpot size to mini bookshelf dimensions. So, if you've got some empty countertop or corner space by a window, you're golden.
"With indoors garden kits, it's a breeze to cultivate right on your windowsill, in a controlled indoor environment, pest-free and worry-free," says Arora.
What's inside an indoor garden kit?
Each indoor garden kit is somewhat unique, but here are the must-haves:
"A quality indoor kit should have a planter, soil, plant food, seeds, and clear-cut instructions," says Arora. "And, hey, let's keep it 100 percent organic to ensure your home is chemical-free – safe for kiddos and pets alike."
Many kits also come with grow lights, essential if your humble abode doesn't get much sunlight.
"Indoor gardening kits mostly include grow lights, a container for the plants, and an automated closed-cycle watering system," says Bryan McKenzie, landscape designer, gardening expert, and co-founder of Bumper Crop Times.
Can I grow anything with an indoor garden kit?
With a wealth of indoor garden kits available, you'll find one that'll grow whatever tickles your fancy.
"From mushrooms to microgreens, herbs, leafy greens, fruits, and veggies, you can grow virtually anything with an indoor kit," says Arora. But don't get too carried away dreaming about a rainforest sprouting walls – the size and style of the kit will impact what can grow.
"In any indoor garden, you'll only be able to grow low-lying plants like greens," says Master Gardener Angelo Kelvakis of Rise Gardens. "It depends on the type of system you use, but most indoor gardens are limited in height due to the lights."
Where can I snag a stellar indoor garden kit?
You can find indoor garden kits at garden centers, home improvement stores, online vendors, and even department stores.
Looking for some epic recommendations? Here are our top faves:
Price Range:
- $: under $100
- $$: $100-$200
- $$$: over $200
Top Recommendations for a Windowsill Novice:
Window Garden Aquaphoric Herb Garden Tub
Tight on space but lusting for a bit of green on your windowsill? The Window Garden Aquaphoric Herb Garden Tub is your go-to pick. Ideal for most windowsills or countertops that catch the sun, soil is included. You'll need to purchase your herbs separately, though.
- Price: $
Buy now at Window Garden
Top Plug-and-Grow Pick:
AeroGarden Black Sprout (2020 Model)
Grow three different plants simultaneously in water, rather than soil, with this nifty compact kit from AeroGarden. It boasts LED lights and an option to extend the light stand for up to 10-inches in height. Once assembled, just follow the instructions, plug it in, and watch the magic happen. Basil, parsley, and dill seeds come with the bundle, along with a bottle of plant nutrients. Says McKenzie, "This one's my favorite for beginners – it's a cinch to use!"
- Price: $
Buy now at Amazon
Savvy and Sleek Indoor Garden Kit Choice:
Click & Grow Indoor Herb Garden Kit
Featuring sleek design and overhead LED lights, the Click & Grow Indoor Herb Garden Kit lets you plant three herb types simultaneously. With smart technology and self-automated growing, you need only follow instructions and harvest your yields. Basil plant pods come with the kit – you can purchase additional plant pods like lavender, parsley, or cilantro separately. McKenzie says, "This kit is a terrific choice for newbies as it requires minimal effort."
- Price: $$
Buy now at Amazon
Indoor Garden Kit for Harvest Hungry:
Luna’s Elegant Home Plant Sites Hydroponic Unit
Use water rather than soil to cultivate over 50 plants with Luna's Elegant Home Plant Sites Hydroponic Unit – an easy-to-assemble system made with four levels of food-grade PVC pipe. You can even schedule when to water plants using the automated system. While out of stock at the time of writing, it's expected to return on June 1, 2022.
- Price: $
Buy now at Wayfair
Standout Vertical Indoor Garden Kit:
Gardyn Home Kit 1.0
Have a hankering for a bounty of veggies and herbs, but don't want to occupy a lot of space inside? Look no further – this soil-free, automated Gardyn Home Kit stands tall at 60-inches, requiring minimal space yet allowing up to 30 plants at a time. Although it's not a budget-friendly choice, it's a worthwhile investment if you're after a variety of plants indoors.
- Price: $$$
Buy now at Amazon
Not necessary, but convenient if you're a newbie to indoor gardening.
"Indoor kits make plant-growing decisions easy, taking the guesswork out of when, what, and how to grow," says Kelvakis. "As technology advances, indoor gardening becomes more affordable, easier to use, and aesthetically pleasing."
So, do I really need an indoor garden kit?
Not strictly speaking, but it'll make things a whole lot simpler. If you're feeling overwhelmed by indoor gardening decisions, an indoor kit is the solution, allowing you to grow with confidence.
"With an indoor garden, a lot of the guesswork is taken out, and you can cultivate your plants with peace of mind," says Kelvakis.
If you prefer a DIY approach, you can buy components separately to give indoor gardening a go. In this case, you'll need to purchase grow lights, a watering system, soil, seeds, and containers separately – saving you a bit of cash but requiring more effort.
Arora adds, "Kits come with everything you need in one place."
The Verdict: Indoor Garden Kits: A Green Beginner's Dream
Indoor kits take the hassle out of becoming a green thumb by saving you from figuring out what to grow and how. Perfect for those craving culinary herbs to elevate their creations or looking to start growing their own food, an indoor kit is your ticket to fresh produce.
"For anyone who digs gardening, plants, healthy eating, and cooking with fresh ingredients, an indoor garden could be a fantastic addition to their home," says Kelvakis.
- Indoor garden kits provide all necessary components for growing herbs, vegetables, or microgreens with ease, including planters, soil, seeds, and clear instructions – ensuring a green thumb experience for beginners.
- If you're short on space, climate control, or gardening experience, an indoor garden kit is a passive solution for cultivating right within your home, without exterior yard requirements.
- Indoor gardening kits often come with added features like grow lights and automated closed-cycle watering systems, making it a breeze to cultivate pest-free, worry-free, and controlled indoor environments.
