Cooking Is So Much More Fun With An Indoor Garden

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Anyone who's bought a bag of cilantro from the store only to have it turn brown before you get around to making those burrito bowls knows what a bummer that is. There's a solution to that, though—grow your own.

One of the simplest and easiest ways to get fresh tomatoes and basil for your bruschetta habit year-round is with an indoor hydroponic garden. Instead of using soil to provide plants with nutrients, these systems suspend herbs, flowers, veggies, and some fruits in fertilized water, often under an LED light that simulates the effects of sunlight. All of which means that these little gardens can thrive even in the tiniest of apartments.

See some of the best indoor hydroponic gardens below:

Meet the experts:
Jose-Luis Izursa, PhD is a senior lecturer and academic advisor in environmental science at the University of Maryland.
Ashlie Thomas is a professional gardener and the author of How to Become a Gardener.
Jason Reed is a master gardener coordinator and horticulture educator at PennState Extension.

"They are very easy to use in a small scale," says Jose-Luis Izursa, PhD, senior lecturer and academic advisor in environmental science at the University of Maryland. If you only want to grow one crop over and over again, you can since there's no need to let the soil rest or rotate crops, he explains. "If you really only like lettuce, for example, you can have lettuce all the time."

Sound like a dream to you? Here are the best indoor hydroponic gardens you can order right now, per rave customer reviews and insight from a gardening expert.

The Smart Garden 9

Even if you live in the teeniest, tiniest apartment, you can grow flowers, herbs, and veggies right in your kitchen. Included, you'll find tomato, basil, and lettuce capsules (and you'll gain access to Click and Grow's companion app, too).

This indoor hydroponic garden is great because it also comes in white, gray, and beige, plus, it has automatic watering. Reviewers love it for how simple it is, and how many things you can plant with it. The best part? You can grow plants using this one 365 days a year!

Rave Review: "I’m loving it. It hasn’t been a full week yet and I already have some greenery growing. It wooooorks! I looove it!"

The Smart Garden 9

Even if you live in the teeniest, tiniest apartment, you can grow flowers, herbs, and veggies right in your kitchen. Included, you'll find tomato, basil, and lettuce capsules (and you'll gain access to Click and Grow's companion app, too).

This indoor hydroponic garden is great because it also comes in white, gray, and beige, plus, it has automatic watering. Reviewers love it for how simple it is, and how many things you can plant with it. The best part? You can grow plants using this one 365 days a year!

Rave Review: "I’m loving it. It hasn’t been a full week yet and I already have some greenery growing. It wooooorks! I looove it!"

Harvest Indoor Hydroponic Garden

The AeroGarden is a standout hydroponic garden for its ease of use. Just look at its control panel to know when it's time to add water or feed it some plant food. The garden comes with a six-pod seed kit, including Genovese Basil, curly parsley, dill, thyme, Thai basil, and mint.

"This is a very popular hydroponic garden," Thomas says. "I know from experience that this actually does very well for not just herbs, but also some of those small leafy green vegetables that we ought to eat, like kale and lettuce." She adds that AeroGarden is a very reputable brand and it's nice that you can adjust the height for lighting.

Rave Review: "We don't get much sunlight in our home and no plant would ever live through the winter months. So, I bought this as a gift for my boyfriend with some herbs, as he loves to cook. Three weeks later and check this out—incredible! We are honestly shocked how easy it was and how quickly the herbs have grown already. He can't wait to cook with them. Highly recommend!"

Hydroponic Growing System

This hydroponic garden features three growing modes so that you can customize the amount of hours of light your plants are getting. It can handle up to nine plants at a time and the height of the light can be adjusted to accommodate your growing veggies.

"I do recommend this if you are looking for something that's a bit more streamlined, it's very efficient," Thomas says. You can also rotate the light, so you can control how your plants are growing. "That's actually something that we don't see in all of the hydroponic systems," she adds.

Rave Review: "I bought this for my mom to grow some herbs. She's not super tech savvy, but she LOVES this! It's super easy to set up and the plants grow like crazy! Low maintenance for a lot of reward."

Read more: Indoor Plants For Low Light Spaces

Hydroponic Growing System

This hydroponic garden features three growing modes so that you can customize the amount of hours of light your plants are getting. It can handle up to nine plants at a time and the height of the light can be adjusted to accommodate your growing veggies.

"I do recommend this if you are looking for something that's a bit more streamlined, it's very efficient," Thomas says. You can also rotate the light, so you can control how your plants are growing. "That's actually something that we don't see in all of the hydroponic systems," she adds.

Rave Review: "I bought this for my mom to grow some herbs. She's not super tech savvy, but she LOVES this! It's super easy to set up and the plants grow like crazy! Low maintenance for a lot of reward."

Read more: Indoor Plants For Low Light Spaces

Plant Indoor Garden

You can use the GrowLED plant garden to grow several types of plants from succulents to leafy vegetables. It's designed with a smart timer that provides your plants with 16 hours of light to promote photosynthesis, and turns the LED lights off the other eight hours to let the plants rest.

"If you can get something that is going to be not just affordable, especially if you're starting out and you just want to try your hand at hydroponic gardening, this is a great option," Thomas says. It has built-in LED lights, and it's small, but there's enough room for your plants to grow. She recommends starting off with small herbs or vegetables here to test the height limit. It's another great starter garden.

Rave Review: "I bought this for my room, which has very little natural light, so I could keep some succulents and herbs growing in there during the winter. I've only had it for a few days, but my plants haven't complained so far."

Plant Indoor Garden

You can use the GrowLED plant garden to grow several types of plants from succulents to leafy vegetables. It's designed with a smart timer that provides your plants with 16 hours of light to promote photosynthesis, and turns the LED lights off the other eight hours to let the plants rest.

"If you can get something that is going to be not just affordable, especially if you're starting out and you just want to try your hand at hydroponic gardening, this is a great option," Thomas says. It has built-in LED lights, and it's small, but there's enough room for your plants to grow. She recommends starting off with small herbs or vegetables here to test the height limit. It's another great starter garden.

Rave Review: "I bought this for my room, which has very little natural light, so I could keep some succulents and herbs growing in there during the winter. I've only had it for a few days, but my plants haven't complained so far."

Home Indoor Smart Garden

If you're looking for a hydroponic garden big enough to feed your whole family, consider this one from Gardyn. It can grow up to 30 plants and takes up just two square feet. You can buy the seeds straight from Gardyn, and they include all kinds of greens, flowers, and veggies.

"Having some type of tower garden is really cool as well, especially if someone wants more versatility in where they can actually place these types of units," Thomas says. It really maximizes how much you can grow, plus, they liven up rooms and can help you grow plants year-round, she continues.

Rave Review: "The Gardyn system is a very user-friendly gardening system that allows me to grow up to 30 different plants. The included app is intuitive and highly functional to help in a variety of ways to maintain the Gardyn and assist in promoting larger harvests. A truly unique system to grow fruits and veggies indoors!!"

Bounty Basic Indoor Herb Garden

AeroGarden makes so many amazing variations of hydroponic gardens, it wouldn't be right if this list didn't feature one of their other top-rated options. Grow up to nine plants in their Bounty Basic garden that's compact enough to sit on your kitchen counter or windowsill. The LED lights are automatically regulated to ensure the best growing conditions for your herbs or veggies.

This one has a lot of "features in terms of automating your systems," Thomas says. So, you can set a time for the lights to turn on, for instance. If you still want a garden but you're too busy to check in on it a lot, this one is for you.

Rave Review: "I'll just chime in with the horde and sing the praises of this thing. I was never in to gardening previously, but now I am in love. The AeroGarden seriously makes it so, so easy and foolproof."

Read more: Best Hard-to-Kill Plants

The Farmstand

Though this garden can be used outdoors, just purchase the glow rings (sold separately) to use it indoors, too. They'll ensure your plants get enough "sunlight." Once you plant your seedlings, caring for them takes less than five minutes a week, since the garden is self-watering and self-fertilizing.

With its unique look, it'll pair well with your home decor, and its modular design allows you to grow between 12 and 36 (!) plants. Plus, it has a 20-gallon water tank to keep your plants' thirst at bay, and it has a rotating "outdoor" seedling menu. Love it!

Rave Review: "What a great product. Everything about it is top-notch. The tower is well-constructed, and on top of being a great alternative to the grocery store, it is great for winter. It also creates a positive vibe at the house, since the lights and water sound create a calming vibe. Love this product—well worth the investment."

Fish Tank Water Garden

This indoor hydroponic garden is a fun one because it doubles up as a fish tank and a garden you can grow microgreens in. The fish waste fertilizes the plants, while the plants clean the water. With this one, you can grow succulents or houseplants all year long, and you can harvest plants from it in just 10 days.

The value on this one is amazing, because you'll get a lot in addition to the tank itself. This version comes with radish and wheatgrass seeds. You'll also get water conditioner, a growing medium for the seeds, water dechlorinator, fish food, and a fish coupon.

Rave Review: "Since pets can be too much responsibility for a New Yorker, I decided to try a single fish as an adult. I was a kid when I used to have fish and times were simpler then, but now there are so many accessories and things to worry about. I wanted a simple eco-friendly solution with a nice presentation that gave me food to eat and something pretty to look at. This water garden checked all the marks."

Fish Tank Water Garden

This indoor hydroponic garden is a fun one because it doubles up as a fish tank and a garden you can grow microgreens in. The fish waste fertilizes the plants, while the plants clean the water. With this one, you can grow succulents or houseplants all year long, and you can harvest plants from it in just 10 days.

The value on this one is amazing, because you'll get a lot in addition to the tank itself. This version comes with radish and wheatgrass seeds. You'll also get water conditioner, a growing medium for the seeds, water dechlorinator, fish food, and a fish coupon.

Rave Review: "Since pets can be too much responsibility for a New Yorker, I decided to try a single fish as an adult. I was a kid when I used to have fish and times were simpler then, but now there are so many accessories and things to worry about. I wanted a simple eco-friendly solution with a nice presentation that gave me food to eat and something pretty to look at. This water garden checked all the marks."

Fish Tank Water Garden

This indoor hydroponic garden is a fun one because it doubles up as a fish tank and a garden you can grow microgreens in. The fish waste fertilizes the plants, while the plants clean the water. With this one, you can grow succulents or houseplants all year long, and you can harvest plants from it in just 10 days.

The value on this one is amazing, because you'll get a lot in addition to the tank itself. This version comes with radish and wheatgrass seeds. You'll also get water conditioner, a growing medium for the seeds, water dechlorinator, fish food, and a fish coupon.

Rave Review: "Since pets can be too much responsibility for a New Yorker, I decided to try a single fish as an adult. I was a kid when I used to have fish and times were simpler then, but now there are so many accessories and things to worry about. I wanted a simple eco-friendly solution with a nice presentation that gave me food to eat and something pretty to look at. This water garden checked all the marks."

Superfood Growing Kit

This sleek ceramic growing kit is perfect for all those who love microgreens in a major way, but hate when they go bad before you're able to use them. With this, you can just harvest them when you're ready to eat.

To get you started, it comes with three seed pads that are guaranteed to sprout within seven days. The garden also comes in a sleek palette of muted tones like beige and warm mint.

Rave Review: "It was easy to set up and easy to harvest! There is a nice variety of seeds to choose from and they are all good. The money I will save from not going to the store to buy packaged microgreens will pay for itself in no time. Plus, not contributing to my carbon footprint is something I value."

Hydroponic Growing System

When growing your favorite veggies and herbs, you want to give them space to, well—grow. This 10-pod system has more room in between the plant basket, giving them enough space to truly flourish. The adjustable LED light also means it can get taller as your plants do.

This one is great for those who might not have as much space, Thomas says. You can put it on a countertop in your kitchen, or a small room. Plus, you can grow more than one plant in this one. "This is great for a size-limited space for you to grow some of those herbs and the vegetables that you like and that you are frequently eating," she adds.

Rave review: "The product was packaged nicely and the instruction card was easy to follow. It came with a complete system to start growing vegetables in my home—so far, so good with seeds sprouting already. I love the automatic off cycle and large water tank."

Hydroponic Growing System

When growing your favorite veggies and herbs, you want to give them space to, well—grow. This 10-pod system has more room in between the plant basket, giving them enough space to truly flourish. The adjustable LED light also means it can get taller as your plants do.

This one is great for those who might not have as much space, Thomas says. You can put it on a countertop in your kitchen, or a small room. Plus, you can grow more than one plant in this one. "This is great for a size-limited space for you to grow some of those herbs and the vegetables that you like and that you are frequently eating," she adds.

Rave review: "The product was packaged nicely and the instruction card was easy to follow. It came with a complete system to start growing vegetables in my home—so far, so good with seeds sprouting already. I love the automatic off cycle and large water tank."

How our team chose the best Indoor Hydroponic Gardens

For months, Women’s Health editors, including editorial assistant Addison Aloian, researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated indoor hydroponic gardens. Our team consulted University of Maryland senior lecturer and academic advisor in environmental science Jose-Luis Izursa, PhD and professional gardener Ashlie Thomas, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best items for a wide range of needs and preferences.

How our team chose the best Indoor Hydroponic Gardens

For months, Women’s Health editors, including editorial assistant Addison Aloian, researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated indoor hydroponic gardens. Our team consulted University of Maryland senior lecturer and academic advisor in environmental science Jose-Luis Izursa, PhD and professional gardener Ashlie Thomas, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best items for a wide range of needs and preferences.

What to look for in an Indoor Gardening System

There are a couple of things one should consider before buying an indoor hydroponic garden.

• Space: Make sure it fits in your space. "You want to look for some type of equipment that is going to be conducive to the resources that are available to you," says Thomas. If your space is small, look for a small indoor hydroponic garden. But if you have a bigger space outdoors, or even a patio, you could look for something bigger.

• Cost: Think about how much the equipment costs you upfront, Thomas says. Tower gardens, for instance, might be on the pricier side, while a countertop garden might be cheaper. Also, there are costs associated with the maintenance, such as specialized pods that your plants stick in, nutrients required for growing the plants, and LED lighting.

What to look for in an Indoor Gardening System

There are a couple of things one should consider before buying an indoor hydroponic garden.

• Space: Make sure it fits in your space. "You want to look for some type of equipment that is going to be conducive to the resources that are available to you," says Thomas. If your space is small, look for a small indoor hydroponic garden. But if you have a bigger space outdoors, or even a patio, you could look for something bigger.

• Cost: Think about how much the equipment costs you upfront, Thomas says. Tower gardens, for instance, might be on the pricier side, while a countertop garden might be cheaper. Also, there are costs associated with the maintenance, such as specialized pods that your plants stick in, nutrients required for growing the plants, and LED lighting.

What are the pros and cons of indoor hydroponic gardens?

The best part about growing plants with an indoor hydroponic garden is that your growing season can be year-round and you can basically be anywhere, Izursa says.

There are some things to keep in mind, though. Most gardens will require an electrical outlet to keep the water pump running and the initial cost of a system can get pricey—more pricey than buying seeds and soil.

But, a huge advantage of these systems according to Jason Reed, master gardener coordinator and horticulture educator at PennState Extension, is their accessibility. Since they're inside and on a countertop, they are easier to care for, especially for individuals with mobility issues.

They're also a great activity for families, as they can help get kids excited about eating salad by growing their own lettuce.

What are the pros and cons of indoor hydroponic gardens?

The best part about growing plants with an indoor hydroponic garden is that your growing season can be year-round and you can basically be anywhere, Izursa says.

There are some things to keep in mind, though. Most gardens will require an electrical outlet to keep the water pump running and the initial cost of a system can get pricey—more pricey than buying seeds and soil.

But, a huge advantage of these systems according to Jason Reed, master gardener coordinator and horticulture educator at PennState Extension, is their accessibility. Since they're inside and on a countertop, they are easier to care for, especially for individuals with mobility issues.

They're also a great activity for families, as they can help get kids excited about eating salad by growing their own lettuce.

What are the pros and cons of indoor hydroponic gardens?

The best part about growing plants with an indoor hydroponic garden is that your growing season can be year-round and you can basically be anywhere, Izursa says.

There are some things to keep in mind, though. Most gardens will require an electrical outlet to keep the water pump running and the initial cost of a system can get pricey—more pricey than buying seeds and soil.

But, a huge advantage of these systems according to Jason Reed, master gardener coordinator and horticulture educator at PennState Extension, is their accessibility. Since they're inside and on a countertop, they are easier to care for, especially for individuals with mobility issues.

They're also a great activity for families, as they can help get kids excited about eating salad by growing their own lettuce.

Do they require a lot of maintenance?

As with most things, hydroponic gardens can be as simple or as complicated as you want them to be, Reed says. At a minimum, you want to place your garden in a location where it will get direct sun for at least three to four hours a day, even if your setup does include some kind of LED grow light.

"When we talk about plants liking full-sun or tolerating part-shade, we're still talking in reference to a massive nuclear-fueled ball of fire," says Reed. In other words, plants need lots and lots of light to flourish. "You still have to get tons of light on these things. It's not like you can [just leave it in a corner]," Reed says.

You'll also want to keep the system clean to prevent algae, although generally, you don't have to worry about that or pests too much, says Reed.

You should worry a little more about your water. Reed suggests changing it out after every crop, making sure *not* to dump it down the drain since it contains fertilizer. Instead, you can use the water to feed any other houseplants or plants you have in an outdoor garden.

Do they require a lot of maintenance?

As with most things, hydroponic gardens can be as simple or as complicated as you want them to be, Reed says. At a minimum, you want to place your garden in a location where it will get direct sun for at least three to four hours a day, even if your setup does include some kind of LED grow light.

"When we talk about plants liking full-sun or tolerating part-shade, we're still talking in reference to a massive nuclear-fueled ball of fire," says Reed. In other words, plants need lots and lots of light to flourish. "You still have to get tons of light on these things. It's not like you can [just leave it in a corner]," Reed says.

You'll also want to keep the system clean to prevent algae, although generally, you don't have to worry about that or pests too much, says Reed.

You should worry a little more about your water. Reed suggests changing it out after every crop, making sure *not* to dump it down the drain since it contains fertilizer. Instead, you can use the water to feed any other houseplants or plants you have in an outdoor garden.

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