Top 5 Indoor Gardening Kits and Vegetable Growing Essentials

Indoor gardening is growing in popularity. When you're ready to give it a try, these systems make it beginner-level easy.

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Farm 12xl Ecomm Aerogarden.comVIA MERCHANT

The popularity of indoor gardening has grown (get it?) significantly in recent years. Maybe it’s due to the pandemic, or perhaps because many of us want to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Whatever the motivation, if you live in an urban environment or an area that experiences harsh winters, indoor gardening kits keep the green alive no matter the season. “Additionally, indoor gardening kits are designed for smaller spaces and can be used year-round, making it a convenient option for those with limited outdoor space,” says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of From Seed to Spoon, a free app designed to make it easy for anyone to grow their own food.

These kits offer a lot more than simple pots do. “An indoor gardening kit provides all the necessary tools and materials to start a successful garden,” says Spoonemore. Many come with indoor grow lights to help your plants thrive, meaning even low-light households can grow plants indoors. You can use them to start seedlings to transfer to your outdoor garden, or use them to feed your family. Indoor herb gardens let you add a little something special to your cooking and, believe it or not, you can even grow vegetables indoors. Keep your green thumb busy throughout the winter and beyond with one of these top-performing indoor gardening kits.

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Bounty Elite Ecomm Aerogarden.com VIA MERCHANT

Best Overall Indoor Gardening Kit

AeroGarden Bounty Elite

The AeroGarden Bounty Elite sets up like a charm and grows plants like a monster. Made of tough stainless steel, this indoor gardening kit comes equipped with a 50-watt (W) adjustable LED grow light to provide plants with a full spectrum of sunlight to grow fast—up to five times quicker than if they were outdoors. Included with the machine are nine pods (gourmet herbs, heirloom salad, red heirloom cherry tomatoes or cascading petunias). It also comes with liquid plant food, a power adapter and a 6-inch attachable trellis.

Pros

  • Touchscreen monitors plants’ vital statistics
  • Wi-Fi compatible with Alexa
  • Sends reminders to add water and plant food
  • Can be controlled from the app or Amazon Echo

Cons

  • Water sensor may get blocked by roots

2 / 5
Idoo Hydroponics Growing System Ecomm Amazon.com VIA MERCHANT

Best Budget Indoor Gardening Kit

iDoo Hydroponics Growing System

With no soil necessary and no pests to worry about, the iDoo hydroponics growing system is the ultimate DIY hydroponic indoor garden greenhouse. Simple to set up, it has three different LED modes—germination, vegetable (blue/red light) and fruit/flower mode (red/white light)—with a built-in upper fan that simulates the outdoor breeze to spread pollen as bees would. It’s got everything you need (sans water and seeds), but is still very affordable.

Five-star reviewer CamD writes that the iDoo works well for lettuce, basil and spinach. “Growing your own food is so satisfying… especially in the winter! I love this unit and will keep utilizing it…having my seventh bowl of salad today. It’s easy to maintain, no sound or smell and was not expensive.”

Pros

  • Won’t break the bank
  • Includes 12 smart soil sponge pods
  • Quiet self-watering planter

Cons

  • Low-tech option

3 / 5
Super Sprouter Deluxe Propagation Kit Ecomm Amazon.com VIA MERCHANT

Best Starter Indoor Gardening Kit

Super Sprouter Deluxe Propagation Kit

“If you are starting your own vegetable seedlings indoors this winter,” says Leslie F. Halleck, a certified professional horticulturist and author of Gardening Under Lights, “skip the windowsill and invest in several quality LED bars in the 18- to 42-watt range.”

The Super Sprouter deluxe propagation kit fits this criteria. Its high-output, 18-inch T5 fluorescent grow light with patented NanoTech reflector shines down on the clear humidity dome over a heavy-duty tray that holds the soil and seeds. Use this kit to start flower or vegetable seedlings, propagate fresh cuttings or cultivate salad greens.

Pros

  • Includes a booklet with expert advice
  • Has an affordable price point
  • Creates the environment needed for germinating seeds and cuttings
  • Works with a variety of growing media

Cons

  • Heat mat must be ordered separately

4 / 5
Click & Grow Indoor Herb Garden Kit With Grow Light Ecomm Amazon.com VIA MERCHANT

Best Compact Indoor Gardening Kit

Click & Grow Smart Garden

Grow fresh herbs and greens in a tight space with the small, yet prolific, Click & Grow indoor garden. Set it on a counter or shelf, and the calibrated, self-watering, energy-efficiency LED light and nutrient system lets you produce homegrown, organic, pesticide-free food and plants.

This indoor gardening kit contains two lamp extension arms, three basil seed pods and a quick-start guide with lots of tips from pro gardeners. Choose from more than 50 pre-seeded plant pods (sold separately). Or, if you prefer, use your own seeds. It’s the ideal indoor garden for apartments or dorms.

“Taking up counter space comparable to a loaf of bread, this is a cool, zero-hassle product that quickly grows three small, healthy organic plants at a time,” writes Amazon reviewer, Amazon Customer. My basil seeds (that came with the smart garden) started sprouting in less than three days.”

Pros

  • Sleek and portable table-top design
  • Available in three colors: white, beige and gray
  • Has a built-in timer
  • Holds enough water to grow plants for a month

Cons

  • The light bar doesn’t extend all the way across the planter

5 / 5
Farm 12xl Ecomm Aerogarden.com VIA MERCHANT

Best Indoor Gardening Kit for Salad Greens

AeroGarden Farm 12XL

Another standout to grow strong, healthy greens, AeroGarden’s farm 12XL is for serious salad lovers. It comes with a salad bar seed pod kit, featuring nine lettuce and three herb pods. The unit has a growing height of 36 inches, which translates to the ability to cultivate up to 24 seed pods simultaneously. (Note: It comes with 12 pods to get you started). Yes, it’s big, but because it sits flat against the wall, it makes the most of your home’s floor space.

Pros

  • Produces bigger, taller yields
  • Has a large water reservoir
  • Can stack with other AeroGarden Farm models
  • Includes liquid plant food, a power adapter and a trellis

Cons

  • Expensive

What to Consider When Buying an Indoor Garden

An indoor gardening kit or system is one that’s set up inside a home or greenhouse. “When buying the right kit, it’s important to consider factors such as the type of plants you want to grow, the amount of space you have available and your level of gardening experience,” says Spoonemore. “Make sure the kit includes the supplies you need and is suitable for your desired gardening location. Also, consider the quality of the materials to ensure you are making a suitable purchase.”

Indoor gardening kits utilize nature’s sunshine, artificial lighting or both. Think about what lighting you plan to use when making a purchase. It’s convenient if you have a big, sunny window for your garden to grow beneath, but if not, you’ll need a kit featuring grow lights.

Types of Indoor Gardens

  • Soil: These indoor gardens grow plants just like your outdoor garden does—in nutritious topsoil. Soil gardens are good for starting seeds that will be eventually replanted outside.
  • Hydroponic: Hydroponic gardens grow plants in water, not soil. “A hydroponic system can be a fun way to experiment with different growing techniques,” says Spoonemore.
  • Natural light: These indoor gardens need to be set by a window or door that lets large amounts of light stream into your house.
  • Artificial light: Kits with grow lights are smart for rooms with limited sunlight, or for persnickety plants that like spending some time in the dark.
  • Self-watering:A self-watering kit may be a good option for those with a busy schedule as it requires less maintenance,” notes Spoonemore.

Why You Should Trust Us

I bring a unique blend of hands-on experience and professional expertise to the topic of indoor gardening kits. With a background in faux-finishing, mural painting and furniture design, I understand the importance of quality materials and tools in creating a successful project. Living in Italy, where space is limited, I’ve become adept at container gardening and maximizing small spaces. My work has been featured in reputable publications such as The Telegraph, Fodor’s and Italy Magazine, reflecting my commitment to delivering accurate and informative content to readers.

For insider expertise on indoor gardening, we consulted Carrie Spoonemore, the co-creator of Park Seed’s From Seed to Spoon app. Carrie’s journey into gardening began in 2015 when she discovered her passion for growing food. Leveraging her background in nursing and coding, Spoonemore co-created the From Seed to Spoon app in 2017, aiming to simplify the process of growing fruits, vegetables and herbs for everyone, regardless of experience level. Her role at Park Seed involves curating educational content and sharing gardening expertise through YouTube videos from her five-acre homestead.

How We Found the Indoor Gardening Kits

When selecting the best indoor gardening kits, we started by surveying the market, considering a wide range of options to suit different needs and preferences. To get insider information, we interviewed gardening experts to understand what features and components are essential for a successful indoor gardening experience. We looked for kits that cater to beginners and experienced gardeners alike, offering a variety of plants and sizes to fit different spaces.

We also considered the quality of materials included, ensuring that each kit provides durable pots, nutrient-rich soil and high-quality seeds. To narrow down our selection, we analyzed customer reviews to understand real-world experiences and satisfaction levels. Finally, we factored in the overall value, including price point and included features, to present a curated list of the best indoor gardening kits for our readers.

FAQ

What plants are best for indoor gardening?

Even if the temperature is low outside, you don’t have to stop gardening. Here are the best (and easiest) vegetables to grow in your indoor garden:

  • Herbs
  • Microgreens
  • Leafy lettuce and salad greens
  • Peppers
  • Green onions/scallions
  • Garlic
  • Radishes
  • Catnip

What plants should be avoided in an indoor garden?

Root plants, like carrots and potatoes, don’t transplant well. Plants in the squash family, as well as beans and peas, grow quickly and will get too big for most indoor gardening kits to manage.

Where do you buy plants for an indoor gardening kit?

If the manufacturer of your indoor garden kit sells seeds or pods, you can buy them directly from their website or on Amazon. You can also buy seeds and seedlings at garden centers, nurseries, hardware stores and even some grocery stores.

Toni DeBella
Toni DeBella is a culture and lifestyle writer, reviews expert and DIYer covering everything from pest control to pool cabanas to painting to container gardening. For over a decade, Toni was the owner of a successful faux finishing, mural and children’s furniture business before moving to a career in writing. She lives in a medieval hill town in Italy, where her bicycle “Raoul” serves as her primary mode of transportation.