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Help us grow! This post contains AeroGarden affiliate links, which means we receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something recommended. All opinions however are our own and we do not accept payments for positive AeroGarden tips and reviews. When the pandemic started, we were desperate to find ways to be around nature, and we couldn't do that as much when the lockdown happened in Chicago. It became our option for stretching our green thumbs and growing indoor food and veggies. But there are many indoor garden units out there (with various prices and features), so how do you know which one to pick? Let's review the ins and out of this hydroponics system so you can decide if it makes sense for you. If you’re just looking for detailed reviews of specific models, you can start here: AeroGarden Farm AeroGarden Bounty AeroGarden Harvest 360 AeroGarden Sprout A Comparison Of AeroGarden Models There are four garden families available from Aerogarden, including the Sprout, the Harvest Family, the Bounty Family, and the Farm family. Each family has one or more models. The main difference between families is the number of seed pods that can be grown at a time, with the Sprout having the fewest and the Farm having the most. AeroGarden ModelProduct ImageNumber Of PodsGrow HeightLED Grow LightMaterial FinishHeightDepthWidthLow Water ReminderVacation ModeTouchscreenWiFiPricing Sprout310"10 Watts LEDHigh Gloss Plastic10.5"12"3.5"YesNoNoNoSee Deals Harvest612"20W LEDMatte Plastic17.4"7.5"10.5"YesNoNoNoSee Deals Harvest 360612"20W LEDMatte Plastic17.4"9"9"YesNoNoNoSee Deals Harvest Elite 360612"20W LEDStainless Steel17.49"9"YesYesNoNoSee Deals Harvest Elite Slim612"20W LEDStainless Steel17.5"5"15"YesNoNoNoSee Deals Harvest Elite612"20W LEDStainless Steel17.4"6"10.5"YesNoNoNoSee Deals Bounty Basic924"30W LEDMatte Plastic34"11.25"17.25"YesYesNoNoSee Deals Bounty924"40W LEDMatte Plastic34"11.25"17.25YesYesYesYesSee Deals Bounty Elite924"50W LEDStainless Steel34"11.2517.25"YesYesYesYesSee Deals Bounty Elite Artisan924"50W LEDCeramic34"11.25"17.25"YesYesYesYesSee Deals Farm 121224"60W LEDMatte34"14"18"YesYesYesYesSee Deals Farm 12XL1236"60W LEDMatt46"14"18"YesYesYesYesSee Deals Farm 24Basic2412"60W LEDMatte24"14"36"YesYesYesYesSee Deals Farm 24Plus2424"60W LEDMatte34"14"36"YesYesYesYesSee Deals AeroGarden 24XL2436"60W LEDMatte46"14"36"YesYesYesYesSee Deals Different Aerogarden Models The Aerogarden families are identified by the number of seed pods they grow at a single time. Here’s an overview of the four families: AeroGarden Farm Family This is the largest indoor system, and while it can fit on a large countertop, floor placement may be a better option. Each Farm unit holds 12-24 plants and utilizes motorized grow lights, so you are able to easily adjust the grow height of your light for the needs of your plants. Here are the different models of the Farm: Farm 12 Farm 12XL Farm 24Basic Farm 24Plus Farm 24XL AeroGarden Bounty Family The AeroGarden Bounty is the second-largest in the family. It comes with 9 holes for growing seed pods, and a 40-50W LED light. Here are the Bounty models: Bounty Basic Bounty Bounty Elite Bounty Elite Artisan AeroGarden Harvest Family The Harvest family is one of the smaller indoor units provided by AeroGarden. It has 6 pods for growing: Harvest AeroGarden Harvest Elite Harvest 360 Harvest Elite Slim Harvest Elite 360 The Sprout The last model is in a category all by itself. The AeroGarden Sprout is the smallest indoor gardening system with space for only three seed pods. It’s a good choice for hobbyists or children learning how plants growl Sprout How Does AeroGarden Compare to Other Indoor Gardens? There are countless indoor garden systems, and while AeroGarden has many convenient bells and whistles, its hydroponic system is similar to that of several brands such as IDOO, Ivation, GrowLED. One of our new favorites is the iHarvest (we scored a $50 off discount with the code "TwoPeas"), which can grow $1,000 worth of produce in a year. Read our guide: Click and Grow Vs. AeroGarden: Which Hydroponic Unit Is Best? You can get $50 off the iHarvest when you use the Coupon Code "TwoPeas" at Checkout. Photo You can get $50 off the iHarvest when you use the Coupon Code "Two Peas" at Checkout. The Best AeroGarden Growing System What's the best AeroGarden for you? It depends on your goals. If you just want an affordable indoor hobby or some nice herbs to use with your dinner, you should consider models within the Harvest or Bounty Family. But for serious gardeners who want to supplement their grocery budget, we recommend the Farm 24Basic or Farm 24XL, which can each grow up to 24 plants at a time. Photo Title AeroGarden Farm 24XL with Salad Bar Seed Pod Kit - Indoor Garden with LED Grow Light, Black AeroGarden Farm 24XL (Classic Version), Black Prime Status Price $733.99 Buy Now Photo Title AeroGarden Farm 24XL with Salad Bar Seed Pod Kit - Indoor Garden with LED Grow Light, Black Prime Status Price $733.99 Buy Now Photo Title AeroGarden Farm 24XL (Classic Version), Black Prime Status Price Buy Now Purchase And Costs Where To Buy AeroGarden? You can buy Aerogarden from online retailers, such as Amazon or Aerogarden.com, or purchase these indoor gardens from brick and mortar retailers like Kohl's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, and Best Buy. How Much Does AeroGarden Cost? AeroGarden has several models, each with different prices between $99.97 and $895. The smallest model, the Sprout, is less than $100. The biggest model, the Farm 24XL, retails for $895. Fortunately, they regularly provides discounts, especially during the holiday season. It's not uncommon to save $200 or more on Farm models between November and January. How Much Does AeroGarden Cost To Run? AeroGarden ModelAverage Monthly WattageMonthly Cost at $.13 per kwhEstimated Yearly Cost AeroGarden Farm126$8.48$101.75 AeroGarden Bounty48$3.23$38.76 AeroGarden Harvest23$1.55$18.60 AeroGarden Sprout13$.87$10.44 When calculating the cost to run the AeroGarden, we used $.13 as our cost per kWh. We based this cost on the electricity rates average in the United States in 2020. How Much Electricity Does An AeroGarden Use? The amount of electricity used by your AeroGarden varies by model type. Larger gardening systems, such as units within the AeroGarden Farm family, use about 48 watts per month. In contrast, the smallest unit - the AeroGarden Sprout - only uses an average of 13 watts of electricity a month. The AeroGarden Harvest and AeroGarden Bounty families use 23 watts and 48 watts, respectfully. Does AeroGarden Save Money? Most AeroGarden models are too small to grow enough food to outweigh the initial cost, as well as the cost of nutrients, electricity, and additional seed pods. The exceptions to this are the AeroGarden Farm 24 models. You can grow up to 24 plants at a time with these indoor gardening systems. So you could potentially save money on herbs or greens if you compared them to organic herbs and greens at a store. And, of course, certain plants, such as marijuana, can potentially produce a higher profit per plant than something like cherry tomatoes. Pros And Cons of AeroGarden Like all indoor gardens, Aerogarden gets high marks in certain areas and less favorable reviews in others. Here are the most relevant pros and cons of the different hydroponics models. Setup Time We're going to say this a lot - the AeroGarden does a great job of simplifying some pretty complicated technology. Most models will only take a few minutes to set up, while the largest models (Farm 24Basic, Farm 24XL) could take you up to 30 minutes. If you read the directions carefully, you shouldn't have any problem getting your garden set up quickly! The Digital Display – Touchscreen Control Panel The larger models have an incredibly sleek touchscreen LCD that helps you take the guesswork out of the gardening process. All you need to do is input the type of plant you're growing - herbs, tomatoes, etc. - and it will help you set the light timer and nutrient reminder, and it will alert you when water levels in the bowl are lower than they should be. Yields For the larger models, you can generate a lot of plants to feed your family. Some of the Farm models can grow up to 24 plants at a time. To optimize yields, you should consider growing on a rotation. You likely don't need 24 salad green plants growing at the same time. So start 12 at once and then wait a week or two before starting the other 12. This should allow you to have 2-3 side salads a week. Hydroponic Benefits Aerogarden uses hydroponics to grow fresh herbs, veggies, flowers, and more. This means that your plants don't rely on soil but instead grow in nutrient-rich water that's suspended in plastic grow nets. The benefit of doing this is that that your plants grow faster and bigger than they would using traditional methods, and it's less messy than working with soil. Smart Device Larger AeroGarden models are smart devices, meaning they can connect to the AeroGarden app or other supported devices, such as Amazon Alexa, and can connect to wi-fi. This gives you one more way to receive alerts about your plants' progress, as well as reminders to refill the water bowl or add liquid plant food. Longer Growing Seasons Live in the icy tundra? No problem. AeroGarden is an indoor gardening system, so you’re growing season is all year round. We live in Chicago, and most of our plants can only be grown eight months of the year on our balcony. But with Aero Garden, we can grow 12 months without even putting our shoes on. No Pesticides Or GMOs With AeroGarden, you can feel confident that your plants are grown without harmful herbicides or pesticides. The plant food used contains iron, calcium, magnesium, and other vitamins that plants need to flourish. What's more, Aero Garden never uses GMO seeds for their seed pods. The Aesthetic If you've had a chance to look at the indoor garden market, you've probably noticed that most of them are downright ugly. They usually have cords and weirdly-colored lights - they look like a hybrid between a disco and Frankenstein's laboratory. AeroGarden has mastered the art of making classy products. All of the models are sleek. They look both sophisticated and minimalistic, meaning they're the perfect addition for any kitchen countertop. Benefits Of Indoor Plants Gardening has been shown to improve mood and reduce anxiety. Similarly, having plants in your home can improve air quality, and watching something grow can do wonders for your mind. It's important that people are constantly caring for and supporting things other than themselves. It's in our wiring. AeroGarden allows you and your family to take part in growing plants without having to leave your home. It's an excellent option for those of us who live in urban areas. Guaranteed Germination AeroGarden offers a germination guarantee. So if your seeds don't germinate after three weeks of planting, you can call AeroGrow customer service, and they will send you a replacement pod. Devri and I have done three different plantings with our AeroGarden Bounty so far, and all of our seeds have germinated each time. But, according to some of the reviews I've read, it does happen occasionally. Cons Brightness If you have light-sensitive eyes, you may need to take measures to protect yourself from the blazing rays of the Aerogarden. Smaller models like the Sprout are usually okay, but the Farm is near blinding with its 60W light. It can feel like you have a small sun inside your home. If you don't want to deal with the light, place the unit in a garage, shed, or basement. Better yet, set the light timer to only be on when you're either at work or asleep. Cost Most personal hydroponic systems are expensive, so it's not unusual that the price of AeroGarden is so high. But you'll likely spend between $100 and $800 on one of these indoor gardens, depending on the model you choose. You could build your own hydroponic system for less than that, but it wouldn't look as nice or have all the fancy features. You're paying for convenience when you buy one of these units, and there's nothing wrong with that. Fresh veggies are tasty, whether you toiled in soil to grow them or not. You can buy the AeroGarden models here. Customer Service We are die-hard fans of AeroGarden, but that doesn't mean they're without fault. There are several comments online that mention AeroGarden's lousy customer service. People have trouble getting them to respond, and when they do respond, they're notoriously unhelpful. And sure, all companies get the occasional bad review, but we've sifted through hundreds of reviews, and person after person mentions their poor experience with customer service. Disclaimer - While there are many reviews about AeroGarden customer service issues, I've never worked with their customer service personally. All of the products I've purchased work well and have produced amazing plants, so there hasn't been a need to contact customer service for support. If this ever changes, I will write about the experience here. How To Use AeroGarden To set up your AeroGarden, attach the LED grow light and grow deck to the water bowl. Insert the seed pods, add water to the fill line, pour in the liquid nutrients, and put the grow domes on each of the seed pods. Plug in your AeroGarden and set the light (most models have a control panel). Then you're ready to grow! Your smart garden system will do the rest! Follow directions for cleaning, adding nutrients, and removing the grow domes. Note: Some models have slightly different setups, such a the Sprout and the larger Farm models. For these, follow the directions as described. What Can You Grow In AeroGarden? You can grow almost anything in an Aerogarden, including veggies, salad greens, herbs, tomatoes, flowers, bell peppers, eggplants, chilis, cucumbers, snap peas, strawberries, and even marijuana. AeroGarden offers over 70 seed pod types, and a grow anything kit, which allows you to grow your own herbs and other plants. But you can't grow everything in AeroGarden. We don’t recommend you grow root plants like potatoes and carrots in this hydroponic system. Here are our favorite seed pod kits currently available from AeroGarden: Photo Title Price Buy AeroGarden Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit - Herb Seeds for AeroGarden Indoor Garden, 9-Pod $14.99 AeroGarden Assorted Italian Herb Seed Pod Kit Multi-Color, 7-pod AeroGarden Red Heirloom Cherry Tomato Seed Pod Kit for AeroGarden Hydroponic Indoor Garden, 6-Pod $17.49 AeroGarden Heirloom Salad Greens Mix Seed Pod Kit - Salad Kit for AeroGarden Indoor Garden, 9-Pod $14.99 ($1.67 / Count) AeroGarden Jumbo Veggies Seed Pod Kit - Mega Cherry Tomato, Poblano Pepper, and Sweet Bell Pepper Seed Pods for Tall Gardens $31.30 AeroGarden Cascading Petunias Seed Pod Kit for AeroGarden Hydroponic Indoor Garden, 6-Pod $13.99 AeroGarden Rainbow Fire Celosia Seed Pod Kit AeroGarden Grow Anything Seed Pod Kit for AeroGarden Hydroponic Indoor Garden, 9-Pod $15.45 Where To Buy AeroGarden Pods AeroGarden pods are available at many online and brick and mortar stores, including Amazon, AeroGarden.com, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Bed Bath & Beyond. For the best deals, start by looking on Amazon. AeroGarden Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit AeroGarden Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit AeroGarden Grow Anything Seed Pod Kit AeroGarden Salsa Garden Seed Pod Kit AeroGarden Assorted Italian Herb Seed Pod Kit How To Make Seed Pods For AeroGarden The plastic grow basket that comes with your AeroGarden can be reused, but you'll need to replace the grow plug. You can purchase grow plugs either through Amazon or AeroGarden, or you can try to make them. But this is easier said than done. Some savvy growers say that weatherstripping seals can be dried and used as a seed plug. If you do this successfully, please let us know! How To Plant AeroGarden Seeds AeroGarden seed pods arrive pre-seeded and have a germination guarantee. If you're using the grow anything pods, insert two of your own seeds, place the seed pod into the grow deck slot, and cover the pod with the grow dome. Make sure your bowl has water up to the fill line, and add your plant food. Once you set your light, sprouting should typically happen within 1-2 weeks. How To Start Seeds In AeroGarden You can use the AeroGarden seed-starting systems to grow between 15-85 seedlings indoors. Remove the grow deck, fill the bowl with water to the fill line, and add the plastic seed starter tray with the biodegradable grow sponges in each of the seed holes. Let the sponges sit for at least 30 minutes before adding your seeds. Add two seeds per hole, and add the recommended plant nutrients. Set the light and watch your seedlings grow! Photo Title Price Buy AeroGarden Sprout with Gourmet Herbs Seed Pod Kit - Hydroponic Indoor Garden, Black $73.00 AeroGarden Harvest 360 with Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit - Hydroponic Indoor Garden, Black $74.95 AeroGarden Harvest with Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit - Hydroponic Indoor Garden, Black $79.95 AeroGarden Harvest Elite with Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit - Hydroponic Indoor Garden, Stainless Steel $122.19 AeroGarden 360-Black w/Heirloom Salad Gr Harvest 360 Indoor Hydroponic Garden, Black AeroGarden Bounty Basic - Indoor Garden with LED Grow Light, Black $150.00 AeroGarden Harvest Slim with Gourmet Herbs Seed Pod Kit $119.00 AeroGarden Farm 24Basic with Salad Bar Seed Pod Kit - Indoor Garden with LED Grow Light, Black $655.15 AeroGarden Farm 24XL with Salad Bar Seed Pod Kit - Indoor Garden with LED Grow Light, Black $733.99 What Grows Best In AeroGarden? Almost anything that grows above the surface can be grown in an AeroGarden. Still, some plants do better than others, such as Thai basil, curly parsley, Genovese basil, cilantro, chives, cherry tomatoes, petunias, and salad greens. Here's the full list of our favorite AeroGarden seeds to grow: How Long Do AeroGarden Plants Last The length of time AeroGarden Plants last varies depending on what you grow. Plant life ranges from 2-9 months: Flowers: 2-4 months Fruiting Vegetables: 9 months Salad Greens: 2-3 months Herbs: 3-4 months Can You Grow Cucumbers In An AeroGarden? You can grow cucumbers in the AeroGarden, but you'll need to bring your own seeds and use the Grow Anything Seed Pod kit. When growing cucumbers, use a cotton swab to pollinate the cucumber flowers, moving pollen from the male flower to the female flowers. You can tell a flower is female because it has small bumps just below the petals’ base. Do this daily. Be the bee! Can You Grow Marijuana In An AeroGarden? Marijuana can be grown in most AeroGarden models. You should consider growing a smaller plant strain, as there are growth height limitations with the light hood on each of the models. Some smaller strains we recommend include AK-47 (Hybrid), Northern Lights (Indica), and Lowryder (Hybrid). You will also need to use the grow anything seed pod kit to start your plants. Please be sure to follow all state and federal laws when growing this plant at home. How To Store AeroGarden Herbs For short-term storage, you can place your fresh herbs in the refrigerator. For basil, parsley, cilantro, chervil, and mint, place the stems in water (like a vase). For herbs like dill, oregano, and thyme, store them in an unsealed plastic baggy alongside a small paper towel to absorb water droplets. Your herbs will remain fresh for a few days like this. You can dry your herbs in the microwave or freeze them in herbal ice cubes for long-term solutions. See directions below for both options: Microwave Herb Drying Place no more than 3-5 herb stems in the microwave between two paper towels Place a microwave-safe cup in the microwave with water. Don't put the herbs in the cup. The water helps protect the herbs from damage by the microwave Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes Remove herbs Let herbs cool Store in a mason jar for later use Herbal Ice Cubes Chop the fresh herbs Put them inside a silicone ice cube tray Fill the tray with water Freeze the tray for a minimum of 3 hours. Melt your herbs at a later date to use and enjoy! Pruning And Plant Maintenance How To Prune AeroGarden Herbs 3-4 weeks after planting, you should consider pruning your fresh herbs. Some plants are faster growers and need to be pruned to give your other plants access to light. For basil varieties, mint, parsley, and thyme, start at the top of the plant and follow the stem back to the previous leaf set. Make the cut with a pruning tool just above the new leaves. For parsley and dill, simply follow the top of the leaves back to the plant’s base and make your cut. Balance is key. Make sure your herb plants aren't shadowing their neighbors. Keep in mind that you should never take more than 1/3 of the plant in a pruning session. Over pruning can harm your herbs and make it difficult for them to take in enough light. How To Prune Lettuce In AeroGarden Three weeks after planting, you can begin harvesting your AeroGarden lettuce and other salad greens. Start by snipping the leaves with shears or scissors an inch above the plant's crown. When pruning your lettuce, make sure you never harvest more than 1/3 of the plant, as this can cause it harm. You should harvest your AeroGarden Lettuce 2-3 times per week. How To Prune Chives In AeroGarden The cylindrical leaves of chives, called scapes, can be harvested with scissors or shears. You can remove up to one-third of the scapes in a single harvest or harvest a few scapes as you need them for meals. How To Prune Dill In Aerogarden To harvest dill, use shears or scissors and cut two inches from the top of the nearest leaf set. You can also remove an entire stem, as long as you don't remove more than 1/3 of the dill plant. When To Pick AeroGarden Tomatoes If you're growing tomatoes in your unit, you expect to harvest the fruits of your labor 8-9 weeks after planting your seeds. When you harvest, be careful that you're not using too much force with the plants, which can cause them to break or drop fruit. Consider using a pruning tool to help this process. How To Pollinate Tomatoes - AeroGarden Tomatoes and other fruiting plants typically rely on insects and wind for pollination. Since you're inside, you'll need to pollinate your plants by hand by gently shaking or vibrating the plants daily (mimicking wind), and use a "Be the Bee" hand pollinator (mimicking bee pollination). You should hand pollinate your plants every day for the best results. Other options for fertilizing plants include a small artist brush or a cotton swab. But it won't look nearly as cute as a pollinator. Transplanting AeroGarden Plants Can I Transplant my Aerogarden Plants? To transplant plants, start by removing the pod from the grow deck. Use scissors to cut the seed pod in half, allowing you to remove the plant pod and the roots. Plant the pods in a pot at least four inches deep. Carefully pour soil around the roots and gently press the soil with your fingertips. Place the pot in a sunny spot and keep the soil evenly moist. Start the plant in a window or under a grow light for 1-2 weeks before moving it outside. Bring the plant inside regularly, which will help it toughen up without putting too much stress on your plant. Can You Plant AeroGarden Pods In Soil? Yes, you can plant Aerogarden grow sponges in the garden. Before you do, remove the plastic grow basket with scissors and separate the sponge and the roots. Plant the seed pod in the soil and lightly press the soil around the edges. Cleaning Your Aero Garden When To Clean AeroGarden You should regularly clean your Aero Garden unit to keep roots and other debris from clogging the water pump and keep pathogens from hurting your salad greens, fresh herbs, veggies, or flowers. You should also clean between plantings. How To Clean AeroGarden To clean your AeroGarden, remove the grow deck and put the water bowl in the dishwasher for cleaning. If you don't have a dishwasher, use the following steps to clean your smart garden: Remove the water from the bowl Add new water to the fill line Add 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach (5 cups of distilled white vinegar will also work!) Turn the AeroGarden on, so the Pump circulates water Empty the mix in the sink Rinse your water bowl How To Change AeroGarden Water It's recommended that you keep the water to the fill line at all times, add nutrient solution every two weeks, and replace all the water in the system every month. To replace the water, you can either use a Rinse and Refill Siphon or remove the grow deck and empty the water down a sink drain. Once you drain the water, clean and sanitize your AeroGarden with bleach, white vinegar, or by mixing the Hydroponic No-Rinse Cleanser into the basin. What Comes In An AeroGarden? Your AeroGarden comes with all the essentials for growing, including an LED grow light, a light hood, a water bowl with a water pump or aerator, a grow deck, seed pods, grow domes, liquid plant food, instructions, and recipes for you to use with your herbs, veggies, or other plants. Most models only take a few minutes to set up, and you don't have to mess with soil. Just add water and nutrients, and turn on the indoor light. LED Grow Light Depending on the model of AeroGarden you purchase, the LED grow light wattage will differ. For instance, the Sprout model has only a 10W LED light, while the AeroGarden Bounty Elite has a 50W LED light. The main reason for these differences is to accommodate for the amount of plants growing. Smaller models have fewer plants and need less light. According to their site, the grow lights use a "proprietary blend of phosphors to deliver the proper balance of white, red, and blue light for healthy compact vegetative growth.” We should point out that these lights are very bright and can be a little overwhelming if you're light sensitive. Especially for larger models - such as the Farm 24Basic - consider putting them in a garage or basement. Another option would be to only have them on during the sleeping hours, so you don't have to see them. Where To Buy AeroGarden Bulbs For best results, you should replace your bulbs every six months. You can purchase replacements for most models. Make sure you check the bulb model number, so you find the right match. Here are LED grow light replacement options. If you need a different model for your unit, contact their support team here. How Long Do AeoGarden LED Lights Last? An AeroGarden LED light will last 2-4 years, but it will start dimming bit by bit after six months. Still, these grow lights should continue to meet your plants’ light needs for at least a few years. How To Replace AeroGarden LED Lights New AeroGarden Models have an LED light hood, meaning you don't need to replace your LED grow lights until the individual diodes start to fail. These diodes typically have a 2-4 year lifespan. For best results, you should consider replacing your light after six months of use. To return an AeroGarden LED grow light, contact AeroGarden for pricing. How To Replace Bulbs In An AeroGarden To replace an LED grow light on an AeroGarden, lightly pull the light toward you with one hand while holding the other hand on the base. The bulb will then pop out of the indoor garden. Insert the new bulb and gently pop it into place. How Long Does the AeroGarden Light Stay On? The LED grow light stays on between 15.5 and 17 hours a day, depending on what you're growing. On models with a control panel, you can set the light timer using the quick plant functionality and selecting the plants you're growing. Here are the light times by plant category. Flowers - 15.5 hours a day Veggies - 16 hours a day Salad Mix - 16.5 hours a day Herbs - 17 hours a day AeroGarden Nutrients What Is In AeroGarden Liquid Nutrients? The liquid nutrients or "plant food" provided with your Aerogarden is a liquid fertilizer with Potassium Nitrate, Potassium Phosphate, Ammonium Nitrate, Magnesium Sulphate, Calcium Nitrate, and water. This "all-in-one" plant food provides your plants with 13 macro and micronutrients and works well with herbs, veggies, salad greens, and flowers grown hydroponically. Can I Use Miracle-Gro In My AeroGarden? While AeroGarden is a Miracle-Gro partner, it's not recommended that you use Miracle-Gro Plant Food in your indoor gardening unit. This plant food is meant for growing in soil and doesn't have the micronutrients or pH balance your hydroponic plants need. If you're looking for proper nutrients for your hydroponics plants, here are you best options: AeroGarden Pump How To Turn On AeroGarden Pump The AeroGarden Pump should start automatically when you plug in your unit. You may not hear it because it cycles on and off on a timer. Also, be sure that roots are not growing into your pump, which can cause problems. If the pump still isn't working, you can replace it in most models with this affordable pump. Facts And Miscellaneous What Is An AeroGarden? AeroGardens are hydroponic gardens that are dirt-free and foolproof. These units are easy to set up. It includes plants that are simple to manage, and you can keep harvesting throughout the entire year. Every AeroGarden comes with a water bowl, liquid plant food for nutrients, water pump or aerator, a grow deck, seed pods, and a full-spectrum LED lamp, giving the plant the light they require. Many models also have an LCD control panel, which gives you reminders to add water and plant food, and it provides updates and tips for your plants. AeroGarden is owned by a company called AeroGrow International - a leader in the household hydroponic indoor gardening space. They introduced the first AeroGarden in 2006 and soon released other AeroGarden models and over 70 seed pods (for a variety of plants, veggies, herbs, and flowers). These units have been especially popular with city dwellers who don't have access to much outdoor space, plant lovers, and the elderly, who may find it increasingly difficult to get outside to garden. As Chicagoans, we were thrilled to have an herb garden sitting on our countertop. It was easy to access, and we were able to keep it going during the six months of winter in our condo by Lake Michigan. Growers see these indoor gardens as a little slice of nature for their homes. In the year 2013, Miracle-Gro invested over $4 million into Aerogarden and accounted for more than 30% in the company’s shares. Funding from this gardening behemoth has no doubt been at least partially responsible for Miracle-Gro AeroGarden's popularity in the space. Several new indoor gardening systems have entered the space in the last few years, such as the high-producing iHarvest. Time will only tell if AeroGarden can maintain its hold on the market. One thing that they could do to improve its position is to beef up its customer service. Time and time again we've seen reviews about the low quality of customer service from this company. As budding companies continue to compete for the spotlight, good customer service will soon become the ante to play. Aero Garden Hydroponics needs to improve in this area or get out of the way for someone else. Does AeroGarden Work? Yes, AeroGarden works, and no green thumb is required. With very little maintenance, you can grow herbs, veggies, salad greens, or flowers from the comfort of your home. And with its hydroponic system, plants will grow 5x faster and larger than if you used traditional methods. You can see the reviews for these products on Amazon: Is AeroGarden Hydroponics? AeroGarden relies on a category of hydroponics called aeroponics. Their site calls it "advanced hydroponics," but it's a pretty simple set up. The water pump or aerator moves nutrient-rich water so that it drips across the roots. This mix of air and nutrient-rich waters means your plants can grow up to 5x faster. A few models, such as the Herbie and the Sprout, rely on a sub-category of Aeroponics called Deep Water Culture (DWC), which means that the plants are suspended in nutrient-rich, oxygenated water instead of using a drip method. You could build something similar, but it wouldn't look as sharp or have all the bells and whistles as an AeroGarden. Is AeroGarden Safe? AeroGarden is a safe and straightforward hydroponic system, assuming you follow THE directions correctly. The plants and veggies grown are also safe to eat, as the liquid nutrients don't contain any harmful pesticides or herbicides. What To Do With AeroGarden On Vacation? Most models of AeroGarden have a vacation mode, which changes the light to only run eight hours a day and lowers the water usage. This keeps your plants alive but slows down their growth, so you can enjoy a no-stress vacay without worrying about your plant babies at home. Aerogarden Warranty All AeroGarden models come with a limited warranty covering any flaws in the components or workmanship. After the initial buy, it lasts one year. This does not cover any wear and tear issues, misuse, inappropriate use, unintentional or consequential injury, and is not usable in any situation outside AeroGarden's control. You need to call them if your hydroponics device arrives damaged. Once they give you clearance, they will either patch or replace the defective device. Make sure not to send the indoor garden back without proper permission. What Happens If I Unplug My AeroGarden? If you unplug your AeroGarden or have a power outage, you can reset most models using the control panel. Add the time, and it will set the nutrient and light timers correctly. How To Reset AeroGarden The AeroGarden models have slightly different methods for resetting the timers and lights. If your model has a digital screen, touch the "Quick Plant" button and then go through the steps required. Older models will require you to press the "Ok/Menu" button, which can help you reset your unit. If you don't have an LCD, you can set the start time on the light by pressing and holding the light button for 10 seconds. When the control panel lights blink, you can release. This resets the light and the nutrient notification timer. How To Reset Nutrient Timer On AeroGarden Harvest For the AeroGarden Harvest, press and hold the "Light" button for 10 seconds or until the "Add Nutrients" light blinks, and then release it. Then press the "Lights" button again to set the new timer. Once you've set the timer, the nutrient reminder will flash in two weeks. How To Set And Reset The Light Timer On AeroGarden For smaller models, use the "Lights" button to set the light timer. Press and hold the button for 10 seconds until the lights blink, and then you should release. For larger models with an LCD, select the quick-start button and follow the instructions to set the light timer. You can adjust the light later if you want a different time. Final Thoughts On AeroGarden AeroGarden is one of the best, if not the best, indoor garden brands on the market. Between its sleek design, simple setup, and healthy harvests, it’s easy to see why people rave about the different AeroGarden models. When you buy your smart garden, let us know how you like it!