The 7 Best Indoor Herb Gardens of 2024 (Ranked)

Did you know that indoor gardening has surged in popularity by 65% since 2020? It’s no wonder – there’s nothing quite like the burst of flavor fresh herbs bring to your cooking.

But not all of us are natural green thumbs.

Whether you’re a culinary enthusiast or just looking to add some green to your space, indoor herb gardens are the perfect solution. They’re not just practical; they’re a slice of nature right in your kitchen. Here’s how to find the best options for your home.

What Are The Best Indoor Herb Gardens?

Here are the best indoor herb gardens.

Best Overall: AeroGarden Harvest Elite

Best for Beginners: Aerogarden Sprout

Best for Urban Dwellers: Click and Grow Smart Garden 9

Best Budget Friendly: inbloom Hydroponic Growing System

Best Soil Based: Spade to Fork Culinary Herb Seed Kit

Best for Microgreens: ingarden Microgreens Growing Kit

Best for Aesthetics: Click and Grow Smart Garden 3

Best Overall

Aerogarden Harvest Elite

Key Features

• 6-Pod Capacity: The Harvest Elite can hold up to 6 seed pods at a time, allowing you to grow a variety of plants simultaneously.
• LED Grow Lights: Equipped with a 20-watt LED lighting system, the AeroGarden provides the optimal light spectrum, promoting faster growth and healthier plants. Big boy stuff.
• Automatic Light Timer: The system automatically controls the light schedule, ensuring that your plants get the right amount of light each day without requiring manual intervention.
• Touchscreen Control Panel: Includes a user-friendly touchscreen control panel that alerts you when to add water and plant food, and it automatically adjusts the lighting.
• Adjustable Lamp Arm: The grow light arm is adjustable, accommodating plant growth up to 12 inches tall.
• Water and Nutrient Alerts: The system will remind you when it’s time to add water and nutrients, taking the guesswork out of maintenance.
• Customizable Settings: You can manually adjust the light settings and even set vacation mode to keep plants alive with less frequent maintenance.

Pros

• Convenience: The AeroGarden Harvest Elite is incredibly easy to use, making it ideal for beginners, pros, or those with limited time for gardening.
• Space-Saving Design: Its compact size allows it to fit comfortably on a countertop or in small spaces.
• Stylish Appearance: The stainless steel finish and modern design make it an attractive addition to any room.

Cons

• Limited Plant Height: With a maximum plant height of 12 inches, the Harvest Elite is not suitable for growing taller plants or large vegetables.
• 6-Pod Capacity: The system is limited to 6 plants at a time, which may not be enough for those looking to grow a larger variety of plants.
• Light Brightness: The LED grow lights can be quite bright, which might be disruptive if the unit is placed in a bedroom or other living spaces.

Best For Beginners

AeroGarden Sprout

Key Features

• 3-Pod Capacity: The AeroGarden Sprout can hold up to 3 seed pods, making it ideal for a beginner growing a small selection of herbs, vegetables, or flowers.
• Automatic Light Timer: The system includes a built-in timer that automatically turns the lights on and off, simulating a natural day/night cycle for your plants. Anything automatic is great for a beginner.
• Water and Nutrient Reminders: The system features indicators that alert you when it’s time to add water and nutrients, simplifying plant care.

Pros

• Affordable: The AeroGarden Sprout is one of the more budget-friendly options in the AeroGarden lineup, making it accessible to more users.
• Compact and Space-Saving: Its small footprint is perfect for those with limited space, such as apartment dwellers or those with small kitchens.
• Easy to Use: Like other AeroGarden systems, the Sprout is designed for simplicity, making it easy for beginners to start growing plants indoors.

Cons

• Limited Capacity: With only 3 pods, the Sprout is limited in the variety and quantity of plants you can grow at one time, which might be restrictive for some users after you get the hang of growing.
• Brightness of Lights: The LED lights can be bright, which might not be ideal for placement in bedrooms or other areas where light could be disruptive.
• Height Limitation: The adjustable lamp arm supports plants only up to 10 inches tall, making it unsuitable for larger plants or those that need more vertical space.

Best For Urban Dwellers

Click and Grow Smart Garden 9

Key Features

• 9-Pod Capacity: The Click and Grow Smart Garden 9 can hold up to 9 plant pods simultaneously, allowing for a diverse selection of herbs, vegetables, or flowers.
• Modular Design: The lamp arm is adjustable and can be raised as plants grow, accommodating taller plants up to about 12 inches.
• Variety of Plant Pods: Click and Grow offers a wide range of pre-seeded plant pods, from herbs and vegetables to flowers and decorative plants. You can also use your own seeds with the available empty pods.
• Smart Soil: The plant pods use a proprietary Smart Soil, which is designed to release nutrients in sync with the plant’s life cycle, ensuring optimal growth.
• LED Grow Lights: It comes with energy-efficient LED grow lights that provide the optimal light spectrum for plant growth, mimicking natural sunlight.

Pros

• Large Capacity: The 9-pod capacity allows you to grow a substantial variety of plants at once, making it ideal for those who want to cultivate a mini indoor garden.
• Low Maintenance: The self-watering system and automated lights significantly reduce the amount of care required, making it perfect for busy individuals or those on the go.
• Elegant Design: The Smart Garden 9 has a sleek and modern design that fits well in most home interiors.

Cons

• Price: The Smart Garden 9 is more expensive than many other indoor gardening systems, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious users.
• Less Customization with Lighting: Unlike some other systems, the Click and Grow Smart Garden 9 does not offer customizable light settings, so you have to rely on the pre-programmed cycle.
• Limited Control Over Nutrients: The Smart Soil provides a set amount of nutrients, so you have less control over the feeding process compared to systems where you can add your own fertilizers.

Best Budget Friendly

inbloom Hydroponic Growing System

Key Features

• 12-Pod Capacity: The Inbloom system can accommodate up to 12 plant pods, allowing you to grow a variety of herbs, vegetables, and flowers simultaneously.
• Touchscreen Control Panel: A user-friendly touchscreen interface allows you to easily control the light settings, pump operation, and monitor the system’s status.
• Quiet Operation: The water pump is designed to operate quietly, making it suitable for use in living spaces without causing disturbances.
• Compact and Modern Design: The Inbloom Hydroponics System has a sleek, modern design that fits well in various home environments, from kitchens to offices.
• Water Circulation System: The system includes a water pump that circulates water and oxygen to the plant roots, ensuring that they have access to the nutrients they need for optimal growth.

Pros

• Large Capacity: With the ability to grow 12 plants at once, the Inbloom system is ideal for those who want a more extensive indoor garden.
• High Efficiency: The LED lights and water circulation system work together to promote faster and healthier plant growth compared to traditional soil-based methods.
• Ease of Use: The system is designed for simplicity, with an intuitive touchscreen control panel and automatic functions that reduce the need for manual intervention.

Cons

• Limited Customization: While the system is easy to use, it offers less customization in terms of lighting and nutrient control compared to some other advanced hydroponic systems.
• Reliance on Electricity: As with most hydroponic systems, the Inbloom relies on electricity for the pump and lights, so it’s dependent on a stable power supply.
• Height Limitation: With a maximum plant height of around 13 inches, the system is not suitable for growing taller plants or those that require more vertical space.

Best Soil-Based

Spade To Fork Culinary Herb Seed Kit

Key Features

• Organic and Non-GMO Seeds: The kit includes five varieties of organic, non-GMO herb seeds, typically including basil, cilantro, parsley, sage, and thyme.
• Biodegradable Pots: The kit comes with five biodegradable pots made from recycled materials, which are eco-friendly and reduce plastic waste.
• Organic Soil Discs: The kit includes organic soil discs that expand when water is added, providing a nutrient-rich growing medium for your herbs.
• Bamboo Plant Markers: The kit also comes with bamboo plant markers, allowing you to label each herb variety easily.
• Simple Setup: The Spade to Fork kit is designed for ease of use, with clear instructions that guide you through the process of planting and growing your herbs.
• Handmade Wooden Gift Box: The entire kit is packaged in a handmade wooden box, which is both attractive and functional for storage or gifting.
• Family-Owned Business: The kit is produced by a family-owned business that emphasizes sustainability, organic farming practices, and eco-friendly packaging.

Pros

• Organic and Eco-Friendly: The use of organic seeds, biodegradable pots, and recycled materials makes this kit a great choice for environmentally conscious gardeners.
• Traditional Soil-Based Growing: For those who prefer soil-based gardening, this kit offers a simple and natural way to grow herbs indoors.
• Ease of Use: The kit is designed to be beginner-friendly, with everything you need included and clear instructions to help you get started.
• Affordable: Compared to hydroponic systems, the Spade to Fork kit is relatively inexpensive, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Cons

• Dependent on Natural Light: The kit does not include grow lights, so you’ll need a spot with sufficient natural light or purchase a separate grow light if your indoor space is dim.
• Growth Time: Soil-based growing can be slower than hydroponic systems, so it may take longer to see significant growth and harvest your herbs.
• Manual Watering and Maintenance: Unlike hydroponic systems with automated features, this kit requires regular watering and maintenance, which might be less convenient for busy individuals.

Best For Microgreens

ingarden Microgreens Growing Kit

Key Features

• 3-Tier Design: The kit features a 3-tier setup, allowing you to grow up to three different types of microgreens simultaneously, or stagger your plantings for a continuous harvest.
• Automatic LED Grow Lights: The Ingarden system includes built-in LED grow lights that are specifically designed to provide the right spectrum and intensity of light for microgreen growth. The lights are automated, ensuring your plants get the correct amount of light each day.
• Biodegradable Grow Mats: The kit uses sustainable and biodegradable grow mats made from natural fibers, which are environmentally friendly and easy to dispose of after use.
• Modern and Compact Design: The Ingarden system is designed with aesthetics in mind, featuring a sleek and compact form that fits well on kitchen countertops or other small spaces.
• Fast Growth Cycle: Microgreens can typically be harvested within 7-10 days, making this kit ideal for those who want quick results and fresh greens on a regular basis.

Pros

• Quick Harvest: Microgreens grow quickly, allowing you to enjoy fresh greens in just a week or so, which is much faster than many other types of indoor gardening.
• Nutrient-Dense: Microgreens are known for being packed with nutrients, making this kit a great option for health-conscious individuals.
• Low Maintenance: The hydroponic system and automated lights make it easy to maintain, requiring minimal intervention beyond adding water.

Cons

• Limited to Microgreens: The system is specifically designed for microgreens, so it’s not suitable for growing larger plants, herbs, or vegetables.
• Initial Cost: The Ingarden kit can be more expensive than traditional seed starter kits or basic indoor gardening systems, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious users.
• Ongoing Costs: While the grow mats are biodegradable and convenient, they need to be replaced regularly, adding to the long-term cost of using the system.

Best For Aesthetics

Click and Grow Smart Garden 3

Key Features

• Compact Design: The Smart Garden 3 is designed to fit comfortably on countertops, desks, or windowsills, making it ideal for small living spaces.
• 3-Pod Capacity: The Smart Garden 3 can hold up to three plant pods at a time, making it perfect for growing a small selection of herbs, flowers, or vegetables indoors.
• LED Grow Lights: The system includes energy-efficient LED grow lights that provide the full spectrum of light needed for plant growth, ensuring healthy plants year-round.
• Self-Watering System: The Smart Garden 3 features a built-in water reservoir that can hold enough water to last for up to three weeks, reducing the need for frequent watering.
• Automatic Light Timer: The system is equipped with an automatic timer that controls the light cycle, turning the lights on for 16 hours and off for 8 hours to simulate a natural day/night cycle.

Pros

• Sleek and Minimalist Aesthetic: The Smart Garden 3 is designed with aesthetics in mind, featuring a sleek, minimalist design that blends seamlessly into modern home interiors. Its clean lines and neutral color options (white, beige, gray, and more) make it a stylish addition to any room.
• Compact and Space-Saving: Its small footprint makes it perfect for tight spaces, such as kitchen countertops, office desks, or windowsills, while still providing the functionality of a larger garden system.
• Modern and Elegant Lighting: The LED grow light is elegantly integrated into the design, providing a soft, ambient glow that can enhance the look of your space. It’s not just functional but also adds a touch of modern lighting to your room.

Cons

• Limited Capacity: With space for only three plants at a time, the Smart Garden 3 might be too small for those looking to grow a larger variety of plants or herbs.
• Height Restriction: The adjustable lamp arm supports plant growth up to about 10 inches, which limits the types of plants you can grow to smaller herbs, flowers, and vegetables.
• Higher Initial Cost: While the system offers convenience and aesthetics, it can be more expensive than traditional soil-based gardening methods, particularly for its size.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Indoor Herb Garden

When setting up an indoor herb garden, there’s a lot to think about. First off, take a good look at your space. Do you want to put your new garden in the kitchen? How much space do you have?

Light is crucial. Most of these kits put off somewhat of a bright light, which may be a factor if you live in a smaller space.

Think about which herbs you’ll actually use. No point in growing dill if you hate the stuff, right? I once grew a ton of sage and I barely used it. Total waste. It’s okay when you are just starting out though.

Lastly, factor in your budget. Basic setups can be cheap, but fancier systems with self-watering features or grow lights can get pricey. Start small and see how it goes. Happy growing!