We Tested 8 Hydroponic Systems, and Our Favorite is One of the Least Expensive 

Hydroponic systems, which allow plants to grow in water rather than soil, are popular because they offer a way to produce a bounty of plants in a relatively small area in an indoor garden. These systems also tend to be user-friendly, so even newbie growers are likely to succeed. We recently tested eight popular models, spending several months setting them up and evaluating their various features while growing a range of plants. 

We also evaluated each tested hydroponics system for its ease of use, value, functionality, appearance, and build quality. With these factors in mind, our favorite is Ahopegarden’s 10-Pod Aeroponics Growing Kit. It offers the flexibility to grow almost any type of plant, is easy to set up, and provides a good value for the money. 

But Ahopegarden isn’t the only show in town. Some of the other kits we tested also ranked highly and may better fit your indoor gardening needs depending on the available space and desired setup. Check out our top picks of some of the best hydroponic systems to get started.

1. BEST OVERALL: Ahopegarden 10-Pod Aeroponics Growing Kit
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2. RUNNER UP: AeroGarden Bounty Hydroponic System
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3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: XXXFlower Plant Terrarium With Wooden Stand
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4. BEST LARGE CAPACITY: Lettuce Grow Farmstand Hydroponic System
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5. BEST FOR SMALL SPACES: Click & Grow Smart Garden 3 Kit
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6. BEST FOR BEGINNERS: AeroGarden Harvest Hydroponic System
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7. BEST FOR MICROGREENS: Ingarden Organic Microgreens Starter Kit
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8. BEST FOGPONICS: Plantaform Smart Indoor Garden
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Hydroponic Gardens Comparison Chart

Our Top Picks

To qualify as one of our top picks, we required each hydroponic system to have a water circulation system to keep the water fresh. When evaluating all-inclusive systems, we looked for bright grow lights that could be adjusted in height as the plants grow taller. The following hydroponic systems vary in design and size, but each is well suited to growing healthy herbs and plants indoors.

Best Overall

Ahopegarden 10-Pod Aeroponics Growing Kit

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What We Like

• Suitable for fruits, vegetables, and flowers
• Easy to set up
• Includes sponges, grow domes, and fertilizer
• Good value for the price

Cons

• User must purchase seeds separately
• Limited growing height (14.5 inches tall)

Specs 

• Size: 14.6 inches high by 12 inches wide by 6.7 inches deep
• Capacity: Ten plants 
• Additional features: Grow domes, plant fertilizer, automatic timer

Our Ratings: Setup 5/5; Appearance 4/5; Functionality 5/5; Build Quality 4/5; Value 5/5 

The Ahopegarden offers an affordable way to grow fruits, vegetables, or flowers at home. It has the capacity to grow 10 plants and comes with baskets, sponges, plant food, and grow domes—everything needed to get started except for seeds. While this system can be used to produce any type of plant, the adjustable light reaches a maximum height of 14.6 inches, so users will need to select plant varieties that won’t exceed this.

We chose a dwarf tomato variety and mini bell pepper to grow in our Ahopegarden, planting five of each seed. Setting the system up required us to soak the sponges, fill the water tank, and use tweezers to add 2 to 3 seeds to each sponge (some larger seeds must be soaked for 6 to 12 hours before planting). We added grow domes to our plant pods and selected the “vegetable” button on the top of the light panel, which put the grow light on the appropriate timer. 

We love this system’s flexibility. It’s also on the smaller side, so it’s easy to find a spot for it, even in cramped spaces. Our biggest concern is that there isn’t much spacing between the pods, so depending on the plant, it can get crowded.

What our tester says: “The Ahopegarden was simple to set up. We love that it has automatic lights for growing fruits and flowers or vegetables. We planted dwarf tomatoes and mini bell peppers in our growing kit, and they sprouted within a week.” —Katie Barton, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Ahopegarden hydroponic system at Amazon.

Runner-up

AeroGarden Bounty Hydroponic System

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What We Like

• Includes seeds, humidity caps, and liquid plant food
• Generous grow height (up to 24 inches) 
• Touch screen for scheduling light and water circulation 

Cons

• Smaller width may create overcrowding

Specs 

• Size: 34 inches high by 17.3 inches wide by 11.3 inches deep 
• Capacity: Nine plants
• Additional features: Touch screen, vacation mode, trellis, seeds included

Our Ratings: Setup 4/5; Appearance 4/5; Functionality 4/5; Build Quality 4/5; Value 4/5 

The AeroGarden Bounty grows up to nine plants and comes with a seed kit of the user’s choice. Thanks to a convenient touch screen, growers can easily set their own light and watering schedule, and there’s a vacation mode for when the system will be unattended.

One of the system’s best features is its tall grow height of 24 inches—the highest of any smaller hydroponic system in our lineup. The grow height makes it easier to nurture larger plant varieties, such as peppers and tomatoes, without worrying about plants getting their leaves singed on the lights. The system also includes a trellis, which is helpful when growing such larger plants.

The Bounty has a large water reservoir, so the system needs minimal topping off. It also comes with liquid plant food and humidity caps for seeds to germinate. However, in testing—growing a combination of lettuces and herbs—the width of the system proved a bit short. This led to stunted growth of some plants, while others competed for light. For example, when we placed cilantro and a short lettuce variety next to each other, the cilantro grew taller and blocked light from the lettuce, which failed to truly thrive.

While AeroGarden could fix this problem by making the Bounty wider, we found the solution to be simply using fewer grow stations simultaneously. When replanting seeds in the system during a second round of testing, we planted fewer plants (six instead of nine) and found that they did better, growing larger and looking healthier.

What our tester says: “Despite the width of the system being a bit short for my preferences, after I figured out how to work around this issue, the AeroGarden Bounty earned one of the best overall spots for the number of plants it grows, its reasonable price, its tall grow height, and for being an inclusive kit that makes hydroponics simple.” —Jenn Ryan, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the AeroGarden Bounty hydroponic system at Amazon, Walmart, or AeroGarden.

Best Bang for the Buck

XXXFlower Plant Terrarium With Wooden Stand

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What We Like

• Unique design; serves as an attractive display
• Fits on a ledge, stylish ladder, or desk 
• Virtually no setup required

Cons

• Difficult to fit thicker cuttings in the vases

Specs 

• Size: 5.5 inches high by 4 inches deep by 11 inches wide 
• Capacity: Three glass vases
• Additional features: None

Our Ratings: Setup 4/5; Appearance 5/5; Functionality 5/5; Build Quality 4/5; Value 5/5 

Few gardening processes are more straightforward than taking cuttings from existing houseplants or vines and starting them in water. The XXXFlower hydroponics garden includes three see-through glass bulbs to fill with water to encourage root development. Its wood and black metal framing also serves as an attractive decoration for a sunny windowsill or countertop.

While the system doesn’t include LED lights or a water-recirculating pump, it works via a tried-and-true plant-propagation method that is simple but effective. When roots develop, plants can be transplanted into pots or to an outdoor garden spot.

During testing, we found this system was very easy to set up. We also appreciated its small size and good looks; it could beautify just about any spot that gets enough natural light for plants. However, we found the necks of the glass vases to be quite narrow—while we could easily fit herbs (such as the rosemary we rooted), we had trouble getting snake plants and succulents into the water. That issue aside, this system gets high marks for its affordability, attractiveness, simple setup, and effectiveness in helping plants grow roots.

Get the XXXFlower hydroponic system at Amazon. 

Best Large-Capacity

Lettuce Grow Farmstand Hydroponic System

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What We Like

• Fast and easy assembly 
• Large, 20 gallon water reservoir 
• Includes plant food, a pH kit, and timers

Cons

• Doesn’t come with seeds
• Cord holder didn’t work well
• Two separate cords for lights and water pump

Specs 

• Size: 73 inches high, 22 inches in diameter
• Capacity: 36 plants
• Additional features: pH kit, pH stabilizer, plant food, timers for pump and lights

Our Ratings: Setup 5/5; Appearance 4/5; Functionality 5/5; Build Quality 5/5; Value 5/5 

The Lettuce Grow Farmstand has the capacity for 36 full-size plants, making it the largest hydroponic system on our list. It comes with a teardrop-shaped base that can hold 20 gallons of water, which means we didn’t have to top off the water reservoir as often as with some of the smaller systems.

This hydroponic tower system is adjustable—gardeners can add or remove sections as desired to increase or decrease the number of plants from as few as 18 and as many as 36 plants. Despite its impressive size, the Farmstand proved to have a simple assembly process. It uses a single durable plastic pipe that runs through the center of the system. It comes with two timers, one for lights and one for the water pump, which can be set and then left alone, making it simple to set up. 

This vertical hydroponic garden is not restricted to indoor use; growers can choose whether or not to purchase lights (which are not necessary when the system is used outdoors). Plant food, a pH kit, and a pH-down solution (to test and adjust the system’s pH) are included, but Lettuce Grow systems do not come with seeds or plants. Gardeners do have the option to purchase seedlings (sprouted plants ready to put into the system) from the company. While the seedlings were expensive, they were in perfect condition when they arrived, and we did not have a single plant die throughout the testing process.

Read our full review: Lettuce Grow Farmstand Hydroponic System

Get the Lettuce Grow hydroponic system at Amazon and Lettuce Grow.

Best for Small Spaces

Click & Grow Smart Garden 3 Kit

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What We Like

• Comes with everything necessary to get started
• Easy to set up
• More than 75 plant varieties available
• Seedless pods available

Cons

• Can only grow three plants at a time
• Pricey for the size

Specs 

• Size: 18.5 inches high by 12 inches wide by 5 inches deep
• Capacity: three plants
• Additional features: Soil pods with seeds, automatic grow light

Our Ratings: Setup 5/5; Appearance 5/5; Functionality 4.5/5; Build Quality 4/5; Value 4/5 

The Click & Grow is an attractive indoor garden ideal for beginners or those with limited space. It comes with everything a user needs to get started, including plant pods, grow domes, and easy-to-follow instructions. 

This small hydroponic system was a breeze to set up. All we had to do was insert the plant packs into the pods, add water, and plug the unit in. It automatically cycles the light 16 hours on and 8 hours off and utilizes a water level float to notify users when to add more water. Since the nutrients are included in the plant pods, there’s no need to add special fertilizer to the tank. The basil pods included in our hydroponic herb garden kit sprouted within a few days and have continued to grow large and healthily. The only maintenance we’ve had to perform is adding water to the tank about every two weeks.

Click & Grow offers more than 75 plant varieties and also sells seedless pods for growers who prefer to use their own seeds. We appreciate that the two included extension arms allow for plants up to 18.5 inches tall. This hydroponics grow kit was one of our favorite, easy-to-use indoor gardens. Our only complaint is that it’s a little pricey considering there is only room for three plant pods. 

Get the Click & Grow hydroponics system at Amazon or Lowe’s.

Best for Beginners

AeroGarden Harvest Hydroponic System

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What We Like

• Suitable for small spaces
• Includes seeds and plant food for herb varieties
• Simple to set up

Cons

• Plants can only grow to 12 inches tall
• Lights shut off after 15 hours

Specs 

• Size: 17.4 inches high by 10.5 inches wide by 6 inches deep
• Capacity: 6 plants
• Additional features: Water and food refill indicator, humidity caps

Our Ratings: Setup 5/5; Appearance 4/5; Functionality 4.5/5; Build Quality 3/5; Value 3.5/5 

Even newbies can stretch their green thumb with this system from leading hydroponic systems manufacturer AeroGarden. The Harvest indoor herb garden provides everything necessary to care for its six growing stations. We loved the simple setup: Gardeners simply insert plant pods, add water and plant food, plug in the unit, and it’s ready to grow. Humidity caps to help germinate seeds when starting the system are included.

This hydroponics growing system comes with six plastic pots and six seed plugs that are preseeded (Italian basil, Thai basil, parsley, dill, thyme, and mint) and ready to go. Liquid plant nutrients are also included. For convenience, the Harvest automates both lighting and water circulation. The system turns the LED grow lights on for 15 hours per day, though users can turn the lights on and off manually as well. Water circulation is automatic, and the unit features both a low-water and a time-to-add-nutrients indicator to take the guesswork out of indoor hydroponics.

One downside to this indoor hydroponic garden is that it lacks an adjustable light timer—the lights simply come on for 15 hours a day, then turn off until the cycle starts again. The height of the light hood is limited, too. It only offers about 12 inches for plants to grow, which may prove too short for the herbs. Our dill and our basil, for instance, were damaged because they grew too tall and pressed against the hot light before we could harvest them.

Read our full review: AeroGarden Harvest Review

Get the AeroGarden Harvest hydroponic system at Amazon or Walmart.

Best for Microgreens

Ingarden Organic Microgreens Starter

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What We Like

• Includes three preseeded pads and extra wicks 
• Slim design fits on countertops and window ledges
• All pieces except the grow light are dishwasher-safe 
• High-quality ceramic and metal materials with no plastic 

Cons

• Not a huge harvest yield 
• Replacement seed pads are pricey
• Heavy for the size

Specs 

• Size: 7.9 inches high by 15.4 inches wide by 5.9 inches deep 
• Capacity: Three seed pads
• Additional features: Extra wicks and power adapters

Our Ratings: Setup 5/5; Appearance 5/5; Functionality 5/5; Build Quality 5/5; Value 4.3/5 

This hydroponic kit from Ingarden is specifically designed for growing sprouts, also called microgreens. The kit consists of a ceramic water reservoir, over which a metal ledge and individual seed trays rest with a wicking system to provide seeds with consistent moisture. Grow lights, seed pads, and extra wicks are included, but replacement seed pads are not. Since sprouts grow quickly enough to be harvested within about a week, gardeners must purchase additional seed pads or a sprout medium and seeds on their own to keep growing all season.

We tested this product with both the seed pads that the Ingarden came with as well as aftermarket hemp growing medium and alfalfa seeds. Although the seed pads were significantly more convenient, the results were very similar.

We loved that this kit is entirely dishwasher-safe (except for the grow lights), which simplifies cleaning and maintenance. The ceramic water reservoir is also a nice change from the traditional plastic reservoirs hydroponic systems typically use and can be a benefit for users seeking to avoid growing plants in plastic. One downside to this kit is that the replacement seed pads can be expensive compared with buying sprouts at the store. In addition, we found that the yield wasn’t huge—we used all the sprouts to prepare just one dinner for two—but they can easily be regrown in about a week.

Get the Ingarden hydroponic system at Amazon or Ingarden.

Best Fogponics

Plantaform Smart Indoor Garden

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What We Like

• Large water tank means fewer refills
• Grows healthy, vibrant plants
• Attractive looking design

Cons

• Limited plant pack selections
• App didn’t always work well for us
• High upfront cost

Specs 

• Size: 25 inches tall by 23.6 inches in diameter
• Capacity: 15 plants
• Additional features: App compatibility; includes plant pack, plant food, magnetic windows, and germination domes

Our Ratings: Setup 3.5/5; Appearance 5/5; Functionality 5/5; Build Quality 4/5; Value 3.7/5 

Plantaform’s Smart Indoor Garden is a fogponics system that turns a fertilizer and water mixture into fog, delivering nutrients to the plant’s root system. It comes with 15 pods, a lettuce mix plant pack, germination domes, and plant food. Six other plant pack varieties are available for purchase separately. 

When we received the Plantaform grow kit, we were impressed by its quality, futuristic look. While it’s a bit larger, at about two feet tall and almost two feet in diameter, we positioned it in the middle of our dining room table. The instructions for setting it up weren’t quite as clear as those for other growing systems we tried. However, once we figured out what to do, it only took about fifteen minutes to get everything set up.

Our lettuce seeds sprouted within a few days, and we were able to remove the germination domes. We then relied on the app to inform us when to add water and nutrients and harvest the plants. Unfortunately, the app malfunctioned a few times, telling us to harvest at one week and then again at two weeks when the plants were still tiny. We decided to ignore these notifications and wait until the plants were at least 40 to 45 days, as suggested on the Plantaform website. Despite issues with the app, keeping up with this hydroponic setup was as easy as refilling the water tank every two and a half weeks, and our lettuce plants grew to be lush and healthy. 

Get the Plantaform hydroponics system at Amazon or Plantaform.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Hydroponic Systems

When evaluating these hydroponic home garden systems, we considered over a dozen companies and looked at the brand, customer reviews, features of the product, extra items included, and how well the system grew plants. We also looked at durability and ease of use when testing and evaluating these products.

We scored each product using a rubric that evaluated the watering system, how well the plants in the system thrived, how easy the system was to set up and use, any extra features the product included, types of plants the system could grow, the durability of the product, and how attractive the setup was. We also considered the cost value of each product.

As we tested each hydroponic system, we looked closely at how well the plants grew and how easy the system was to use and maintain. To do this, we tested each system for a minimum of a month, and some of the systems were tested for over a year.

What to Consider When Choosing a Hydroponic System

Plants need four essential elements to thrive: water, oxygen, light, and nutrients. A successful hydroponic system must supply an adequate amount of all four. For those new to cultivating an indoor garden, the options may seem confusing, but today’s manufacturers offer various types of hydroponic systems that automate much of the process.

Type

While all hydroponic systems supply plant roots with water and nutrients, the method varies. There are six common types of hydroponic systems, all with unique strong points, but some are better suited to commercial settings than DIY home settings. 

• Wicking: Also known as “passive hydroponics,” wicking uses an absorbent material, such as a natural fiber rope, to draw water from a reservoir to the plant’s roots. Wicking can be as simple as putting a plant in a soilless growing medium, such as perlite, and running a short piece of rope from the growing medium to water. These types of hydroponic systems are similar to the Kratky method and well suited for small plants, such as sprouts and microgreens.
• Deep water culture: Often found in all-inclusive consumer hydroponic systems, deep water culture (DWC) involves growing plants in small containers. These are sometimes called pods, although different brands may have different names for them. Typically made of plastic, where the plants’ roots spread through the water in a reservoir, a DWC system features a small pump for circulating nutrients and adding oxygen to the water.
• Ebb and flow: Also called a “flood-and-drain” system, the ebb-and-flow method involves a small pump that circulates water, flooding plant roots with nutrient-rich water and then draining. By exposing the roots to water and nutrients every few hours, the plants receive all the nutrients they need. In some ebb-and-flow systems, the plant roots will sit in water collected in small reservoirs around the pods. However, in others, the plant roots don’t sit in water between waterings. Ebb-and-flow systems are ideal for water conservation, as the system recirculates the water in the reservoir, eliminating the need to provide new freshwater at every watering.
• Nutrient film technique: Similar to a DWC system, a nutrient-film technique (NFT) system circulates nutrient-rich water through the roots of the plants. Rather than the mesh pots being placed in a water reservoir, the pots sit side by side in long channels. An NFT system can contain many or only a few connected channels. While this system is used extensively for commercial growing, a few smaller NFT systems are available to consumers for in-home use.
• Aeroponic: Rather than suspending plant roots in water, in an aeroponic system, the roots sit above the water level, and a mister sprays the roots with nutrient-rich water. Aeroponic systems aren’t quite as popular as DWC for home systems, but a few models are available.
• Drip: Usually limited to commercial growers, drip hydroponics feature tubing with small drip nozzles located above every plant. Water circulates through the tubing and drips on each plant, and the excess water runs through a mesh pot containing a soilless medium and drains back to the pump. The dripping cycle repeats every few minutes. 

Experience Level

Hydroponic gardening at home is not difficult, but the operator will need basic knowledge about how hydroponics work. This means, for most systems, that growers should have some experience in sprouting plants from seeds, knowing when plants need plant food, monitoring the water flow of the reservoir, and adjusting nutrient levels and pH. 

Fortunately, with today’s consumer hydroponic systems, indoor gardening is simple and straightforward. Systems like the popular AeroGarden come with mesh pods and soilless medium (often coconut coir plugs), as well as a pump for circulating water and keeping roots moist and healthy. Unlike classic terrariums, most of today’s in-home systems also feature grow lights on timers that provide the correct amount of light for optimal growth.

Available Space

One of the convenient characteristics of a hydroponic grow system is that users can grow more plants in less space because the roots don’t need to spread out to seek nutrients. Depending on the type of setup, hydroponic systems can be as small as a few inches deep by a few inches wide or as big as a few feet deep by a few feet wide. The most common models, such as the AeroGarden Harvest, can fit on a kitchen countertop, ladder plant stand, or a table and take up no more than 1 to 2 square feet of space—yet some models can grow up to 30 full-size plants.

Plant Types

Indoor hydroponic systems can grow a wide variety of plant types. While smaller systems, such as the AeroGarden, are best used for herbs and smaller varieties of peppers and tomatoes, larger systems like the Lettuce Grow Farmstand can grow virtually anything, including large lettuces, full-size tomato or pepper plants, kale, Swiss chard, bok choy, and even cabbage. Flowers can be grown in hydroponic systems, too.

Temperature 

Consistent temperature is essential to plant growth, so commercial hydroponic growers often have water heaters to regulate the water temperature. However, in-home hydroponic systems don’t require the same temperature-control level because they’re usually placed in a home where the temperature remains between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Many experts suggest that the optimal water temperature for plant growth is between 68 and 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Substrates and Nutrients

Unlike self-watering planter systems, a soilless growing medium is normally used in hydroponic gardening. These mediums can include coconut coir plugs or mineral wool. However, some systems, such as the Lettuce Grow Farmstand, have plants that are started in actual soil and then transplanted into small pods to grow without additional soil in the hydroponic system.

Some systems come with plants or seeds already in the substrate. As the plants grow, the roots extend below the pod into the reservoir or channel beneath. 

Nutrients used in hydroponic systems can be in either powder or liquid form. Some come with powders that must be dissolved in warm water before being added to the water reservoir, while other systems come with liquid plant food that can be poured directly into the reservoir. 

Maintenance

Automated hydroponic systems require minimal maintenance relative to a traditional garden or a DIY hydroponics system. Most systems recommend topping off the tank reservoir about once a week and adding plant food at the same time. It’s also recommended that the reservoir be cleaned every month or so to prevent the buildup of algae in the tank.

During the growing cycle, users may also need to wipe down the unit’s surface with a clean, damp rag to maintain its appearance—they aren’t immune to dust!

The Advantages of Owning a Hydroponic System

There are many advantages to owning a hydroponic grow kit, including water conservation, reduced risk of pest problems, and fresh produce year-round.

According to Dr. Michael B. Timmons, professor emeritus and graduate professor in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University, “Producing food as efficiently as possible and minimizing the use of our scarce resources should be a goal for everyone. Each family could contribute toward this goal by choosing to produce some or all of the vegetables they eat. Producing vegetables hydroponically using controlled environment agriculture (CEA) … uses 90 percent less water and land than conventional agriculture.” He goes on to say that those who grow some of their food hydroponically can reduce the associated carbon footprint by producing in their own home, garage, or mini-greenhouse.

As explained by the Oklahoma State University Extension, one of the advantages of utilizing a hydroponic system to grow vegetables and flowers is being able to control the nutrients and growing environment. Hydroponic systems also reduce the risk of chemical exposure due to pesticides as well as the risk of pests infesting the plants and soil (although the plants are not immune to pests that may travel indoors). Finally, with an all-inclusive hydroponic system, growing herbs, fruits, veggies, or flowers indoors needn’t take a lot of time or require a large garden or a sunny window.

• Hydroponics allows users to grow herbs and vegetables indoors all year.
• A quality system provides notifications that alert users when to add water and nutrients.
• Hydroponic systems with grow lights don’t require a sunny window. 

FAQs

Because hydroponic systems automate the growing process, users don’t need a lot of gardening or hydroponic knowledge to enjoy fresh herbs and produce. For those new to growing indoors, however, some questions are to be expected. Read on for answers that provide basic info.

Q. What is the best hydroponic system for beginners? 

For those just developing a green thumb, an affordable hydroponics system that automates lighting and watering and provides a few growing stations is ideal.

Q. How do you aerate hydroponics?

Most systems come with built-in aeration via a pump, so additional aeration is not needed.

Q. Do I need to test the pH of my nutrient solution?

No. Nutrient solutions are preformulated to offer the best pH level for a wide variety of plants and herbs. However, you may want to test the pH level of the water in the reservoir with a pH test kit and add pH-adjusting liquid to raise or lower the pH level to about 6 or 7, which is the ideal range for growing vegetables and herbs.

Q. How do I adjust the pH in my hydroponic system? 

To maintain a strict pH level, pH-adjusting liquids are available, and a couple of drops of either “pH Up” or “pH Down” can change the level. Some hydroponic systems come with a testing kit, but these are often a separate purchase.

Q. Do I need to clean my hydroponic garden system?

Yes. Each indoor growing system has its own recommendations on how often to clean it, and some systems recommend cleaning as often as once a month. In general, cleaning requires removing all the spent plants and scrubbing or wiping out the unit—especially the water reservoir—before using it again. Apart from that, wipe down the surfaces with a clean, damp rag as necessary to remove dust, plant debris, and grime. 

Meet the Tester

Jenn Ryan is a writer and sustainability enthusiast who has been writing for BobVila.com since 2020. An organic gardener since 2015, Jenn writes about eco-friendly and sustainable solutions and products for BobVila.com as well as numerous other publications, including Popular Mechanics. She takes a detailed approach to reviewing products and considers the value they add for the money as well as the materials used for sustainability and overall eco-friendliness.

Additional research provided by Glenda Taylor. 

 

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