Whether you don’t have an outdoor space or you’re simply tired of buying large bunches of parsley and cilantro (and throwing away the slimy leaves you didn’t use up), the best indoor herb gardens make it easy to grow your favorite fruits, vegetables and herbs in the comfort of your own home. For its ease of setup, countertop-friendly design and fast garden-to-table results, our top pick for most people is the Aerogarden Harvest 2.0.
Even if you struggle to keep your houseplants alive, there are a wide variety of indoor herb garden ... [+] systems that make the growing process simple.
Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailers
In the past, if you didn’t have access to a yard, it was relatively difficult to grow your own produce at home. These days, though, you can find a wide variety of easy-to-use indoor garden systems—both soil-based and hydroponic model—that are capable of growing so much more than basil and mint. “If you love cooking at home and value quality ingredients, herb garden kits are 100 percent worth it,” says professional plant coach Nick Cutsumpas. “But it does matter which one you choose.” From beginner-friendly gardens you set on a windowsill to AI-powered systems that keep track of your plants’ growth, here are our very favorite indoor herb gardens (and what we love about them).
A Compact, Easy-To-Use Pick That Grows Herbs Quickly
Aerogarden
Aerogarden Harvest 2.0
Included pieces: Lettuce seed packet, growing starter kit, power adapter, detachable grow light | Dimensions: 11.9 x 7.8 x 7.4 inches | Material: Plastic | Weight: 3.7 pounds
Pros:
Affordable
Easy to set up and maintain
Cons:
Seed starting system and nutrients are sold separately
New and experienced indoor gardeners alike are sure to find a lot to love about Aerogarden’s Harvest 2.0 hydroponic growing system. To start, it’s small enough to fit on your kitchen counter, where it can provide a nurturing home for a wide variety of herbs, lettuces, and tomatoes. What’s more, the hydroponic system grows plants five times faster than soil, which means you can go from planting seeds to harvesting in just four to six weeks. Meanwhile, the efficient, full-spectrum LED lights allow you to grow indoors without sunlight, and there’s a dimmer for whenever you need to lower the brightness. The system is also dishwasher-safe, making it easy to clean in between harvests.
Best Value Indoor Herb Garden
Affordable, Stackable Pots
Amazon
Amazing Creation Stackable Planter
Included pieces: Five stackable planting pots, five soil separators, one base | Dimensions: 12.5 x 12.5 x 24 inches | Material: Plastic
Pros:
Affordable
Space-saving
Cons:
Soil and plants are sold separately
Gardening can be a surprisingly expensive endeavor, but Amazing Creation’s inexpensive planter gets you growing without breaking the bank. The BPA-free plastic pots are stackable, which saves space on your balcony or kitchen counter, and each one holds multiple plants—meaning, you can grow a variety of herbs, succulents, lettuces and strawberries simultaneously for a fraction of the price of similarly-sized planters. Just note that unlike more sophisticated planters, Amazing Creation’s model does not include grow lights, so make sure to park it in a sunny spot.
Best Indoor Herb Garden For Beginners
A Self-Watering Kit That's Novice-Friendly
Modern Sprout
Modern Sprout Garden Jars
Included pieces: Mason jar, organic seeds, recycled net pot, lava rock, plant food, coaster, instruction manual | Dimensions: 6.5 x 3.5 inches | Materials: Glass and recycled plastic
Pros:
Affordable
Compact
Simple setup and low maintenance
Cons:
No grow light included
Total gardening beginners, take heart: These garden jars from Modern Sprout make it simple to take the first step towards growing your own food. The hydroponic, recycled glass jars come with everything you need to grow basil, parsley, mint, rosemary or cilantro with little more than water and a sunny spot on a windowsill or counter. Once you get started, the herbs grow with very little intervention–they just need weekly waterings and monthly doses of nutrients. Then, the seeds begin to sprout within 10 days, and herbs are ready to harvest in under three months. The jars are reusable and also inexpensive, so on the off chance that you don’t continue on your indoor gardening journey, you can simply recycle them.
Best-Designed Indoor Herb Garden
A Beautiful Kit To Grow An Abundance Of Herbs
Auk
Auk Starter Kit
Included pieces: Nutrient blends, NFCplant chip, coconut husk soil, cilantro, basil, parsley, and arugula seeds | Dimensions: 20 x 11 x 14 inches | Materials: Plastic, aluminum, wood
Pros:
Fully-automated growing after setup
Continual harvests up for one year without replanting
Cons:
The nutrient blends and soil have to be periodically refilled at an additional cost
Not only is Auk’s herb and plant growing system carefully calibrated for an effortless indoor plant-growing experience, but it’s also beautiful to look at. After the initial setup, the system is almost completely self-contained; for instance, when the plants need water, an NFC plant chip alerts the planter. (A water reservoir on the side of the planter holds up to two weeks’ worth of water, making hands-on watering time minimal.) What’s more, the full spectrum LED lighting means you can place with garden in spots with little to no sunlight. It’s no wonder the Auk won the 2023 European Product Design Award. The planter’s starter kit comes with a coconut husk-based soil that is both airy and pH-balanced, as well as nutrient blends that keep your growing plants happy.
Best Small Indoor Herb Garden
An Editor-Approved Pick That Can Grow Anything
Editor’s Pick
Williams Sonoma
Click & Grow Smart Garden System
Included pieces: Two lamp extension arms, three soil pods with basil seeds, quick start guide | Dimensions: 9 x 4.9 x 12.5 inches | Materials: Plastic
Pros:
Space-saving design
Automated watering
Efficient LED lighting
Cons:
All seed pods (aside from the three included basil pods) are sold separately
Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you need to abandon you bucolic gardening dreams. This pint-sized garden from Click & Grow punches above its weight, growing an impressive harvest of basil—or rosemary, thyme, peppermint or dozens of other herbs and flowers and greens—without taking up too much prime countertop real estate. The garden features automated watering and energy efficient LED grow lights that only consume eight watts of power. The biodegradable plant pods, meanwhile, are pre-seeded and packed with nutrients to facilitate quick and bountiful growth. (You can buy the pods on the brand’s website.)
What the editors say: “I can’t overstate how much I’ve loved having this herb garden in my kitchen,” says senior home and kitchen editor Amanda Arnold, who was recently given the Click & Grow Smart Garden System as a gift. “While I’ve only used it to grow basil so far, I’m excited to try out some new pods, given the huge variety that the brand sells—you can get everything from catnip to chili peppers to petunias.”
Best Large Indoor Herb Garden
A Bigger Option That Can Accommodate 100+ Plants At Once
Rise Gardens
The Rise Garden
Included pieces: Starter plant variety pack, three four-pod trays per level, 18 cups per level, one nursery per level | Dimensions: 36.3 x 66.8 x 16.3 inches | Materials: Plastic, wood, metal
Pros:
Grows a significant amount of food indoors
Soil-free hydroponic system
Cons:
Quite pricey
Takes up a large amount of space
Not super beginner-friendly
One part indoor garden and one part home decor, the Rise Garden lets you grow a staggering amount of food in its modular one, two, or three-level system. When using all three layers, you can grow up to 108 individual plants–everything from herbs to tomatoes to root veggies–simultaneously without soil. (The Rise Garden is hydroponic, so there’s no threat of accidentally tracking dirt around your home.) While the nine-gallon water system requires weekly replenishing, it uses a smart system to deliver just the right amount of water (and nutrients) to your plants throughout the week. Made from sustainable materials, the garden-to-table system doubles as a piece of furniture in your kitchen, living room or patio.
Best Vertical Indoor Herb Garden
A Garden That's Smart And Tall
MOST POPULAR
Gardyn
Gardyn Home Kit 4.0
Included pieces: 30 plants (customizable) plus plant food | Dimensions: 24 x 12 x 64 inches | Materials: Corn-based compostable plastic
Pros:
Grows a significant amount of food indoors
Soil-free hydroponic system
Cons:
Relatively pricey
For home gardeners who want to grow lots of food without taking up a lot of space, a vertical planter is the way to go—and Gardyn’s Home Kit 4.0 is an excellent option. The kit stands five feet tall while resting on a base that is only two square feet, and it can simultaneously grow up to 30 plants—everything from herbs to tomatoes to mini pumpkins. The Gardyn Home garden includes several smart features, including AI-powered monitors that track your plants’ growth, a vacation mode and a camera that lets you keep an eye on their progress even when you’re away from home. The columns are constructed from compostable plastic, which lessens the garden system’s overall environmental impact.
Best Splurge Indoor Herb Garden
A Customizable Pick That Lets You Have A Farm Inside Your Home
Lettuce Grow
Lettuce Grow The Farmstand Nook
Included pieces: LED lights, grow cups and grow sleeves, floor mat, water pump, digital smart timer, plant nutrients and scoops, digital pH pen | Dimensions: 18.6 x 55 inches | Materials: Plastic
Pros:
Grows a significant amount of food indoors
Soil-free hydroponic system
Fully customizable
Cons:
Pricey for the size
Lettuce Grow’s The Farmstand Nook is perhaps the closest thing you can have to a farm inside your home. At nearly $750, it’s an investment to be sure—but it grows enough food to feed up to four people. The amount of customization and low-maintenance automation, too, make it worth the splurge. Each of the Farmstand Nook’s four levels can hold five plants, which allows you to grow a wide, personally curated variety of herbs, vegetables, greens and flowers at the same time. After assembly, the programmable LED lights and nine-gallon water tank do the majority of the work. You simply check water and pH levels once a week and harvest when you are ready to cook.
The home and kitchen team at Forbes Vetted is dedicated to seeking out the best brands and products for your home and garden, evaluating everything from wheelbarrows and watering hoses to compost bins. Additionally, the author of this story, Leah Koenig, brought her personal expertise to this story—she’s an avid urban gardener who grows herbs, tomatoes and flowers from her small Brooklyn apartment. And for additional insights and wisdom, we reached out to experts in the indoor gardening space: Nick Cutsumpas, a gardening educator and plant coach, and Joseph and Liza Franquinha, second-generation owners of Crest Hardware and Urban Garden Centerin Brooklyn.
What To Look For In The Best Indoor Herb Gardens
Thinking of growing fresh herbs (and more) from the comfort of your home? If you’re eyeing indoor herb gardens, consider these factors to ensure you pick out the one that makes the most sense for you.
Soil vs. Hydroponic
The indoor herb garden systems on this list fall into one of two categories: traditional soil-based gardens and hydroponic gardens (meaning the plants were grown with just water and no soil). As you might expect, there are pros and cons to each system. Soil-based systems, for example, can grow a wider variety of plants, while hydroponic systems are more affordable, bug-free and tend to grow plants faster.
Size
Indoor herb gardens come in a variety of sizes—you can find some as small as mason jars and others as large as extra-tall garden towers. Before purchasing anything, consider the amount of space you have (or don’t have) to devote to indoor gardening. Whether you have a windowsill, a corner of your kitchen, an entire room or a screened-in porch, there is a garden that can fit your space. Another thing to consider is how many people you hope to feed from your garden. Smaller gardens can typically grow greens and herbs for one to two people, while larger models can feed bigger households.
Lighting
Many of the indoor herb gardens included in this list are outfitted with full-spectrum LED lighting, which make it possible to grow plants indoors without access to direct sunlight. While they get the job done, LED lights have two potential downsides. First, they require a near-constant electricity source. Also, they are quite bright—enough to be distracting at night time or when having company. Look for gardens that are energy-efficient to keep your energy costs to a minimum. Some models also offer dimmer switches or timers that let you temporarily turn the lights down or off when necessary.
Which Herbs Are Easiest To Grow Indoors?
With a good indoor gardening system, it is simple to grow a diverse array of herbs, greens, and even vegetables and flowers. But complete gardening novices will have the best luck catching a green thumb by starting with prolific, low-maintenance herbs. “Basil is always a good choice,” said Cutsumpas. “It does well by a south-facing window, propagates easily, and can provide consistent garnishes for your dishes.” Cutsumpas also recommended growing mint “because it can tolerate lower light levels and grows vigorously.” Liza Franquinha suggested starting with woody herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage. “They require the least amount of pruning and are fairly drought resistant,” she said.
What Mistakes Do New Plant Growers Often Make?
“The two main pitfalls I see is that people don’t give their indoor herbs enough light or water,” said Cutsumpas. Franquina agreed. “Most herbs do not thrive in low-light, so it's important to pick a spot near a window that gets lots of natural sunlight.” (Alternatively, an indoor garden system with full-spectrum LED lights provides light without access to a sunny window.) Meanwhile, Franquina said, “The easiest way to kill a plant is to over water it.” New plant parents might be tempted to water every day, but that can lead to root rot. Instead, she said, “aim to water every 5 to 7 days.”
What Is Hydroponic Gardening?
The majority of herbs and other produce are grown in soil, as they have been for centuries. But some indoor gardeners today prefer to grow hydroponically. Hydroponic gardening plants roots directly into nutrient-filled water, rather than in soil. This method tends to offer faster growth rates and solid yields while eliminating the potential mess of tracking dirt indoors. While some home gardeners prefer planting in soil, many of the indoor herb gardens are hydroponic.
