Fresh herbs year-round. Crisp lettuce in winter. Zero trips to the grocery store for wilted, overpriced greens.
Indoor smart gardens promise all this and more. But with Click & Grow and AeroGarden dominating the market, which system actually delivers on these promises?
Both brands make bold claims:
- 3x more vitamins than store-bought produce
- 95% less water than traditional gardening
- No pesticides, GMOs, or food miles
- Fresh herbs and vegetables regardless of weather or space
The real question isn’t whether these benefits exist—they do. It’s which system fits your lifestyle, space, and gardening goals better.
After analyzing both technologies, costs, and real user experiences, here’s what you need to know.
Core Technology: Two Completely Different Approaches
Click & Grow: The “Set It and Forget It” Smart Soil System
Click & Grow built their entire system around one concept: maximum simplicity.
Smart Soil Technology:
- Patented nano-tech growth medium that looks and acts like soil
- Nutrients pre-loaded directly into each plant pod
- Automatic nutrient release based on temperature and moisture
- Zero manual feeding required
- No pH testing or fertilizer mixing
Water Delivery:
- Capillary Precision Irrigation (fancy wicking system)
- Completely silent operation (no pumps)
- Visual float indicator shows water levels
- Roots stay contained in individual pods
The Result: You literally add water, plug it in, and walk away. The system handles everything else automatically.
AeroGarden: The “Faster Growth” Hydroponic System
AeroGarden chose speed over simplicity with traditional hydroponics.
Hydroponic Technology:
- Plants grow directly in nutrient-rich water
- Seeds start in small sponges
- Active water circulation via internal pump
- Manual nutrient addition every 2 weeks
Water System:
- Water pump runs 5 minutes every 25 minutes
- Audible pump noise during operation
- Digital reminders for water and nutrients
- Open water reservoir design
The Result: Faster plant growth but requires regular hands-on nutrient management.
Setup & Daily Experience: What You’ll Actually Do
Initial Setup
Click & Grow (Under 5 minutes):
Click and Grow Smart Garden Basil Plant Pods, 3-Pack [click to view…]
- Insert pre-seeded pods
- Fill water reservoir
- Plug in and you’re done
AeroGarden (Similar ease):
AeroGarden Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit [click to view…]
- Select garden location
- Insert pre-seeded pods
- Fill water reservoir
- Add measured liquid nutrients
- Set light schedule
Both systems start easily, but AeroGarden requires that crucial nutrient mixing step from day one.
Daily Interaction Requirements
Click & Grow:
- Check water level occasionally (every 5-14 days initially)
- Harvest when ready
- That’s it
The system runs completely automatically with 14-16 hour light cycles. Higher-end PRO models offer app control for light scheduling.
AeroGarden:
- Monitor water levels (top off as needed)
- Add liquid nutrients every 2 weeks when reminded
- Respond to digital alerts for care tasks
While automated, AeroGarden requires active participation in plant feeding throughout the growing cycle.
Maintenance Reality: Time Investment Breakdown
Ongoing Care Requirements
Click & Grow Maintenance:
- Water refills: Every 5-14 days (less frequent as plants mature)
- Nutrient management: None required
- Cleaning: Simple reservoir rinse, dishwasher-safe parts
- Root management: Contained in pods, no tangling issues
AeroGarden Maintenance:
- Water management: Regular top-offs plus full changes monthly
- Nutrient additions: Precisely measured liquid food every 2 weeks
- Cleaning: Full system sanitization after each growing cycle
- Common issues: Algae growth, mineral buildup, root tangling
Cleaning Protocols
Click & Grow benefits from its contained root system. Since roots stay in individual Smart Soil pods, you avoid the mess of tangled roots and extensive algae growth common in open water systems.
AeroGarden’s open reservoir design, while effective for plant growth, creates more cleaning demands. Users regularly report white calcium buildup, algae growth, and the need for monthly water changes.
Plant Variety & Growth Performance
Available Options
Click & Grow:
- 75+ pre-seeded pod varieties
- Herbs, flowers, salads, vegetables
- “Grow Anything” pods for custom seeds
- Specialized fruiting plant pods with optimized nutrients
AeroGarden:
- 60+ seed pod kit varieties
- Similar plant categories
- “Grow Anything” kits available
- Non-GMO seeds (nutrients aren’t organic)
Growth Speed Claims
Click & Grow: 30-50% faster than traditional soil gardening
AeroGarden: 5x faster than soil gardening
Real Performance Results
Lettuce and Leafy Greens:
- Both systems: Ready in 3-4 weeks
- Continuous harvest for 2-4 months
- Excellent results in both systems
Herbs:
- Click & Grow: 70-day average lifespan, some varieties lasting 3-6 months
- AeroGarden: 3-4 months typical, up to 6 months with care
- Both produce abundant, flavorful herbs
Fruiting Plants (Tomatoes, Peppers):
- Click & Grow limitation: Maximum grow height restricts larger plants
- AeroGarden advantage: Taller models (up to 36″ in Farm series) better accommodate full-size plants
- AeroGarden clearly wins for serious vegetable gardening
Cost Analysis: Real Numbers for Budget Planning
Initial Investment
Click & Grow Pricing:
Click & Grow Indoor Herb Garden Kit [click to view…]
- Smart Garden 3: $80-100
- Smart Garden 9: $200-250
- Smart Garden 9 PRO: $240-300
- Smart Garden 27: $720-900
AeroGarden Pricing:
AeroGarden Harvest Elite 6 Pod [click to view…]
- Sprout (3-pod): $50-70
- Harvest series (6-pod): $70-160
- Bounty series (9-pod): $130-300
- Farm series (12-24 pod): $320-670
Winner: AeroGarden offers lower entry costs and more size options.
Ongoing Costs
Click & Grow Pods:
- 3-pack: $3.45-4.31 per pod
- 9-pack: $2.07-2.77 per pod
- 30-pack: $1.49-1.99 per pod
- No separate nutrients needed
AeroGarden Costs:
- Seed pod kits: $14-30 per kit
- Liquid plant food: $12 (3oz) to $35 (1L)
- Ongoing nutrient purchases required
Winner: Click & Grow’s all-inclusive pods eliminate surprise nutrient costs, while AeroGarden requires consistent liquid nutrient purchases.
Electricity Usage
Both systems cost under $1 per month to operate. Click & Grow estimates $0.85 monthly for a 9-pod garden.
Design & Space Considerations
Click & Grow Design
Click & Grow Indoor Herb Garden Kit 9-Pod [click to view…]
- Sleek, modern aesthetic
- Available in white, grey, beige, sage, navy blue
- Compact footprint for most models
- Premium materials and build quality
Size Examples:
- Smart Garden 3: 11.8″ x 4.7″ x 13.4″
- Smart Garden 9: 23.6″ x 7.5″ x 15.8″
AeroGarden Design
AeroGarden 6-Pod [click to view…]
- Wide variety of sizes and finishes
- Stainless steel options available
- Stackable Farm models for vertical growing
- Broader range of form factors
Size Examples:
- Harvest: 11.4-16.4″ x 10.6″ x 6.3″
- Bounty: 14.5-30″ x 16.5″ x 18.12″
- Farm 12XL: 46″ x 18″ x 14″
Winner: AeroGarden offers more size flexibility, especially for vertical growing setups.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Bottom Line: Which System Wins?
Choose Click & Grow If You Want:
- Absolute minimal effort – True “set and forget” operation
- Silent operation – Perfect for bedrooms, offices, quiet spaces
- No measuring or mixing – Everything pre-loaded in pods
- Premium herbs and salads – Excellent for culinary herbs and leafy greens
- Cleaner operation – Less algae, buildup, and root mess
Best Click & Grow Model: Smart Garden 9 for most users, PRO version for app control
Choose AeroGarden If You Want:
- Faster plant growth – Hydroponics delivers speed
- Tall vegetable plants – Tomatoes, peppers, full-size vegetables
- Lower entry cost – More budget-friendly starting options
- Hands-on involvement – Enjoy measuring nutrients and system management
- Maximum growing capacity – Larger models and stackable options
Best AeroGarden Model: Bounty Elite for serious gardeners, Harvest for beginners
The Verdict
Click & Grow wins for simplicity seekers who want fresh herbs and salads with minimal effort. The Smart Soil technology truly delivers on the “set it and forget it” promise.
AeroGarden wins for serious gardeners who want to grow full-size vegetables, don’t mind regular maintenance, and prioritize growth speed over convenience.
Both systems successfully deliver fresh, nutritious produce year-round. Your choice comes down to whether you value ultimate convenience or maximum growing potential more.
Start with your space, your patience for maintenance tasks, and what you actually want to grow. The right system will make fresh, home-grown produce a reality in your kitchen.
Dora Decora is a biophilic interior design specialist and passionate blogger. With a deep commitment to integrating nature into living spaces, Dora specializes in creating environments that foster human-nature connections through thoughtful design elements. Her approach emphasizes sustainable materials, natural lighting, and organic patterns that enhance wellbeing and reduce environmental impact.
This post (https://homechroma.com/click-grow-vs-aerogarden-indoor-garden-system-comparison) was originally published by Dora Decora on Home Chroma. As an Amazon Associates partner, we are compensated for all qualifying purchases.
