Which Indoor Gardening System Is Worth the Price? We Tried Them All

FAQ

What Are Hydroponics?

In the simplest terms, hydroponic gardening means to grow plants without roots in soil. Sometimes the plants are suspended in water, like in the Rise or Gardyn; sometimes they’re in pods attached to a wick, like in the Click & Grow; and sometimes they have water sprayed or misted on their roots, like in the Lettuce Grow and Plantaform. Usually this is in concert with an artificial light source, either indoors or in an outdoor enclosure.

What Are the Benefits of Hydroponics?

In addition to the obvious plus of cleaner produce without mud, dirt, or synthetic pesticides, hydroponic systems use much less water than conventional growing methods, since all the water used is either recirculated or taken up by the plants. Some farmers also say they get higher yields from hydroponic systems, as the variables of weather, light, and nutrients are far easier to control. And, because of these variables, farmers are also able to grow varieties of plants from just about any season or region. And there are no weeds!

What Kinds of Things Can I Grow in a Hydroponic Garden?

Just about anything you can think of! I asked FX Rouxel, creator of Gardyn, if there was anything you couldn’t grow in these systems, other than ground-dwelling plants like peanuts or potatoes. “All the things that have big roots,” he said—like carrots, parsnips, and so on. “Otherwise, mostly things that are too big, like apples or lemons.” So, there you have it: No long roots, no trees. But anything else is fair game to try.

What Are the Downsides of Hydroponics?

First of all, it’s no secret hydroponic systems cost more than just planting some seeds outside in the dirt. Then you’ve got to worry about power outages, pump maintenance, algae, and just general maintenance. And if you’re not careful, water can harbor some nasty stuff, even if that’s just fertilizer, as WIRED reviewer Lisa Wood Shapiro found when she reviewed the Plantaform (4/10, WIRED Review).

Will I Save Money by Growing My Own Vegetables?

In short, no. There are many ways to build your own hydroponic system with items from the hardware store. The ready-made systems simply remove a great deal of hassle and guesswork from the process, and usually look pretty cool in the process. It’s also nice to have warranty and tech support in the event something goes wrong, and is often the case with anything filled with water, when something does go wrong, it goes really wrong.