5 Best Indoor Herb Gardens for Fresh Herbs Year-Round
No outdoor space? These indoor garden systems make it easy to grow fresh herbs and produce at home.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
I grew up in the suburbs, where my mother grew nearly every herb imaginable, so fresh herbs were always part of our cooking. It wasn’t until the past five years living in the city that I realized how much I missed having them on hand.
While there are endless ways to use fresh herbs year-round, not everyone has space for an outdoor garden (myself included), and store-bought options are often already past their prime. That’s where indoor herb gardens come in. They’ve completely changed the way I cook, making it easy to grow herbs—and even lettuce, fruits, and vegetables—right in my kitchen. I've found that they deliver fresh, flavorful produce on demand, make it easy to grow out-of-season ingredients, and help reduce food waste by letting you harvest only what you need.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: AeroGarden Harvest Elite
- Best value: iDOO Hydroponics Growing System Kit
- Best for small spaces: Lettuce Grow Farmstand Nook
- Best smart: Gardyn Home 4.0
I’m a trained chef and a reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, where we’ve been covering indoor herb gardens for over a decade. To find the ones truly worth your money, we considered ease of setup and maintenance, as well as smart features like app connectivity. We tried a range of models in our own homes, where we could closely observe how they performed over time. We also took into account capacity, built-in water and lighting timers, and the cost of compatible seeds and pods. Read on to discover which models stood out.
Pros
- Compact design
- Herbs and lettuce grow quickly
- Lights have a helpful timer
Cons
- Greens may burn on lights if not harvested frequently
A favorite among our testers, the Aerogarden can grow an abundance of greens in a compact device that fits on a window ledge or your kitchen countertop. The hydroponic garden includes a full-spectrum grow light designed to mimic sunlight. The set includes six herb seed pods, but other herb, veggie, and flower pods are available to purchase from the Aerogarden website. You can also use your own seeds, but you will need to buy a Grow Anything Seed Pod Kit to do so.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: When we tested this unit, we found the plants grew in the recommended time frame listed on the pod, and the lights worked on the recommended schedule. No additional soil is required, as it comes with liquid plant nutrients, and there’s an indicator to remind you to fill up the water and add the plant food. Setup was simple, and we appreciated the lighted reminders to add plant food and water.
The Aerogarden Harvest claims to grow plants up to six times faster than soil. Kitchen & Cooking Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou has used the Aerogarden for years and loves how quickly her produce grows. She found herbs and lettuce grew so quickly they needed to be harvested every few days, making this device especially useful for anyone who cooks with them regularly. Take note: If the plants are left to grow for too long, they may start pressing against the lights and burning.
Features at a Glance
| Capacity | 6 plants |
| Dimensions | 6" x 10.5" x 17.4" |
| Requires brand's seeds/pods | Yes (or use of a seed pod kit) |
Pros
- Easy to use
- Holds up to 12 pods
- Adjustable light panel
Cons
- Plants are very close together
This indoor garden kit holds up to 12 pods at a lower price than similar-sized garden kits. Plus, you can also use your own seeds, unlike other brands that require the use of proprietary pods, which allows you to get extra creative with the herbs you decide to plant.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: While we haven't tested a model from this brand yet, we love that it has a water-level window so you never have to guess when it needs refilling, plus a simple control panel for the lights and fan.
It also features an adjustable-height LED light panel and a water pump that automatically turns on and off to circulate the water. Note that while this system can hold up to 12 plants, the spacing is tight, so herbs may become crowded as they grow.
| Capacity | 12 plants |
| Dimensions | 10.2" x 13.8" x 11.3" |
| Requires brand's seeds/pods | No |
Pros
- Includes app-enabled smart timer
- Easy to assemble
- Seedlings arrived sprouted
Cons
- Smart plug is hard to pair unless you have good internet connection
This compact vertical indoor garden can grow up to 20 plants, thanks to its space-saving design and nine-gallon water tank. It earned a Kitchen Award when it first launched, and my team and I tested it at home with great results.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: Papantoniou and I have both used this model for over a year and have had great success. "It’s super easy to put together," says Papantoniou, who loves that this indoor herb garden comes with a smart plug that connects to your phone to customize the light and watering schedule. You can also test and adjust the water quality, and we found that the brand offers many helpful how-to videos.
The best part: The seedlings arrive already sprouted, giving you a head start on growing. "After just a couple of weeks, I was able to start eating lettuce and herbs," adds Papantoniou. Lettuce Grow also offers a wide variety of seedlings as well, everything from bok choy to strawberries to snapdragon flowers. We also love that you can buy a dolly to easily move the model around, since it can get heavy when filled. Take note: we had some issues with the smart plug when used in a space with poor internet connection.
Features at a Glance
| Capacity | 20 plants |
| Dimensions | 23" x 55" x 23" |
| Requires brands seeds/pods | Yes |
Pros
- Large capacity
- Built-in cameras that monitor plants
- Easy to control from app
Cons
- Pricey, plus an added monthly membership cost
The Gardyn Home 4.0 is a smart hydroponic system that lets you grow up to 30 herbs and greens year-round with minimal effort, paired with an app that uses built-in cameras to monitor plants, track water levels, and order new plants. The app even creates time-lapse videos of your plants’ growth.
While not required, a $19–$25/month membership is available in addition to the unit price. It includes an AI gardener that offers tips and automatically adjusts lighting and watering, along with perks like free shipping, plant credits, and discounts on additional plants.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: I tested this indoor system at home, along with two other consumer testers. We found the lights to be quite bright, though they’re easy to control via the app. The tubes and tank are simple to clean, but the process is easier with two people (my husband helped a lot). My favorite plants to grow in this system were cherry tomatoes, which turned out incredibly sweet and flavorful, and Swiss chard, which produced especially tall stalks. For herbs, Thai basil stood out—it was so lush that I was constantly finding new ways to use it.
Papantoniou has tested multiple generations of this model, while I’ve been testing this specific unit for over a year—both with strong long-term results.
READ THE FULL REVIEW: Gardyn Indoor Garden
Features at a Glance
| Capacity | 30 plants |
| Dimesions | 24” x 12” x 64” |
| Requires brands seeds/pods | Yes |
Pros
- Enough room to seed start 36 plants
- Easy-to-use design
- Comes with plant markers
Cons
- Seeds sold separately
If you’re simply looking for a seed-starting kit to get seedlings ready for your garden or pots once the weather warms up, look no further. This affordable kit lets you start up to 36 plants at once—just add water to the tray, and the pellets expand to create the perfect base for sowing seeds. Plus, the kit comes with a packet of SuperThrive, a vitamin that supports plant growth, along with markers to help you keep track of what you’re growing.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: I’ve tested several sizes of this kit and found them all easy and intuitive—just place the tray near a sunny window and let your plants grow. I primarily used Ferry-Morse seeds with this kit, but you can use just about any variety. I grew everything from basil to mint with great results. You can also transplant seedlings into larger indoor pots instead of moving them outdoors. That said, the 36-cell tray can take up a fair amount of space, and seeds are sold separately.
Features at a Glance
| Capacity | 36 plants |
| Dimensions | 11” x 11” x 4.25” |
| Requires brands seeds/pods | No |
Other indoor herb gardens we've tested
We’ve tested many indoor garden systems beyond those listed here, but since some have been discontinued, these are the models still available today:
- Auk 1: This system has a sleek design and holds four plants, but while it includes a self-watering tank, we found it didn’t always water consistently.
- Click & Grow Smart Garden 3: This model is extremely easy to use and compact—ideal for small spaces—with a built-in timer and adjustable lighting, but it only holds three pods, and we didn't find the app useful.
- Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 : We found this indoor plant garden easy to set up and relatively compact for its ability to hold nine plants. It features red and white LED lights that the system claims help plants grow faster, but it also requires proprietary pods.
- Lettuce Grow Counterstand Set: If you’re looking for a low-tech option with a beautiful design, this system features three amber containers for growing plants and a small lamp, though it’s pricey for its size.
- Vertible Smart Indoor Garden: This low-maintenance system with preset lighting and self-watering (no app needed) offers a wide variety of pods, but some plants grew more slowly and experienced some mold during testing.
How we test indoor herb gardens
For this story, analysts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab evaluated over a dozen indoor herb gardens both in the Lab and at home, building on nearly a decade of category testing.
Lab analysts and editors set up and used each system to grow herbs and produce. When assessing each model, we considered ease of use, starting with how simple it is to set up right out of the box. We also look at how much space each system requires, as well as how intuitive features like grow lights and compatible apps are to operate.
Throughout testing, we evaluated the variety of compatible herbs, how quickly and consistently herbs sprouted and grew, and whether systems produced usable harvests. Most importantly, we also tasted the herbs and produce to evaluate flavor.
For a few additional options we couldn’t test firsthand, we researched top-rated models, comparing features and user feedback.
What to look for when shopping for the best indoor herb gardens
✔️ Type: There are two main types of indoor garden systems.
- Countertop indoor garden systems: These are compact units designed to sit on a kitchen counter or even a windowsill. They’re ideal for growing small herbs and a few greens, using built-in lights, and they're often hydroponic.
- Large indoor garden systems: Bigger, freestanding systems that can support a wider variety and higher volume of plants. They’re better suited for serious growing, not just herbs—like leafy greens, vegetables, or even small fruiting plants.
✔️ Capacity: When choosing an indoor herb garden, consider how many herbs you want to grow and whether you'd like to experiment with other greens (like lettuce). Indoor herb gardens can grow as few as three plants to as many as 30. Keep in mind that the more herbs you want to grow, the larger the device and the more space it will take up.
✔️ Dimensions: Indoor herb gardens come in a variety of sizes, from a three-pot windowsill size to large growing systems that are over 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Make sure to check the dimensions of the herb grower to ensure it will fit in your space.
✔️ Variety of herbs/vegetables: Many indoor herb gardens can grow other produce, such as lettuce or fruit, so if you want to grow more than just herbs, you may want to opt for a larger device. Also, be sure to check the type of pods available for each garden, as some garden kits are compatible only with their own pods.
✔️ Self-watering: Some indoor herb gardens have timers to automatically water according to a schedule, while others require manual watering. If you're the type to forget to water your plants, you'll want to invest in an automatic machine.
✔️ Lighting: Window herb planters are a simple, affordable option, but maybe don't include a grow light—which means you'll need to consider sunlight conditions in your home. Some herb gardens feature lighting that can be manually switched on and off, while others have self-timers that operate according to schedule.
✔️ Buying seeds and pods: Some indoor herb gardens require the use of the brand's seeds or pods, and for others, you can buy your own seeds. If the brand requires its own seeds or pods, be sure they have the herbs you want.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Eva Bleyer is the reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She has tested all kinds of kitchen gear for GH and leads all flower-delivery testing. Eva has also tested a wide variety of growing systems and is the lead tester in this category for the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Awards.
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen & Cooking Lab, where she has overseen content and testing for kitchen and cooking appliances, tools, and gear since 2019. Nicole has tested many of the indoor growing systems on this list.
Readers Also Read
40 Best Gifts for Women
The Best Mattresses for Better Sleep
The Best Headphones of 2026
My Review of the Dreame AirStyle Pro Hair Styler
