What to Consider When Choosing the Best Indoor Garden?

There are various factors to keep in mind when looking for the best indoor garden system for your home or office. Decide if you want to grow flowers or herbs, a soil or hydroponic system, and how much you can invest in maintenance. We considered the following factors during testing.

1. The size of indoor garden systems

The size of your ideal hydroponic indoor garden depends on several factors. Obviously, you need to fit it into the space you have. For example, some herbs don't take up much space, but an avid chef who constantly reaches for a variety of herbs will want as many as nine to 12 plants in his indoor garden. In addition to the area, consider the height of the plants: Vegetables tend to grow tall and need plenty of space.

2. Plant types of indoor garden systems

Most indoor gardens are designed for herbaceous plants, but some can also be successful with flowers, especially if the plants are relatively small—usually less than a foot tall and wide, such as miniature daisies.

Exceptions are the large-scale indoor gardens, which provide additional space for plants to grow and are equipped with light panels large enough to disperse light over a wide range of foliage. While manufacturers often show images of indoor gardens filled with tomatoes and cucumbers, the systems that house this vegetable are the exception rather than the rule.

3. Types of indoor garden systems

Indoor gardens use soil, hydroponics, or hydroponic systems to grow plants. Soil-based indoor gardens use traditional potting mixes, similar to outdoor gardens. Hydroponic systems use water that delivers added nutrients directly to the roots of plants, no soil required.

Hydroponic systems are similar to hydroponic systems in that there is no soil, but they include a perhaps surprising add-on. Fish live in water that nourishes plants, and their excrement can be used as fertilizer to promote plant growth. This process helps keep the tank clean and the fish healthy due to the efficient use of waste. In short, it's an ecosystem.

4. Grow lights of indoor garden systems

All plants need light to grow, so evaluating grow lights for indoor gardens is crucial. Most indoor gardens are equipped with LED grow lights that simulate natural sunlight and encourage plants to thrive. Some even have auto-dimming features to further simulate full-day sunlight.

Those who can't spend much time tending the garden can opt for a light with an automatic timer. Many people leave their lights on 16 to 18 hours a day for optimal growth. However, some indoor gardens don't have built-in light sources, so check to see if the unit includes lights before buying. Heyabby indoor garden box is a great choice for you.

5. Temperature regulation of indoor garden systems

Maintaining the right indoor garden temperature is critical. Few indoor gardens include thermostats, so where you place your unit is key. For best results, choose an indoor garden that maintains a temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid places where the temperature is frequently below 60 degrees or above 80 degrees.

While an indoor garden may not require a heater, consider adding an aqua system for tropical fish in an aquarium if the plants do not.

6. Humidity of indoor garden systems

Many herbs and other plants like moisture, so think about how to keep your plants moist. The light panels on top of many indoor hydroponic gardens can act as a humidity dome to help maintain humidity at the plant level, but not enough to keep the leaves soggy.

While some humidity is a good idea, too much can lead to the development of fungal diseases. If the indoor garden will be in a humid area, such as a greenhouse, consider purchasing a system with built-in fans that cycle every few minutes to help dissipate excess humidity.

Many people want a low maintenance best indoor garden system that requires little manual work. In general, aquaculture systems require the most maintenance, as they are characterized by the organisms that must be monitored and fed. In contrast, hydroponic systems require little attention beyond the occasional addition of water and fertilizer. Traditional soil systems require more hands-on work, which makes them a good choice for teaching kids about nature.