Are you wondering about the best plants to grow in Aerogarden Systems? This post will give you a complete list as well as help you determine how to choose the best crop for your model!
The Aerogarden hydroponic systems are an excellent want to grow your own food if you don’t have the space or time for an outdoor garden! It’s compact design means you can grow many different types of plants anywhere in your home!
When you first purchase your Aerogarden indoor gardening system, you’ll also receive a kit of Aerogarden seeds in pre-seeded pods of your choosing or a Grow Anything Kit which allows you to choose your own seeds!
In this article I’ll share the best Aerogarden plants in several different categories of crops as well as some related tips for choosing the right crops for your Aerogarden model.
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Best Plants to grow in Aerogarden
The Aerogarden indoor garden kits are perfect for any small space gardener and they are a great way to extend your gardening into the winter if you grow food in a cooler climate! But what can you grow in these systems. Here are some of my favorite plants to grow in the Aerogarden. These crops will range from fresh herbs and salad greens to larger fruits!
Best Vegetables for Aerogarden
If you have at least an Aerogarden Harvest or Aerogarden Harvest Elite you can grow larger fruits and vegetables of various sizes. This will include pepper plants, fresh tomatoes, eggplant and bush beans.
When you are choosing vegetables for your Aerogarden there are a few things that you can keep in mind! You want to make sure that the varieties are considered bush or dwarf varieties! Plants that are marketed as good for containers are great for the Aerogarden! You also want to avoid indeterminate varieties which can sometimes grow out of hand in your hydroponic system.
Here are some of the best varieties of Aerogarden Vegetables.
Micro Dwarf cherry tomatoes
These are some of my favorite varieties to grow because they work in nearly any size Aerogarden. These types of tomato plants often max out at about 12 inches tall, which is great to keep the plants from bumping into the grow lights on your Aerogarden. Some of the Varieties that we enjoy are:
Dwarf Tomato Varieties
Dwarf tomato varieties often offer more fruit size variation and can grow up to 24 inches tall. These are better suited for the larger Aerogarden models such as the Aerogarden Farm. Here are some varieties of Dwarf Tomatoes that grow great on your Aerogarden. Varieties I have tried include:
Small Bush Peppers
Container or small bush varieties of pepper plants can also do well in the Aerogarden. Look for smaller varieties that will stay around 12-14 inches tall such as:
- Mini Sweet Bell Peppers
- Corbaci
- Shishito
- Pot-A-Peno Hybrid
- Habanada
Eggplants
Eggplants are another fruit that can be great to grow on your aerogarden as long as you select the right variety! Look for small or dwarf plants like these:
- Jewel Amethyst Eggplant
- Turkish Eggplant
Bush Beans
Some types of beans can also thrive in an Aerogarden system. Look for bush bean varieties that have a more compact growth habit and don’t require much support, like:
- Blue Lake Bush Beans
- Garbanzo Beans
Bush Cucumbers
You can also grow cucumbers with bush habits in your Aerogarden. These varieties are ideal for smaller spaces and don’t require trellising.
Best Herbs for Aerogarden
Growing your own herbs is a great way to utilize your Aerogarden regardless of the model you have. You can grow both annual herbs as well as perennial herbs and can even use your Aerogarden to propagate different herbs! Here are several of the best herbs to grow in the Aerogarden.
Basil
Basil is an easy to grow herb that’s perfect for the Aerogarden. It can be used in a variety of dishes including pesto, pasta, and even desserts! You can grow various types of basil such as Genovese basil, Thai basil, and lemon basil.
Dill
Dill is an annual herb that is great to grow in your Aerogarden! It adds a delicious flavor to dishes like fish and pickles. Plus, it’s super easy to grow and doesn’t require much maintenance.
Mint
Mint is a refreshing herb that’s perfect for making teas, cocktails, or adding into salads and desserts! It grows quickly and easily in an Aerogarden.
Sage
Sage is a perennial herb that grows well in the Aerogarden and adds a savory flavor to dishes like chicken and pork. It also has medicinal properties and can be used for sore throats and digestive issues.
Cilantro
Cilantro, also known as coriander, is a popular herb to grow in an Aerogarden. It’s commonly used in Mexican and Asian cuisine and adds a fresh, citrusy flavor to dishes. I love growing cilantr
Italian Parsley
Italian parsley is another great herb for your Aerogarden smart garden system. It’s a versatile herb that can be used in various dishes like soups, stews, and sauces.
Additional herbs for the Aerogarden
In addition to the herbs listed above there are a host of other herbs that can be grown in your Aerogarden which include:
- Chamomile
- Lemon balm
- Chervil
- Chives
- Marjoram
- Mint
- Rosemary
- Savory
- Tarragon
- Thyme
Best Salad Greens for Aerogarden
Growing your own greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale in an Aerogarden is a great way to have fresh salads year-round! These crops are easy to grow, require minimal maintenance, and provide you with nutritious greens.
Lettuce
Lettuce is a staple green for any salad. You can grow different varieties such as romaine, butterhead, or leaf lettuce in your Aerogarden. Plus, it’s quick to harvest and regrows easily after trimming.
Arugula
Arugula is a delicious peppery green that grows well in an Aerogarden. It can be used as a base for salads or added into sandwiches and wraps for an extra kick of flavor.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a hearty green that’s packed with nutrients. It grows well in an Aerogarden and can be used in salads or cooked dishes like stir-fries and soups.
Spinach
Spinach is another popular green to grow in an Aerogarden. It’s versatile and can be used in salads, smoothies, or cooked dishes. Plus, it’s high in iron and other vitamins and minerals.
Kale
Kale plants can grow large but when grown with proper maintenance make great additions to your Aerogarden. This nutrient-rich green can be used in salads, soups, or even baked into chips!
Additional salad greens for the Aerogarden
Here are some other great choices for growing salad greens in your Aerogarden:
- Mustard greens
- Tatsoi
- Endive
- Mizuna
Additional tips for choosing plants to grow in Aerogarden
If you have followed our blog and social media for any amount of time, you’ll know that I 100% believe that anything is possible in the garden if you know the why behind the rules! So understanding the best plants to grow in the Aerogarden is great! But knowing why is even better! When you know why you should plant certain crops in your model, you can easily choose your own favorites for your model!
1. Know the height of the model you are growing
Aerogarden units come in various sizes and each size has a different set of crops that it can accommodate. Before you choose an Aerogarden you want to get a good handle on the height of the grow lights of each and make sure you have an idea of what all can be grown well on each. Here is a quick run down on different models.
Aerogarden Farm Models
These are the largest Aerogarden models available and allow you to grow generally any bush garden crop you want. The grow height of these models is 36 inches making it a great choice for larger growing plants.
Aerogarden Bounty Models
The Aerogarden bounty models are designed to be a good in between size as they can handle most herbs, tomatoes, peppers (with proper pruning) and many larger leafy greens like kale and swiss chard. The growing height for this model is 24 inches, which really gives you a wide variety of crops to choose from! This is my favorite model and the one I get the most out of.
Aerogarden Harvest Elite Models
This is the model I started with and a great Aerogarden for Beginners! The Harvest elite model gives you 12″ of plant height and the Harvest XL model allows you to grow crops up to 18 inches tall.
2. Know the Spacing of the crop you are growing
Another tip for choosing the right crops for your Aerogarden is to understand the space requirement of the crops you are growing. Understanding the plant growth specifications can not only help you choose varieties with smaller footprints but also help you choose how best to care for your crops! This information can typically be found on your seed packets, or in the specifications of the seed catalogs.
3. Don’t overfill your Aerogarden
One common mistake beginner Aerogarden Users make when filling their unit is overfilling the Aerogarden. Just because the Aerogarden has 9 spaces to fill, does not mean you have to put crops in each of those spaces. In general, if I am growing leafy greens or herbs, I will use each space. But if I am growing fruiting crops I will only place 2 plants on a Harvest Model and 3 plants if I’m growing on my Bounty Model.
4. Prune Consistently
Lastly, pruning is going to be key to growing successfully in the Aerogarden. Most of the fruiting and larger crops are going to require a lot more pruning then you might expect so that they don’t take over your entire unit! Make sure to research proper pruning techniques for each crop you plan on growing to ensure optimal growth and harvest.
Understand, it’s important to remember that not all plants will thrive in an Aerogarden. Some may require more space or have specific growth requirements that may not be suitable for hydroponic systems. One that may prove to be tricky are root crops like onions (if you are growing for bulbs). Be sure to do thorough research on each plant before deciding which ones to grow in your Aerogarden.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a wide variety of herbs, salad greens, and vegetables that can be grown in an Aerogarden. With the proper maintenance and care, your smart garden system can provide you with fresh and nutritious produce all year round. Experiment with different varieties and have fun exploring new flavors and dishes to create with your homegrown Aerogarden crops! Happy growing! So why wait? Get started on creating your very own indoor garden today!