AeroGarden vs Click and Grow: Which Smart Garden Wins?

More and more people are diving into indoor gardening so they can cultivate different types of herbs, vegetables, and fruits in the comforts of home. This growing interest has given birth to indoor garden seed kits.

I’ll walk you through a comparison of two big players in the field: AeroGarden and Click and Grow Smart Garden.

The two may seem similar at first glance but they operate quite differently when it comes to plant growth. One key difference is that Click and Grow uses Smart Soil while AeroGarden utilizes hydroponics. Their price points are not far from each other but each brand has its distinctions.

Let me break down the similarities and differences between the two to help you determine which one aligns best with your needs and home setup.

• Related article: What to Know About Hydroponics

7 Key Takeaways on AeroGarden vs Click & Grow Smart Garden

1. Click and Grow uses Smart Soil. Smart Soil is a nutrient-rich medium that sustains plants without needing frequent adjustments or additional fertilizers. AeroGarden relies on hydroponics with water and nutrient refills as prompted by its control panel.
2. Click and Grow offers sleek designs in white, gray, or beige. AeroGarden provides more options with various sizes and colors such as pearl, black, and sage.
3. Both brands offer a range of seed pod options. Click and Grow emphasizes variety, while AeroGarden focuses on kits designed for specific plants or mixes.
4. Click and Grow’s seed pods tend to be pricier due to their patented Smart Soil technology. AeroGarden offers more economical options for larger quantities.
5. AeroGarden and Click & Grow models vary in wattage and monthly costs. They are generally lower for smaller units and higher for larger models.
6. AeroGarden models range from 3 to 24 plant pods. Click and Grow offers models from 3 to 51 plant pods catering to diverse growing needs from herbs to mini-tomatoes.
7. AeroGarden employs a hands-on approach. It has a water tank and nutrient management system that requires regular monitoring. Click and Grow’s Smart Soil provides all necessary nutrients so it requires less maintenance and longer intervals between water refills.

How Are Aerogarden and Click and Grow Smart Garden Different?

Let’s explore the Aerogarden and Click and Grow Smart Garden systems in more detail to make an informed buying decision.

What Gardening Mediums Are Used?

Each system uses a different gardening medium, let’s take a look at each of them.

Click and Grow’s Smart Soil

Click and Grow’s Smart Soil is made up of a special mix of natural stuff like coco-coir, peat, and plant nutrients. These nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. They’re packed into colored balls that release the nutrients slowly.

Smart Soil doesn’t require adjustments every week. There is also no need to add additional fertilizers to keep your leafy greens healthy.

AeroGarden’s Hydroponics

AeroGarden requires the use of room-temperature tap water or bottled distilled water. Water from the well or softened water is not advised as it may contain nutrients that can interfere with plant growth. There is a need to add water and nutrients when the control panel signals you to do so. The frequency may range from a couple of days to a week for larger models.

What Design and Style Options Are Available?

Both AeroGarden and Click and Grow offer design and style options that fit nicely on any counter space.

I find Click and Grow to be the more eye-catching one. It has a sleek shape that’s both pretty and practical. Some AeroGarden models might seem bigger because of their water tanks.

Click and Grow has up to 3 color options for most of its models. They often come in white, gray, or beige varieties. Their design does not vary that much.

AeroGarden comes in different sizes and shapes and provides more color options like pearl, charcoal, sage, black, and stainless.

AeroGarden gives you more choices on how you want your garden to look. It has a wider range of options and colors available for indoor gardening. But when it comes to design and style, the choice may ultimately depend on personal preferences.

Are Plant Seed Pod Options and Refills Accessible?

Both AeroGarden and Click & Grow offer a wide selection of seed capsules for their smart garden systems. These capsules are the key to growing everything from fresh herbs to flowers right in your home.

Let’s dive into the specifics of what you can grow with each system. Click and Grow boasts 75 varieties of herbs, flowers, leafy greens, and more. As for AeroGarden, they have 30 different seed pod kits of herbs, veggies, or flowers.

• Read more about the Types of Aerogarden Seed Pods

Click and Grow offers varieties while AeroGarden offers kits so they may be difficult to compare when it comes to refills. Varieties are only of a single kind while kits may have one or more varieties of plants.

I will just base my verdict on flexibility for now and say that Click and Grow is better. This is because they give you the option to either buy single varieties or choose kits. Their “Grow Anything” pack gives you an option of 3, 9, or 30 plants.

When it comes to pricing, I picked three plant varieties to compare in the table below:

In all three varieties, Click and Grow’s seed pods are pricier because of their patented Smart Soil technology. This NASA-inspired medium creates the perfect environment for plants to thrive. Click and Grow assures users that their plants will survive without the need for any GMOs, pesticides, or insecticides.

AeroGarden is the better option when you want cheaper prices and plan to grow a lot. 

Let’s look at a 9-Pod planter for each garden system. For a Click and Grow Salad Greens Mix 9-pack (view features), the regular price is $24.95. An AeroGarden Salad Greens 9-Seed Pod Kit’s (check features) regular price is ‎$22.28.

How Much Energy Is Consumed?

Here is a breakdown of AeroGarden’s energy consumption based on its models:

The values above are based on a rate of $0.11 kw/hour. Larger models ultimately result in higher costs per month.

AeroGarden models that use LED lights will not need replacement until their diodes fail. They usually have a 2-4 year lifespan. 

Here is a breakdown of Click and Grow’s energy consumption based on its models:

Since their website only gave information on power consumption per month, I multiplied it by the rate of $0.11 for uniformity.

The Smart Garden 9, the Wall Farm, and the Click & Grow 25 all use white and red LEDs. These full spectrum LED light bulbs are very long-lasting and should last for about 7 years if used every day. 

In terms of energy consumption, let us compare the Smart Garden 9 and AeroGarden Sprout which both use 13 watts. The obvious choice in this one is Click and Grow as it costs less per month at the same rate of $0.11kw/hour. This may vary depending on your location and the cost of energy in your area.

• Check our more Detailed Review for Click and Grow

How Do Their Plant Yields Vary?

• Learn more about the Best Things to Grow in an AeroGarden

The difference in how plants eat and drink in these two models explains why some people see AeroGarden plants growing faster. When leafy greens get their food from nutrient-rich water directly, they grow quickly.

The Smart Soil in Click and Grow also has its benefits. It makes sure that plants get a good balance of what they need without the need to refill water tanks and plant nutrients. A more hands-off approach can be simpler for some users. It’s all about what works best for you and what you’re growing.

What Plant Care Is Needed?

AeroGarden and Click and Grow have different ways of keeping their plants happy. Let’s look at how they handle water and nutrients.

The Click and Grow plant model wins the plant care battle for being low-maintenance. It’s perfect if you want a garden that looks after itself. AeroGarden is more hands-on and needs constant monitoring.

AeroGarden vs Click & Grow Final Thoughts

The AeroGarden and Click and Grow systems are perfect for beginners and even experienced growers who want to try something new. Both systems let you grow herbs, greens, and flowers all year.

For beginners, the Click and Grow Indoor Smart Garden 9 Pro (view prices) is a top pick. It’s easy to use, needs little maintenance, and is a fun way to bring the farm-to-table concept into your home.

If you’re good with plants, you might prefer the AeroGarden Bounty Elite (check latest prices). It offers more customization options. This makes it great for those who love to tinker with their gardening setup.

AeroGarden vs Click & Grow FAQs

1. What Cannot Be Grown in an AeroGarden?

Some plants like corn, sweet potatoes, and beans, need a large area to grow but don’t yield as much when grown indoors. These are better suited to outdoor gardens where they have room to spread out.

2. Do Plants Grow Faster in AeroGarden?

Yes. AeroGardens are a smart way to grow plants fast and strong. They use a mix of hydroponics and aeroponics. This includes technology that NASA has tested. It helps plants grow up to five times quicker than soil.

Learn more about other types of indoor gardening systems:

• Comparing Hydroponics and Aquaponics
• Best Aerogarden for Your Home
• Aeroponic Home Gardening System
• Understanding Aquaponics