Indoor Garden Systems Tested: Gardyn Named Best, But Subscription and Security Issues Noted

A Wired journalist with over 30 years of gardening experience tested 12 indoor smart garden systems over the course of a year. The results were published in July 2026.

Best Overall

Gardyn Home 4.0 ($899) was rated the best overall. It is easy to assemble and produces impressive growth thanks to front-mounted lights allowing tall plants. However, it requires a subscription called Kelby ($259/year) that uses AI to monitor plants and provide advice. Wired notes that in February and April 2026, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued advisories about vulnerabilities in Gardyn devices that could allow remote control and access to user data. Gardyn claims the issues have been fixed with a firmware update.

Statement Piece

Lettuce Grow Farmstart (starting at 18 plant spots) was founded by actress Zooey Deschanel and her ex-husband. It has a unique design resembling a 2001: A Space Odyssey prop. However, the test found that seedlings can introduce pests like whiteflies and aphids. The company offers a plant protection kit. The system lacks a vacation mode.

Least Obtrusive Large Garden

Just Vertical EVE Tower Garden, from a Canadian company, avoids subscriptions and proprietary pods. It comes with enough seeds for a year and growing sponges, emphasizing self-sufficiency.

Best for Beginners

AeroGarden Bounty is recommended as the best option for beginners.

Other Models

Auk Mini ($259) is an attractive, low-maintenance solution for herbs. Modern Sprout jars were mentioned as an honorable mention.

Conclusions

Wired emphasizes that these gardens are an investment in both money and time. While they allow growing vegetables and herbs indoors, they require regular maintenance like root checks and cleaning. Saving money by growing your own is not guaranteed.