Can't Keep Herbs Alive? There's An Amazon Find That Makes It Easier

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Even if you don't have a garden, you can easily grow herbs inside your home. Or at least, it's supposed to be easy. Sometimes, even if you make sure to avoid all of the common mistakes when growing herbs indoors, your plants just don't thrive. Thankfully, if you can't keep them alive, you can get some much-needed assistance from an Amazon find: the AeroGarden Bounty Basic. This system combines a grow light with a hydroponic growing container.

It comes with pretty much everything you need to get started, apart from water. There is a trellis for taller herbs that you can attach as needed, liquid plant food, a planting guide, and pods with seeds already inside. This is meant to work as a hydroponics system, so you don't even need to include soil. Plus, you can buy the AeroGarden Grow Anything Seed Pod Kit on Amazon, which includes empty pods and sponges. These allow you to customize your herb garden. With the ability to pick flavors you'll actually use, you can even try some of the smaller edible plants perfect for growing indoors and in small spaces.

The control panel also displays reminders for when the system needs more water or plant food. With that automatic reminder, no need to worry about soil, and these easy-to-place pods, it's no surprise that this is a surefire, easier way to keep your herbs alive.

Although this product is expensive, it can be well worth the money. People who buy this product typically love it, and it has a 4.6-star rating based on around 5,000 reviews. A five-star review on Amazon mentioned that, "The AeroGarden has quickly become one of my favorite purchases. It arrived well-packaged, was simple to set up, and the directions were so clear that I had it running in under 10 minutes. The pre-filled seed pods sprouted beautifully, and I've been using this system for over two years without any issues." Other positive reviews mention it features a lot of settings that make growing certain plants a breeze, and the screen with all the information and countdowns means you're not adding another watering schedule to your already overloaded mental list. 

The negative reviews vary. Some mention poor customer service and parts broken upon receiving it in the mail. According to a one-star review on Amazon, "I have had an older model for years and loved it. When the light went out I called CS and they were unhelpful and had no idea how to help me." Others say the seed pods don't always germinate. 

However, even if you have a product that works right, you may still find yourself with issues if you don't care for the plants properly. Overcrowding is one problem reviewers mention a lot. Reviewers also mention the cost of replacement pods and how bright the lights are while the system is running.

While the AeroGarden is definitely an easier way to care for herbs, it's not completely without work on your part. One of the biggest issues is that the plants can quickly become overcrowded. To keep your plants happy, you may want to only grow a couple of pods at a time, and consider leaving every other pod hole empty. Block the extra holes with something that won't let light through, like specific AeroGarden covers or even golf balls. Additionally, don't be afraid to pull some of the sprouts or prune plants that are getting too large.

Another common issue is that this product has brighter lights than many people expect. Putting it in places where you regularly relax at night, or near your bedroom, could disrupt your sleep and leave you grumpy. Consider putting it somewhere that won't bother you much, like in a spare bedroom. Another ideal place is in the kitchen. Putting it here gives you quick and easy access while cooking. Just remember to squint when you're heading into the kitchen to get a midnight snack.

Soon, you'll find yourself becoming an AeroGarden expert and growing more plants than you know what to do with. Thankfully, you can harvest the herbs and freeze them for when your fresh supply is running a little low. Or, you can use some common herbs from your little garden for a cleaner home.