Why we tested the Click and Grow Smart Garden 9
The Click and Grow Smart Garden 9 sits at the premium end of the consumer indoor growing market, and at $199 it needs to deliver something more than a $99 AeroGarden. We tested it alongside the AeroGarden Harvest over three months to identify the specific advantages that justify the higher price and the use cases where those advantages matter.
How we tested
We set up the Smart Garden 9 with a mix of herbs and flowers: basil, mint, lavender, thyme, and lettuce. We tracked germination timing, days to first harvest, and plant health at weekly intervals. We compared herb growth rates directly against the AeroGarden Harvest 6-pod running simultaneously in the same room. We also tested the auto-watering system’s reliability by intentionally not checking water levels for 5-day periods to see whether the wick system maintained adequate moisture. Testing followed our indoor herb garden methodology.
Performance: refined but not faster
The nine-pod capacity is the clearest advantage. Running nine pods means a complete herb collection (basil, parsley, chives, thyme, oregano, mint, plus three salad greens) grows simultaneously in a single unit. For cooks who want a wide variety available at once, the Smart Garden 9 delivers what no 6-pod unit can.
Growth rates are good but slightly behind the AeroGarden’s hydroponic output. Basil first harvest took 28-30 days in the Smart Garden 9 compared to 23 days in the AeroGarden, a difference attributable to the soil-based pod medium versus the nutrient solution of hydroponic growing. The flavor of the herbs, particularly basil, was rated more complex in a blind taste comparison by three household members, which aligns with the general finding that soil-grown herbs develop more aromatic compound complexity than hydroponically grown herbs.
The auto-watering wick system worked reliably throughout the test period. Even during our 5-day non-monitoring periods, no plants showed wilting or stress. The reservoir indicator light alerts when refill is needed. The stainless steel light hood and clean matte body make this the most aesthetically acceptable grow unit for prominent kitchen placement.
Who should buy this
The Smart Garden 9 is the right choice for cooks who want a full herb and greens variety available simultaneously and for whom kitchen aesthetics matter. The premium over the AeroGarden is justified if you will regularly use all nine pods and value the cleaner design. If you primarily grow two or three common herbs and growth speed is the priority, the AeroGarden Harvest at half the price performs comparably.
Click and Grow Smart Garden 9 vs. the competition
| Product | Verdict |
|---|---|
| AeroGarden Harvest 6-Pod | Alternative - Half the price, 6 pods, hydroponic system, faster growth rates. |
| Back to the Roots Water Garden | Alternative - Aquaponics novelty, smaller herb output, educational focus. |
| AeroGarden Bounty (9-Pod) | Alternative - Comparable pod count with hydroponic speed advantage, similar price. |
| Windowsill Herb Planters | Skip for year-round reliability - Window light varies seasonally. |
Full specifications
| Pod Capacity | 9 pods |
| Light Type | Full-spectrum LED, auto 16hr/8hr cycle |
| Watering | Self-watering wick system, manual refill |
| Compatible Plants | 75+ varieties |
| Dimensions | 26.3 x 8.9 x 14.9 inches |
| Material | BPA-free plastic with stainless steel hood |
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Should you buy the Click and Grow Smart Garden 9?
The Click and Grow Smart Garden 9 is a well-designed, reliable indoor garden that handles nine pods simultaneously and works with the most diverse pod catalog of any system we tested. The auto-watering wick system is elegantly simple and reliable. At $199 it is double the AeroGarden Harvest's price, which is justified if you want nine pods and the broader plant variety selection, but harder to justify for typical three or four herb use cases.
Frequently asked questions
Is Click and Grow or AeroGarden better?+
AeroGarden's hydroponic system grows herbs faster (our basil comparison: AeroGarden first harvest at 23 days vs 28-30 days for Click and Grow). Click and Grow's soil-based pods produce a slightly more natural flavor profile in some herbs, particularly basil. Click and Grow's advantage is its larger plant variety catalog and cleaner design. For pure growing performance, AeroGarden wins. For design and variety, Click and Grow wins.
Can I use Click and Grow pods that have expired?+
Pod expiration dates refer to seed viability. Most seeds remain viable 1-2 years past the printed date under good storage conditions. Germination rates will be lower on old pods but not zero. Test by planting: if nothing germinates after 14 days, replace the pod.
Is there a subscription required?+
No subscription is required. Replacement pods are purchased individually or in multi-packs. Click and Grow offers a subscription refill option for convenience, but it is optional.
📅 Update log
- May 26, 2026Initial review published after 3-month indoor growing test.
