Miracle-Gro AeroGarden - LED Indoor Grow Systems

Miracle-Gro AeroGarden are fully automatic LED indoor grow systems, suitable for growing indoors plants like herbs, flowers, vegetables and, of course, berries like strawberries and tomatoes. They come in various sizes and with many options, and if you want to enjoy fresh strawberries and tomatoes grown at home even during winter, consider these systems.

Depending on the size of the container and strength of the LEDs, Miracle-Gro AeroGarden can be used to grow 7 or 9 plants. These indoor grow systems are based on hydroponics - plants grow in the water, not soil.

Miracle-Gro AeroGardens are equipped with high-performance, full spectrum 20, 30, or 45 W LED lights. Combining several light spectrums, allows plants to maximize photosynthesis, resulting in fast, natural growth and abundant harvests - daylight white LEDs promote fast growth, blue LEDs bigger yields, and red LEDs promote more flowers and fruit.

Since LED lights are 'cold' lights, plants can be grown rather close to the LEDs. Nonetheless, height of the LEDs can be adjusted, with maximum height depending on the model, from 12 inches (~30.5 cm) to 24 inches (~61 cm) - ideal for strawberries and dwarf tomatoes, but also for peppers, basil, cilantro, mint, celery, parsley, chives, dill, lettuce etc.

Units come with interactive LCD screen control panels and onboard controller, which inform the user when to add water, when to add nutrients, automatically turns lights on and off and provides timely tips and on-screen help functions. Some models even come with Wi-Fi module and smartphone app for remote control and monitoring.

Best berries for growing in systems like these are various ever-bearing and day-neutral strawberries and cherry and grape tomatoes.

For more on growing strawberries and tomatoes indoors and in containers, feel free to check these articles:

- Growing Tomatoes Indoors and Outdoors in Pots and Containers

- Tomato Types and Varieties

- How to Grow Strawberry Plants in Containers

- How to Grow Strawberries Indoors

Miracle-Gro AeroGardens sets come with one season supply of sponges, nutrients etc. However, these items are rather cheap and can be purchased on-line when required and for the plants you want to grow.

If you have never used such grow systems, be sure to read the manual thoroughly.

Miracle-Gro AeroGardens sets come with:

- Grow Sponges,
- Grow Domes,
- Grow Baskets,
- Labels,
- Liquid Nutrients
- Growing Guide with step-by-step instructions.

For short, grow sponges with seed(s) are placed in grow baskets, which are then positioned onto their permanent positions.

If you are growing various plants, you can mark the position with the label. After planting, put the grow dome onto the grow basket - not required, but can accelerate germination by increasing the temperature and humidity.

Fill the container with the water and liquid nutrient, program the timer and enjoy your LED indoor grow system do everything for you.

When plants start to grow, be sure to remove the grow domes. Add water and nutrients when required.

Note: when growing plants like strawberries and tomatoes indoors, manual pollination is required!

There are several models of Miracle-Gro AeroGarden indoor LED grow systems. They vary in few details, which might be important for growers. Here is the list of few most popular models with their features and specifications.

Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Ultra Features and Specifications - 30 W LED grow light - Extends up to 24" - 7 pods for plants - Control Panel - Interactive LCD Touchscreen, Fully Automated, Customizable - Dimensions (W x D x H): 17.25 x 11.25 x 15-34 inch (~44 x 28.5 x 38-86.5 cm) - Color - Black Finish - Warranty - 1 Year Amazon Link: Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Ultra

Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Bounty - 45 W LED grow light - Extends up to 24" - 9 pods for plants - Control Panel - Interactive LCD Touchscreen, Fully Automated, Customizable - Dimensions (W x D x H): 17.25 x 11.25 x 15-34 inch (~44 x 28.5 x 38-86.5 cm) - Color - Black Finish - Warranty - 1 Year Amazon Link: Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Bounty

Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Bounty Wi-Fi - 45 W LED grow light - Extends up to 24" - 9 pods for plants - Control Panel - Interactive LCD Touchscreen, Fully Automated, Customizable + Free AeroGarden App for Controlling the unit with Smart Device - Dimensions (W x D x H): 17.25 x 11.25 x 15-34 inch (~44 x 28.5 x 38-86.5 cm) - Color - Black Finish - Warranty - 1 Year Amazon Link: Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Bounty Elite Wi-Fi

Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Bounty Elite Platinum - 45 W LED grow light - Extends up to 24" - 9 pods for plants - Control Panel - Interactive LCD Touchscreen, Fully Automated, Customizable - Dimensions (W x D x H): 17.25 x 11.25 x 15-34 inch (~44 x 28.5 x 38-86.5 cm) - Color - Platinum Stainless - Warranty - 1 Year Amazon Link: Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Bounty Elite Platinum

Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Bounty Elite Wi-Fi Platinum - 45 W LED grow light - Extends up to 24" - 9 pods for plants - Control Panel - Interactive LCD Touchscreen, Fully Automated, Customizable + Free AeroGarden App for Controlling the unit with Smart Device - Dimensions (W x D x H): 17.25 x 11.25 x 15-34 inch (~44 x 28.5 x 38-86.5 cm) - Color - Platinum Stainless - Warranty - 1 Year Amazon Link: Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Bounty Elite Wi-Fi Platinum

Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Extra - 30 W LED grow light - Extends up to 24" - 7 pods for plants - Control Panel - Push Button, Automated Grow Lights, Nutrient and Water Reminders - Dimensions (W x D x H): 17.25 x 11.25 x 15-34 inch (~44 x 28.5 x 38-86.5 cm) - Color - Black Finish - Warranty - 1 Year Amazon Link: Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Extra

Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Classic 7 - 20 W LED grow light - Extends up to 12" - 7 pods for plants - Control Panel - Push Button, Automated Grow Lights, Nutrient and Water Reminders - Dimensions (W x D x H): 18.5 x 10.5 x 15-21 H inch (~47 x 26.7 x 38-53.3 cm) - Color - Black Finish - Warranty - 1 Year Amazon Link: Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Classic 7

Note: Amazon links in the table are affiliate links.

IMHO, if you really don't need Wi-Fi features, don't buy such models, it can save you some money. Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Classic 7 has the weakest LED lights, but is good enough for growing strawberries and other similar smaller plants, especially near the windows.

My favorite model is Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Bounty, with 45 W LED lights and 9 pods for plants. Since I like automation, but consider Wi-Fi feature to be an overkill, it is IMHO, best buy Miracle-Gro AeroGarden.

Some people don't want just to grow strawberries and tomatoes at home, they also want to show off a little bit, with their LED grow systems. If you are one of them, I would highly recommend Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Bounty Elite Wi-Fi Red Stainless Indoor Garden with Cherry Tomato Kit (Amazon link, link opens in the new window), photo to the right.

It features 45 W LED grow light, that Extends up to 24". Unit has 9 pods for plants and fully automated, customizable control panel with interactive LCD touchscreen, with free AeroGarden App for controlling the unit with smartphone or tablet.

Unit dimensions (W x D x H) are: 17.25 x 11.25 x 15-34 inch (~44 x 28.5 x 38-86.5 cm).

It comes with 1-year warranty. Color can be Stainless Steel, Stainless Red or Stainless Platinum.

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Long story short: If you want to start with hydroponics, Miracle-Gro AeroGardens are excellent, all-in-one solution. Models with Wi-Fi feature do cost some decent money, but what you pay is what you get.

For the previously mentioned reasons, my favorite model is Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Bounty. But that is just me ... :)