AeroGarden alternatives: what to get if your AeroGarden broke or you outgrew it
If you are searching for an AeroGarden alternative, one of two things probably happened. Your AeroGarden stopped working, or it stopped being enough.
Maybe the pump went quiet, the lights will not come on, or you want more than a few herbs on the counter. This guide covers what to check before you replace it, what to look for in an AeroGarden replacement, and how Gardyn compares.
Key takeaways
- AeroGarden is still in business. It is a Scotts Miracle-Gro brand, and it relaunched in 2025 after a brief shutdown.
- Before you replace a broken unit, check the pump intake for roots, the water level and your warranty date.
- The most common reasons people move on are capacity, proprietary parts and wanting a garden that watches itself.
- Gardyn Home 4 grows 30 plants in 2 sq ft. The largest AeroGarden for sale today, the Bounty, holds 9.
- Short on space? Gardyn Studio 2 grows 16 plants in 1.4 sq ft.
Is AeroGarden still in business?
Yes. AeroGarden is owned by Scotts Miracle-Gro, the parent company of Miracle-Gro. Scotts paused the brand in late 2024, relaunched it in spring 2025, and now sells it through the Scotts Miracle-Gro website. We cover the full timeline in Is AeroGarden owned by Scotts Miracle-Gro?
For owners, the real impact of the shutdown was on parts. Several larger models, including the Farm 24 and Farm 24XL, did not come back, and the Farm 12XL is no longer sold on the Scotts Miracle-Gro site. If your garden depends on a part that is no longer made, that alone is a fair reason to look at alternatives.
My AeroGarden is broken. What do I get now?
Start with a few quick checks. Many problems in countertop hydroponic gardens have simple causes.
- Pump not running or running loud: in a mature garden, roots often grow into the pump intake. Unplug the unit, lift the deck, clear the roots and rinse the intake. Then confirm the water is above the minimum line.
- Lights off or on the wrong schedule: power-cycle the unit, check that the light arm is fully seated, and reset the light schedule.
- Plants stalled or yellowing: refresh the nutrients on schedule, top up the water and clean off any mineral buildup.
- Still not working: check your warranty. Coverage changed during the 2024 wind-down and depends on when you bought your unit.
It is time to replace your AeroGarden when:
- The fix needs a part that is no longer made
- The unit is out of warranty and the repair costs a meaningful share of a new garden
- It works fine, but it no longer grows enough for your household
What to look for in an AeroGarden replacement
A replacement should fix whatever made you start looking. Check these seven things before you buy.
- Capacity: count the plants your household actually eats in a week. A few herbs fit in six to nine spots. Salad greens for a family take far more.
- Footprint: a floor-standing vertical garden grows more plants per square foot of floor than a countertop unit.
- Water reservoir: a bigger tank means fewer top-ups and less worry when you travel.
- Monitoring: cameras, sensors and alerts tell you something is off before your plants show it.
- Plant library and ongoing costs: look at how many varieties you can grow, what each plant costs and whether you can use your own seeds.
- Parts and warranty: make sure you can buy replacement parts directly, and check how long the coverage lasts.
- Energy use: look for a monthly kWh figure, so you know the running cost up front.
Gardyn vs. AeroGarden at a glance
Gardyn Home 4 grows 30 plants in 2 sq ft. That is more than three times the capacity of the largest AeroGarden for sale today.
| Gardyn Home 4 | AeroGarden (current lineup) | |
|---|---|---|
| Plants per garden | 30 | 3 to 9, depending on model |
| Format | Floor-standing vertical tower, 2 sq ft | Countertop units |
| Growing technology | Hybriponicâ„¢ | Hydroponic |
| Built-in cameras | Two | None |
| AI gardening assistant | Kelby, helping more than 100,000 households | None |
| Wi-Fi and app control | Yes | Select models, such as the Bounty |
| Plants | Pre-seeded yCubes, 100+ varieties, 10 free plant credits a month for members | Seed pod kits |
| Warranty and returns | 3-year warranty, 90-day risk-free returns | Confirm current terms on the Scotts Miracle-Gro site |
Gardyn Home 4 also has water level, humidity and temperature sensors, and uses about 47 kWh of energy a month. Vacation Mode in the Gardyn app keeps your garden on track while you are away.
AeroGarden still makes sense if you want fresh basil and a few herbs within reach of the stove. Gardyn is built for a different job: growing a real share of the greens, herbs and vegetables your household buys. For the full side-by-side, see our Gardyn vs. AeroGarden comparison.
What’s better than AeroGarden?
The right choice depends on what you want your garden to do.
If you only want herbs on the counter
Another countertop garden, or a new AeroGarden, will do the job. Before you buy, compare the ongoing cost of seed pods and how easy it is to get parts.
If you like to tinker
A DIY hydroponic setup with a container, an air pump and a grow light costs little to build. The trade-off is that you become the monitoring system, checking water, nutrients and light by hand.
If you want a real harvest with less effort
A vertical garden like Gardyn Home 4 is built for this. Here is what you get:
- 30 plants in 2 sq ft of floor space
- Two built-in cameras and Kelby, your AI gardening assistant, watching every plant and telling you what to do next
- Onboard sensors for water level, humidity and temperature
- Vacation Mode, so your garden keeps growing while you travel
- 10 free plant credits a month with a Gardyn membership
- A 3-year warranty, 90-day risk-free returns and replacement parts you can buy directly
If space is tight
Gardyn Studio 2 grows 16 plants in 1.4 sq ft. It is floor-standing, with the same Hybriponicâ„¢ technology, in a smaller footprint.
Switching from AeroGarden to Gardyn
Moving to a bigger garden is easier than starting from scratch, because you already know what you like to grow.
- Take a last harvest. Herbs like basil and mint can be dried or frozen, so nothing goes to waste.
- Start with your favorites. Pick yCubes for the herbs you already grow, then add the greens and vegetables you buy most.
- Bring your own seeds. Seedless yCubes let you plant seeds you already have.
- Check your HSA or FSA. Gardyn is HSA/FSA eligible through Truemed.
- Try it at home. Every Gardyn comes with 90-day risk-free returns.
As for your old garden, pass it on to a friend who wants kitchen herbs, or recycle it through your local electronics program.
Ready to grow more than herbs? See how Gardyn works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AeroGarden owned by Miracle-Gro?
Yes. AeroGarden belongs to Scotts Miracle-Gro, the company behind Miracle-Gro, and has been fully owned by it since February 2021. Our AeroGarden ownership history has the full timeline.
Is AeroGarden discontinued?
No. The brand relaunched in spring 2025 after closing at the start of that year. Some models are no longer sold, including the Farm 12XL, Farm 24 and Farm 24XL.
What is the best AeroGarden alternative?
It depends on your goal. For a few kitchen herbs, another countertop garden works. To grow a real share of your household’s produce, a vertical garden like Gardyn Home 4 grows 30 plants in 2 sq ft.
Is Gardyn better than AeroGarden?
They are built for different jobs. AeroGarden suits herbs on a countertop. Gardyn grows more than three times as many plants as the largest AeroGarden for sale today, with two built-in cameras and Kelby watching every plant.
Can I use AeroGarden seed pods in a Gardyn?
Gardyn is built around yCubes, so AeroGarden pods are not part of the system. If you have favorite seeds, plant them in Seedless yCubes.
Why is my AeroGarden pump not working?
The most common causes in countertop hydroponic gardens are roots blocking the pump intake, low water and mineral buildup. If the pump still will not run after cleaning, contact AeroGarden support through the Scotts Miracle-Gro website.