Buzz
Once considered a niche interest for homesteaders and indoor plant enthusiasts, hydroponics has evolved from complex, lab-like setups to stylish, user-friendly towers designed for modern homes. But do these commercially available hydroponic systems truly offer a practical solution for growing your own produce?
The mechanics behind hydroponic gardening towers
The leading brands in this space are Lettuce Grow, featuring a unique, rounded design with stacked rings, and Gardyn, which uses tall, slim columns. Both systems operate similarly: a base reservoir holds water and nutrients (provided by the company). Seeds or seedlings (also supplied by the company) are placed in cups positioned on the rings or columns, allowing the roots to hang freely. Water is pumped from the reservoir to the top and flows down, continuously bathing the roots. The plants grow upward and outward from the cups, creating a year-round garden suitable for indoor or outdoor use, depending on the climate. The key selling point is simplicity—anyone can grow their own food without prior gardening knowledge. As an experienced gardener, I was drawn to the idea of fresh cilantro year-round. A friend gifted me an unopened LettuceGrow, which I eagerly set up after paying for shipping. Over the past 18 months, I’ve tested both Lettuce Grow and Gardyn. Here’s what I wish I had known beforehand.
The price tag is steep
If your goal is to cut costs by growing your own food, these systems won’t help. However, they might appeal to someone like me: I don’t garden to save money—I often joke about growing $30 tomatoes. Still, even I have limits, and while a $30 tomato is acceptable, a $300 tomato is not.
The initial investment for hydroponic towers is substantial. LettuceGrow is the more affordable choice, starting at $399 for a 12-plant setup without grow lights, but prices can reach up to $1,250 for a 36-plant system with lights. (Grow lights are essential for indoor use, so factor them into your budget if choosing LettuceGrow.) Gardyn, which accommodates 30 plants and includes lights, costs $999. Both brands often run promotions, reducing prices by $50–$200.
Optional membership programs may not provide enough value
Both systems offer optional memberships with varying perks. Lettuce Grow’s Plant Perks is a free rewards program where purchases earn points for accessories and plants. Gardyn’s membership, priced at $30–$40 monthly, includes plant credits, discounts, and access to Kelby, an AI assistant. Kelby monitors your tower, offers advice, and manages your plants in “vacation mode,” which claims to maintain plant stasis while you’re away.
While Kelby appeals to novice gardeners, many Gardyn users reportedly disable the AI within a year, preferring to manage their plants independently. Vacation Mode appears to simply reduce light exposure and nutrient levels, and forum discussions suggest the membership may not justify its cost.
Electricity, nutrients, plants, and accessories contribute to ongoing expenses
Despite running continuously, the electricity cost for one tower is relatively low—around $10 monthly—but this can add up if saving money is your priority. Additionally, the towers generate more heat than anticipated, consuming enough power to prevent using a space heater on the same circuit. This forced me to move the tower to my office during colder months.
Like many gadgets, the true expense lies in the accessories and consumables. For hydroponics, this includes nutrients, replacement parts, and plants. While the initial setup includes some nutrients, you’ll need to replenish them over time. Purchasing plants from the companies costs about $4 each, plus shipping, but customer reviews indicate mixed satisfaction with their condition upon delivery.
A thriving market of accessories, both from the companies and Etsy sellers, has emerged. Although you’re limited to growing “patio” plants suited for containers, these plants still require support as they grow beyond their pods.
In summary, beyond the upfront cost, expect to spend several hundred dollars annually unless you’re an experienced gardener who can source materials independently. I grew my own seedlings using my system, avoiding the need for pre-purchased plants, seeds, and accessories. I also found affordable alternatives for rockwool, nutrients, and pH tools on Amazon, and used a DIY hack to save hundreds on LettuceGrow grow lights. Are you prepared for this level of effort?
Maintenance is another concern
While these systems are marketed as “set it and forget it,” they require regular attention. Weekly testing of water and nutrient levels, adjusting pH, adding plant-specific nutrients, trellising plants, and ensuring proper light access are all necessary tasks.
Initially, I liked the idea of a year-round indoor harvest, replacing plants as needed, unlike outdoor gardening with its limited harvesting window. However, the reality involves significant growing time, minimal harvesting, and the need for a “full reset” between cycles. This process includes emptying, cleaning, and sanitizing the system, which, while not difficult, is tedious and time-consuming.
Like any system, occasional problems arise, such as clogged pumps or power outages. Clogs often occur when plant roots grow excessively and require trimming to keep the pump functioning. It’s a lot to manage.
Additionally, there are potential risks and inconveniences to consider
I was taken aback by numerous reports of Lettuce Grow light rings not just failing, but actually catching fire.
Gardyn isn’t without its flaws either—its lid, which contains the pump and electrical components, often gets wet and fails just after the warranty expires. Replacing this $100 part can be costly.
LettuceGrow’s modular design makes it simpler to replace parts or expand the system. Gardyn, on the other hand, is a single unit, making repairs more challenging. Additionally, Gardyn relies on Wi-Fi, so a network outage means no watering occurs.
Both companies receive poor ratings for customer service, with many forum users highlighting the difficulty of getting assistance when issues arise.
Another factor to consider is the constant sound of running water. While less noticeable in another room, it became a nuisance during the Zoom-heavy days of 2021.
Finally, while I anticipated the systems would be large, I underestimated just how large they would become, especially when filled with mature plants. Their size requires careful planning in your space, and they only resemble the advertised look—lush but not overcrowded—for a brief period when the plants are young. More often, they appear either overgrown or sparse.
So, are hydroponic towers worth the investment?
I used my towers for 12 months before switching to a DIY solution. I grew tired of relying on the companies and dealing with the systems’ bulkiness. However, many users seem to enjoy their towers, regardless of the brand, and some even expand their setups. One enthusiast had ten towers running simultaneously—strawberries galore!
Commercial systems like Lettuce Grow and Gardyn are undeniably more visually appealing than my DIY setup (which I once called “absurd-looking home laboratories”). If aesthetics matter, they’re worth considering as decorative furniture rather than a cost-saving food-growing solution.
Hydroponics has many appealing aspects despite the effort involved. Plants are cleaner since they don’t grow in soil, and the growth cycle is faster due to optimal conditions created by grow lights and nutrients. Regardless of outdoor weather, you can grow indoors year-round—as long as the power stays on. Just be prepared for the expense.
