Hydroponics Growing System Indoor Garden - VOCRS 12 Pods Herb Garden Kit Indoor with LED Grow Light, Plants Germination Kit(No Seeds) with Pump System, Adjustable Height Up to 17.7" for Home, Black

I have been using this system for about 6 months. I bought it on sale for $35 in Jan 2023, as a starter system to see if I would like hydroponics. I do! After using it, I think it was definitely worth more; actually, I plan to buy one as a gift even though the price is about 40% higher now (as of the day of this review).What I like: It's really easy to use. Set it up per instructions, pop the sponges in, pop the seeds in, things grow. I've mostly been using it for greens and herbs. Lettuce is fun, it germinates in like 1-2 days and grows well. The light, pump and timing system worked as expected from day 1.What you should know: I don't think these are negatives DEPENDING on what you want to do. The pods are very close together. There is no way I could grow 12 things of lettuce at one time. In fact, I found it works to grow 3, plus my oregano, which I have been able to just keep in there from my first planting - I just continue to trim. In my review picture - on the right I have one lettuce ready to harvest, and one oregano plant, and that's all that really fits there. Since some plants like lettuce are ready to harvest pretty quickly, you can start some, then wait a couple/few weeks and start some more, that would give you more room. The bigger plants block some of the light though, so seedlings may not get enough with that method. I'm about to start mew spinach and lettuce - spinach takes longer to germinate so I think that will work well. This system would be great for several of the right herbs, as you can see from the photo, the oregano is a bit viney, so the way it grows leaves room for other items. Most food producing plants would need to be dwarf/mini, or with the intention of harvesting young, like baby lettuce.I do not like the controls on the top. They are right in the middle and the slightest touch triggers them, (turns the light and pump off so you have to restart, and the on/off timing is based on when you start them) so I have to be very mindful of where I put my hands when I adjust the light. I didn't take off a star for that, for the price I'm very satisfied.The grow solution is a common A/B mixture. You have to add a small amount of both to the water, mix, and then add to the system. I was surprised how often I need to add water, I go through a gallon every few days. The stuff it came with worked fine, but once it was gone I switched to a liquid Fox Farm hydroponics food that is much easier to work with - I just add 2-3 tsps to 1 gallon of water, and the plants seem to like it.This did not come with covers for unused holes. You want to keep them covered to avoid algae (which has not been a problem for me so far). Tip= golf balls work great to cover those holes. I think they actually work better than light, plastic disc covers would.The light is really bright, and the timer is on a long cycle for optimum plant growth (16 hours on, 8 off); you'll want to consider that before you put this in a bedroom, or by a TV/computer, or somewhere that it will bug you at night.The bar that keeps the light up at the preferred height seems to be a little "sticky," but as of 6 months in it adjusts and holds well.Overall it's been a lot of fun and I've gotten good results. I think it was a great kit to get started. Now I'd like to get a "more serious" one - one that holds more water and is designed for bigger plants. I think this one would be perfect for various fresh herbs in the kitchen.

Awesome product!!

It is a great machine. I homecook for my dog and was tired of buying whole thing just to give him 1-2 leaves and throw away the rest. I experimented a lot with herbs/plants since got it. Hopefully my review will help some of you. You have no idea what you can grow in it. The plants can ajust to the limited space. I didn’t know that. Is not just classic lettuce or basil. Oh no. Plants that grow really well in it includes: bok choy, arugula, dill, kale (yes, kale! Pic attached), chamomile and….even radishes (but it have to be early scarlet globe i tried cherry belle and it didn’t work). Most of those plants need space so i keep 1 empty space between them. If you got 12 pots like me i only grow 8 plants. If you try grow 12 at once then most likely stronger (bigger plant like basil) is going kill the weaker one next to it.On a whole machine pic at the front from left: bok choy, radish, basil and arugula. Next pics: kale and huge radish. Good luck.

this kit is very easy to set up. there is almost no sound from the pump, just a soothing gurgling sound like a stream. I do wish there was more information in the instructions about maintaining the growing plants, such as how often to add fertilizer or change the water. We are really enjoying this kit.

I sent this to my 70+ yo parents who retired to Florida but missed their garden. They travel a lot so low maintenance was important. They have started and transferred a lot of plants and enjoy garden fresh peppers and lettuce year round from the unit

Good educational tool for the kids. I like that. I don't have to water it and the kids don't have to water it. I do make sure they check it from time to time so the levels are right. Teaching young minds Different methods of doing things so cool. I would not use this to grow on a large scale. If I was planning on doing a garden unless I had specific seeds that I wanted to germinate the Process is not as quick as you might like I found that the old fashioned paper towel in the Ziploc bag is faster to germinate seeds The Ziploc bag germinated seeds in about three days. I had roots coming out of the seedling in three days. The hydroponics takes about a week give or take. Cool method though. You don't have to play with it,You don't have to Wait for the sun to come out. You don't have to put water on it. I do find this method fun and exciting to watch grow. I would definitely recommend a hydroponic kit for every household. The educational value is worth more than I've spent and I think the price is worth it. I I'm still new at this so I'm learning myself but it is a lot of fun to watch happen.One thing significant that I did find interesting was the roots grow really strong long roots very early on from the seedling that's in the hydroponics only time will tell which method is the best, but I suspect the hydroponic's I will definitely recommend this kit.

I love this for growing hydroponic herbs, especially ones from the store that go bad quickly like cilantro. It’s nice to be able to snip fresh herbs as I need them. The only negative with this unit is that the timer doesn’t always work well. I often have to turn the lights on and off myself.

Not too bad for the price but lacks features found on AeroGarden and others. No alerts for low water or fertilizer. 12 pod capacity would be more useable if the overall size was larger or if covers were provided for the pod holes not in use. The LED light bar can be extended to a height of 23" however mine will not stay in place at anything above the minimum height. There doesn't seem to be any type of catch or locking mechanism to keep from dropping back down. Had to use tape to hold it in place. The instruction manual is lacking with few details given. The water tank and planting panel are plastic that don't seem very durable. Takes the standard size round planting basket and sponges.