By the Countertop Harvest team · Last updated · How we choose products
Click & Grow makes soil-based smart gardens. Founder Mattias Lepp started with the Smartpot, and the idea is still the same: drop in a biodegradable pod with seeds and nutrients inside, add water, plug it in, and the garden handles light and watering. Click & Grow compares it to a capsule coffee machine, but for plants.
We haven’t grown with these products ourselves yet. Everything below comes from the brand’s own pages (checked October 19, 2026) and our herb guides, and we’ll add our own notes and photos when we have them.
Who it’s for
- Beginners and small kitchens: the Smart Garden 3 is about 11.8 × 4.7 inches on the counter.
- Dim apartments, since the garden brings its own light.
- People who want quiet: these are soil-pod gardens, compared with the pump-based hydroponic kits in our AeroGarden vs Click & Grow guide.
What we like and what we don’t
What we like
- Pre-seeded pods with nutrients built in, so there’s no plant food to measure
- Low power: Click & Grow lists 8 W (about 3.8 kWh a month) for the Smart Garden 3
- The 1.5 L tank lasts about 2–3 weeks, by Click & Grow’s estimate
- 75+ pod varieties, or use your own seeds
- Lamp extension arms let the light rise as plants grow
What we don’t
- Pods are an ongoing cost: a basil 3-pack is $14.95 (Oct 19, 2026)
- Three pods fill up fast if you cook with herbs every day
- Most plants take 1–2 weeks to sprout, so it’s not instant
- Light height is limited by the extension arms, so tall plants outgrow it
Products that suit a countertop

Smart Garden 3
- 3 pods; comes with 3 basil pods and 2 lamp extension arms
- 8 W light; 1.5 L tank
- 30 × 12 cm footprint; height 21 cm without arms, up to 47 cm with both
$124.95 on Oct 19, 2026 (White, Sage or Grey)
Check price on Amazon → Click & Grow’s page
Source: Click & Grow product page; Amazon link is a Smart Garden 3 bundle

Smart Garden 9
- 9 pods; comes with 3 mini tomato, 3 lettuce and 3 basil pods
- 13 W light (about 6.2 kWh a month); 4 L tank
- About 23.6 × 7.5 inches on the counter
$249.95 on Oct 19, 2026
Source: Click & Grow product page
Smart Garden 9 PRO
- Same 9-pod size, tank and light as the Smart Garden 9
- Adds touch and app control for the light schedule
$209.95 (list $299.95) on Oct 19, 2026; the Grey version showed as unavailable
Source: Click & Grow product page
Italian Herb Mix 9-pack
- 3 thyme, 3 basil and 3 oregano pods
- Click & Grow says pods keep about a year stored dark, dry and cool
$29.95 on Oct 19, 2026
Source: Click & Grow product page
How it fits a countertop herb setup
- Where it goes: anywhere near an outlet. A window isn’t required, which makes it handy for a dark corner of the kitchen.
- Harvest like any herb: Click & Grow suggests trimming just above a pair of true leaves to encourage new growth. Our pruning guide covers each herb.
- Refill when the float drops: the water float shows the level, and Click & Grow says a full tank lasts about 2–3 weeks.
- Pair it with a windowsill: keep the smart garden for basil and a few pots on the sill for chives and parsley.
Free and cheaper ways to start
A smart garden is a convenience, not a requirement. If you have a bright south- or west-facing window, pots and a packet of seeds will grow most kitchen herbs for a few dollars. Our smart garden vs windowsill guide runs through the trade-offs, and the Herb Doctor helps rescue plants you already have.
Sources
- Click & Grow: About us
- Click & Grow: compare gardens
- The Smart Garden 3
- The Smart Garden 9
- The Smart Garden 9 PRO
- Italian Herb Mix 9-pack
- Basil Plant Pods 3-pack
Frequently asked questions
Is the Click & Grow Smart Garden 3 worth it?
It suits beginners who want light and watering handled on a small counter. It costs $124.95 (Oct 19, 2026) plus pods, about $14.95 per basil 3-pack. If you have a bright window, pots and seeds cost far less.
Can you use your own seeds in Click & Grow?
Yes. Click & Grow says you can choose from 75+ plant varieties or use your own seeds.
How often do you add water to a Click & Grow?
Click & Grow says the Smart Garden 3 tank lasts about 2–3 weeks, depending on the plants. Refill when the float indicator sits at the bottom.