Hydroponic Micro Gardens
Hydroponic micro garden systems are self-contained, compact growing units designed for countertop, windowsill, and small-space growing of herbs, greens, and flowering plants. These units integrate a reservoir, grow sites, and a built-in grow light in a single footprint of 12-24 inches -- eliminating the need for a separate tent, light, or irrigation system and making hydroponic growing accessible without dedicated grow space. SunBlaster micro garden systems use T5HO fluorescent or LED fixtures paired with shallow hydroponic tray designs to grow culinary herbs, lettuce, and small flowering plants year-round indoors.
SunBlaster Micro Gardens
SunBlaster produces LED and T5HO grow light micro garden units in both black and white finishes. The LED models use high-efficiency LED strips calibrated for compact plant production; the T5HO models use SunBlaster's high-output T5 fluorescent technology in the same self-contained format. Both provide the light intensity needed for productive herb and leafy green production at close range without generating the heat of larger grow fixtures. These units are appropriate for kitchen herb gardens, seedling starts, and small-batch culinary growing in spaces where a full hydroponic setup is impractical.
Compact Hydroponic System Options
For growers looking to step up from a micro garden to a more productive small-scale hydroponic setup, browse complete hydroponic systems including DWC and drip setups, or see all hydroponic systems by growing method. For seedling propagation specifically, propagation rack systems provide more growing capacity in a similar compact format. Fast shipping.
Micro Gardens FAQ
What can I grow in a hydroponic micro garden?
Hydroponic micro gardens are best suited to compact, fast-growing plants that do not require deep root zones or high light intensity: culinary herbs (basil, parsley, cilantro, mint, chives), leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula, kale), and microgreens. Small flowering plants with compact growth habits can also be grown successfully. Plants requiring large root systems, high vertical clearance, or very high light intensity (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers) are not well-suited to micro garden formats. For the best results, choose plant varieties described as "compact" or "bush" types and harvest leaves regularly to encourage continued production.
How often do I need to change the water in a hydroponic micro garden?
In most micro garden systems, completely replacing the reservoir solution every 1-2 weeks maintains water quality and prevents salt and mineral buildup that can affect plant health. Between full changes, top up the reservoir with fresh water as levels drop from plant uptake and evaporation. Keep the reservoir out of direct sunlight to limit algae growth. If you notice a significant change in water color, an unusual odor, or visible algae growth, replace the solution sooner rather than waiting for the scheduled change. Use a pH meter to verify the solution pH stays in the 5.8-6.5 range after adding nutrients.
How long does the grow light need to run on a micro garden?
Most herbs and leafy greens grow well under 14-16 hours of light per day in a micro garden. A timer that runs the light 16 hours on / 8 hours off is the standard configuration for vegetative and leafy crop production. Avoid running lights more than 18 hours per day -- plants require a dark period for certain metabolic processes, and continuous light can cause stress symptoms in many species. Micro garden lights are calibrated for short-distance use (typically 4-8 inches above the canopy) and will underperform at greater distances, so adjust plant height as the garden fills in.
