14 Easy Plants You Can Grow in an AeroGarden (Beginner-Friendly Guide)
If you’ve been following my blog, you know I love my AeroGarden Farm Plus—and everything I can grow with it. I use it year-round to grow fresh food in my basement and to start seedlings for my outdoor garden each summer. While not everything thrives indoors, you might be surprised by how much you can grow hydroponically. For me, it’s all about becoming more sustainable, one step at a time.
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Over time, I’ve tested the limits of my AeroGarden. Some experiments failed (peas!), while others exceeded expectations—like celery. Since most recipes only call for a stalk or two, harvesting fresh celery as needed helps reduce waste. (Pro tip: wrap celery in foil, shiny side in, to keep it crisp longer.) Still, nothing beats picking it fresh from your indoor garden.
What Can You Grow in an AeroGarden?
Here are 14 easy plants you can grow hydroponically. In reality, there are many more, but grouping similar crops—like herbs—keeps things simple.
To make this easier, I’ve broken the list into three categories: no pollination, self-pollinating, and manual pollination.
No Pollination Needed (Set It and Forget It)
Celery
Herbs (basil, cilantro, dill, etc.)
Lettuce
Dwarf kale
Swiss chard
Bok choy / pak choi
Self-Pollinating Plants
Determinate tomatoes
Sweet peppers
Hot peppers
Bush beans
Eggplant
Okra
Plants That Need Manual Pollination
Strawberries
Dwarf peas
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What Not to Grow in an AeroGarden
While hydroponic gardening is flexible, some plants aren’t practical for indoor systems. Large, vining crops need more space, while root vegetables require soil structure to develop properly.
Avoid these (or be ready for a challenge):
Indeterminate tomatoes
Root vegetables (carrots, beets, etc.)
Onions
Pole beans
Peas (they spread everywhere!)
Brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower)
Squash
Melons
Potatoes
Cucumbers
30 Plants I’ve Grown in My AeroGarden
Here’s a real-world list of what I’ve successfully grown in my AeroGarden Farm Plus. I prefer heirloom seeds for better flavor and seed-saving potential.
Peron tomatoes (semi-determinate)
Cream Sausage tomato (determinate)
Micro Tom tomatoes (determinate)
Golden Harvest cherry tomato (determinate)
Red heirloom cherry tomato (determinate)
Sweet Thai basil
Genovese basil
Purple Opal basil
Cilantro
Thyme
Dill
Mint (grows aggressively!)
Chives
Parsley
Celery
Dwarf Siberian kale
Multiple lettuce varieties (Buttercrunch, Parris Island, Marvel of Four Seasons, and more)
Jalapeños (Craig’s Giant, Lemon Spice, Orange Spice)
Habanero peppers
Mini bell peppers
Getting Started with Hydroponic Gardening
If you’re new to AeroGarden systems or hydroponics, start simple with herbs and leafy greens. They grow quickly, require minimal maintenance, and deliver consistent results.
Also, don’t skip maintenance—regular cleaning keeps your system running efficiently and your plants healthy.
Final Thoughts
An AeroGarden makes it easy to grow fresh food indoors year-round. While not every plant is suited for hydroponics, there are plenty of options that thrive with minimal effort.
Update: Yes, Even Melons!
Since first writing this post, I’ve successfully grown Charentais melons in my AeroGarden Farm Plus. It just goes to show—don’t be afraid to experiment!
