Click & Grow vs. Rise Garden (I Tried Both): Who's Better In 2024?

Gardening's come a long way, hasn't it? Gone are the days when you needed a sprawling backyard to grow your own herbs and veggies.

With smart gardens like Click and Grow and Rise Garden, you can have a thriving green space in your living room. But which one should you go for?

I've had the chance to try out both and let me tell you, each has its own set of perks and quirks.

Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just starting out, picking the right system can make all the difference in your indoor gardening journey.

Click & Grow vs. Rise Garden: Who’s The Winner?

Winner

Based on its features, capacity, and durability, Rise Garden can be declared the winner of the comparison. However, Click & Grow also performs superbly and is simply targeted at a slightly different target group.

Rise Garden is for those willing to spend more money and invest more time into having a full-blown indoor garden with a big variety and capacity of plants.

Click & Grow is for people who want a small tabletop garden to pick fresh herbs and prefer a more straightforward and hands-off gardening experience.

What Is Click & Grow?

Click & Grow is an indoor smart garden that uses specially designed plant pods.

The setup is super simple, too. You get this sleek, modern-looking planter box with built-in LED grow lights and a self-watering system.

You just pop in the plant pods, fill up the water tank, and plug it in. The system basically does all the hard work for you: watering, lighting, and even providing the perfect balance of nutrients.

The pods themselves are pre-seeded with plants like herbs, vegetables, and even flowers. For instance, you can grow anything from cherry tomatoes to lavender.

One of the coolest parts is that the pods come with this special NanoTech growing medium that ensures your plants get exactly what they need in terms of water and nutrients.

Regarding design, Click & Grow products are stylish and functional. The units are compact enough to fit on a kitchen countertop or even on a windowsill. They have a clean, minimalist vibe that blends well with almost any home decor.

As for ease of use, Click & Grow is truly a set-it-and-forget-it system. You don’t need any prior gardening experience to get started. 

You can read my in-depth Click and Grow review here.

What Is Rise Garden?

Rise Garden is another contender in the smart indoor garden market. What sets it apart is its modular design.

You can start small or go big based on your space and cravings for fresh veggies. Whether you’re in a tiny NYC apartment or a sprawling ranch house, there’s a setup for you. It’s all about being versatile without overwhelming you with techy stuff.

The whole system is designed to be user-friendly and, dare I say, a bit of a show-off in your living room or kitchen. It uses hydroponics—which is just a fancy way of saying it grows plants in water instead of soil.

You get this all-in-one setup with LED grow lights perfectly timed to give your plants just the right amount of love. They even have a smartphone app that keeps you updated on how your garden is doing.

You can read my in-depth Rise Garden review here.

Click & Grow vs. Rise Garden Main Differences

Size

Click & Grow is the smaller, more compact option. It's kind of like the corner coffee shop that fits snugly into your cozy kitchen. It doesn't take up a lot of room and is perfect if you're short on space.

On the flip side, Rise Garden is more like a mini greenhouse and tends to demand a bit more real estate.

If you've got a dedicated area for your gardening, you'll love the vast space it offers. Think of it as the garden equivalent of upgrading from an apartment to a condo—you get more room to breathe.

Amount Of Plants

Now, let's discuss the number of plants you can grow. Click & Grow's most popular models are the Smart Garden 3 and 9, with the number referring to the number of plants you can grow.

Both are tabletop models, which are super convenient if you are short on floor space. There is also a 25-plant model, but it's basically a completely different product.

Click & Grow is great if you only need a few herbs or a couple of strawberry plants. 

Rise Garden, though, is in the big leagues. This smallest model can house 36 plants, and you have the option to stack two more levels on top for up to 108 plants, which is a small outdoor real garden number. Imagine having fresh veggies and fruits from your own indoor garden all year round.

Plant Pod Selection

When it comes to plant pod selection, Click & Grow has a pretty decent range. They've got the basics like basil, mint, and some flowers, too. You won't get bored, but don't expect anything too exotic.

Rise Garden has a library of options. From tomatoes and cucumbers to exotic herbs, it's like stepping into an international market.

If you fancy yourself a gourmand or just love experimenting with new dishes, Rise Garden's selection will keep you busy and satisfied.

Membership

Click & Grow doesn't require membership, which is a major plus if you like straightforward things. You buy your garden, buy more pods when you need them, and that's that.

Rise Garden, on the other hand, offers a membership option. This could be awesome if you love getting everything sorted for you—you'll receive regular deliveries of new plant pods, tips, and maybe even some gardening treats.

Setup

Setting up Click & Grow is a breeze. You basically pull it out of the box, pop in the pods, add water, and you’re good to go. It’s pretty much like setting up a new coffee maker.

Rise Garden takes a bit more effort. Think of it more like building a piece of IKEA furniture—it’s a tad more complicated, but the payoff is worth it. Once it's all set up, you'll feel like the master architect of your own mini garden kingdom.

App

Click & Grow's app is pretty straightforward. It reminds you to water and gives you some tips—kind of like a friendly nudge from a neighbor who gardens.

But the Rise Garden app? It's like having a professional gardener at your beck and call.

You get real-time updates, can adjust light settings, and even get alerts on nutrient levels. It’s high-tech and super interactive. If you love gadgets and tech, this app will be right up your alley.

Maintenance

Maintaining a Click & Grow is super easy. You just add water occasionally and make sure the lights are working. It's as low-maintenance as a pet rock.

Rise Garden requires a bit more involvement. You need to monitor the nutrient levels and adjust the lights. It's like having a pet—more rewarding but also more responsibility.

Growing And Harvesting

With Click & Grow, you'll get smaller, more regular harvests. It's sufficient for a small family or someone who just likes to add a little personal touch to their meals.

Rise Garden will give you larger, more varied harvests. You'll have enough produce to reduce your grocery runs, which is perfect for those passionate about farm-to-table eating.

Price

Click & Grow is less expensive upfront and relatively low on the ongoing cost. The Smart Garden 3 costs only $99, but you only have space for 3 plants.

The Smart Garden 9 is more convenient and provides more variety, and it costs $249, which is still a pretty sweet deal for a home garden.

Rise Garden is pricier but offers way more features and capacity. The 36-plant 1-level version costs $799, which is the cheapest option available. The 2- and 3-level versions cost $1149 and $1449, respectively.

My Experiences With Click & Grow and Rise Garden

Let's jump into my hands-on time with these two gardening gizmos. It’s like comparing a trusty old bike to a fancy electric scooter—each has its charm and quirks.

First up, Click & Grow. I remember when I first unboxed it. I plopped in the plant pods, added water, and boom, it was ready to go.

Within a few weeks, I had basil and mint that would make any amateur chef proud. The simplicity was a big win. I didn’t have to fuss over it—just top up the water now and then and watch it do its thing.

On the flip side, we have the Rise Garden. Let me tell you, this thing is like the Swiss Army knife of indoor gardens.

There's a bit more assembly required. Once it was up and running, though, it was magnificent. I had tomatoes growing next to leafy greens—I never thought I'd see that inside my living room.

For tech, the Rise Garden app is top-notch. I had plant care alerts buzzing on my phone like a diligent assistant.

It felt like having a green-thumbed buddy in my pocket, reminding me when to add nutrients or water. Click & Grow has an app, too, but it's more of a "take it easy" approach. It's there if you need it, but not in your face.

Maintenance is where things got interesting. Click & Grow was super low-key. A little water here, a little pruning there, no biggie. The Rise Garden, on the other hand, had me playing botanist more often.

The price you pay for variety and abundance, I guess. More water levels need to be checked, nutrients need to be balanced, and a bit of cleaning is required to keep everything ship-like. Not too daunting, though—it felt more like a hobby than a chore.

Click & Grow gives you a steady stream of herbs and small veggies—perfect for those summer salads.

The Rise Garden was like having a mini-farm. It had bigger yields and more variety. It's like going from a farmer's market stall to a full-on grocery store.

Click & Grow is easy on the wallet. You get a lot without forking out a ton. It's a solid choice for anyone starting out or wanting to keep things simple.

Rise Garden, though, is an investment. It has more upfront costs but also more bang for your buck in the long run. If you're serious about home gardening and have the space, it's worth considering.

Should You Get A Click & Grow or Rise Garden

Deciding between Click & Grow and Rise Garden really boils down to what you’re looking for in an indoor gardening system.

If you want something straightforward and low-maintenance that fits snugly in a small space, Click & Grow is a great choice. It’s like having a reliable old bike that gets the job done without much fuss.

On the other hand, if you're ready to invest more time and money in a larger and more versatile garden, Rise Garden might be your best bet.

It's a bit like owning a fancy electric scooter—more bells and whistles, but also more rewarding if you're serious about your gardening.

Both systems have unique perks, so consider your needs, space, and how much effort you're willing to put in.

Whether you choose the simplicity of Click & Grow or the expansive options of Rise Garden, you'll be on your way to enjoying fresh, home-grown produce.