Introduction: hydroponics & smart gardens come into the spotlight

Indoor garden systems – often based on hydroponics or soilless “smart gardens” – promise fresh herbs, salads and even small fruits at your fingertips all year round. With rising food prices and a growing desire for healthy, sustainable produce, it’s natural to ask whether these systems are really worth the investment. This article is part of our Hydroponics & Smart Gardens overview series and takes a balanced look at the benefits, costs and limitations of countertop hydroponics. We’ll pay particular attention to Letpot’s range of gardens and help you decide if one belongs in your home.

Why people consider indoor garden systems

For many of us, buying herbs and salad greens from the supermarket means spending €2–€3 per packet, only to watch most of it wilt in the fridge. Indoor garden systems tackle that problem by letting you harvest exactly what you need, when you need it, while the plant keeps growing. In a hydroponic system, the roots sit in a nutrient solution, so plants grow faster and are less prone to soil‑borne diseases. A peer‑reviewed study comparing hydroponics with conventional agriculture found that water resources are used far more efficiently; hydroponics can use just 10 % of the water required in conventional cultivation and water consumption can be seven times lower than greenhouse soil production (MDPI review). Because the environment is closed and controlled, growers generally don’t need to spray pesticides (Earth.org article). That means cleaner produce and less plastic waste from pre‑washed supermarket packets.

Space and climate constraints are another driver. Urban apartments rarely have garden plots, and Estonia’s short growing season makes outdoor gardening challenging. Hydroponic gardens, like the Letpot line, bring the growing environment indoors. Plants receive light from built‑in LEDs and nutrients automatically, so you aren’t dependent on long summer days. The indoor setting also allows continuous, year‑round growth and higher yields because plants aren’t stressed by weather or pests (Earth.org article). This makes hydroponics ideal for busy families and those who want to reduce trips to the shop.

Cost comparison: hydroponics vs. soil vs. supermarket

The upfront cost of a smart garden can seem daunting. A quality countertop unit from Letpot or another brand may cost €59–€300, and you’ll need seed pods and nutrient solution. To see whether it pays off, it helps to compare ongoing costs. An analysis by a New Zealand hydroponic company compared the cost of buying one head of lettuce per week from the supermarket, growing it in a soil garden, or growing it in a hydroponic tower. Their figures show that supermarket lettuce costs about $4–$5.50 (about €3.80–€5.20) per head, amounting to $200–$286 per year. A small soil garden reduces the cost to $1.50–$2.00 per head ($75–$100 per year), but you still lose plants to pests and weather. The hydroponic garden lowered the cost to roughly $0.75–$0.97 per head ($39–$46 per year) (My Greens cost analysis). In other words, hydroponics cut the annual lettuce bill by about $240 (My Greens cost analysis).

Those numbers are just one example, but they illustrate how quickly the investment can pay for itself when you’re growing high‑value greens and herbs. Consider basil: in Estonia, a small bunch can cost €1.50–€2.00. A packet of seeds costs about the same, but in a Letpot garden you could harvest dozens of bunches over several months. Since the plants continue to produce, you only snip what you need for tonight’s pesto, leaving the rest to stay fresh and vibrant. There’s no plastic packaging to recycle, and you’re not throwing away wilted leaves at the end of the week.

Benefits of indoor garden systems

• Water efficiency and sustainability. Hydroponic gardens recirculate water, dramatically reducing consumption compared with soil gardening. The MDPI review mentioned earlier notes that hydroponic water use can be four to seven times lower than in soil systems (MDPI review). This efficiency is especially valuable in regions facing water scarcity and aligns with the sustainability values of our brand.
• Higher yields and faster growth. Plants grown hydroponically receive a balanced nutrient solution directly at the roots. Studies have shown that hydroponic lettuce yields can be up to 11 times higher than soil yields and that growth rates are 30–50 % faster (MDPI review). Earth.org notes that because the environment is controlled and nutrients are readily available, plants grow faster and produce more (Earth.org article).
• No soil, fewer pests. Without soil, there are no soil‑borne diseases or weeds to manage. Indoors, the risk of pests like slugs or rabbits is minimal. Earth.org highlights that hydroponics reduces pest and fungus problems thanks to the controlled environment (Earth.org article).
• Year‑round harvests. Indoor garden systems operate independent of weather and seasons. Because light, temperature and nutrients are controlled, you can harvest herbs and greens all year long (Earth.org article). This is particularly beneficial in Northern Europe, where winters are dark and cold.
• Space efficiency. Hydroponic plants don’t need to develop deep roots in search of nutrients; therefore, they take up less space. Earth.org notes that this makes hydroponics ideal for city dwellers living in small apartments (Earth.org article). Vertical designs like Letpot’s multi‑pod gardens let you grow dozens of plants on a small countertop.
• Clean, pesticide‑free produce. In a hydroponic system, there’s no need for pesticide sprays because pests are rare (Earth.org article). You control exactly what goes into the nutrient solution, so you can avoid synthetic fertilisers if you choose.
• Less waste. Because your plants are living and still growing, you only cut what you need. There’s no bagged salad going slimy in the fridge. The rest of the plant continues to photosynthesise and produce new leaves, so nothing is wasted.
• Convenience and joy. Smart gardens like Letpot automate the watering and lighting schedule, freeing you from daily maintenance. There’s pleasure in watching seedlings sprout and meals planned around what’s ready to harvest. For families, indoor gardening can be an educational activity that teaches children where food comes from.

Spotlight on Letpot gardens

Letpot is one of the leaders in smart indoor gardening, and their systems embody innovation, sustainability and ease of use. Their open‑seed ecosystem means you aren’t locked into proprietary seed pods; you can plant anything from basil and lettuce to cherry tomatoes and edible flowers. Large water reservoirs (from 4 L to 7.5 L depending on the model) provide weeks of autonomy, and the built‑in full‑spectrum LEDs are height‑adjustable to accommodate taller plants. Letpot’s app allows you to monitor water levels, adjust light schedules and receive reminders on your phone, making it ideal for beginners. The systems are built from recyclable, BPA‑free materials and have nano‑waterproof technology to prevent leaks.

How does Letpot fare on cost? A Letpot Mini with five pods costs €59, while the larger Letpot Max with 12 pods and app connectivity costs €249. Each pod yields multiple harvests; for example, one basil pod may produce dozens of bunches over its life. The cost per bunch often falls well below €0.50, compared with €1.50–€2.00 from the supermarket. When you add the savings from salad greens, cherry tomatoes and peppers, the payback period can be just a few months. Letpot gardens also mean no more forgotten herbs languishing in the fridge. You pick what you need, so the plant stays fresh and continues to grow – a benefit soil gardens can’t provide in winter.

Pairing a Letpot garden with the right supplies enhances results. Choose nutrient mixes from our Fertilizers for Hydroponics category, and refresh your grow sponges from the Smart Garden Grow Sponges range. Because Letpot supports an open‑seed system, you can also experiment with seeds from local suppliers or our Seeds for indoor gardening product category to diversify your indoor harvest.

Downsides and considerations

• Initial investment and operating costs. The biggest barrier to entry is cost. High‑quality hydroponic systems can be expensive, and you’ll need to buy nutrient solutions and replacement sponges. A review of hydroponic cultivation notes that high initial investment, higher energy expenditure and the need for specialised knowledge are key disadvantages (MDPI review). Earth.org similarly highlights high set‑up costs and the dependence on electricity to run pumps and lights (Earth.org article).
• Reliance on power. Smart gardens depend on electricity for lighting and pumping. Power outages can jeopardise your plants, and running lights for 12–14 hours per day does consume energy. While LED lights are efficient, energy costs may be a concern for some households.
• Technical know‑how and maintenance. Indoor gardens may require you to monitor pH and nutrient levels, especially in larger systems. The MDPI review suggests that special technical knowledge and continuous monitoring can discourage adoption (MDPI review). Earth.org adds that hydroponic systems require vigilance to avoid pump failure or nutrient imbalances (Earth.org article).
• Risk of system failure and waterborne diseases. Although hydroponics minimises soil‑borne diseases, shared water systems can spread pathogens quickly if contaminated. Earth.org warns that continuous water circulation can lead to waterborne diseases if not properly managed (Earth.org article). Choosing a system with good filtration and following hygiene practices can mitigate this risk.
• Debate over “organic.” Because hydroponic systems are soil‑free, some organic certification programmes have debated whether hydroponic produce can be labelled organic (Earth.org article). In practice, many indoor gardeners value pesticide‑free produce more than the label itself.

Conclusion: Are they worth it?

Whether an indoor garden system is worth it depends on your priorities. If you love cooking with fresh herbs and greens, want to reduce plastic waste and trips to the supermarket, and value sustainability and self‑sufficiency, a smart garden like those from Letpot can deliver exceptional value. Studies show that hydroponics dramatically reduces water use (MDPI review), produces higher yields (MDPI review) and eliminates the need for pesticides (Earth.org article). Case studies indicate that the cost per head of lettuce can be a fraction of supermarket prices (My Greens cost analysis), and the convenience of harvesting on demand means no more wasted wilted greens.

However, hydroponic systems require an up‑front investment, electricity to run, and some learning. They may not suit everyone, especially if you have easy access to a productive soil garden. A neutral assessment recognises these downsides (MDPI review) (Earth.org article). For many of our customers, though, the benefits outweigh the challenges. If you’re ready to start, explore our Smart Gardens for the right system, browse Fertilizers for Hydroponics and Smart Garden Grow Sponges to support your plants, and join the growing community of indoor gardeners who enjoy fresh, sustainable produce year‑round. Your kitchen might just become your new favourite farm.