This is our Kratky Method review of 7 of the best Kratky Method Systems available
Ok. So we know that you can just toss a plant clipping into a jar filled with tap water and that’s it…walla! Kratky Hydroponics. But if you’re looking for automation, or that perfect container to plant your herbs and spices to proudly display on your kitchen window sill, read on.
We tested 7 products and found AeroGarden Harvest Elite to be the best complete, automated Kratky Method system for the money.
We tested every Kratky Method systems worth buying. From a simple Mason jar system to a completely automated plant growing system complete with integrated LED lights.
The Kratky method system is one of the very first hydroponic systems ever developed. It is easy to set up and requires very little skill and experience to use.
After careful consideration, hands-on testing, and some user feedback we have selected the AeroGarden Harvest Elite as the most robust complete Kratky Hydroponic System for your money.
Read on for our full review of how The Garden Harvest Elite edges out its sister product and the rest of the competition for the best Kratky Method system.
7 Best Kratky Method Hydroponics Systems Reviewed
- AeroGarden AeroGarden Harvest Elite – Indoor Garden with LED Grow Light, Stainless SteelHarvest Elite – Best Overall
- AeroGarden Bounty Elite – Indoor Garden with LED Grow Light, WiFi and Alexa Compatible, Stainless Steel – Most complete countertop system
- Environet Hydroponic Herb Growing Kit Set, Self-Watering Mason Jar Herb Garden Starter Kit Indoor, Windowsill Herb Garden, Grow Your Own Herbs from Organic Seeds (Basil, Cilantro and Parsley) – Best Value
- Window Garden Herb Starter Kit -Self Watering Herb Growing Kit, Easy to Grow Herbs Seeds for Kitchen sill Indoors or Outdoors, Planting Made Easy with This Spice Garden Starter with Bamboo Markers – Most sustainable
- HAMAMA Home Microgreens Growing Kit, Grow Fresh Micro Greens Indoors Every Week, 30-Second Setup, Just Add Water. Includes Microgreens Tray, Microgreens Seeds. 100% Guaranteed to Grow. (Standard)– Best for Microgreens
- Feitore Desktop Plant Terrariums Glass Planter Bulb Vase Modern Propagation Station Hydroponic Vases with Retro Solid Wooden Stand for Hydroponics Plants Home Garden Wedding Decor (3 Vases) – Best for Propagation
- Glass Large Hanging Planters Water Air Plant Succulent Containers Terrarium Kits Candle Holder Indoor Outdoor 2 Holes 5Pcs/Set with Strings Rope for Home Garden Balcony– Best Looking
- Cost: $$$
- Maintenance: Low
- Key feature: Best bargain-priced complete automated system
- Includes: 1 Grow system container with lights, 6 Pre seeded Grow Plugs
- Assembly required: very little, very low difficulty, programming the timers can be challenging for some
- Container Material: Plastic
- Comes with Lights: yes
- Reusable: yes
- Best for: Herbs and spices
- Cool factor: Easy clean Stainless to match your kitchen appliances
- Meh: Takes up a lot of space, Cleaning
- Cost: $$$$$
- Maintenance: Low
- Key feature: Most Complete automated system
- Includes: 1 Grow system container with lights, 9 Pre seeded Grow Plugs
- Assembly required: very little, very low difficulty, programming the timers can be challenging for some
- Container Material: Plastic
- Comes with Lights: yes
- Reusable: yes
- Best for: Larger pants like Lettuce, Tomatoes, Peppers
- Cool factor: The “Mac Daddy” of mini countertop hydroponic systems! Includes everything you need to get started.
- Meh: Takes up a lot of space, Cleaning
- Cost: $$
- Maintenance: low
- Key feature: Best price
- Includes: 3 Net Pots, 3 Pre seeded Grow Plugs, 3 Mason jars
- Assembly required: yes, low difficulty
- Container Material: Glass
- Comes with Lights: no
- Reusable: yes
- Best for: Herbs and spices
- Cool factor: Beautifully printed labels
- Meh: Clear jar tend to allow light in and algae to grow inside the jars
- Cost: $$
- Maintenance: Low
- Key feature: Most sustainable
- Includes: 5 Pots, 5 Peat pellets, 5 Pots, 5 bamboo plant markers
- Assembly required: yes, low difficulty
- Container Material: Ceramic
- Comes with Lights: no
- Reusable: yes
- Best for: Herbs and spices
- Cool factor: Nifty little wooden markers with labels
- Meh: Pot design may not be for everyone, but can easily be painted to match your décor.
5
- Cost: $$
- Maintenance: Very Low
- Key feature: Just add water!
- Includes: 1 tray, 2 Seeded quilts
- Assembly required: no
- Container Material: Plastic
- Comes with Lights: no
- Reusable: yes
- Best for: Microgreens
- Cool factor: Lay the seeded quilt in the tray and add water. Super simple setup!
- Meh: It’s only good for microgreens and as a seed starter tray.
- Cost: $
- Maintenance:Very Low
- Key feature: Best for propagation
- Includes: 1 stand, 3 glass vases
- Assembly required: yes, medium difficulty
- Container Material:Glass and wood
- Comes with Lights: no
- Reusable: yes
- Best for: Best for propagation
- Cool factor: Looks really cool in almost any location.
- Meh: The Clear vases allow light in and algae to grow inside. Cleaning can be difficult after assembly because all the vases are attached together with the stand.
- Cost: $
- Maintenance:Very Low
- Key feature: Best for propagation
- Includes: 1 stand, 3 glass vases
- Assembly required: yes, medium difficulty
- Container Material:Glass and wood
- Comes with Lights: no
- Reusable: yes
- Best for: Best for propagation
- Cool factor: Looks really cool in almost any location.
- Meh: The Clear vases allow light in and algae to grow inside. Cleaning can be difficult after assembly because all the vases are attached together with the stand.
Kratky Method Hydroponics System Buying Guide
When selecting a Kratky Method Hydroponics System you’ll need to pay attention to several factors.
Cost
Is cost a factor? Fully packed and featured systems are not always the best system.
Maintenance
How much attention will you need to give your system? Will it need weekly or daily water changes? How difficult is it to clean?
Key features
- Automation- Are you always working and never home? Is automation important for you to have in your system?
- Looks, labels, Markers
- System Size for your location
Includes
Do you need a complete system or can you figure out how to add the missing pieces?\
Assembly required
This is a big consideration for some and it may be why you are here trying to buy a system instead of making one for yourself.
Container Material
If you have kids or pets you understand that this is a big consideration, dependent on the location of your setup.
Comes with Lights
If your system does not come with any plant lights and you don’t have good sun exposure through your window where you are looking to set up your Kratky System will you be able to set up a plant light in that location?
Reusable
How important is the sustainability of your system? Would you like to be able to reuse all the components each time you grow another round of plants? Is it important that the components are free of chemicals or pathogens? Is the manufacturing process of your new system eco-friendly?
Best for
Do you already know what you want to grow in your system? This is very important to keep in mind when selecting your new system as it will not be possible to grow some vining plants in any of these systems mentioned above.
Cool factor
Is the system going to be highly visible to house guests? Do you want to be able to brag about your cool new Kratky Hydroponic System when they come over or hide it in the pantry until they leave!?
Meh
All systems have cons. Keep a watchful eye on this category as it can easily be a purchase killer!
Buy this system
