Gardening is an extremely therapeutic activity, and though I may not engage in it all the time, the few times that I have, I found it really delightful and soothing. Growing, tending to, and being surrounded by plants is intensely satisfying, all your worries slowly fade away, and you are simply enthralled by nature. Indoor gardening is a modern solution that works perfectly in our modern homes. From a smart cabinet that gives you the self-sustaining kitchen you’ve always wanted to a plant-growing device that helps dementia patients improve memory – we have a myriad range of options when it comes to growing plants within the comfort of your home! These unique, innovative, and thoughtful designs promise to take care of all your indoor gardening needs. And I don’t know about you, but I’m really considering trying one of them out, I wouldn’t mind adding indoor gardening to my daily routine!
1. Paradise
Designed to reduce domestic waste, Paradise is an automated plant cultivator and compost bin that uses integrated technology to prompt users when the compost or plants need tending. Conceptualized as a rolling cart, Paradise is comprised of modular pieces that work together to provide optimal conditions for growing plants. Starting from its top, Paradise features an LED strip that pours artificial sunlight over integrated planters located on top of Paradise’s first module.
Why is it noteworthy?
While spending more time at home has brought some much-needed rejuvenation to our interior design, it has also contributed to a global increase in domestic waste. Inspired to change that, designer Robin Akira created Paradise, a household plant cultivator with integrated compost bins and an odor-sealing lid to make use of and reduce our domestic waste.
What we like
- Integrates greenery into our interior spaces
- An odor-sealing lid
What we dislike
- Could be messy to have such a design in our indoor living space
2. Blume
This special planter called Blume is not just something that will house your plant or plants of the moment. It actually comes with a trellis that can be linked together according to your specifications and can “grow” alongside your plant
Why is it noteworthy?
You can link the different parts with a threaded knob and they can go in all directions that you want, upwards, downwards, sideways, etc. A design like this actually makes it look like the planter is organic like your plant and can give them space to thrive other than the usual straightforward manner.
What we like
- Customizable and made-to-order
- You can make it more personal
What we dislike
- No complaints!
3. MULTO
Created in collaboration with multiple award-winning industrial designer Xavier Houy (who has a Red Dot Design Award and a Platinum A’ Design Award to his name, among others), MULTO is the result of over 6 years worth of research and development, gone towards what Prêt à Pousser calls the ultimate vertical kitchen garden, capable of growing everything from microgreens to root vegetables.
Why is it noteworthy?
Prêt à Pousser’s most significant achievement with the MULTO is its new hydroponic technology. Referred to as their ‘Ebb & Flow’ system, MULTO’s water reservoir comes with a discreet pump that periodically pumps water to the roots, and then drains it out – similar to an ocean’s tide. Working similar to a hydroponic gardening system (but engineered to be better), this enables the circulation of nutrients and allows the plants’ roots to absorb more oxygen, creating a better yield. How much better? Well, Prêt à Pousser’s founder Romain Behaghel claims that MULTO’s Ebb & Flow increases your plant’s yield by 200%, giving you twice as many fruits, veggies, or leafy greens.
What we like
- New hydroponic technology
- You can simply expand your produce by plugging a new tier on top to create your own vertical farm
What we dislike
- No complaints!
4. The LUA
The LUA is one ideal solution for those with pet plants. But, of course, not many people will understand why you have such but don’t worry about what they think.
Why is it noteworthy?
For desk plants, you may consider getting this LUA. It’s a plant lighting solution that can further make your favorite plant stand out. We understand how it can be challenging to care for indoor plants because of insufficient lighting. But there are solutions like the LUA. Indoor plants help the surrounding by keeping the atmosphere fresh and clean. In addition, for some people, plants help in providing emotional stability. Just one look at your plants and you can already calm down and destress.
What we like
- Boasts a clean, white tone for a simple and refreshing look
- The design is very minimalist as no unnecessary wires are exposed
What we dislike
- No complaints!
5. The Ocean Sun
Designed to be more than just your average USB-powered work light, the Ocean Sun Plant Light, as its name quite aptly suggests, features a calibrated set of LEDs that emit light similar to the light from the sun. Made primarily for indoor plants that don’t receive too much natural light, the Ocean Sun Plant Light provides them with the right spectrum of light to enable photosynthesis and foster growth… and unlike the sun, it can fit in your palm.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Ocean Sun sports a sleek, compact design with a precisely machined aluminum outer shell and a series of flicker-free LEDs that draw power from a USB-C port located on the back of the device. Each lamp comes along with its own adjustable USB-C stand cable that lets you position and angle the lamp however you want, although the Ocean Sun works with any third-party cable too, giving you the freedom to hook it up to your laptop, a power bank, or even a set of solar panels with a USB output!
What we like
- Compact form that fits in your palm
- High-end flicker-free LEDs
What we dislike
- Not too sure how well plants would grow with this light
6. The Oasis
Not all homes are built to have gardens, but that doesn’t mean you can’t run your own mini farm where you are. This concept for a hydroponic smart farm is something that can fit in whatever space you may be staying in.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Oasis is a smart farm that’s meant for home, and it can grow your vegetables and store them before you consume them. The design is inspired by both mountains and desert oasis, hence the name. Some of the items that were used to create a concept design for it include blenders, coffee makers, smart speakers, etc. What the designer came up with is something that looks like a mini-greenhouse with a transparent cover. It kind of reminds me of a bread container, except we get plants and vegetables inside.
What we like
- There’s a part here called Fresh Keeper where you can store the vegetables once you’ve harvested them without needing to move them to the refrigerator
- There’s an app that you can use to monitor your plants and your water levels
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept!
7. Purtler
This concept product is something that can serve as a butler for your plants that are left at home. Its name is Purtler or a combination of plant and butler.
Why is it noteworthy?
The design of the Purtler is inspired by plants and organic lifeforms to match what it’s supposed to be watching. The stand looks like a long piece of leaf with water droplets. The bottom part can even serve as a shelf for items like books and other decorations. But the main thing that you’ll notice is that there’s an “eye” at the top which is actually where the camera is placed. The device that looks like a web camera lets you take a closer look at how things like temperature and humidity affect the plants.
What we like
- Designed to be part of your furniture as the leaf silhouette can add to the ambiance of your living room
- Takes care of your plant babies when you’re away!
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept!
8. The Krado Plant Sensor
If something like the Krado Plant Sensor actually exists, then maybe my poor two plants had a better chance of survival. It’s the hardware component of the Leaflet Plant Care System, whose main purpose is to help people grow healthy plants. The sensor is something you put in the soil with your plants, and it will be able to transmit information to the mobile app so you will be able to adjust how you’re taking care of them.
Why is it noteworthy?
The plant sensor is able to monitor things like soil moisture, ambient temperature, humidity, and light. These are critical factors that will affect the health of your plants, and if you’re like me, that’s pretty clueless about these things, then it might give me helpful information. The app connected to it will also give you actionable guidance based on these factors like buying and shipping fertilizer, potting soil, pesticides, etc.
What we like
- Different colored lights may indicate specific conditions that will alert you
- 100% 3D printed
What we dislike
- No complaints!
9. plan.t
This concept for a plant cultivation product is called plan.t, a play on the word plant and planning for tomorrow, something that dementia patients may have trouble doing.
Why is it noteworthy?
The designer thought of horticultural treatment as an aid to help those suffering from this condition, not as a cure but to help slow down the effects of the disease. As they grow the plants using this device, the hope is that their memories will be able to grow or improve alongside the greens.
What we like
- The plan.t device lets the user track the progress of the plants that they’re growing in it through voice recording
- Designed to help dementia patients improve their memory
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept!
10. Jungle
Most commonly in homes across the world, indoor gardens are a form of biophilic design. Interpreting biophilia in a similar way, Jungle, designed by Poland-based KABO & PYDO design studio, is a planter that can hang from the ceiling and also function as a semi-flush mount light fixture.
Why is it noteworthy?
Comprised of only a few parts, the beauty of Jungle lies in the design’s simplicity. Defined by a bulbous, capsule-shaped centerpiece, Jungle is a half-planter and half-light fixture. The capsule-shaped planter emanates a warm, golden light that’s diffused with an opaque body. The opaque body softens the light and accentuates the plant life by offering an unassuming canvas for teeming greenery to drape across.
What we like
- The simple form emphasises the beauty of the plants
- The lamp emits a soft and soothing light
What we dislike
- You need to stand on a stool or a little ladder to water the plants