Indoor Gardening is sustainable and innovative. The future-oriented topic of growing fresh plants, herbs, salads and vegetables is part of a major trend and is being promoted by the popularity of urbanization. With the world's population growing, living space shrinking and flexible working models from the home office healthy nutrition more important than ever - at best organic, ecological and environmentally friendly. Hydroponics describes one way to achieve your goals - even at home. The company Plantui from Finland is firmly convinced that everyone deserves a garden. To this end, they have developed an intelligent indoor garden that is equipped with numerous innovative functions. I myself am very open to new technologies, so I now have four smart gardens - three at home and one in my office in the city center, where it is admired by other employees every day. In this complete and honest experience report I share my - I can say this much in advance - positive experiences.
Indoor gardens from Plantui
Plantui is a Finnish companywhich specializes in intelligent gardening. The company offers a broad portfolio of indoor gardens. All product variants are based on two basic models, the Plantui Smart Garden 3 for three plants the Plantui Smart Garden 6 for six plants. There are numerous accessories for this. But first let's take a look at all Plantui indoor gardens:
What is included in the scope of delivery of a Plantui Smart Garden? And which version should I choose?
What is included in the scope of delivery?
Each indoor garden from Plantui consists of the following parts:
- Plantui Smart Garden (selected version)
- Plants and nutrients (if purchased in a bundle)
- Two regular height modules
- Power cable
- Operating instructions
What are the differences between the Plantui Smart Garden 3 and Plantui Smart Garden 6?
The main differences are the possible number of plants and the capacity of the water tray. The Plantui Smart Garden 3 can hold three plants. The Plantui Smart Garden 6 can hold six plants, 12 plants with the Pre-grow tray (perfect for a Raised bed) or microgreens (divided into four areas) with the Microgreens Tray record.
Capacity: 3 plants / 6 plants
Water reservoir: 1 liter / 3 liters
Weight: 1.36 kg / 2.45 kg
Diameter: 19 cm / 29 cm (35 cm with handles)
Height: 24 cm / 21 cm
Which Plantui Smart Garden should I choose?
Plantui offers two basic models of its intelligent indoor gardens - the Plantui Smart Garden 3 and Plantui Smart Garden 6. The main difference lies in the size of the appliances and the available accessories. Both devices are suitable for growing herbs, salads, tomatoes, chilies and edible flowers. The Plantui Smart Garden 3 is an excellent choice if you don't have a lot of space or don't want to grow many herbs and lettuces. The large version, the Plantui Smart Garden 6, offers you more extensive options, e.g. for the Growing healthy microgreens or to the Advance through the use of boosters
See the indoor gardens beautiful don't they? And they do in reality too! This is proven by some photos I took myself. Take a look at some of my plants in my intelligent gardens:
Hydroponics: No soil, just water and nutrients
The indoor gardens from Plantui are based on the hydroponic systemHydroponics is a method of Growing plants in a nutrient-rich water-based solution. This has numerous advantages, as I have found out:
- The Roots of the plants are in the direct contact with the nutrient solution and at the same time have access to oxygen. Both are essential for good plant growth.
- Plants can grow significantly faster and produce more harvest than the same plants that grow in soil.
- Possible Infestation by pests or insects is preventedas no soil is used as a growing medium.
Plantui offers Nutrients for purchase. You should mix these in lukewarm tap water so that they are completely dissolved in the water. Here are a few useful tips:
- Each pack of Plant capsules are supplied with a pack of nutrients. This is enough for your plants, so you (usually) don't need to buy additional nutrients. Long growing plants like Chilies and tomatoes come with more nutrients.
- If you Own seeds or if you are considering buying separate nutrients, I recommend the Experiment kitwhich contains both empty plant capsules and nutrients.
Intelligent functions of a Plantui Smart Garden
Automatic sleep timer
Plants need about eight hours a day without light to recover. That's why the powerful light unit includes an intelligent automatic sleep function. I use the automatic system to put my smart Plantui gardens to sleep at 11:00 pm and wake them up again at 7:00 am. The time is in the middle of the night and guarantees dark light.
Hold your hand for three seconds over the light unit or press the button and the light switches off (after briefly flashing twice).
Lights on/off
You can also switch the light on and off manually if you need to. This has no effect on the sleep mode of the automatic sleep function. I use the function in situations where I need complete darkness in my home. However - to be honest - this happens very rarely, as the light alone is already very beautiful to look at (Nordic light).
Hold your hand for one second via the light unit or press the button and the light switches on/off.
Vacation mode
When I go on vacation, I use the vacation mode. I use this to operate my Plantui Smart Garden for up to two weeks automom! Thanks to the adapted light and watering control, your plants need less light during this time (LEDs glow purple/violet).
Hold your hand for ten seconds over the light unit or press the button and the light switches.
Light & water
Depending on the current growth phase of your plants your Plantui device adapts both the automatic Irrigation as well as the Light spectrum to the specific requirements. This happens depending on the number of height modules installed. Without a height module installed (germination phase), the light is purple. It changes along with the watering cycle the more height elements you add.
Water level indicator
The lights on the Plantui Smart Gardens flash automatically if there is not enough water in the water reservoir and the Water pump does not function correctly.
In any case, you should ensure that the water tray is always filled with sufficient waterso that your water pump works correctly. It is better to check the water every few days to make sure there is always enough water.
Cleaning mode
For the Cleaning your indoor garden you should Citric acid use. To clean every corner of the Smart Garden, simply start the cleaning mode.
Hold your hand for 15 seconds via the light unit or press the button and the light switches to blue (Plantui Smart Garden 6) or green (Plantui Smart Garden 3). The water pump operates for a few minutes.
More green for urban life. Everyone deserves a garden.
Plantui
Lettuce, herbs, flowers and microgreens
Plantui offers a Large selection of plants which are supplied in capsules - a Business model that reminds me of Nespresso, but is much more sustainable. Simply insert a plant capsule into a Plantui Smart Garden and achieve great results. And it works just like that and amazingly simply!
Plants can be grown in various Categories be purchased:
- Edible flowers
- Herbs / Spices
- Microgreens / sprouts
- Salads
- Selections (bundles of bestsellers)
Each pack costs between five and nine euros and contains nutrients and three plant capsules that lead to three magnificent plants (see photos). Although the price seems relatively high at first glance, it is definitely worth it: the Seeds are specially selected for the Plantui Smart Garden and grows optimally. I really enjoy the process of growing my own fresh herbs and salads!
My Favorite plant capsules are Basil, red cherry tomatoes, Wild rocket and Mint. I particularly enjoy basil because it grows very quickly, is tasty and can be used in many different ways, e.g. for pizza, pasta, deserts and salads.
Each on Plantui.io acquired plant capsule is filled with a Growth guarantee delivered: If the seed does not germinate, you will receive free replacement. You can find more information in my FAQ section below.
Plant packs are with different colors marked, which represent the different Growing times mark:
- 3-5 weeks - Light green
- 5-8 weeks - Turquoise
- 8-12 weeks - Violet
- 12+ weeks - Black
I recommend using plants with the same or similar growing time. This ensures that each plant gets the right amount of light and is at the right distance from the Plantui Smart Garden light unit. You can promote the growth process with a Booster light height modulewhich is particularly suitable for small plants between larger plants.
As already written above, with the practical Experiment kit You can use your own seeds at any time: This includes three empty plant capsules and a packet of nutrients. My experience: If you find out a little beforehand which plants are roughly the size of the original plants, you will achieve great results! I am particularly impressed by the stability of the Plantui seed capsules, which is very advantageous for larger plants.
Favorite accessories for my Plantui Smart Garden
Plantui offers a large selection of useful accessories. I was particularly impressed by the two special height blocksas my plants grow faster and better as a result. All plants - the small ones as well as the large ones - receive sufficient light.
Booster light height module
As your plants grow, smaller plants (on the ground) may no longer receive optimum light - despite the powerful light unit. In this case, the booster light height module is designed to provide your plants with optimum light at every stage of growth. This is particularly important for Chili or other large plants. The height module also stimulates horizontal growth of the plants. Please note that according to the instructions, you can use a maximum of two light height modules and four regular height blocks.
Pre-grow tray
With the Pre-grow tray you cultivate your favorite plants (12 plants pro Plantui Smart Garden 6). It replaces the regular insert for six plants.
The pre-grow tray is particularly worthwhile, if you have your own garden. Then you can easily use this to grow your plants in the early stages. When your plants are a few centimetres tall, simply plant them in the soil in your garden. I can particularly recommend the Raised bed from HOFGARTENin which your plants will grow more protected and even better.
Experiment kit
The experiment kit contains three empty capsules (without seeds) and a Pack of nutrients. You can use your specially selected seeds that may not be officially included in the Plantui Shop is available.
I recommend between three and ten seeds per empty plant capsule depending on the subsequent size of the plant. And I can only encourage you to give it a try. It's a great sense of achievement to see your own herbs, lettuces and tomatoes grow so easily.
Cleaning & maintenance
Cleaning with citric acid
Cleaning your Plantui Smart Garden is really simple. There is a automatic cleaning mode as an intelligent function, as described above. It's best to read my two articles on cleaning and maintenance:
In addition to the official citric acid from Plantui, you can also use regular citric acid like this one from Amazon.de use - same effect, slightly cheaper.
Replace water
I recommend the Change the water every four weeks at the latestto remove possible residues and carry out cleaning. If you search the internet, you will find different opinions on the subject. Some people change the water every few days, others keep it for several months. I have decided to keep the Change the water regularly (approximately every three to four weeks). This brings some Advantages with it:
- Changing the water always provides a good opportunity to Health check of your plants. Check the color of the roots of your plants; they must be white. Remove all other root components.
- The water exchange offers the opportunity to Cleaning the system.
- Regularly changing the water Prevents mold and algae formation (important to ensure that your plants stay healthy in the long term).
- You can maintain the water pump - accordingly this video.
Algae and deposits
Algae and deposits may form during use of the Plantui Smart Garden. This is nothing to worry about at first! However, if there is too much algae formation, I recommend clean the entire system (as described above) and clean all non-electronic parts in the dishwasher. Make sure that no residues remain.
As an additional preventive measure, I recommend the use of 3%igem Hydrogen peroxide - especially for the prevention of possible mold. This is a Substance that fights mold, but not your plantsif you use the correct dose. Spray the substance directly onto possible mold spots (no dilution) and mix it into the nutrient solution - in a ratio of about 1:20 to the regular nutrient solution.
Summary
Indoor gardening has never been so easy: Plantui offers a Intelligent garden for your homewith which you Always fresh herbs, salads and microgreens in your kitchen have. Intelligent functions and modes as well as a sophisticated irrigation and LED system make the Plantui Smart Garden a true marvel of technology. But also the extraordinary design is a real eye-catcher and a highlight for every visit from friends and family.
Despite the relatively high purchase price, I think it's worth buying: It's simply fun to watch the plants grow. Every day, the plants grow and flourish a few centimetres more. After a while, you actually have to go shopping less because you have all the herbs at home - and not just fresh, but also grown with love and without dirt.
Do you still have questions about the Plantui Smart Garden? Then please write a comment! And don't forget to check out my Photos of the fantastic plants at the end of this article to view.
Questions & Answers
Is it worth buying a Plantui Smart Garden?
Yes, it is worth buying an intelligent garden from Plantui. It it's just fun to watch the plants grow. Every day, the plants grow and develop a few centimetres more. After a while, you actually have to do less shopping because you have all your herbs at home - and not just fresh, but also grown with love and without dirt. Smart functions, intelligent modes and a sophisticated irrigation and LED system make the Plantui Smart Garden a real Marvel of technology. But the extraordinary design is also a real Eye-catcher and a highlight for every visit from friends and family.
How do I maintain my Plantui Smart Garden?
In a Video from Plantui you can find out how to look after your smart indoor gardens. In general, you should always make sure that Sufficient water and nutrients so that the plants are supplied and the water pump always has enough water available. There are also a few tips and tricks in my article above.
My seeds are not germinating.
Sometimes the seeds fall into a dormant phase - especially if they have been stored in a place that is too warm. Then they wait for winter and the following spring, and only then do they germinate. The seeds should therefore be stored in a cool and dry place, e.g. in a refrigerator.
Also check, whether the water reaches the plant capsules. This is particularly important if your Plantui Smart Garden is not standing on a flat surface.
If nothing helps, then think of the Growth guarantee from Plantui. You can contact the company contact here.
When should I add the first height module?
Sometimes the first leaves of the plants directly on the surface of the capsule. Even if the plants are so low - you should Add the first height moduleas soon as most of the plants have opened their first leaves. The small plants then grow a little faster as they reach for the light.
There will be Three different height modules offered: The regular height module and one for Fast plant growth (booster light) and for Optimal blossoms (blossom light).
How can I get rid of algae or mold?
It is possible that mold or algae may form when using the Plantui Smart Garden. In this case, I recommend thoroughly clean the entire system – manually and all non-electronic parts in the Dishwasher.
As an additional preventive measure, I recommend the use of 3%igem Hydrogen peroxide - especially in the case of mold. This is a Substance that fights mold, but not your plantsif you use the correct dose. Spray the substance directly onto the mold spots (no dilution) and mix it into the nutrient solution - at a maximum ratio of 1:20 to the regular nutrient solution.
Where can I place the Plantui Smart Garden?
You can set up a Plantui Smart Garden wherever you like. The most common option is the Kitchenwhere you have direct access to fresh herbs. But I also like to have a on my desk for better light and a few snacks in between.
Another option is placement in the Bedroom: The light automatically wakes you up after eight hours of sleep.
Where is the best place to buy a Plantui Smart Garden?
I recommend the official store of Plantui.
Plantui Smart Garden
I enjoy my Plantui Smart Garden every day. Not only is the design a real eye-catcher and the focus of many conversations. I am particularly impressed by the simple concept: insert the plant capsules, add the nutrient solution and the growth process starts - optimized in many ways, such as through intelligent lighting that adapts to the plant growth. Irrigation is also automated. Especially for urban areas, this smart garden is an excellent addition for always fresh herbs, salads, tomatoes, chilies and experiments with your own seeds.
Product SKU: SGW-6
Product Brand: Plantui
Product Currency: EUR
Product Price: 289
Product In-Stock: InStock
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