Countertop Harvest
By the Countertop Harvest team · Last updated
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Why look for alternatives to pre-seeded pods?
Both brands make most of their money on pods, so pods are the main long-term cost of a smart garden. Your own seed packets also give you varieties the brands don't sell. The catch is that you take on germination risk: AeroGarden says its germination guarantee doesn't apply when you use your own seeds.
AeroGarden: Grow Anything and DIY options
AeroGarden says all of its seed pods use the same standard basket size and fit every model (Sprout 3 pods, Harvest 6, Bounty 9, Farm 12+). Its Grow Anything Seed Pod Kit comes in 3- and 6-pod sizes. The 3-pod kit includes three grow sponges, baskets and labels, a 3 fl oz bottle of Liquid Plant Food and a growing guide; seeds aren't included. The sponges are made from coir.
- How many seeds: AeroGarden suggests one seed per pod for large seeds like peas or beans, and 2–3 for small seeds like most herbs and flowers.
- Size your plants to the garden: AeroGarden's example is squash: one pod in a Harvest, two in a Bounty, and none in a Sprout.
- Third-party pods: generic baskets, sponges and domes are sold for AeroGarden-size gardens. AeroGarden doesn't certify them, so check basket fit and reviews before buying.
See AeroGarden Grow Anything kit →
Click & Grow: seedless pods, reusing cups and pods
Click & Grow's Grow Anything Plant Pods are seedless versions of its smart-soil pods (a proprietary coconut coir and peat medium with built-in nutrients). You add your own seeds to the cavity and click the pod into any Click & Grow Smart Garden. Click & Grow says each pod lasts up to 18 weeks, contains plant food for up to 4 months depending on the plant, and grows best at 64–95°F.
- Seeds per pod: Click & Grow suggests 3–5 seeds for greens and flowers and 10–20 for herbs (its reuse guide says 15–20 for herbs). Thin fruiting plants like tomatoes to one per pod.
- Reuse the cups: Click & Grow asks owners not to throw away plant cups; they can be reused with each new plant pod.
- Replant an unsprouted pod: Click & Grow's help desk explains how to clean mold off an unsprouted pod, remove old seeds and sow your own, or transplant a seedling into it. Contact support first, since its sprouting guarantee may replace the pod.
- Your own soil: possible, but Click & Grow says success rates are "significantly lower" and its wicks may not work well with other soils. Adding fertilizer to the tank isn't ideal because the wick filters most of it out. It also doesn't recommend peat pellets (jiffy pots).
- Third-party gear: Click & Grow lists a small "Compatible and Certified Fresh" range of partner products that use its pods.
See Click & Grow Grow Anything pods →
Official vs DIY at a glance
| AeroGarden | Click & Grow | |
|---|---|---|
| Official empty pods | Grow Anything kit: sponges, baskets, labels, plant food | Grow Anything Plant Pods: seedless smart soil with nutrients |
| Fits | Every AeroGarden model (one basket size) | All Click & Grow Smart Gardens |
| Feeding | Add liquid plant food to the water | Built into the pod, up to about 4 months |
| Reuse | Not addressed on the kit page | Plant cups reusable; unsprouted pods can be replanted |
| Your own medium | Third-party sponges sold, not certified by AeroGarden | Possible but much less reliable, per Click & Grow |
| Guarantee | Germination guarantee doesn't apply to your own seeds | Sprouting guarantee covers its pre-seeded pods |
From AeroGarden's and Click & Grow's product and help pages, checked October 18, 2026. We haven't tested these pods ourselves.
Tips for sowing your own seeds
- Use fresh seed; AeroGarden notes fresh seeds give the best chance of success.
- Pick compact herbs and greens that fit your light height. See the best herbs to grow indoors.
- Slow germinators like parsley can take weeks to sprout; quick, forgiving picks include basil and chives.
- In hydroponic gardens, keep plant food on schedule; see hydroponic nutrients explained.
Choosing a garden? Read our AeroGarden Harvest review, AeroGarden vs Click & Grow and LetPot vs AeroGarden.
Sources
- AeroGarden: Grow Anything Seed Pod Kit
- AeroGarden: Seed pod kits and compatibility
- Click & Grow: Grow Anything Plant Pods
- Click & Grow Help Desk: Grow Anything pods
- Click & Grow Help Desk: How to reuse unsprouted pods
- Click & Grow Help Desk: Which garden am I growing in?
- Click & Grow: Can you use your own soil?
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my own seeds in an AeroGarden?
Yes. AeroGarden's Grow Anything Seed Pod Kit includes empty grow sponges, baskets, labels and plant food, and fits every AeroGarden model. Its germination guarantee doesn't apply to your own seeds.
Can I use my own seeds in a Click & Grow?
Yes, with Click & Grow's seedless Grow Anything Plant Pods. They contain smart soil with plant food for up to 4 months.
Can I reuse Click & Grow pods?
Click & Grow says plant cups are reusable, and its help desk explains how to clean and replant unsprouted pods with your own seeds or a seedling.
Can I put regular potting soil in a Click & Grow?
You can, but Click & Grow says success rates are significantly lower and its wicks may not work well with other soils.
Do third-party pods fit AeroGarden?
Generic AeroGarden-size baskets and sponges are sold, but AeroGarden doesn't certify them. Check fit and reviews first.