Gardyn House 4.0 (learn our full evaluate right here) had one of many best assemblies and setups out of the field and probably the most dramatic success of any of the manufacturers I attempted. Flowers, kohlrabi, thyme, even a complete cauliflower—all thrived on this pipe-based system with the lights in entrance to permit for taller plant development.
Seeds arrive in proprietary pods referred to as yCubes. A part of what makes the Gardyn foolproof is the subscription app add-on, “Kelby,” which screens your crops through connected sensors and cameras. It delivers custom-made watering and lighting schedules, in addition to upkeep strategies through AI (which an nameless supply instructed me is principally OpenAI’s ChatGPT with an overlaid immediate). This subscription provides an extra $408 a 12 months to the bottom buy worth, although it features a sure variety of credit per thirty days, relying on whether or not you’ve the House or Studio mannequin, with which to purchase new yCubes. There is a free 30-day trial for Kelby, however you need to use the Gardyn with out it by counting on guide gentle and watering controls, and there have been some current privateness considerations with Kelby (extra beneath).
Every Gardyn buy comes together with your alternative of yCube units: “Salad Lover,” “Budding Florist,” or “Chef Faves.” I’ve tried each “Budding Florist” and “Chef Faves,” and my favourite is the latter; it has an fascinating number of all the things from breen and Tokyo bekana greens to Thai basil and miniature sunflowers. Although Gardyn recommends beginning the yCubes within the firm’s add-on $80 nursery, I’ve germinated loads of yCubes proper within the system simply wonderful. (Be sure to do not add vitamins till they’ve sprouted. When you’re germinating yCubes in a while, when vitamins are already within the system, you may simply use a shallow bowl with loosely tented plastic wrap.) The seeds arrive tucked in mineral wool, comfortable of their little yCubes that slot into bigger cups (“yPods”) that match into the pipes. When the Gardyn waters the crops, the yPods fill with nutrient-infused water, and the crops’ roots develop proper into the water.
As soon as a month, the bottom will should be emptied and scrubbed. Each few weeks, the roots should be checked for root rot and development outdoors the yPod, examined for whether or not it is time to prune, and/or tucked again in in the event that they’ve wandered too far. This upkeep is admittedly a bit laborious, but when you don’t do it constantly, you may be very sorry when it is time to clear the Gardyn and put together it for its subsequent planting. (Ask me how I do know!)
I now have two Gardyns, a House 4 and a Studio 2—Gardyn’s new mannequin for 2025, with an upgraded digital camera and columns—and other than some funky yCubes (which the corporate will substitute upon request), I’ve no main complaints concerning the system, although I’ll observe that the crops within the Studio have been total much less lush as a result of Studio’s having one gentle bar slightly than two, which is why my main suggestions stays the House. I additionally like that Gardyn gives a Trip Mode, which adjusts the lighting and watering to sluggish development and reduce upkeep duties when you’re away.
NOTE: On February 24, 2026, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Safety Company (CISA) launched an advisory concerning vulnerabilities in Gardyn House and Studio units. These safety weaknesses might have allowed somebody to take distant management of a Gardyn machine, entry plant images, and procure private data similar to names, addresses, cellphone numbers, and e mail addresses. Gardyn claims these vulnerabilities have been remediated with the newest firmware replace, and advises clients to make sure their Gardyns are internet-connected and working firmware model 619 or later. When you suppose your machine might have been compromised, e mail assist@mygardyn.com or name 844-4-GARDYN. For extra data, see Gardyn’s Safety replace for Gardyn House and Gardyn Studio.
Gentle Cycle14-16 hoursPump Cycle5 minutes, 3 instances a day (varies with Kelby)Spots for Plants16 (Studio) or 30 (House)Vitamins Included7-inch-tall bottle of 7-3-11 plant meals (a lot for one cycle)Vegetation to Select From100+Upkeep Wants(Varies with Kelby.) Clear tank and substitute water with new vitamins each 4 weeks, test and reroute roots each three or so weeks, prime off tank with water and vitamins as wanted.Ease of Resetting After Every Planting (Out of 10)2/10 (every column part and yPod will should be scrubbed; should you fail to test and reroute roots each two weeks, this might rise to a 9/10)Can You Develop Your Personal?Sure; Gardyn sells yCubes to your personal seeds for $5 every. (Or you may simply get artistic.)DimensionsApprox. 24″ H x 16″ W x 7″ DPower Consumption40 wattsWarranty2 yearsHow was take a look at unit obtained?Press pattern from companyWhere is it now?Nonetheless in long-term testing
