Summary
The best gift for a gardener this winter is a garden they can use in December. Our pick is Click & Grow’s Smart Garden 3: an indoor herb garden with its own LED grow light that comes with three basil pods, for $99.96 on Nov. 14 (regular price $124.95). (The Smart Garden 3) Ordering for a cook who wants more? The nine-pod Smart Garden 9 is $174.97. (The Smart Garden 9)
See the Smart Garden 3 at Click & Grow ($99.96)
Prices checked on Nov. 14, 2026. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. (FTC's Endorsement Guides: What People Are Asking)
Gardeners are hard to shop for in winter. The beds are put away, the tools are clean, and the seed catalogs won’t matter until March. That’s when an indoor herb garden makes sense: it gives them something to grow, snip and cook with while the yard sleeps. It’s also when people look. U.S. searches for gifts for gardeners jumped from 6,600 in October 2025 to 60,500 in December 2025, and searches for indoor herb gardens peaked the same month. (Google search volume data for terms)
Black Friday code: Click & Grow’s partner code GROWSALE takes 21% off sitewide at the U.S. store through Dec. 1, 2026. The gardens are already on sale, and the code may not combine with sale prices, so enter it at checkout and keep whichever total is lower.
Our top picks
| Pick | Why | Price (Nov. 14, 2026) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall: Smart Garden 3 | Three herbs, own light, small footprint | $99.96 at Click & Grow | See it |
| For cooks: Smart Garden 9 | Nine plants, 3-week water tank | $174.97 at Click & Grow | See it |
| Gadget lovers: Smart Garden 9 PRO | Light schedule from the app | $179.97 at Click & Grow (The Smart Garden 9 PRO) | See it |
| Stocking stuffer: Plant Pods 3-pack | The next crop for an owner | $11.96 at Click & Grow (Basil Plant Pods 3-pack) | See it |
Shipping is free on orders over $150 in the contiguous U.S.; below that it’s calculated at checkout.
How we chose
The problem with growing herbs inside in winter is light, not water. Iowa State University Extension says most herbs need eight or more hours of direct light a day, which a December window rarely delivers, and recommends full-spectrum grow lights set on a timer for 12 to 16 hours. (Growing Herbs Indoors) So we looked for a gift that solves that on its own: a light, a water tank and seed pods in one box, with nothing for the recipient to figure out. Click & Grow gardens do exactly that. Their LED lights run 16 hours on and 8 off, and the pods draw up water through wicks, with no pump. We haven’t grown in these units ourselves; prices, specs and shipping times come from Click & Grow’s own pages, and every pick here earns us a commission, so we list who should skip each one. More on how we pick.
1. Click & Grow Smart Garden 3: best overall
Verdict: the right size for a first indoor garden, and the price most people spend on a good gift.
The Smart Garden 3 holds three plants and ships with three basil pods. It’s about a foot wide and 5 inches deep, and the lamp arm extends from 8 to 19 inches as the plants grow. The 1.5-liter tank and the light do the rest, using about 3.8 kWh of electricity a month. Click & Grow sells it in white for $99.96 on Nov. 14, 20% below its regular $124.95.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plants | 3 (comes with 3 basil pods) |
| Size | About 12 x 5 in; 8 to 19 in tall |
| Water tank | 1.5 liters |
| Power | About 3.8 kWh a month |
| Price | $99.96 (regular $124.95) |
- Pros: fits on a windowsill or a desk; no green thumb needed; a light that actually grows herbs in winter.
- Cons: three plants is garnish, not salad; the small tank needs topping up more often.
- Skip it if: the recipient cooks every night. Go straight to the Smart Garden 9.
Get the Smart Garden 3 ($99.96)
2. Click & Grow Smart Garden 9: best for cooks
Verdict: a real kitchen garden, and the better value per plant.
With nine spots, the Smart Garden 9 ships with three basil, three green lettuce and three mini tomato pods. Its 4-liter tank holds enough water for up to three weeks, and Click & Grow says setup takes 10 minutes and upkeep about 5 minutes a month. It draws 13 watts, about 6.2 kWh a month. At $174.97 on Nov. 14 (regular $249.95), it’s about $19 per plant spot against $33 for the Smart Garden 3, and it clears the $150 free-shipping threshold by itself.
- Pros: three crops at once; long gaps between refills; free shipping.
- Cons: two feet wide; the light is bright for 16 hours, which you’ll notice in an open-plan room.
- Skip it if: counter space is tight. The Smart Garden 3 is half the width.
Get the Smart Garden 9 ($174.97)
3. Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 PRO: best for gadget lovers
Verdict: worth the extra $5 if the garden sits in a bedroom or living room.
The PRO is the same nine-pod garden with Bluetooth light scheduling in the Click & Grow app, so the 16-hour cycle can start at 6 a.m. even if nobody is there to plug it in, plus a swipe-to-snooze feature for when you want the room dark. It was $179.97 on Nov. 14, down from $299.95.
- Pros: control over when the light is on; the deepest discount here; same pods and tank as the 9.
- Cons: Bluetooth, so it’s set from nearby; same 2-foot footprint.
- Skip it if: the garden goes in a kitchen where the light schedule doesn’t matter. Save $5 on the standard 9.
Get the Smart Garden 9 PRO ($179.97)
4. Click & Grow Plant Pods: best stocking stuffer
Verdict: the gift for someone who already said yes to indoor gardening.
Each 3-pack is $11.96 on Nov. 14. Click & Grow says every one of its 60+ plants grows in any of its gardens, and the list goes well past basil: thyme, rosemary, mint, lavender, chili pepper, wild strawberry and even catnip. The pods are pre-seeded and pesticide-free, and Click & Grow replaces any that don’t sprout.
- Pros: cheap; personal (pick the herbs they cook with); lasts all winter.
- Cons: only useful with a Click & Grow garden; a pod order alone pays shipping.
- Skip it if: you don’t know whether they own one. Give the Smart Garden 3 instead.
See Plant Pods ($11.96 per 3-pack)
How to choose an indoor herb garden gift
Which herbs grow best indoors?
Iowa State University Extension lists parsley, mint, chives, basil, oregano, cilantro and thyme as the easiest herbs indoors; rosemary, sage and lemon balm are worth trying next but want more light. Click & Grow sells pods for all of these, so choose by what the person cooks. Our pick for this: the Smart Garden 3 with a pack of the herb they use most.
Three plants or nine?
Three is enough for someone who adds fresh basil to pasta a few times a week. Nine suits a cook who wants salad greens and herbs at the same time, or a family. Our pick for this: the Smart Garden 9 if they cook most nights.
When should you order for Christmas?
Click & Grow says most orders arrive in 3 to 8 business days and warns that Black Friday and Christmas can slow things down. Our advice: order by Dec. 1 if you want to try code GROWSALE, and by Dec. 10 at the latest for delivery before Dec. 25.
Will indoor herbs taste as strong as garden ones?
Often a little milder. Iowa State notes that many indoor-grown herbs are less intense than outdoor ones, though basil still tastes like basil. For a gardener who misses the summer harvest, that’s the point: fresh leaves in January.
More gift ideas
Going to dinner before the holidays? See our Thanksgiving hostess gifts. Shopping for someone whose cat runs the house? Our gifts for cat lovers guide pairs well with a pack of catnip pods. Sending something to a list of clients? Start with corporate gifts for clients.
Final verdict
For most gardeners, the Click & Grow Smart Garden 3 ($99.96) is the gift: it grows herbs on the counter all winter with its own light, and it takes 10 minutes to set up. Choose the Smart Garden 9 ($174.97) for a serious cook, and add a Plant Pods 3-pack ($11.96) of their favorite herb.
Order the Smart Garden 3 ($99.96)
- Best overallClick & Grow Smart Garden 3 —See pick ↓
- Best for cooksClick & Grow Smart Garden 9 —See pick ↓
- Best for gadget loversClick & Grow Smart Garden 9 PRO —See pick ↓
- Best stocking stufferClick & Grow Plant Pods 3-pack —See pick ↓
Price ranges as last checked; “—” means we couldn’t confirm a current price. Details and sources in each pick.
Why now
U.S. searches for gifts for gardeners rose from 6,600 in October 2025 to 60,500 in December 2025, according to Google Keyword Planner. Searches for indoor herb gardens peak in December too.
Click & Grow lists its gardens on sale (the Smart Garden 3 at $99.96, down from $124.95), ships free over $150 in the contiguous U.S., and says most orders arrive in 3 to 8 business days, longer around Black Friday and Christmas. Its partner code GROWSALE takes 21% off sitewide at the U.S. store through Dec. 1, 2026.
Buy before Dec. 1 if you want to try the code, and by Dec. 10 at the latest for Christmas delivery.
Each guide separates what the sources show from what we infer. We don’t use countdowns or “selling fast” claims.
Products
Click & Grow Smart Garden 3
Best for: Any gardener or cook with a foot of counter space: three herbs under their own light
Photo: Janine Meuche on UnsplashWhy we like it
- $99.96 on Nov. 14 (regular price $124.95)
- Comes with three basil pods; set up in about 10 minutes
- Built-in LED grow light and a water tank, so no sunny window needed
Limitations
- Three plants only: enough for garnish, not for salads
- Small 1.5-liter tank needs refilling more often than the 9
Prices change often: check today’s price at Click & Grow.Check price at Click & Grow
Click & Grow Smart Garden 9
Best for: A home cook who wants basil, lettuce and tomatoes going at the same time
Photo: Sixteen Miles Out on UnsplashWhy we like it
- Nine pods: comes with basil, green lettuce and mini tomato
- 4-liter tank lasts up to 3 weeks between refills
- $174.97 on Nov. 14 (regular $249.95), and it clears the $150 free-shipping line
Limitations
- Two feet wide: it needs a real stretch of counter
- Lights run 16 hours a day, so it's bright in an open kitchen
Prices change often: check today’s price at Click & Grow.Check price at Click & Grow
Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 PRO
Best for: Someone who wants to set the light schedule from a phone app
Photo: Yukon Haughton on UnsplashWhy we like it
- Same nine-pod garden, plus Bluetooth light scheduling in the app
- Swipe-to-snooze turns the light off when you want the room dark
- $179.97 on Nov. 14, only $5 more than the standard 9
Limitations
- Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi: you set it up from nearby
- Same footprint as the Smart Garden 9
Prices change often: check today’s price at Click & Grow.Check price at Click & Grow
Click & Grow Plant Pods 3-pack
Best for: A gardener who already owns a Click & Grow and needs the next crop
Photo: Reza Mustafa on UnsplashWhy we like it
- $11.96 per 3-pack on Nov. 14 (regular $14.95)
- 60+ plants, from basil and mint to catnip and wild strawberry
- Click & Grow replaces pods that don't sprout
Limitations
- Only fits Click & Grow gardens
- On its own it falls under the free-shipping minimum
Prices change often: check today’s price at Click & Grow.Check price at Click & Grow
Why only four picks? We list a product only when we can explain why it helps and where it falls short. We don’t add picks to reach a number.
FAQ
Can you grow herbs indoors in winter?
Yes, if they get enough light. Iowa State University Extension says most herbs want eight or more hours of direct light a day, which a winter window rarely gives, and recommends full-spectrum grow lights on a timer for 12 to 16 hours. Click & Grow gardens run their LED light 16 hours on and 8 off.
How much electricity does a Click & Grow use?
Little. Click & Grow lists the Smart Garden 9 at 13 watts, about 6.2 kWh a month, and the Smart Garden 3 at about 3.8 kWh a month.
Do Click & Grow pods fit every Click & Grow garden?
Yes. Click & Grow says each of its 60+ plants can be grown in any of its gardens, so pods bought for a Smart Garden 3 also work in a 9.
Questions come from real search data (iastate; cg-sg9). We don’t invent questions.
Sources & method
Who this guide is for
This guide is for people in the U.S. shopping for a gardener, a home cook or a plant lover this holiday season, who want a gift that gets used all winter instead of sitting in a shed until spring.
How we picked
- We list a product only when we can explain why it helps and where it falls short.
- We list limitations for every pick, based on product specs and buyer reviews.
- We haven’t tested these products ourselves. When we do, we’ll say so.
- Prices appear only when checked in the last 7 days, with the store and the date shown. Otherwise we leave them out.
Sources
- Click & Grow — The Smart Garden 3 (accessed Nov 14, 2026). $99.96 sale price, regular $124.95; includes three basil pods; 1.5 l water tank; 3.8 kWh a month; 12 in wide, 5 in deep, 8 to 19 in tall with the lamp extended.
- Click & Grow — The Smart Garden 9 (accessed Nov 14, 2026). $174.97 sale price, regular $249.95; 9 pods incl. 3 basil, 3 green lettuce, 3 mini tomato; 4 l tank lasts up to 3 weeks; 13 W, 6.2 kWh a month; 16 h light on, 8 off; free shipping over $150 in the contiguous U.S.; most orders arrive in 3-8 business days; 1-year warranty; pods fit all gardens; grow light lasts at least 7 years.
- Click & Grow — The Smart Garden 9 PRO (accessed Nov 14, 2026). $179.97 sale price, regular $299.95; Bluetooth light scheduling in the app and swipe-to-snooze; same pods as the Smart Garden 9.
- Click & Grow — Basil Plant Pods 3-pack (accessed Nov 14, 2026). $11.96 per 3-pack, regular $14.95; pre-seeded, pesticide-free; free replacement if they don't sprout.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach — Growing Herbs Indoors (accessed Nov 14, 2026). Light is the main limit indoors; most herbs need 8+ hours of direct light; grow lights 6-12 in above leaves on a 12-16 hour timer; best indoor herbs: parsley, mint, chives, basil, oregano, cilantro, thyme.
- Federal Trade Commission — FTC's Endorsement Guides: What People Are Asking (accessed Nov 14, 2026). Why we disclose affiliate links next to them.
- Google Keyword Planner — Google search volume data for terms: “gifts for gardeners”, “indoor herb garden”, “indoor garden”, “indoor herb garden kit”, “hydroponic garden”, “click and grow”, “smart garden” (U.S., accessed Nov 14, 2026).
Review history
- Published Nov 14, 2026.
