FAQs
What type of plants can I grow in my smart garden?
Our smart gardens are suitable for growing seeds of almost any herb, vegetable or flower. We recommend compact plants, however larger plant varieties can be transplanted to a pot or outdoors if their height exceeds the grow light.
Can you recommend plants for me to grow?
If you're looking for ideas for what to grow, the below plants are great to get started:
Herbs: Basil, mint, thyme, rosemary, dill, chives, oregano.
Vegetables: Chili/peppers, Romaine lettuce, oak leaf lettuce, arugula, mini tomatoes.
Flowers: Petunia, pansy, sweet alyssum, Busy Lizzie, moss rose, Polka Dot flower, lobelia
How does the grow light timer work?
Our smart gardens and grow lights have an inbuilt timer. The unit will automatically stay on for a full 16 hour cycle, and then switch itself off for 8 hours to replicate the night cycle.
With the exception of Halo Elite grow light, which has a smart controller offering additional on/off timer settings.
What time should I start my grow light?
The grow light of your smart garden should be switched on in the morning. We recommend between 6-8am. It will stay on for 16 hours, switch itself off for 8 hours, then automatically turn itself on in the morning.
Eg. If your light started at 7am, it will automatically switch off at 11pm, then automatically turn back on at 7am the next morning. This cycle will continue until unplugged/re-set.
Note: Plants require some period of darkness to properly develop and should be exposed to light for no more than 16 hours per day. Excessive light is as harmful as too little.
Do I need to add nutrients when growing my plants?
If you are using Smart Soil Pods you do not need to add fertilizer. Plain water will activate the nutrients that are already built into the pods. These nutrients are effective for 4-6 months of growing.
If you are using an alternative growing medium like vermiculite, you will need to add hydroponic fertilizer into the water.
How often do I need to top up the water reservoir?
On average, you won’t need to add water for 2-3 weeks. However, you should check the reservoir weekly depending on the growth stage of your plant.
What happens if I overfill the water reservoir?
Avoid overfilling as this will flood the pods or other growing mediums, preventing germination and causing root rot. Always fill to the specified fill level. It's always better to be slightly under than overfilling.
Where should I place my unit for optimal growing?
Do not place your unit in an area with direct sunlight, and ideally not in complete darkness. Allowing some natural light in addition to provided light source will provide optimal growing results.
The ideal average temperature for plants to grow is 64 to 75°F
(18 to 24°C).
What is the ideal temperature for growing plants?
The best average temperature to grow your plants is 64 to 75°F (18 to 24°C). If it is too hot, plants age faster and degrade faster. Lower temperatures prevent seeds from germinating.
How often should I clean my smart garden?
You should clean the water reservoir and grow pots with warm soapy water before sowing your next set of seeds.
If you are using HydroGarden Classic, we recommend cleaning before each water re-fill to ensure the correct balance of water/hydroponic fertilizer.
How long will the nutrients last in the HydroSoil pod?
HydroSoil Pods are designed with time release nutrients that should last for the entire lifecycle of your plant, approximately 4-6 months of growing. If you wish to keep your plants growing past the recommended time frame, you may add some additional hydroponic fertilizer into the water of your smart garden.
Why haven't my seeds sprouted?
On average, plants should sprout between 1-3 weeks depending on the plant. If this has not happened see tips below:
- Check your seeds have not expired and have been stored correctly.
- Ensure you have sown enough seeds in your pod to increase the chances of germination. Not all seeds are created equal and some seeds in your seed packet will not be viable.
- Ensure you have not over filled the reservoir and flooded your pods.
- The warmer the environment, the faster the germination. The best average temperature to grow your plants is 64 to 75°F (18 to 24°C).
- Use the clear dome covers to maintain a controlled environment and assist with germination.
If you are still having issues and followed the above tips, please contact our support team. We are always on hand to help get you started.
How many seeds should I sow?
Not all seeds are created equal and some seeds in your seed packet will not be viable.
We recommend sowing at least 4 seeds for larger seed varieties, and 8-10 seeds for smaller seeds like herbs.
You can remove the weaker plants at a later stage to avoid overcrowding the pods.
Can I use the pod as a seed starter?
Yes. Hydrosoil pods are ideal for use as seed starters and transplanted to an outdoor garden or pot.
Can I transplant the pods into the garden?
Yes! If you plan to transplant your plants, do not use the pot lids as it will be difficult to remove once plants are fully grown.
Why is there mold on my pods?
This can happen in some climates and does not harm your plant. If mold or algae become particularly aggressive, you may gently scrape them off, taking care not to damage the plants or seeds in the process.
My plants didn't sprout, can i re-use the same pod?
Generally seeds should germinate between 1-3 weeks depending on the plant. The seed packet should give you a guide on what to expect. If this doesn't occur, re-sowing new seeds into the same pod is perfectly fine. Carefully remove the old seeds with tweezers if they are visible.
Can I buy HydroSoil pods in bulk? Do they have a shelf life?
HydroSoil Pods are currently available as a 3-pack and 18-pack. They can be purchased in bulk and will last up to 3 years provided they are stored in a cool dry place away from high moisture.
Sprouting guarantee
Click & Grow smart soil pods provide suitable conditions for plants to thrive in. You may, however, be eligible for a replacement plant pod if any of the following has occurred:
- No germination after 3 weeks.
- Plant has a disease.
- Plant has been affected by pests.
Regarding replacement plant pods, kindly note the following:
- It is required that the plant pods are grown using only Ermonix Smart Gardens and accessories (original grow pots, original wicks etc.) with the Official Partner Product label.
- Should it occur that plants of different species fail to sprout, we are able to replace the quantity of the plant pods but not the variety.
- We are provided with some pictures of your plants and Smart Garden setup.
Please keep in mind that all of our products are intended for indoor use. We are unable to replace pods if gardens have been kept outdoors. We also do not replace replacement plant pods.
Warranty claims
For Plant Pod warranty queries, please contact Click & Grow Support team via https://support.clickandgrow.com/hc/en-us/requests/new.
Please confirm the plants' age and room temperature to get the best plant care tips as needed.
Troubleshooting
Click HERE for troubleshooting tips.
General plant information
Click HERE for general plant information
Plant care tips
Click HERE for help on taking care of your plants.
When will I receive my products?
Orders received by 2pm US Central time will be dispatched same day. Orders received after this time will be dispatched next business day. After processing and leaving the warehouse, items usually take 3-5 business days to arrive at their destination. See Shipping Policy for more information.
Where will my order be dispatched from?
All orders are dispatched from our warehouse in Plano, Texas.
Which couriers do you use?
Currently all orders are shipped via FedEx Ground, and USPS Parcel Select.
Can I track my order?
You will receive a Shipment Confirmation once your order has shipped containing your tracking number(s). The tracking number will be active within 24 hours.
I changed my mind, do you accept returns?
Yes. Claims must be made within 30 days of you receiving your item. You need only ensure product is unused, and in its original packaging and condition. Please contact info@ermonix.com for further instructions on obtaining your refund.
There was a problem with my order, what should I do?
Please email info@ermonix.com within 30 days of receiving your order. See Refund Policy.
Do you ship worldwide?
We currently only ship within the USA. For more information about when products will be available in your country please email info@ermonix.com.