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:Â Basil, mint, thyme, rosemary, dill, chives, oregano
Vegetables:Â Chili/peppers, mini tomatoes, romaine lettuce, oak leaf lettuce, arugula
Flowers:Â Petunia, pansy, sweet alyssum, busy lizzie, moss rose, polka dot flower, lobelia
How does the grow light timer work?
Smart Gardens:Â Our Smart Gardens have a built-in timer. Once the unit is plugged into power, the timer activates automatically. Your garden will stay on for 16 hours and switch off for 8 hours, turning itself back on at the same time each day.
We recommend starting your garden in the morning. To reset the timer, unplug the cable for a full minute before plugging it back in.
Grow Lights:Â Our Grow Lights offer multiple timer settings which can be selected depending on your plants' requirements.
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.
For example: If your light starts at 7am, it will automatically switch off at 11pm, then turn back on at 7am the next morning. This cycle will continue until unplugged or reset.
Note:Â 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 plant 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 to the water.
How often do I need to top up the water reservoir?
Depending on the size of your plants, you'll typically need to top up the reservoir every 1–2 weeks. Our Smart Gardens have a water level indicator that shows when it's time to top up.
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 better to be slightly under than overfilled.
Where should I place my unit for optimal growing?
Avoid placing your unit in direct sunlight. During summer heat, move it to a cooler part of the house, and during winter chill, to a warmer location. The full spectrum grow light does not provide heat — only light.
The ideal average temperature for plants is 64–75°F (18–24°C).
What is the ideal temperature for growing plants?
The ideal average temperature for growing plants is 64–75°F (18–24°C). If it's too hot, plants age and degrade faster. If it's too cold, seeds may not germinate.
How often should I clean my smart garden?
For our pod-based systems, we recommend cleaning the water reservoir and grow pots with warm, soapy water before starting your next batch of pods.
For the HydroGarden Classic, we recommend cleaning before each water refill to ensure the correct balance of water and 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 can add additional hydroponic fertilizer to the water of your Smart Garden.
Why haven't my seeds sprouted?
On average, plants should sprout within 1–3 weeks depending on the variety. If this hasn't happened, see the tips below:
- Check that 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 — some in your packet will not be viable.
- Ensure you have not overfilled the reservoir and flooded your pods.
- The warmer the environment, the faster the germination. The ideal average temperature is 64–75°F (18–24°C).
- Use the clear dome covers to maintain a controlled environment and assist with germination.
If you are still having issues after following 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 packet will not be viable. We recommend sowing at least 4 seeds for larger seed varieties, and 5–10 seeds for smaller seeds like herbs.
Tomatoes, chillis, and some flowering plants like sunflowers will need thinning. You can remove the weaker plants to avoid overcrowding the pods.
Can I use the pod as a seed starter?
HydroSoil pods are ideal for use as seed starters and can be transplanted to an outdoor garden or pot. We recommend transplanting once the seedling has developed 2–3 sets of true leaves and the roots have established.
Can I transplant the pods into the garden?
 Yes, you can transplant HydroSoil pods directly into your garden. For best results:
- Wait until the seedling has at least 2–3 sets of true leaves
- Harden off the plant first by placing it outdoors for a few hours each day over 5–7 days
- Plant the entire pod into garden soil at the same depth it was growing in your Smart Garden
- Water well after transplanting
Why is there mold on my pods?
This can happen in some climates. Most surface mold does not harm your plant. Gently scrape it off, taking care not to damage your plant or seeds. If mold appears on the seedling itself, increase airflow and reduce moisture.
My plants didn't sprout, can i re-use the same pod?
Generally, seeds should germinate within 1–3 weeks depending on the plant. The seed packet should give you a guide on what to expect. If this doesn't happen, re-sowing new seeds into the same pod is perfectly fine —but first check that the pod isn't too wet or flooded, and ensure your growing conditions are correct (temperature, light, water level).Carefully remove the old seeds with tweezers if they are visible.
Can I buy HydroSoil pods in bulk? Do they have a shelf life?
They can be purchased in bulk and will last up to 3 years, provided they are stored in a cool, dry place away from 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 Click & Grow plant pod troubleshooting tips.
General plant information
Click HERE for Click & Grow general plant information
Plant care tips
Click HERE for help on taking care of your Click & Grow 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 USPS or UPS for larger parcels.
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.
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.
Plant pods are eligible for returns only when purchased for use with Ermonix and Click & Grow smart gardening systems.
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. More information can be found in our 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.