In the AeroGarden Harvest vs Bounty comparison, the big differences are grow height, pod count, and light power. The Harvest family grows 6 pods with about 12 inches of grow height (18 inches on the Harvest XL), which suits herbs and lettuce. The Bounty family grows 9 pods with up to 24 inches of grow height and a stronger light, so it can handle cherry tomatoes, peppers, and bigger herb gardens. Choose Harvest for a compact herb garden; choose Bounty if you want fruiting plants or more variety.
Key takeaway: If you’ll ever want tomatoes or peppers, buy a Bounty. If you only want basil, parsley, and salad greens on the counter, a Harvest is enough.
Specs and prices were checked on AeroGarden’s official site (Scotts Miracle-Gro) in October 2026. Models and prices change, and sales are frequent.
| Feature | Harvest family | Bounty family |
|---|---|---|
| Pods | 6 | 9 |
| Max grow height | About 12″ (Harvest XL about 18″) | About 24″ |
| LED (examples) | Harvest about 20W | Bounty Basic 30W; higher on Bounty and Bounty Elite |
| Best crops | Herbs, lettuce, small plants | Tomatoes, peppers, larger harvests |
| Listed price range (Oct 2026) | About $100–$140 depending on model | About $180–$275 depending on model |
AeroGarden Harvest vs Bounty: The Model Lineups
Harvest family: AeroGarden’s site lists the Harvest Lite, Harvest, Harvest Elite (stainless finish), Harvest Elite 360 (rotated, square-ish footprint), and Harvest XL (taller light arm). All hold six pods. They are push-button countertop gardens that automate the light cycle and remind you to add water and plant food.
Bounty family: the site lists the Bounty Basic, Bounty, and Bounty Elite. All hold nine pods with a 24-inch maximum grow height. AeroGarden’s spec page for the Bounty Basic shows a 30W LED, vacation mode, and no Wi-Fi or app. The higher Bounty models add stronger lights and connected or touchscreen features depending on the version, so read each model’s spec sheet.
Grow Height: The Deciding Factor
Grow height is the distance the light arm can rise above the deck. At about 12 inches, the Harvest suits herbs you trim often and lettuce you harvest young. Basil, especially, will push against the light within weeks unless pruned. The Bounty’s 24 inches gives tall herbs and compact tomato or pepper varieties room to fruit. AeroGarden itself recommends the Bounty or larger models for tomatoes and peppers.
Pods and Spacing
Six pods versus nine sounds like a small gap, but it changes what you can grow. With fruiting plants you often fill only every other pod, so a Bounty might hold three or four tomato plants comfortably while a Harvest is better for six herbs. Our guide to plant spacing in home systems explains why crowding reduces yield.
Light Output
More light means faster, denser growth and better fruit set. A Bounty’s higher-wattage LED spread over a larger deck suits fruiting crops; the Harvest’s lower wattage is fine for leafy plants. Neither replaces a full grow tent for big tomato plants, but both work well for countertop scale. See PPFD and DLI for how intensity affects crops.
Water Bowl and Maintenance
Bounty models have a larger water bowl than Harvest models, so they can go longer between top-offs, which matters as plants get big and thirsty. Both use AeroGarden’s liquid plant food on a reminder schedule. Clean the bowl and pump between grows. If you run into pump noise, algae, or error lights, see our AeroGarden troubleshooting guide.
Seed Pods and Your Own Seeds
Both families take the same AeroGarden seed pod kits, so you can switch between models without changing supplies. You can also use grow-anything kits or make your own pods; see DIY AeroGarden seed pods.
Is AeroGarden Still in Business?
AeroGarden announced a shutdown in late 2024, then Scotts Miracle-Gro reversed course and brought the brand back in 2025. As of October 2026, AeroGarden’s official site lists both Harvest and Bounty models for sale. For the full timeline and what it means for support, read Is AeroGarden out of business?
Which Should You Buy?
| Choose Harvest if… | Choose Bounty if… |
|---|---|
| You want herbs and salad greens | You want cherry tomatoes or peppers |
| Counter space and budget are tight | You want nine plants and more variety |
| You like simple push-button controls | You’d use a bigger bowl and stronger light |
| It’s a first indoor garden or a gift | You’ve outgrown a smaller unit |
Still undecided? Compare other brands in AeroGarden vs Click & Grow, or read how to choose a hydroponic kit.
Tips for Getting More From Either Model
- Prune herbs early and often to keep them under the light.
- Hand-pollinate tomato and pepper flowers by gently shaking or tapping them. See indoor pollination.
- Trim roots that crowd the bowl late in a grow.
- Keep the garden away from cold drafts and hot windows.
- Start a fresh grow every few months instead of nursing tired plants.
Setup and First Grow
Both families set up in minutes: fill the bowl to the line, add the starter plant food, insert seed pods, and cover them with the germination domes. Remove the domes when seedlings touch them or once most pods have sprouted. Raise the light as plants grow, keeping it just above the tallest leaves. Most pods germinate within one to two weeks, and AeroGarden says many crops are ready for a first harvest in about four to six weeks.
For a first grow in a Harvest, herbs like basil, parsley, and dill are forgiving. In a Bounty, try a mix of herbs plus one compact tomato in a corner pod, leaving the neighboring pods empty to give it room. Keep notes on which plants outgrow the space; that helps you plan the next round.
Running Costs
Ongoing costs include electricity for the LED, replacement seed pods, and plant food. The Bounty uses more power because its light is stronger and larger, but it also grows more plants. Use our electricity cost framework with the wattage listed for your model to estimate a monthly figure.
FAQs: AeroGarden Harvest vs Bounty
Can I grow tomatoes in an AeroGarden Harvest?
It’s difficult. The roughly 12-inch grow height is too short for most tomato plants. The Bounty’s 24 inches is the better choice.
How many pods does each model hold?
Harvest models hold 6 pods. Bounty models hold 9.
Do Bounty models have Wi-Fi?
It depends on the model. AeroGarden’s spec page shows the Bounty Basic without Wi-Fi or an app; check the spec sheet for other versions.
Are seed pods interchangeable?
Yes. AeroGarden says its seed pod kits work in every AeroGarden model.
Is the Harvest XL worth it?
If you want six pods but more height for basil or other tall herbs, the XL’s roughly 18-inch height helps.
Sources
- Scotts Miracle-Gro — AeroGarden indoor gardens lineup
- AeroGarden — Bounty family models
- Scotts Miracle-Gro — AeroGarden is back in business
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Click & Grow Smart Garden 27 by Janar Raidla (CC BY-SA 4.0); -2020-07-10 Purple basil (Ocimum basilicum) seedlings, Trimingham by Kolforn (Kolforn) I’d appreciate if you could mail me (Kolforn@gmail.com) if you (CC BY-SA 4.0); Ripening Tomatoes by WarmPhoto (CC BY-SA 4.0); Starr-080608-7435-Mentha spicata-leaves-Water plant Sand Island-Midway Atoll (41264499822) by Forest and Kim Starr (CC BY 3.0 us); PepperFlower4K by Bst9jkj (CC0)