How to clean AeroGarden

To clean an AeroGarden, unplug it, pull the plant pods, and take out the pump. AeroGarden support says the grow deck and bowl can go on the top rack of the dishwasher on a warm or cold cycle, with no hot water or heat dry. Without a dishwasher, fill the bowl with 5 cups of distilled white vinegar, or water plus ¼ cup of chlorine bleach. Let the pump run it for 5 minutes, then rinse, run clear water for 5 minutes, and rinse again. Replace the pump filter after about two gardens.

Have a dishwasher and a model whose manual allows it? Use the top rack. Fighting white mineral crust? Use the vinegar. Seeing mold or slime? Use the bleach. Plants still growing? Skip to the last section and clean around them.

1. Disassemble the AeroGarden

The first step in cleaning an AeroGarden is to disassemble the unit. Start by unplugging the unit and pulling out the plant pods. Each plant can either be transplanted into a planter or an outdoor garden bed, or the plants can be discarded into the compost.

Pop the top deck off of the AeroGarden. Unplug the pump connection cord and pour the water out of the water tank bowl. There are often little bits of roots in the water, but hopefully minimal mold and algae. I like to give the bowl a quick wipe in the sink.

Now it’s time to remove the pump assembly from the water tank bowl. There are two small metal screws that hold the pump in its square plastic housing at the bottom of the tank. Using a Phillips #1 screwdriver, remove the screws. Then take the pump and its attached cord out of the water tank bowl and set it aside. You can also remove the water level indicator (look for the swivel tab at its base).

2. Clean each component

Each component can be cleaned separately now that the AeroGarden has been disassembled. Start by placing the top deck and the water reservoir bowl in the dishwasher on the top rack. Only wash the water bowl in the dishwasher if you have removed all the electric parts from the pump. Use a cold or warm cycle, not a hot setting or heat dry, per AeroGarden support. Some older manuals, such as the PRO200 guide, say not to use the dishwasher, so check yours first.

Remove the black filter sponge from the pump assembly. Wash it under warm running water with a bit of soap. Roots often grow into the sponge, but they can usually be mostly removed under the tap. If the filter sponge is starting to rip or develop weak spots/holes, it’s time to replace it so that fibers don’t pass through it and damage the pump. The manufacturer recommends replacing the filter after growing two gardens.

The remaining components can be wiped clean with a slightly damp cloth or a cleaning wipe. Just wipe the plastic outer area like the top of the lamp, the lamp arm, the plain surfaces on the base plate, and the plain sides of the pump assembly. Don’t wipe any electrical components, such as where any cords plug into the unit.

3. Circulate a cleaning solution

The next step is to circulate a cleaning solution through the system to clean the inner parts of the pump. Start by reassembling all the cleaned components, including replacing the pump assembly, screwing in the two small attachment screws, and plugging in the connecting cord between the pump and the base. Once the unit is fully reassembled, leave it unplugged from the electrical outlet.

There are three choices for a cleaning solution (use one type only):

Never mix bleach with vinegar or any other cleaner. Keep the base, control panel, electrical plugs, and lamp out of water. Follow the instructions for your model and the cleaner label.

• Vinegar: 5 Cups of Vinegar* (use distilled white vinegar) *also cleans mineral deposits
• Bleach: Fill the bowl with water and add ¼ cup of chlorine bleach
• AeroGarden Hydroponic No-Rinse Cleanser: an oxygen-based cleaner (follow the label)

If using vinegar or a bleach solution, let the system circulate the cleaning solution for one 5-minute cycle to clean the inside of the pump assembly. Then empty the bleach solution, rinse out the bowl, and refill the bowl with fresh, clean water. Plug the unit in and circulate the fresh water for one 5-minute cycle to rinse out the pump system. Then empty this water and give the bowl one last rinse to remove leftover traces of cleaning solution. AeroGarden support recommends this second rinse to clear all the solution from the bowl. The garden system is now clean and ready for the next planting.

If using AeroGarden No-Rinse Cleanser, follow the package label for the dose, circulation time, and any rinse steps. Do not add vinegar or bleach to this cleaner.

How often to clean AeroGarden smart gardens

AeroGarden indoor garden systems should be thoroughly cleaned between every planting. This usually translates to a deep clean every 3-4 months or 3-4 times per year. Replace the pump filter at every other cleaning, since the manufacturer suggests a new filter after two gardens.

How to clean AeroGarden with plants in it

While AeroGardens are generally cleaned between plantings, there may be occasions when you’d like to clean the AeroGarden with plants in it. This can happen if the system is filled with contaminated water, leading to mold or algae growth. Cleaning the AeroGarden while planting is growing is easiest if you remove the plants from the system, do your cleaning, and then replace the plants.

Start by raising up the light arm as high as possible to get the lamp out of the way. Fill a basin or sink with clean, fresh water. Remove the entire top deck with the plants still in their slots if possible. Prop the deck up in the basin (I use chopsticks) so that the roots hang in the water but the grow deck still holds the pods at the top. Then do your cleaning work, rinse the reservoir, and replace the plants with fresh clean water.

AeroGarden cleaning FAQ

Can I put AeroGarden parts in the dishwasher?

The grow deck and bowl can go on the top rack on a warm or cold cycle, per AeroGarden support. Remove the pump first, and skip hot water and heat dry. Check your model’s manual, since some older guides say no dishwasher.

How much vinegar do I use to clean an AeroGarden?

Use 5 cups of distilled white vinegar with no water added. Run the pump for 5 minutes, then rinse.

How much bleach do I use?

Fill the bowl with water and add ¼ cup of chlorine bleach. Run it for 5 minutes, then rinse, run clear water for 5 minutes, and rinse again.

Is algae in my AeroGarden harmful?

AeroGarden support says algae is harmless to the plants. Clean the bowl between gardens to keep it down.

How often should I replace the AeroGarden pump filter?

After about two gardens, or sooner if it tears or develops holes.

References

• Scotts Miracle-Gro, AeroGarden FAQs: cleaning and care
• AeroGarden PRO200 manual, Prepare for your next garden