GroBox One: Next-Gen Indoor Greenhouse

San Francisco start-up GroBox has designed GroBox One – a fully automated indoor greenhouse that uses hydroponics to help anyone grow their own produce at home.

The GroBox One requires no soil, controls its watering schedule and air flow, and is more sustainable than other gardening methods. It also features LED lights that mimic natural sunlight, which makes it possible to grow plants even when the weather wouldn't normally allow it.

In addition, it automatically monitors and manages temperature, humidity, nutrients and pH balance in order to maintain the ideal conditions for growing healthy plants, without the use of pesticides.

Users only need to add water and fertiliser once a week, and adjust the greenhouse's settings according to the plants they choose to grow. No prior knowledge or experience of gardening is required.

The GroBox One's Kickstarter campaign has already surpassed its funding goal of $10,000, raising more than $75,000 at the time of writing. The greenhouse can be pre-ordered for $999 and will start shipping in October 2018.

The hydroponic equipment industry has grown at an annual rate of 4.4% over the past five years (IbisWorld, 2017). More people are aware of the health benefits of organic produce and are willing to cultivate their own vegetables, while marijuana legalisation across several US states has fuelled rising interest in hydroponic growing methods.

For more on indoor gardening and the products streamlining plant care, see Nature Embracers. See also Women Embrace Weed.