Everything you need to know about MiniGro

MiniGro is a compact, fully automated countertop microfarm that grows microgreens, herbs, edible flowers, and leafy greens - directly where you prepare and serve food, whether that's a professional kitchen, restaurant, hotel, canteen, bar, or home.

It uses substrate-free hydroponics, automated control of six systems - light, airflow, irrigation, temperature, humidity, and nutrients - and reusable stainless steel mesh trays to grow 70+ varieties on demand, year-round. Everything is managed from the on-board display.

MiniGro was designed for professional kitchens - restaurants, caterers, hotel kitchens, canteens, and bars that care about freshness, flavour, consistency, and presentation.

Home cooks who want the same freshness and control can use the exact same microfarm at home - with the same automation and on-board display as professional kitchens.

MiniGro grows 70+ plant varieties, including:

• Microgreens
• Herbs
• Edible flowers
• Leafy greens

Out of the box, you can grow up to 6 microgreen varieties at once using the mesh trays - or use the 2 included herb holders to grow 6 herb, edible flower, or leafy green plants alongside your microgreens. Add up to 4 more herb holders as an accessory to fill all 6 slots with herbs.

Microgreens are ready in as little as 6 days. Herbs, edible flowers, and leafy greens typically take 3 to 5 weeks.

See all varieties →

Most small indoor gardens give you a few herbs in soil with basic lighting.

MiniGro gives you:

• A fully enclosed, chef-grade microfarm designed to be displayed in guest areas
• Automated control of six systems - light, irrigation, airflow, temperature, humidity, and nutrients - managed from the on-board display
• Stainless steel mesh trays - no soil, no growing medium, no disposables
• 70+ varieties to grow on demand, year-round
• Alerts when water is low, cartridges need replacing, or a door has been left open - all shown directly on the display

It's closer to having a compact front-of-house farm than a countertop herb pot.

MiniGro's dimensions are:

• Length: 110 cm
• Width: 34 cm
• Height: 38 cm
• Weight: 30 kg dry / 36 kg filled
  

It fits comfortably on a counter, bar top, pass, or wall mount. The footprint is narrow enough for tight service areas - and the transparent growing area is designed to be visible to guests.

MiniGro users typically place it in:

• Restaurant kitchens, dining areas, or the pass
• Bars, lounges, or hotel breakfast areas
• Canteens and corporate dining spaces
• Home kitchens and dining rooms
  

Because the unit is enclosed, compact, and designed to be seen, it fits naturally in spaces where hygiene, aesthetics, and guest experience matter.

See MiniGro →

No. MiniGro requires no plumbing, no water line connections, and no special installation. It plugs into a standard EU power outlet and sits on any stable surface that can support 36 kg when filled.

The water tank holds 6 litres and is filled manually. Refill frequency depends on what you're growing - fast-growing varieties like pea shoots may need topping up twice a week, while slower herbs like basil can go two weeks or more between refills.

You can place it and start growing the same day.

MiniGro is designed to run quietly in professional kitchens and dining rooms.

• It operates at consistent sound level suitable for open kitchens and guest-visible areas
• Activate silent mode instantly for a 6-hour block, or schedule it to run automatically at the same time every day - so your MiniGro is always at its quietest during service
  

Most users place MiniGro within a few metres of guests without any issues.

Yes. MiniGro's enclosed design, food-safe materials, and easy-clean components make it compatible with professional kitchen hygiene standards.

The unit uses:

• Dishwasher-safe stainless steel mesh trays
• Food-safe materials and stainless steel throughout
• No pesticides or herbicides at any stage
• Enclosed hydroponics with no soil
  

Because MiniGro is clean, enclosed, and easy to sanitise, restaurants place it directly in open kitchens, on the pass, or in guest-visible areas without inspection issues.

MiniGro is designed to fit into the schedule of a busy kitchen. Once the greens are seeded, the system mostly runs itself.

Typical daily involvement:

• Seeding a new tray - a few minutes to seed and start a new cycle via the on-board display
• Daily check-in - under 3 minutes to check the display, respond to any alerts, and refill water when needed
• Deep clean - approximately 20 minutes every 3 weeks, guided step by step by the on-board display
  

Most of the time MiniGro runs quietly in the background while your team focuses on cooking and service.

See exactly how it works →

MiniGro has two levels of cleaning:

Between cycles - quick rinse
After each harvest, give the mesh trays a good rinse. They're dishwasher-safe, so you can run them through a cycle if you prefer.

Every 3 weeks - guided deep clean
Enter cleaning mode on the on-board display. MiniGro pumps Clemix — the cleaning solution - through the system automatically. The display then guides you through the remaining steps: drain the water, clean any residue, refill. Takes
approximately 20 minutes.

Your Clemix cartridge lasts approximately two weeks.

After harvest:

1. Remove plant material and rinse the mesh trays - or run them through the dishwasher
2. Replace Gromix or Clemix cartridges if the display alerts you
3. Seed the next batch and start a new cycle from the on-board display

You can re-seed immediately after harvest, so trays are rarely empty. Stagger your planting across the 6 trays to keep a continuous rotation going - something ready to harvest most days of the week.

It depends on the variety:

• Microgreens - best harvested within a few days of reaching peak size. Harvest what you need and leave the rest - but don't wait more than a few days after they're ready. If needed, place the tray in the fridge - roots and all. The greens will keep for up to 3 weeks this way.
• Herbs - once  ready, cut what you need - a "haircut" - and the plant keeps growing and producing over several weeks.
• Edible flowers - harvest when they open. Check daily and harvest as they bloom.
• Leafy greens - harvest leaves as needed over an extended period. They continue growing after each cut.
  

The key advantage of MiniGro is that you harvest on demand - you don't need to harvest everything at once.

MiniGro is designed to handle short periods without attention.

• Automated lighting, irrigation, and nutrient delivery continue running
• The on-board display will show any active alerts when you return
• As long as the water tank and cartridges are properly filled before you leave, MiniGro can keep plants on track for several days without hands-on care

For longer absences, pause new seeding and let current cycles finish before you go.

Silent mode brings MiniGro to near-zero noise - with only brief, low-level activity every hour to maintain the growing environment.

You have two options:

• Instant: Activate silent mode directly from the on-board display for a 6-hour block
• Scheduled: Set silent mode to run automatically at the same time every day - useful for recurring service patterns

Silent mode is set and managed entirely from the on-board display.

Seeds are sprinkled directly onto the stainless steel mesh tray. During germination a cover sits over the tray for a few days. Once germination is complete and the cover is removed, microgreens grow to harvest. MiniGro comes with 6 mesh trays - 4 coarse for larger seeds, 2 fine for smaller seeds - and 6 germination covers.

Each mesh tray comes with a germination cover - 6 covers included in the box, one per tray.

After seeding a mesh tray, place the cover over it. The cover creates a sheltered environment that supports germination over the first few days.

When germination is complete, the on-board display alerts you to remove the cover. Store it in the built-in drawer ready for the next cycle.

Gromix and Clemix are the two consumable cartridges that keep your MiniGro running. Both slide into the cartridge slots on the right side of the unit - slide the old one out, slide the new one in.

Gromix is the nutrient solution - it feeds your plants throughout each growth cycle. One Gromix cartridge lasts approximately one month.

Clemix is the cleaning solution - used day-to-day and during the guided deep clean every 3 weeks. One Clemix cartridge lasts approximately two weeks.

Both are included in the box with your MiniGro for your first month of growing. Reorder through the Grovero shop or include them automatically with the Care Plan.

Yes. MiniGro is flexible by design. You can:

• Use Grovero's curated seeds and cartridges - tested specifically for MiniGro across 70+ varieties
• Use your own seeds and nutrients if you prefer full control over sourcing. Browse Grovero seeds.

No. MiniGro uses substrate-free hydroponics - seeds grow directly on the stainless steel mesh trays, fed by the nutrient solution below. No soil, no growing medium, no mess.

Yes - one of the key advantages of growing herbs, edible flowers, and leafy greens in MiniGro is that they regrow after each harvest.

• Herbs - cut what you need and the plant keeps producing new growth. A single planting gives you multiple harvests over several weeks.
• Edible flowers - harvest blooms as they open. The plant continues producing new flowers over time.
• Leafy greens - harvest outer leaves as needed. The plant continues growing.

Microgreens are a cut-once crop - after harvest, reseed the tray for the next batch.

WiFi is optional, not required. MiniGro works fully from the on-board display without any network connection.

If connected to WiFi, it enables three additional features:

• Firmware updates and new varieties - updates and new growing varieties arrive together. A notification appears in settings when available - one tap to install.
• Web dashboard - view your MiniGro's data from any device on the same WiFi network by entering its unique address in a browser. Each MiniGro has its own address - bookmark it for quick access. View-only - full control remains on the on-board display.

Firmware updates and new growing varieties arrive together. When an update is available, a notification appears in settings on your on-board display. Tap once to install - no technical knowledge required.

MiniGro needs to be connected to WiFi to receive updates. If not connected, your MiniGro continues working normally - new features and varieties will be waiting when you reconnect.

MiniGro uses approximately 0.65 kWh per day - less than three 10W LED bulbs running continuously.

A built-in natural light sensor reduces power draw further when ambient light is sufficient, so actual consumption is often lower.

For most kitchens the additional energy cost is modest - typically a few euros per month - compared to the savings on purchased greens and reduced waste.

With all six tray slots loaded with microgreens and harvests rotated regularly, expect around 1.2 kg of fresh microgreens per week.

Actual yield depends on:

• Plant varieties - microgreens yield more volume per tray than herbs
• How frequently you harvest and rotate trays

MiniGro is designed for the ingredients that define a dish - garnishes, microgreens, edible flowers, and herbs - grown fresh for every service.

MiniGro is €2,490 excluding VAT.

Most professional kitchens currently spend €300-450 per month on fresh greens and microgreens from suppliers. With MiniGro and the Care Plan (€60/month), net savings are typically up to €390 per month - meaning most kitchens recover the investment within 6 to 8 months.

For home cooks, the financial return is more modest - the value is primarily in freshness, variety, and the experience of growing your own.

Calculate your exact savings →

Your MiniGro arrives complete - everything you need to start growing from day one.

• MiniGro countertop microfarm
• Six mesh trays - 4 coarse, 2 fine
• Six microgreen covers - one per tray
• Starter pack - microgreen and herb seed mix, 1× Gromix, 2× Clemix (1 month supply)
• Tool kit - sprayer, scraper, drain tube, and cleaning tools, stored in the built-in drawers

We accept iDEAL, credit card, Bancontact, and Klarna. Additional local payment options are available at checkout depending on your country - including options for Germany, Denmark, Poland, France, and other EU markets.

Yes. Invoice payment is available for B2B buyers - restaurants, hotels, canteens, and other professional buyers. Contact us directly to arrange.

Talk to our team →

MiniGro ships directly from the Netherlands to EU countries and selected international regions. We also work with local distributors in many countries - contact us to find the distributor nearest you.

Shipping availability, estimated delivery times, and any applicable taxes are shown at checkout before you confirm your order. If MiniGro isn't yet available in your region, reach out - we'll see what we can arrange. Contact us →

MiniGro ships from the Netherlands. Delivery is typically within 7 days of your order confirmation, depending on stock levels and your location.

You'll receive tracking details by email as soon as your MiniGro ships.

Grovero offers a 30-day return policy on MiniGro. If MiniGro isn't right for your kitchen, return it within 30 days.

Returns must meet the conditions listed in Grovero's terms and conditions. Review those terms or contact our team before initiating a return.

See terms →

Yes. MiniGro comes with:

• 1-year manufacturer's warranty for business buyers - covering defects in materials and workmanship
• 2-year warranty for consumers, in line with EU consumer law

For region-specific details or to make a warranty claim, refer to Grovero's terms and conditions or contact our support team directly.

Contact support →

If you notice a technical issue or inconsistent growth:

1. Check the on-board display for any active alerts
2. Review cleaning intervals and your seeding routine
3. Contact the Grovero support team with photos and details - we respond fast

Depending on the situation, our team will help you adjust your growing routine, replace faulty parts under warranty where applicable, or recommend next steps.

Contact support →

The Care Plan is Grovero's optional monthly subscription - designed so you never have to think about reordering seeds, nutrients, or cleaning cartridges.

Every month you choose your seeds, and everything ships together in one delivery - your seed selection, 1× Gromix, and 2× Clemix. The Care Plan also includes priority support and a yearly remote check-in to review your MiniGro's performance.

€60/month. Cancel, pause, or resume anytime.

Each month your Care Plan includes:

• Seeds - your monthly selection from 70+ varieties
• 1× Gromix nutrient cartridge
• 2× Clemix cleaning cartridges
• Priority customer support
• Yearly remote check-in - we proactively review your MiniGro's performance
• No lock-ins - pause, cancel, or resume anytime

Everything ships together in one delivery once you've made your monthly seed selection.

When you subscribe to the Care Plan, you receive a unique code. Each month, visit the seed selection page, choose your varieties, enter your code, and confirm. Your seeds - along with your Gromix and Clemix - ship together automatically.

The selection takes a couple of minutes. You can choose differently every month or stick with your favorites.

No. MiniGro is a one-time purchase. You can order seeds, Gromix, and Clemix individually through the Grovero shop whenever you need them.

Most MiniGro kitchens choose the Care Plan because it removes the monthly reordering task and ensures they never run out mid-service. But it's entirely optional.

Yes. You can pause, cancel, or resume the Care Plan at any time - no notice period, no penalties. Your MiniGro continues working normally regardless of your subscription status.

Contact support to cancel your subscription →

The Care Plan is available in two options:

• Monthly - €60/month. Cancel anytime.
• Yearly - €600/year. Same monthly seed selection, billed once a year. Save €120 compared to monthly billing.

Both options include everything listed above. The yearly plan suits kitchens that know they'll be growing consistently and want the saving.

MiniGro is built around low waste from the ground up:

• The entire harvest is edible - roots included. Grown on mesh trays without medium, nothing gets left behind.
• 90% less water than traditional farming - hydroponics recirculates water directly to the roots, no runoff.
• No pesticides or herbicides at any stage - a controlled indoor environment means no chemicals enter the process.
• No growing medium, no delivery packaging waste.
• Reusable stainless steel mesh trays - dishwasher-safe, batch after batch.
• Growing where food is served eliminates transport emissions for every green on your plate.

See our full sustainability commitments →

No. MiniGro's enclosed growing environment means no pesticides or herbicides are needed at any stage. Plants are fed with Gromix - a food-grade nutrient solution - and nothing else is added to the growing environment.

MiniGro uses approximately 90% less water than traditional farming. Hydroponic circulation delivers water directly to the plant roots - no evaporation, no runoff, no waste.

MiniGro is designed and manufactured in the Netherlands, built to meet and exceed European engineering and food safety standards.

Read our story →