Rise Gardens

What's in the box: After the one-time garden purchase, recurring orders cover supplies such as seed pods and nutrients, though the site does not spell out a fixed box.

Rise Gardens is less a monthly box than a hydroponic garden system with an optional supplies program, Rise Plus, built around it. You buy the hardware first. The countertop Personal Rise Garden holds 8 to 12 plants on one level. The floor-standing Rise Garden 3 expands from one to three levels and holds 16 to 108 plants. Both have built-in full-spectrum LEDs and WiFi, and a free app reminds you when to add water and nutrients. The routine is simple. Seed pods start in a nursery tray, seedlings move into the garden around week two, and the first greens are ready around day 30. The plant range is a real strength, with over one hundred varieties including shiso, lemongrass, purple basil, everbearing strawberries and edible flowers. Hardware and electronics carry a 2-year limited warranty, and there are 90-day returns. The catch is cost. The Personal garden is listed at $349 and the Rise Garden 3 at $899, so you pay a lot up front before buying any supplies. Rise Plus offers savings of up to 15% and free shipping on orders over $50, but the site does not say exactly what a recurring shipment contains or how often it arrives. Plan on ongoing spending for seed pods and nutrients, plus a few minutes of care each week.