PREFERRED: ROOT

ROOT, the first product from New York-based Ohneka Farms, is a revolutionary new plug-and-play grow pod that allows everyone—including novice urbanites—to grow cannabis and other plant products. The hydroponic system involves minimal setup and upkeep, and the built-in automation lets growers know when the planter is low on water and/or nutrients by sending a message through its smartphone app. ROOT can grow up to 16 seedlings at once, yet the compact design allows it to fit on most countertops, which is perfect for would-be growers in big-city environments. Each ROOT package comes with the planter, 16 reusable pods, 16 seed starters, nutrients and the app (both iOS and Android), which is everything a person needs to start a 30-60 day grow cycle.

STYLE & DESIGN

COMPACT

No space for a garden? No problem. The ROOT planter is 30-inches tall and 10-inches wide taking up about one cubic foot of space. More ambitious growers can add one or several seven-inch extenders to increase size and output. This self-contained mini-garden includes an energy-efficient LED light source allowing for indoor cultivation without natural sunlight.

USER FRIENDLY

How easy is ROOT to use? Simply place the planter on a stable surface, fill the reservoir with water and nutrients, set the pods in the planter, plug in, sync with the app and you’re all set. As a hydroponic device, there is no soil to make a mess, and between each grow cycle, simply clean the removable reservoir and dishwasher-safe pods. Every week or two, more water and/or nutrients should be added, but ROOT lets you know what to add and when.

FORM & FUNCTION

INTERNET CONNECTED

The wifi-enabled planter tracks the water and nutrient levels, and when either is low, it sends a message to smartphones paired with the ROOT app. The tracking-and-notification system removes the guesswork for novice growers, and it eliminates the need to mark calendars and set reminders.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

The founders have called ROOT a health and wellness brand, and the planter also accommodates medicinal herbs like St. John’s Wort and Lemon Balm in addition to leafy greens, vine plants, edible flowers and leafy herbs like basil, cilantro and parsley. Just like cannabis, each of these plants contain nutrients and offer medicinal benefits.

COST

The expected delivery time is the 2015 winter holidays. The optional extenders cost $10 each. ROOT offers a 30-day return policy and two-year warranty, and consumers can reach customer service via support@growwithroot.com.

THE PORTABLE GREENHOUSE

Everyone seems to love the farm-to-table movement, but ROOT takes it one step further by putting counter-to-table cannabis within everybody’s reach. We recommend ROOT because it makes a complex process easy in terms of space, knowledge and upkeep requirements. Moreover, the compact system is portable, which means growers can take ROOT on extended vacations and temporary relocations. It is the perfect plug-in-play tool for cannabis consumers who enjoy homegrown goodness.