Best December Deals on Indoor Gardening

December is the month the garden moves indoors — and it is one of the best months of the year to buy indoor gardening gear, as retailers push holiday deals on grow lights, seed starting kits, and countertop gardens. Based on specs and owner feedback across established brands, here are the indoor gardening picks worth considering, who each one is for, and the honest trade-offs.

At a Glance

• Top Pick: Barrina Grow Lights — the most widely recommended LED panels for seed starting and herbs.
• Best Value: Epic Gardening Seed Starting Tray — the reusable tray-and-dome system for winter sowing.
• Premium Choice: AeroGarden Harvest — the all-in-one countertop garden that needs no setup.

Why December Is the Month to Start Indoors

Indoor gardening in December serves two purposes: it keeps you growing through winter (herbs, microgreens, houseplants) and it sets up spring, because seedlings started in late winter need the equipment now. Grow lights and trays are exactly the gear that features in December promotions — buy them now and you are ready for the January sowing window. This is the indoor half of the seasonal practices cycle.

The Picks

Top Pick: Barrina Grow Lights

Barrina’s LED grow light panels are the most commonly recommended budget grow light among home gardeners. They come in strips and panels, link together, and provide the full-spectrum light seedlings need to stay short and stocky instead of leggy. Owners consistently report excellent results for the price.

• Pros: Affordable; linkable; low heat; bright full-spectrum output.
• Cons: Needs a stand or mounting; the hanging hardware is basic.
• Who it is for: Anyone starting seeds on a shelf, table, or rack.

Check Barrina grow lights on Amazon.

Best Value: Epic Gardening Seed Starting Tray

Epic Gardening’s bottom-watering seed starting tray with reusable cells and a humidity dome is the most popular tray kit in the category. Bottom watering keeps the soil surface from crusting and produces more even germination — the exact feedback owners repeat. It pairs perfectly with a heat mat and grow light.

• Pros: Reusable; bottom-watering design; fits standard heat mats.
• Cons: Costs more than disposable trays; cells are small for long-rooted crops.
• Who it is for: Gardeners serious about the late-winter sowing season. Pair it with the timing logic in our how to start guide.

Browse Epic Gardening trays on Amazon.

Premium Choice: AeroGarden Harvest

AeroGarden is the best-known brand of countertop hydroponic gardens, and the Harvest model is its classic entry point. It grows herbs, lettuce, and small tomatoes with lights, water, and nutrients built in — genuinely zero-fuss indoor gardening for the kitchen counter.

• Pros: Everything included; grows fast; looks good on a counter.
• Cons: Ongoing pod and nutrient costs; small growing space.
• Who it is for: Kitchens and beginners who want fresh herbs without any gardening setup.

Check AeroGarden Harvest on Amazon.

Also Worth It: Heat Mats and Burpee Herb Seeds

Two December staples: a seedling heat mat (the standard way to get soil to germination temperature indoors) and Burpee herb seed packets, which are the most widely stocked and reliable for winter windowsill growing.

Check seedling heat mats on Amazon · Find Burpee herb seeds on Amazon.

December Buying Guide

• Light first. A grow light is the single biggest difference between leggy seedlings and healthy ones. Buy light before tray, seeds, or anything else.
• Match the kit to the job. Seed trays and lights are for the spring garden; an AeroGarden is for winter herbs. Most households end up wanting both.
• Plan the January sow. Late-winter sowing starts in January for tomatoes and peppers in many zones. Buy the gear in December, sow in January. Our starting guide lays out the timeline.
• Skip the gadget tables. Single-purpose novelty devices are the worst indoor-gardening purchases. Stick to lights, trays, heat mats, and seeds.

FAQ

Do I need a grow light if I have a sunny window?

For seed starting, almost always yes. Winter window light is weak and short, and seedlings stretch toward it. Lights keep seedlings compact and strong.

What is the easiest thing to grow indoors in December?

Herbs (basil, parsley, chives, mint) and microgreens grow fastest under lights. Lettuce does well too. Tomatoes and peppers need more light and time.

Are countertop gardens like AeroGarden worth it?

For convenience and consistency, yes — especially for herbs in a kitchen. They cost more per plant than seed trays, but they remove all the guesswork.

Can I start spring seeds in December?

Too early for most crops — late December is right only for very slow crops like onions in long-season zones. Use December for herbs and setup; real sowing starts in January.

Bottom Line

December deals set up the indoor season and next spring: Barrina lights for sturdy seedlings, an Epic Gardening tray for sowing, an AeroGarden for countertop herbs, and a heat mat plus Burpee seeds for the windowsill. Buy the gear now, sow on schedule in January, and walk into spring with real seedlings instead of store-bought ones. Start with grow lights on Amazon and indoor seed starting kits on Amazon.

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