Not all edible plants grow equally well indoors. If you’re planning to start a vegetable garden inside your home, your best results will come from crops that thrive under a full spectrum bulb, grow quickly from seed, and require minimal space. The key is pairing the right plant type with a quality indoor gardening system.

With a setup like the Vego Garden 4-Tier Grow Light Garden, you can grow fresh produce year-round—even during the winter months or in colder climates—thanks to features like a self-watering system, built-in water reservoir, and adjustable grow light coverage.

This guide breaks down the best indoor garden crops by category and explains why each is a great choice for growing under lights in small spaces. Whether you're a home grower or a curious beginner, these plants offer a rewarding path to your own indoor harvest.

1. Leafy Greens

Lettuce - Lettuce thrives under blue light, which encourages lush, leafy growth and because of its shallow plant roots, it’s an ideal crop for hydroponic systems or soil-based systems that use less water. Lettuce grows quickly, making it perfect for a successful  first harvest in your indoor setup.

Mustard Greens - These spicy, nutrient-rich greens adapt well to indoor growing systems and grow quickly even with moderate light exposure. Their compact size and rapid growth make them ideal for smart garden setups, especially when growing a mix of different plants in small spaces.

Kale - Kale is hardy and thrives in cooler climates or during the winter months indoors. It tolerates variable environmental conditions and grows well in self-watering systems with a consistent light set. With the right care and plant food, it continues producing for several weeks.

Spinach - Spinach is a great choice for indoor herb garden kits, especially those that replicate the cooler temperatures and natural light conditions of early spring. This compact, fast-growing green thrives with 10–12 hours of light daily and fits well in most indoor gardening systems.

2. Fresh Herbs

Basil - Basil grows quickly from seed, germinating in about 5–10 days. It thrives in an indoor garden kit with built-in lights, especially when using a mix of blue light for early growth and red light to support leaf production. With consistent plant food and 12–14 hours of light, basil grows into a bushy, productive plant that provides fresh herbs year-round.

Mint - Mint is easy to grow indoors but spreads fast. It germinates in 10–15 days and grows well under a grow light in a smart garden with its own container to avoid overtaking different plants. It prefers cooler temperatures, moderate light, and less water.

Parsley - Parsley starts slower, taking up to 21 days to germinate, but does well under a steady full spectrum bulb. It benefits from an automatic timer set to 10–12 hours of light and grows best in small spaces with a water reservoir to keep soil evenly moist. 

Cilantro - Cilantro prefers cooler indoor temperatures and germinates within 7–10 days. It's sensitive to excess water, making it ideal for indoor gardening systems with steady airflow and natural light mimicry. These conditions help prevent early bolting and support healthy, flavorful growth.

Chives - Chives germinate in 7–14 days and require very little available space, making them ideal for small indoor gardens. They grow best with 12–14 hours of light daily, need only minimal care and regrow easily after each cut.

3. Edible Flowers

Nasturtiums - Nasturtiums are edible flowers that do surprisingly well in indoor gardening systems under strong white color light and 12–14 hours of light daily. These plants prefer slightly cooler temperatures and benefit from a steady watering schedule and a well-draining growing medium.

Calendula - Calendula flowers are edible, medicinal, and highly decorative. Indoors, they benefit from a full spectrum bulb, consistent water tank levels, cooler environments and regular pruning to encourage more blooms. 

Viola - Violas are compact, cold-tolerant flowering plants that adapt well to indoor settings and are low maintenance. They bloom reliably with optimal light and do best with 10–12 hours of light per day. 

4. Microgreens

Radish Microgreens - Fast, spicy, and beginner-friendly, radish microgreens are ready for harvest in just 7–10 days.

Arugula Microgreens - Arugula microgreens deliver a bold, peppery flavor and grow densely with the right setup. They thrive under high light exposure and prefer consistent water quality and moisture.

Sunflower Microgreens - Sunflower shoots grow tall and sturdy, so they need deep trays and exposure to a strong full spectrum bulb. They need a bit more room and a consistent light cycle of 12–16 hours per day for optimal growth. 

Broccoli Microgreens - Broccoli is a nutrient-dense superfood and one of the easiest and most efficient types of seeds to grow indoors. These microgreens require steady light, but less water than many others, and are extremely low-maintenance crops.

Final Thoughts

These are just a few of the most popular crops to start as seedlings in your indoor garden and grow all the way to harvest. They're versatile, compact, and beginner-friendly—perfect for turning any space into a thriving source of fresh crops year round!