Most problems with countertop hydroponics are the same problems, repeated endlessly. I’ve watched people in forums spend three weeks troubleshooting something that had a two-minute fix. This page is the fast version.
Plants Are Dying or Not Growing
Check the water level first. I know this sounds too obvious but people skip it. The roots need to reach the water. If the pod is dry or the tank is low, that’s your problem.
Check for root rot. Brown, mushy roots mean root rot, usually from warm water and low oxygen. AeroGarden pumps aerate the water, but if the pump isn’t running, the water goes stagnant fast. Listen for it.
Check the nutrient schedule. AeroGarden’s app reminds you when to add solution. If you’ve been ignoring those reminders, the plants are running on empty.
Algae
Green slime on the pods or tank lid. Always the same cause: light is getting into the water.
The grow deck on older units develops cracks or gaps. Pod holes that aren’t filled let light through. Cover any unused pod slots with the included caps. Block light from reaching the water and algae can’t grow.
If it’s already there: drain the tank, scrub it out, start fresh. It won’t fix itself.
Plants Bolting (Going to Seed Too Fast)
Basil and cilantro bolt when they’re stressed by heat, age, or too much light. Cut the flower stems before they open. This extends the harvest significantly.
If your kitchen runs warm and your AeroGarden is in direct sun, that combination accelerates bolting. Move it.
Yellow Leaves
Yellowing lower leaves as the plant ages: normal. If it spreads upward or affects new growth, it’s a nutrient problem. Top up your solution. If you’ve been using only water for weeks, you’ve starved the plants.
Brown Leaf Tips (Tip Burn)
This is almost always lettuce. Tip burn on lettuce is a calcium deficiency in the leaves, not in the water. It’s caused by poor air circulation limiting calcium uptake at the leaf edges. A small fan near the unit helps. So does harvesting outer leaves regularly to keep air moving through the plant.
The Pump Isn’t Running
Cycle pumps run intermittently. Check first that it’s on a cycle, not broken.
If the pump is genuinely dead: the unit is probably out of warranty. AeroGarden support is decent. Call them.
pH
AeroGarden units are designed to work with their nutrient solution without manual pH adjustment. If you’re using third-party nutrients, you may need to pH-adjust to 5.5–6.5. Most issues people attribute to pH are actually nutrient deficiencies or water level problems.
For deeper dives on specific plants, check the individual articles in this guide.