Urbi smart garden: user experiences
From basil and cherry tomatoes to rare spruces and even bonsai.
Hello! π We know you're here for authentic reviews from Urbi users. So this won't be one of those bragging company posts built only to sell. We've done our best to be objective and, based on real feedback from existing customers, give you a realistic picture of what you can, and can't, expect from your Urbi.
Our goal is not to sell Urbi to anyone, but to those who actually want and need it. π± So before you read on, two things we've learned worth sharing.
Urbi is ideal for you if:
π You live in the city
You love nature and new technology, and you want fresh, organic bites right in your apartment. Or you want to bring some greenery into your space without buying fake plants or potted ones that demand a lot of light, watering, and skill (meaning a lot of your free time).
π You're looking for that unique gift
For yourself or someone special. A gift that can't be bought just anywhere, the kind not everyone has (yet). A gift that grows all year round, literally, and brings a smile to your face almost every day.
Urbi probably isn't for you if:
π¨βπΎ You have a farm, big garden, or a greenhouse
Where you already grow your vegetables, fruits, and herbs at scale.
πΆοΈ You measure success in kilos of peppers
We don't play the quantity game (at least not yet). We focus on the quality of what you grow, and on adapting urban gardening to modern city life.
β You don't believe in the "smart home" concept
You think smart devices will inevitably ruin the world and dull our minds. If that's you, we're probably not a match. π
Now let's get to the point
Today, more than 500 people successfully grow their favorite edible and decorative plants in the Urbi smart garden. Some bought Urbi for their apartments on purpose, others received it as a gift. What's certain: Urbi leaves a strong first impression.
The plants you choose grow from seed inside special substrates, sold in sets of 8 substrates.
Beyond the standard sets, you can also pick an experimental set and grow seeds for a plant we don't offer on the site. More on that in a bit.
In the Urbi starter pack you get eight substrates with Basil Genovese seeds πΏ, and for good reason. This aromatic basil is an ideal place to start, especially if you're new to urban gardening. It grows quickly, smells and tastes intense, and is ready to harvest (or transplant) after about a month.
All substrates, the basil starter included, sync with the Urbi app π± which walks you through the growth cycle of your plants step by step. The app lets you know when Urbi is "thirsty" π§, shows how your plants are coming along, and teaches you how to care for them βοΈ, when to pollinate, how to harvest, and when to transplant.
Through the Urbi app, you control water and light in your garden, and you can also share your experience with other growers. The app translates the "language" of your plants into clear instructions, so you know exactly what they need and when.
β¨ Mini vegetables and fruits
Mini cherry tomato substrates π are the clear favorite. You can expect 20β70 juicy fruits in a single cycle (about 3 months), and the app teaches you how to care for and pollinate the plant.
Chili peppers πΆοΈ, arugula π₯¬, and lettuce grow very fast in Urbi. You can start harvesting arugula and lettuce after a month; chili takes about two. One tip: don't plant chili in the same Urbi as other plants, it can make them spicy.
π± Experimental substrates
Urbi experimental substrates come without seeds, so you can put in your own.
The most interesting plants users have tried so far: Adenium bonsai and Serbian spruce (Picea omorika).
Both are demanding plants, especially the spruce. Until now it was nearly impossible to grow them from seed at home. Urbi creates ideal conditions for most plants, but honestly, we didn't expect the Serbian spruce to take to it this well.
Experimental substrates ship on user request right now, but given the demand, they'll be available on the site soon.
They've sparked real creativity among users and stretched what the product can do. To make sure your experiment goes well, our team is available for any kind of support or questions. βοΈ
πΏ When nature has other plans
It's happened that velvety white mold appears on a substrate, or that seeds simply don't germinate.
The mold is a harmless fungus that lives naturally in the air. It's easy to remove by hand or with a cotton swab in a few steps. All you need to do is follow the instructions in the Urbi app.
If seeds in your substrates don't germinate, we'll happily replace the set with a new one, on us.
We source seeds from carefully selected organic producers, but seeds can lose viability during transport if they're not stored at the right temperatures.
To sum up
OK, we know this was a long post. We hope it wasn't boring.
There are plenty of nicely designed pots with grow lights on the market, but Urbi is the first connected smart home device for urban gardening. We built it to fit city life and to bring the benefits of greenery closer to everyday urban living.
Wi-Fi and a phone unlock Urbi's full feature set (growth tracking, notifications, app control). Without Wi-Fi, Urbi still runs in a smart offline mode and gives plants enough light to grow β just without the app features. If you believe urban gardening needs only "a pot, seeds, and a windowsill", we're probably not a great match.
Urbi connects two worlds, technology and nature. Sometimes nature takes matters into its own hands, but we're here to keep learning from it (and from you) to make the product better.
If you have any questions, write to us at info@urbigrow.com or reach us on Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I grow in the Urbi smart garden? Basil, chili, cherry tomatoes, arugula, lettuce, and other herbs. With experimental substrates, users have successfully grown bonsai, Serbian spruce, and trees from seeds of their own choice.
How many substrates come in the Urbi starter pack? Eight substrates, with Basil Genovese seeds by default, which is ideal for beginners.
Does Urbi work without Wi-Fi? Yes. Without a Wi-Fi connection, Urbi switches to a smart offline mode and automatically runs the lights for 12 hours from the moment the device is plugged in, so plants still get enough light to grow even without internet. Wi-Fi and the app add features like growth-cycle tracking and notifications.
What happens if seeds in the substrates don't germinate? If seeds in a purchased set don't germinate, we ship you a new set of substrates on us.
What's the difference between standard and experimental substrates? Standard substrates come with pre-selected seeds (basil, tomato, lettuce, chili). Experimental substrates ship without seeds, so you can plant seeds of your own choice.
How long is one growth cycle in Urbi? It depends on the plant. Basil, arugula, and lettuce are ready to harvest in about a month, while cherry tomatoes and chili peppers take around three months.
What if white mold appears on a substrate? The occasional white mold is a harmless airborne fungus. It's removed in a few steps following the instructions in the Urbi app and doesn't harm the plants.
