Auk’s second-generation countertop herb garden refines an already excellent product without losing what made the original special. The Norwegian company’s Mini 1 (late 2024) filled a market gap: a hydroponic garden pretty enough for an Architectural Digest backdrop, using widely available coco coir instead of proprietary pods, no subscription, no fussy app required.
The Mini 2 keeps that philosophy while addressing the Mini 1’s shortcomings — most notably leggy, light-starved plants and disruptive glare.
What’s New
- New colors: Beyond black/white with cork, the Mini 2 adds beech and ash wood bases plus espresso, sage, and terracotta tops.
- Larger pots, more water: 25% more reservoir capacity in a 12% smaller footprint.
- Optional app (Auk Connect): Not required — manual button control remains. The app adds scheduling, dimming, grow-mode switching (Herbs & Salads ↔ Fruits & Veggies), and a new Vacation/Slow Mode that dims lights to slow growth and water uptake while you’re away.
- Chili & Tomato Kit ($39): Longer dowels and deeper pots for taller fruiting plants — a fix for the Mini 1’s 15-inch light height limit.
- Gravel topper: A decorative crust over the coco coir that helps stems stand upright during early growth.
The Light: Where It Matters Most
The Mini 2’s new optical lens system focuses light directly onto plants rather than spilling it into the room. The result: parsley and basil that grow lush and bushy — not the pale, floppy stems that plagued the Mini 1. The light also appears visibly dimmer to human eyes, so it’s no longer disruptive during evening TV time.
Side-by-side, the difference is stark. Mini 1 herbs stretched toward the light; Mini 2 herbs stayed compact and strong.
Trade-offs
No pump means stagnant water — but the reservoir empties fast enough (every few days at full plant size) that mold risk is minimal. The gravel topper is a bit messy to apply but worth it for stem support. The app is basic but functional and requires no account creation.
Pricing & Verdict
The Mini 1 retailed for $259. The Mini 2 launches at $229 ($249 for espresso/walnut) — a limited-time deal. If you’ve been eyeing a countertop garden, this is the one to get. It’s simpler, prettier, and grows better plants than anything else in its class.
