This relatively inexpensive desktop hydroponics system allows for anyone to have the luxury of fresh herbs without all of the mess and dirt involved with actual gardening. Basically, you plant your seeds in the growing medium, stick it in the hydroponic reactor, add water with nutrients, plug it in and let nature take its course.

Or you could make a much cheaper and somewhat uglier version yourself; it is basically a self-watering pot with a built-in air pump and if you hunt around the Internet for the right combination of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium for your desired plant, and buy your medium separately, you might save yourself a couple of bucks but having an all-in-one that you don’t have to lift a finger to build is a pretty nice convenience.

Price: $39.99 [Think Geek]