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INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT

Innovation Spotlight: This NASA Technology Grows Herbs with 7X More Nutrients Than Grocery Store Produce

From space stations to kitchen counters, discover how Plantaform's NASA-derived fogponics technology is revolutionizing home gardening with produce that's up to seven times more nutritious than store-bought alternatives.

Erica Rankin••13 min read
Innovation Spotlight: This NASA Technology Grows Herbs with 7X More Nutrients Than Grocery Store Produce

The Problem With Store-Bought Herbs

Have you ever bought "fresh" herbs from the grocery store, only to watch them wilt and turn brown within days? Or worse, noticed how those supposedly fresh greens taste more like crunchy water than actual food?

There's a reason for that disappointment, and it goes far beyond how long the produce has been sitting on the shelf. The herbs and greens you buy at the supermarket have traveled an average of 1,500 miles to reach you. They were picked before peak ripeness so they could survive the journey. They've been exposed to temperature fluctuations, handling stress, and countless hours under artificial lighting. By the time they reach your kitchen, much of their nutritional value has already deteriorated.

But what if you could grow herbs, leafy greens, and vegetables that have up to seven times more nutrients than anything you'll find in the produce aisle? What if those plants grew faster, tasted better, and required virtually zero effort on your part?

Enter Plantaform, the Canadian company that just won CES 2025's Best of Innovation Award for bringing NASA space technology into your kitchen.

From Space Stations to Kitchen Counters

The story of Plantaform begins not on Earth, but in the challenging environment of space. When NASA scientists were tasked with figuring out how to grow food for astronauts on long-duration missions, they faced unique constraints. No soil. Minimal water. Limited space. Zero room for error.

Traditional farming methods wouldn't work. Even hydroponics, which uses water instead of soil, was too resource-intensive and took up too much valuable real estate on a spacecraft. NASA needed something revolutionary.

That's when they developed fogponics, an advanced evolution of aeroponic farming. Instead of submerging plant roots in water or misting them with droplets, fogponics uses an ultrasonic generator to create an ultra-fine mist that resembles fog. This fog is composed of micro-droplets of nutrient-rich water that are easier and faster for plant roots to absorb than traditional methods.

Fogponics technology

The results were remarkable. Plants grown with fogponics developed faster, produced higher yields, and used a fraction of the water required by other growing methods. The technology worked brilliantly in space, but it took a Canadian startup to bring it down to Earth and into our homes.

The Technology Behind the Magic

Founded in 2020 in Gatineau, Canada, Plantaform spent years refining NASA's fogponics technology into something that could work seamlessly in a modern home. The result is the Plantaform Smart Indoor Garden, a sleek, egg-shaped device that looks more like a piece of modern furniture than a gardening system.

But don't let its elegant appearance fool you. Inside this sophisticated appliance is some of the most advanced indoor growing technology available to consumers.

How Fogponics Actually Works

At the heart of the system is an ultrasonic fogger that vibrates at supersonic frequencies. These vibrations atomize water and nutrients into microscopic droplets that create a nutrient-rich fog. This fog is delivered directly to the plant roots suspended in the growth chamber.

The brilliance of this approach lies in its efficiency. When plants grow in soil, their roots must actively search for water and nutrients, expending significant energy in the process. With fogponics, water and nutrients are delivered directly to the roots in their most absorbable form. Plants don't waste energy hunting for resources. Instead, they channel that extra energy into photosynthesis, growth, and nutrient production.

The ultrasonic generation process also ensures optimal oxygenation. The fog contains significantly more dissolved oxygen than water used in hydroponic systems, which accelerates root development and overall plant health. Better oxygenation means better nutrient uptake, which translates directly to more nutritious produce.

The Complete Growing Ecosystem

Plantaform isn't just a fogger in a box. It's a fully enclosed, completely automated growing environment that precisely controls every factor affecting plant growth.

The system uses specialized horticultural LED lights that emit a full spectrum of light designed to mimic natural sunlight. These aren't ordinary lights—they're specifically engineered for different stages of plant growth, automatically adjusting their spectrum and intensity based on what you're growing and how mature your plants are.

Built-in sensors continuously monitor water levels, temperature, airflow, and humidity. The system maintains optimal conditions autonomously, making adjustments in real-time to ensure your plants always have exactly what they need. Temperature is regulated to prevent overheating and maintain the ideal climate for whichever plants you're growing. Airflow is controlled to ensure proper gas exchange and prevent moisture-related issues.

The two-tank system holds up to 9 liters of water total—2 liters in the top tank and 7 liters in the bottom. The top tank slowly drains into the bottom one, extending the time between refills. Most users only need to add water every two to three weeks, depending on what they're growing.

Plantaform system

Why Plantaform Produce is Nutritionally Superior

Here's where things get really interesting. Plantaform doesn't just claim their produce is more nutritious—they state it's up to seven times more nutrient-rich than store-bought alternatives. That's not marketing hyperbole. It's the result of multiple factors working in concert.

Factor One: Variety Selection

Commercial produce is often bred for characteristics that have nothing to do with nutrition. Growers prioritize varieties that ship well, have long shelf lives, grow quickly, and produce high yields. Flavor and nutritional content frequently take a backseat to these commercial considerations.

Research comparing nutrient content in crops using U.S. Department of Agriculture data from 1950 to 1999 found significant drops in several nutrients, attributed primarily to the development of new cultivated varieties. High-yielding, fast-growing plants simply don't have time to process and accumulate nutrients at the same rate as their slower-growing predecessors.

Plantaform uses carefully selected, non-GMO, organic seeds chosen specifically for their nutritional profile and flavor. These aren't commercial varieties bred for shipping tolerance. They're heritage and specialty varieties selected because they taste incredible and pack maximum nutritional density.

Fresh herbs for cocktails

Factor Two: Optimal Growing Conditions

The controlled environment inside Plantaform ensures that plants are never stressed. There are no temperature fluctuations, no drought periods, no pest pressure, and no exposure to environmental toxins. Plants grown under optimal conditions from seed to harvest produce more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients than those subjected to environmental stress.

The fogponics system delivers a perfectly balanced nutrient solution directly to the roots in their most bioavailable form. Commercial crops grow in soil that may be depleted of nutrients or have pH imbalances that prevent proper nutrient uptake. With Plantaform, every plant receives exactly the nutrition it needs, when it needs it, in the most easily absorbed form possible.

Factor Three: Peak Harvest Timing

This might be the most important factor of all. Plantaform users harvest their produce at absolute peak ripeness, often just minutes before consumption. No picking early to survive shipping. No sitting in warehouses or on store shelves. No deterioration during transport.

Research shows that nutrient deterioration starts the moment produce is harvested. Vitamin C content can drop by 50% or more within days of picking. Commercial crops that travel 1,500 miles and sit on shelves for a week have lost a massive percentage of their original nutritional value before you even buy them.

When you snip fresh basil from your Plantaform and add it to your dinner, that basil contains all the nutrients it accumulated during its entire growth cycle. Nothing has been lost to time, temperature changes, or transportation stress. This is produce at its absolute nutritional peak.

Factor Four: No Pesticides or Herbicides

The fully enclosed growing environment means zero exposure to pests, which means zero need for pesticides or herbicides. Commercial produce, even "organic" varieties, may be exposed to various treatments. With Plantaform, what you're eating is as pure as it gets—just plant and nutrients, nothing else.

Studies show that pesticide residue can interfere with the body's ability to absorb certain nutrients and may damage the beneficial compounds in produce. When you eliminate those chemicals entirely, you're getting uncompromised nutritional content.

The User Experience: Easier Than You Think

Despite all this sophisticated technology, using Plantaform is remarkably simple. The company describes it as "making growing fresh greens as easy as making a cup of coffee," and that's not an exaggeration.

Getting Started

Setup takes about five minutes. Remove the device from its packaging, plug it in, download the Plantaform app on your smartphone, and connect the system to your WiFi. That's it for the hardware side.

Next, insert your Plant Pod Pack—a collection of 15 pre-seeded cartridges in soil-free rockwool growing medium. Each pod is specifically formulated to work with Plantaform's fogponics system. Simply scan the QR code on the pod packaging with the app, and the system automatically configures itself for optimal growth conditions for those specific plants.

Add water and the included nutrient powder to the designated compartments. The app tells you exactly how much of each to add, with a built-in nutrient calculator to ensure perfect ratios. Close it up, and you're done. The system takes over from there.

Living With Plantaform

Once your garden is set up, maintenance is minimal. The app monitors everything and sends you notifications when action is needed. You'll get reminders to add water, typically every two to three weeks. You'll receive alerts when your plants are ready to harvest, usually starting around three weeks after planting.

The system uses just 60 watts of power on average—equivalent to a standard incandescent light bulb. Monthly electricity costs range from $4 to $6, making it incredibly energy-efficient for the amount of fresh produce it generates.

You can grow up to 15 plants simultaneously, arranged in three rows of five on the bottom, middle, and top levels. The stacked design maximizes growing surface while maintaining a compact footprint. If you want to grow fewer plants, included pod plugs cover unused slots and contain the nutrient-rich mist within the root chamber.

The app isn't just for monitoring—it's a complete growing guide. It provides step-by-step instructions through each phase of plant growth, offers tips for optimal harvesting, and even suggests recipes based on what you're currently growing.

What You Can Grow

Plantaform offers six curated Plant Pod Pack collections, each designed for different needs and preferences:

Herb Essentials includes sweet basil, Thai basil, cilantro, parsley, and oregano. This is the most popular pack, perfect for home cooks who want restaurant-quality herbs always available.

Superfood Salad Mix features nutrient-dense leafy greens carefully selected to boost immunity, support digestion, and provide maximum nutritional benefit.

Leafy Mix provides a variety of lettuce and greens for fresh salads. Users report that homegrown lettuce has a satisfying snap and gentle bitterness you simply can't get from store-bought options.

Cherry Tomato Mix lets you grow fresh tomatoes year-round. While they take longer to mature than herbs and greens, the flavor of vine-ripened cherry tomatoes is incomparable.

Edible Flower Mix includes blooms that add visual beauty and unique flavors to dishes and cocktails, elevating your culinary presentations.

Cocktail Mix features herbs and botanicals specifically chosen for craft cocktails and infused beverages.

Each Pod Pack contains 15 pre-seeded pods and costs around $28-$40, with nutrient refills available for about $14. The initial system bundle ($499-$749 depending on configuration) includes the device, a starter Pod Pack, and nutrients to get you growing immediately.

The Environmental Impact

Beyond personal health benefits, Plantaform addresses pressing environmental concerns. The system uses 98% less water than traditional soil-based gardening, 30-50% less water than hydroponic systems, and 10% less than aeroponic setups.

In an era of increasing water scarcity and climate uncertainty, this efficiency matters. Traditional agriculture is water-intensive and increasingly unsustainable. Indoor vertical farming offers a solution, but most systems still use substantial water. Fogponics represents the next evolution—maximum production with minimum resources.

The system also dramatically reduces food miles. The average grocery store herb has traveled over 1,000 miles, consuming fossil fuels and generating emissions every step of the way. Plantaform produce travels mere feet from growth chamber to your plate. The reduction in transportation emissions alone is significant.

There's also the issue of food waste. How many times have you bought fresh herbs for a recipe, used a few sprigs, and watched the rest rot in your refrigerator? With Plantaform, you harvest exactly what you need, when you need it. Nothing goes to waste. The plants keep growing, ready for your next harvest.

The Future of Food Production

Plantaform represents more than just a clever kitchen appliance. It's a glimpse into the future of food production, where technology enables us to grow nutritionally superior produce using minimal resources in controlled environments.

As global population continues to grow, arable land becomes scarcer, and climate change makes traditional agriculture increasingly unpredictable, innovations like fogponics become not just convenient, but essential. The technology that keeps astronauts alive in space might ultimately help us sustainably feed ourselves here on Earth.

The company is expanding globally from its Canadian roots, bringing this premium gardening experience to homes worldwide. As they scale production and refine their technology, costs will likely decrease while functionality improves. Future iterations might include more sophisticated sensors, expanded plant variety options, and integration with smart home ecosystems.

Is Plantaform Right for You?

At $499 for the base bundle or $749 for premium configurations, Plantaform is an investment. But consider what you're getting: a NASA-derived growing system, fully automated climate control, organic pesticide-free produce, nutritionally superior food, year-round harvests, and minimal ongoing costs.

If you're someone who values fresh, nutritious food and wants control over your produce quality, Plantaform makes sense. If you love cooking with herbs but hate buying entire bunches when you only need a few leaves, Plantaform solves that problem. If you're interested in sustainability and reducing your food miles, Plantaform delivers measurable impact.

The system is particularly appealing for:

  • Home chefs who demand the freshest ingredients
  • Health-conscious individuals seeking maximum nutritional density
  • Apartment dwellers without access to outdoor growing space
  • Families wanting to teach children about where food comes from
  • Anyone who has historically struggled to keep plants alive
  • People interested in sustainable living and reducing their environmental footprint

The Bottom Line

Plantaform has taken technology designed for the extreme environment of space and adapted it for everyday use in your home. The result is a smart indoor garden that genuinely delivers on its promises: produce that grows faster, tastes better, contains significantly more nutrients than store-bought alternatives, and requires almost zero effort to maintain.

The seven-times nutrient boost isn't just a number—it's the natural result of optimal growing conditions, peak harvest timing, superior genetics, and zero nutritional loss to transportation and storage. When you combine that with the convenience of having fresh herbs and greens available 24/7, just steps from your kitchen, the value proposition becomes clear.

This is the gardening appliance for people who don't garden. It's food production for those who thought they didn't have the time, space, or skills to grow their own produce. It's a small step toward food security and sustainability that fits elegantly into modern life.

Welcome to the future of home gardening. It arrived from space, and it's here to stay.


Discover Plantaform and start growing your own nutrient-rich produce

About the Author

Erica Rankin

Contributing writer at BORN, covering innovation, founders, and the products changing the game.