GreenBox
The housing of the GreenBox is made of birch wood from European forests. It is cut by laser and finished by hand. Each GreenBox is assembled by hand in our Berlin workshop and checked for quality. Parts of the processing are done by the Berlin sheltered workshops, which is not only local and sustainable, but also gives us better control over the production process.
With its 40.5 x 21 x 34 cm (W/D/H), the GreenBox fits into any home and is an eye-catcher everywhere
The GreenBox can be placed in almost any interior: e.g. on the kitchen counter to keep your herbs to hand at all times. In the office, its greenery improves the indoor climate - helping to increase productivity. In the bathroom, it nourishes the floral decoration and provides calming greenery in the bedroom. As an eye-catcher in the living room, it will not go unnoticed by any guest.
We recommend that you do not place the GreenBox near radiators or air conditioning units, as the plants do not like draughts or dry air. The GreenBox is not suitable for outdoor use.
The U-Plugs are designed to prevent the growth of algae or mold on the moist and light-exposed substrate surface. (The PlantPlugs do not contain herbicides, fungicides or other harmful substances). Place the U-Plates over the PlantPlugs after sowing. Seeds and seedlings will still receive sufficient light. The U-Plates should remain in place until the plant can overshadow the surface of the PlantPlugs with its own leaves. Then the U-Plates can be removed.
The sprouting caps act like a small greenhouse: they create the perfect climate for the sensitive germination phase of your plants by concentrating the direct heat above the PlantPlug and protecting the tender sprout from draughts. Place the germination caps over the U-plates after sowing and remove them as soon as the plants begin to touch them from the inside.
Yes, an 8-pack of germination caps and an 8-pack of U-plates are part of the basic equipment of the GreenBox. You will receive them with every order of a GreenBox, a GreenBox Bundle and all product variants of special GreenBox Editions.
Plants and PlantPlugs
With the GreenBox, you can grow plants and mushrooms in different varieties and sizes. Our assortment ranges from herbs such as basil, sage and marjoram; leafy vegetables such as various lettuces, kale and chard; flowers such as cornflowers, petunias and marigolds; Fruits such as cherry tomatoes, chilies and cucumbers; Microgreens such as radishes, broccoli and mustard and Mushrooms such as rose side shoots, lemon side shoots and spoon-shaped side shoots. The range is constantly growing. So you can grow all kinds of exotic plants at home that you wouldn't otherwise get in the supermarket. The GreenBox is also ideal for growing seedlings that you can plant on your windowsill, balcony or garden.
You can grow different types of plants at the same time! Some plants grow slower, others faster. Information about the plant's growth rate (slow, medium or fast) can be found on the respective seed product page and on the seed packaging. We recommend growing plants with similar growth rates together so that they develop optimally.
Our PlantPlugs consist mainly of coconut fibres, a by-product of the coconut industry. A mineral fertilizer that provides the plants with nutrients is also included. Naturally, they are 100% biodegradable and free from pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, genetically modified organisms or other hazardous substances.
Optimal storage for the PlantPlugs: dry, dark and at room temperature. This way they will last at least 2 years.
The starter set contains 2 basil varieties (basil genovese and lemon basil) and 2 lettuce varieties (lettuce and red romaine lettuce) - perfect for getting started
Yes, we also offer PlantPlugs without seeds. With the 24 PlantPlugs in the Experimental Set, you can experiment with the seeds of your choice. You can also plant your GreenBox with individually selectable seeds. These are available in our seed range in both single and 4-packs.
As they grow, the roots of the plant penetrate the PlantPlug more and more, so that in the end they can no longer be separated from it. To provide the roots of a new plant with space and nutrients, you should use a new PlantPlug for a new sowing.
In many cases, you can harvest several times: If you only pluck the outer leaves from lettuce and leave the inside, it will continue to grow. With herbs, it is best to cut off the upper shoots, which in turn are located above the leaf branches. This allows new shoots to grow back.
You can also try out your own substrates. However, we cannot guarantee successful growth with third-party substrates. In addition, you cannot rely on the functionality of the water level sensor, as it will be less clean if sand, soil or humus particles dissolve in the water in the tank. The PlantPlugs, on the other hand, retain their shape in contact with water. As virtually no particles are released, they are very clean to handle.
Definitely! You can also offer larger plants optimal starting conditions in the GreenBox. As soon as the "nursery" becomes too small for them, you can repot them in normal soil (indoors or outdoors). Spring is a particularly popular time to grow seedlings and then repot them. You can also use the GreenBox as the perfect growing station for your (vegetable) garden. With the PlantPlugs as a growing base, the whole process is clean and uncomplicated.
To prevent algae or mold from forming on the moist and light-exposed surface of the PlantPlugs, we have developed the U-Plates. These are placed on the substrate surface after sowing. Seeds and seedlings still receive sufficient light.
The U-Plugs should remain in place until the plant has formed enough leaves to overshadow the surface on its own. Then the U-plates can be removed.
Pre-sprouting is good for large seeds such as sugar snap peas.
You will need sturdy, absorbent paper towels, for example kitchen paper, and a plastic bag.
Moisten the paper so that it is soaked but not dripping wet. Spread the seeds out flat, preferably without them touching each other. Cover everything with another damp cloth and press down lightly. Place the paper in the plastic bag and seal it lightly. Everything can then be left in a warm place.
After 2 days, take a look inside and leave the bag open for a while to allow air to circulate. You may need to moisten a little more afterwards. From then on, you should repeat this process daily until the seeds have germinated. Finally, you can transplant the sweet pea into the PlantPlug to a depth of approx. 1-2 cm.
Mushroom Packs
It's as simple as it can be. To get started, place the mushroom pack in the empty water tank of the GreenBox, cut an X in the foil from above and spray it vigorously with water. It is not a problem if you also cut into the substrate when making the incision. This has no effect on your harvest.
Follow the instructions in the app for the optimal setting of the grow light (use the cold mushroom light for 12 hours).
Continue to spray the incision two to three times a day (about 6 - 8 sprays per watering are sufficient). Young mushrooms will appear in about 4 - 10 days.
Ideally, do not spray the water directly on the mushrooms, but spray the area around the outside of the fruiting bodies.
We strongly recommend starting your mushroom adventure with the rose mushroom, as it is the only substrate that cannot be stored in the fridge. Incidentally, it also grows the fastest of all and is ready to harvest after 10 days at the latest.
For best results, we generally recommend using the substrates shortly after receipt.
Otherwise, the substrates can be stored unopened at room temperature for up to 7 days after arrival.
All packs except the Rose Sideling can be stored unopened in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks after arrival.
While the first harvest will likely be the largest, you can do more than one growing cycle with a single mushroom pack. In most cases, you can look forward to 2 - 3 harvests if stored properly.
Please note: We guarantee at least one harvest. The later harvest depends more on the growing environment and the care of the kit!
Let the substrates rest for 5 - 8 days:
- Make sure to remove all residues of the previous harvest and small pieces of mushrooms left on the substrate.
- Fold the plastic flaps back down so that the substrate is covered by the foil again.
- Both the lemon mushroom and the spoon mushroom substrate can be stored in the refrigerator (at a temperature of around 3 degrees Celsius).
- It is best to store the rose side shoot substrate in a dark place at a temperature of 9 - 11 degrees Celsius or room temperature if you cannot provide this temperature range.
- For clean storage and to prevent the substrate from drying out, we recommend storing the substrate with the X-cut facing downwards in the empty water tank. The white filter on the foil of the substrate should always have at least a slight air supply.
After 5 - 8 days, take the water tank of the GreenBox and fill it one third full with cold water. Place the substrate in the water with the X-cut facing downwards and leave it to soak for 12 hours. Please make sure that the substrate is about halfway in the water, as the mushrooms need a constant supply of oxygen.
Take the substrate out of the water tank and leave it face down (i.e. X-cut downwards) for 30 minutes to allow excess water to drain away.
Finally, you can place your substrate in the GreenBox and start growing mushrooms again. Spray the substrate as in the first growth cycle. This time, give the GreenBox a little more time (up to 2 weeks) until the new mushroom babies appear.
A good supply of oxygen is important for the successful cultivation of mushrooms. It should therefore be in a place that is well ventilated.
In addition, normal room temperatures (18 to 30 degrees Celsius for the lemon mushroom and the rose mushroom, 12 to 21 degrees Celsius for the oyster mushroom - and 15 to 25 degrees Celsius for the Italian oyster mushroom) are important for a successful harvest
The use of the GreenBox tent is recommended until the first small mushrooms start to grow. The mushrooms need high humidity in order to form their first fruiting bodies. This is easier to achieve with the tent.
When the first small mushrooms appear, it is advisable to at least open the tent or, even better, to remove it completely! Even during the rest of the growth cycle.
This is important to ensure a good supply of oxygen and therefore good growth.
Use the GreenBox mushroom mode (via the GreenBox app), maintain normal room temperatures (18 to 30 degrees Celsius for the lemon mushroom and the rose mushroom, 12 to 21 degrees Celsius for the oyster mushroom - and 15 to 25 degrees Celsius for the Italian oyster mushroom) and spray them regularly with fine water. A small and clean spray bottle is recommended for this, if you don't have one, you can buy one here.
It is advisable to use the GreenBox tent cover to maintain a higher humidity, which the mushrooms like. Leave the tent open occasionally to allow air to circulate around them. The room where you place your GreenBox should be well ventilated.
Our mushroom substrate is made in such a way that there should be a small gap between the foil and the substrate after placing it in the GreenBox. If for some reason the foil sticks to the substrate and there is no gap, you can fold the foil a little. This will allow the young mushrooms to grow better.
In most cases, the mushrooms are ready to harvest about 4-5 days after the small mushrooms appear. Harvest your mushrooms preferably when the edge of the cap starts to flatten. If you see a white 'dust' around your mushrooms, it is high time to harvest. When oyster mushrooms have reached a certain level of maturity, they will drop their spores, which is completely normal. We recommend harvesting just before the spores drop, but you can still eat the mushrooms afterwards. It is not necessary to wash the mushrooms before eating them.
The substrate contains a sterilized mixture of sawdust, wheat bran and water. The packs are inoculated with a mycelium of the selected mushroom variety to transform the barren land into a future mushroom jungle. All organic, free from harmful chemicals, GMOs & co.
Once it's time for the next mushroom pack, you can safely dispose of the substrate in the organic waste. We strongly recommend that you recycle it as a plant substrate or turn it into compost.
No, that is a good sign. This is the so-called mycelium. This is how the actual mushroom develops, and we harvest its fruiting bodies later.
No, just let these mushroom babies die again. The fungus is then able to recycle the nutrients used there and use them to grow fruiting bodies on the X-cut.
Don't worry, these are just the spores of your mushrooms. In the wild, these are part of the generative reproduction of mushrooms. This also means that it is high time to harvest your mushrooms, which are of course still suitable for consumption at this time
Naturally! They are meant to be eaten! We recommend cooking the raw, freshly harvested oyster mushrooms to get the best flavor and aroma out of them.
The mushrooms are a super healthy food that is not only suitable for vegans. They are characterized by a very low fat profile and a high protein content. They also contain many beneficial minerals and microelements.
Please ask your doctor if this type of mushroom is suitable for you if you have ever suffered from allergies or indigestion after eating mushrooms.
These are usually
small things. It is important to check the three most important factors.
- Moisture:
The most common cause of a lack of growth is a lack of moisture. The substrate should always be kept moist. This is ensured by regular spraying.
If no fruiting bodies are growing after 3 weeks, it can help to soak the substrate in water for 20 minutes. Simply place it in the water with the X-shaped incision facing downwards. This will allow it to soak up plenty of water. It should then drip off for at least 10 minutes so that the substrate is moist but not dripping wet.
Then you should resume regular spraying.
- Temperature:
The temperature should be permanently within the following range. This helps to optimize growth.
Oyster side dish: 12 - 21°C
Rose side dish: 18 - 30°C
Spoon shaped side dish: 15 - 25°C
- Light:
We have introduced the so-called mushroom mode in the app specifically for this purpose. This mode ensures optimum lighting, even when using the GreenBox tent.
We would also like to point out that the location of the GreenBox can influence all three factors. The location should ensure the best possible ventilation, a constant temperature and protection from direct sunlight.
In winter, for example, the windowsill is a rather poor
location, as it can be subject to high temperature fluctuations.
It can also lead to the substrate drying out more quickly if it is too close to the heating.
Microgreens
For the successful growth of your nutrient-rich microgreens, you will need a Microgreens insert for the GreenBox - sold separately.
In our app and on the packaging, you will find detailed instructions for planting, watering and harvesting your microgreens.
We focus on delivering only the best and purest products to our green family. The seeds in the microgreens kits are certified organic and GMO-free.
Please check your microgreens every 1-2 days and keep them moist. You can start harvesting after just 5-8 days. Make sure to distribute the water evenly over all parts of the microgreens pad to ensure even growth.
Rest assured - it's not that - everything is fine! What you are describing are simply small root hairs, which are an indicator of healthy plant growth.
Yes, my green padawan! You can easily combine both Microgreens and PlantPlugs thanks to the modular design of the GreenBox. With the Microgreens insert on one side, the other half of your Smart Garden can still accommodate four PlantPlugs of your choice.
Each plant has slightly different germination and growth phases, which can lead to uneven plant height. However, there is nothing to worry about - these microgreens are so small that the taller and faster ones can have no effect on slightly slower ones.
Just make sure you water the pads from above the first time so that the seeds are evenly moistened and can germinate well.
Once your green babies are ready (after about 5-8 days), simply take one of the squares from the microgreens insert and cut them off at the very bottom with sharp scissors or a small kitchen knife.
We recommend doing this just before using them in your next meal to ensure the highest content of valuable vitamins and minerals.
We recommend disposing of used microgreens pads either in an organic waste container or a composter.
This way you can return the microgreens pads to the nutrient cycle.
GreenBox Booster
Our PlantPlugs already contain a basic food mix for most plants. However, there are also plants that have a higher nutritional requirement (e.g. pak choi). We also recommend the GreenBox Booster if you want fast results. Your plants will grow almost twice as fast.
In addition, the plants will have absorbed the nutrients contained in the PlantPlug after approx. 2 months. They can then receive new nutrients by adding GreenBox Booster to the irrigation water. In this way, you can extend the lifespan of many plants.
The basis of the GreenBox booster is mineral. This means that it contains the same plant nutrients that occur in nature. At the same time, it is free from pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, genetically modified organisms or other dangerous substances.
Organic-based fertilizers have a very strong smell and also provide a good habitat not only for plants but also for flies. We therefore believe that organic fertilizer is more suitable for outdoor than indoor use. As the base of the GreenBox Booster is non-organic, it is odorless.
Irrigation
No. The wooden housing of the GreenBox contains a plastic tank. This in turn contains the insert with the 8 slots for the PlantPlugs. In the middle of this insert are 2 spout holes for watering. The GreenBox can be filled with water using a standard indoor watering can or drinking bottle so that no water drips onto the wood.
When you start a new planting, the amount of water in the tank should be 1.5 liters. If the plants have already developed more roots, you can fill the water tank to the maximum - with approx. 2.3 liters of water. In both cases, the plants will be supplied with water for an average of 14 days. Please note that the water requirement can naturally increase at high temperatures.
You can fill the water tank to the maximum - with approx. 2.3 liters of water. If you have started a new set, the initial amount of water of 1.5 liters is enough, as the sprouts and small plants do not need that much water. In both cases, the plants are supplied with water for an average of 14 days. At high temperatures, the water requirement can of course increase.
Lighting
12 - 16 hours of grow light per day is the most effective level of lighting for the growth of your plants. When you connect your GreenBox to the app, the light is preset to 12 hours/day.
Of course, you can use the app to set when the light should switch on and off automatically. The light temperature and intensity can also be flexibly adjusted to your mood via the app. This way, you can even use the GreenBox as a light alarm clock and/or intelligent daylight lamp.
With the GreenBox Tent, you can turn your indoor garden into a stylish designer lamp
GreenBox Plus: With a light output of 12 hours per day (recommended lighting duration for optimum growth results), the average power consumption of the GreenBox Plus is around 9.0 kWh per month, which corresponds to a daily additional charge of around EUR 0.09 (as of December 2023).
The maximum output power of the LED lights is 45 watts, which corresponds to approx. 15-20,000 lux.
GreenBox: With a light output of 12 hours per day (recommended lighting duration for optimum growth results), the average power consumption is around 5.4 kWh per month, which corresponds to a daily additional load of around EUR 0.05 (as of December 2023).
The maximum output power of the LED lights is 25 watts, which corresponds to approx. 15-20,000 lux.
Should we give you an insider tip? Use our GreenBox Tent to turn your indoor garden into a stylish lamp in the evening and reduce your ecological and financial footprint.
Please try switching the GreenBox on and off again and restarting the app. Then please test the connection with the app (on/off) and set the times again.
The "Growth" lighting program illuminates your plants with the optimum light intensity for the best possible growth (with 100% light output). The other settings are intended for human lighting requirements, such as "Ambient" as a warm light source for the evening.
If the light of the "Growth" program is too bright for you - with no or very small plants at the beginning - you can reduce the brightness using the slider. However, we recommend 100% light output for perfect conditions. We have developed the GreenBox Tent for optimum intensity of the plant light with a pleasant room atmosphere.
An intelligent light function that reacts automatically to the light conditions in the GreenBox's standing area is currently being planned. This will then be available for all GreenBoxes via an update to the GreenBox app. (This applies to both newer and older GreenBox series.)
First check whether you can switch on the light of your GreenBox manually. To do this, press the light sensor on the side of the lighting strip. If the light cannot be switched on there either, try whether it works on another socket. If the GreenBox lighting still does not come on, send us a message to support@berlingreen.com und and we will send you a new power supply unit.
GreenBox Tent
We recommend using the GreenBox Tent for the first few weeks of your plants' growth phase. During this phase, some indoor gardeners find the LEDs too bright at full light output. As a lampshade, the tent then diffuses the light so that it is perceived as pleasant again.
Once the plants are large enough to touch the tent, it can be removed for the rest of the growth cycle. The plants now diffuse the light from the LEDs.
The GreenBox Tent only obstructs the plants when they have grown so large that they noticeably touch the tent wall. Once the plants have reached this size, they cover the LEDs and diffuse their light. The tent can be removed for the remainder of this growth cycle.
GreenBox App
You can find the GreenBox app on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Please search there for "GreenBoxApp" or use one of the following links:
GreenBoxApp in the Google Play Store, GreenBoxApp in the Apple App Store.
You can also use the GreenBox without the app, but we recommend using the app for the initial setup of the GreenBox (e.g. to set the switch-on/switch-off times).
You can also switch the light on and off manually using the touch sensor on the right-hand side of the GreenBox.
Yes, you can manage multiple GreenBoxes via the app.
The connection between the app and GreenBox is only possible if you have granted the app access to your location and Bluetooth is activated. If these settings are already active, briefly check whether the GreenBox light can be switched on manually. To do this, press the light sensor on the side of the lighting strip. Does the light not work either? Then the power supply unit is probably faulty and your GreenBox is not being supplied with power. Contact us at support@berlingreen.com and we will send you a new one.
Please contact us at support@berlingreen.com. We will check the verification email and send it out again manually if necessary.
Miscellaneous
Orders are dispatched within 1-3 working days. Shipping is carried out by DHL, and delivery within Germany usually takes a further 1-2 working days.
Yes, this is usually possible. A short e-mail to contact@berlingreen.com or a call to 0049 157 745 522 16 (Mon-Fri: 10:00-18:00) is recommended to clarify this in advance.
You can find spare parts in the accessories section.
Naturally! LEDs have a long service life. (The ones from our prototype still light up!) However, should something unexpected happen, repairs can be carried out quickly and easily in our Berlin workshop at standard repair and shipping costs. Please send us a message if required. You can find our contact details here.