[Mania] LG Tiun Mini That Tells You the 'Time'... Challenge of a 'Food Butler'

Tried 'LG Tiun Mini'
More Convenient Usage with Renewal
Expanded Variety of Seed Kits

To grow plants well, you need to water them with the right amount at the right time, expose them to an appropriate amount of sunlight, and repot them at the proper time. The challenge lies in defining what 'appropriate' means. Not knowing the right amount often discourages people from even attempting to grow plants. The emergence of various new terms like 'plant clumsy hands,' 'plant grim reaper,' and 'serial plant killer' reflects how growing plants is not as easy as it seems.

'LG Tiun Mini' transforms anyone’s plant-growing skills from clumsy to golden overnight. Targeting the tastes of people in their 20s and 30s who are interested in plant interior design (plant + interior = Planterior), this product is LG Electronics' home appliance designed to make indoor plant cultivation easy for everyone.

The 16th day of growing marigold yellow in the LG Tiun Mini. Although the flowers have not bloomed yet, lush sprouts have emerged.
[Photo by Han Yeju]

I encountered the LG Tiun Mini on the 29th of last month. Although it has been on the market for over a year, it has recently been revamped to enhance its usability. The Tiun Mini features a clean white tone exterior and consists of the main unit, two seed kits each with five holes, one seed kit holder, and eight plant nutrients (two types). Previously, the seed kits were sold with seeds already planted, but the renewed product allows consumers to select and plant their preferred seeds. The addition of a holder for the seed kits and improved compatibility are notable features.

Components of the LG Tiun Mini. It consists of the main product, two seed kits with five holes each, one seed kit holder, and eight plant nutrients (two types).
[Photo by Han Yeju]

The product measures 48 cm in width, 16.5 cm in depth, and 26.1 to 41.1 cm in height, making it compact enough to fit comfortably on desks, tables, or any space without burden. The weight without the seed kits installed is 2.3 kg, making it easy to move the product around.

Above all, the biggest advantage is its convenient usage. Simply connect the main unit to a power outlet, turn it on, place the seed kit on top, and pour water?done. After that, cleaning the water tank and refilling it once a week allows the plants to grow vigorously on their own.

In fact, the most challenging part for plant beginners (식린이, a combination of 'plant cultivation' and 'child') is knowing when and how much to water. Overwatering causes rot, while underwatering leads to wilting, so failing to provide the right amount results in failure.

[Photo by LG ThinQ app capture]

However, with the Tiun Mini, installing the 'LG ThinQ' application on a smartphone and linking it to the product triggers an alarm every watering cycle (once a week). Additionally, when water is low, the LED light blinks to easily notify users when to water. It also intuitively shows what the 'right amount' of water is, eliminating guesswork. There is a buoy on the front of the main unit that automatically floats according to the water level inside. If the buoy is lower than the unit’s height, it means the water is low; if higher, the water is sufficient. You only need to fill water until the buoy is level with the main unit.

Cleaning the water tank is also easy. Pressing the open button detaches the water tank, and cleaning it once a week prevents odors caused by internal contamination.

It is also convenient that the LED adjusts the light quality to grow healthy plants even on cloudy days instead of relying on sunlight. Through the LG ThinQ app, users can adjust the brightness and duration of the light. Following the recommended schedule of 14 hours on and 10 hours off, users can set the exact times to keep the light on.

From the top left, clockwise: Day 5 since starting to grow, Day 9 (first time cleaning the water tank and giving nutrients), and Day 13.
[Photo by Han Yeju]

Previously, consumers complained about the limited variety of seed kits. The seed kits, sold in pairs, cost between 22,000 and 25,000 KRW, which is not cheap, and the limited selection meant many could not grow their desired plants. In response, LG Electronics expanded the new seed kit lineup to a total of 19 types: 8 leafy vegetables including Cheongchima lettuce, Ssam lettuce, and Romaine; 8 flowers including Marigold, Candle Celosia, and Portulaca; and 3 herbs including Arugula, Opal Basil, and Dill.

However, the seed kits cannot be reused once used and must be purchased anew each time. After cultivation is complete, they should be separated and disposed of properly. The reporter finds small joy in watching marigolds grow daily in the Tiun Mini. The desire to have a personal garden at home was easily fulfilled with just one home appliance.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.