What is the Hippo in Grow A Garden?

The Hippo is a Legendary-tier pet in Roblox Grow A Garden. It was added to the game on November 8th, 2025, and can be obtained through the Safari Traveling Merchant. Unlike pets that come from eggs, the Hippo is purchased directly, which means there is no hatch chance involved.

In general, the Hippo is designed for players who already have a stable garden and enough resources to support a high-maintenance pet. Most players consider it a late-game option because of its price and hunger level.

How do you get the Hippo?

The Hippo is obtained by buying it from the Safari Traveling Merchant. Previously, this merchant was called the Safari Shop, but the function is mostly the same.

Here is what most players need to know:

The Hippo does not come from eggs.

You cannot hatch it randomly.

You must wait for the Safari Traveling Merchant to appear.

When available, the Hippo can be purchased directly.

Because the merchant does not appear all the time, most players check regularly or plan their play sessions around Safari visits.

How much does the Hippo cost?

The Hippo is one of the most expensive pets in Grow A Garden.

Sheckle cost: 400,000,000

Robux cost: 539

In practice, most players choose to buy it with Sheckles rather than Robux, especially if they are playing long-term. Saving 400 million Sheckles usually takes time, efficient farming, and multiple high-value crops.

Some players who are short on time look for faster ways to get resources, and you may see mentions online like cheap Grow a Garden tokens available on U4N, but in general, experienced players recommend building up your garden naturally so you understand how the Hippo fits into your setup.

What does the Hippo’s passive ability do?

The Hippo has two passive effects that work automatically once it is placed in your garden.

Watermelon Chomper

Every 8 minutes, the Hippo will eat a Watermelon crop and sell it for 1.5x its normal value. On top of that, there is a 30% chance that you get the Watermelon seed back.

In practice, this passive works best if:

You already grow Watermelons regularly.

You keep extra Watermelons planted near the Hippo.

You don’t rely on Watermelons for mutations that need manual control.

Most players use the Hippo as a passive income booster rather than a main farming tool.

Monsoon Beast

Every 20 minutes, the Hippo applies the Monsoon mutation to a random crop in your garden.

This effect is fully automatic and does not require player input. However, because the crop is random, it can sometimes hit low-value plants.

In general, players who benefit the most from this passive:

Have a garden mostly filled with high-value crops.

Avoid planting filler crops that reduce the chance of a good Monsoon target.

Use the Hippo alongside other mutation-focused pets.

How much hunger does the Hippo have?

The Hippo has 120,000 hunger, which is extremely high.

In fact, it has the third highest hunger count in the entire game.

This means:

You will need to feed it often.

Ignoring its hunger will reduce its effectiveness.

Newer players may struggle to keep it fed.

Most players only buy the Hippo once they already have strong food production or surplus crops they can use for feeding.

What does the Hippo look like?

The Hippo has a very blocky and simple design that fits Grow A Garden’s style.

It has a large, fat belly.

The head is a mix of a cube and a semi-oblong shape.

It has black eyes and black nostrils.

The ears sit on top of the head.

Each foot has three smaller cube shapes.

In general, players like the Hippo’s appearance because it looks bulky and clearly stands out from smaller pets.

How often do the Hippo’s traits activate?

Here is a simple breakdown of its traits:

Every 8 minutes:

Eats one Watermelon and sells it for 1.5x value, with a 30% chance to recover the seed.

Every 20 minutes:Applies Monsoon mutation to one random crop.

Because these timers are fixed, most players treat the Hippo as a background pet. You don’t need to time anything manually, but you do need to make sure Watermelons are available.

Is the Hippo good for making Sheckles?

In general, yes—but only if used correctly.

The Hippo works best when:

You already have Watermelon farms.

Your garden is mostly high-value crops.

You play long sessions where the passive timers can activate multiple times.

For players who log in briefly and leave, the Hippo is less efficient. Its value comes from long-term, passive gains rather than quick bursts of profit.

Is the Hippo worth buying?

Most experienced players agree on a few points:

The Hippo is not beginner-friendly.

The price is very high.

The hunger cost is demanding.

The passives are useful but slow.

Usually, players buy the Hippo when they already own several other strong pets and want an extra layer of passive income and mutations.

If you are still building your first big garden or struggling with food supply, it is generally better to wait.

Common mistakes players make with the Hippo

Some common issues include:

Buying it too early and running out of food.

Forgetting to plant Watermelons nearby.

Filling the garden with low-value crops, which wastes Monsoon.

Expecting instant profit instead of gradual gains.

Avoiding these mistakes makes the Hippo much more effective over time.

Final thoughts on the Hippo

The Hippo is a powerful but demanding Legendary pet in Grow A Garden. It rewards patience, planning, and a well-developed garden. Most players who enjoy long farming sessions and passive income systems will find value in it, while others may prefer simpler pets with lower upkeep.

If you treat the Hippo as a long-term investment rather than a quick upgrade, it usually performs exactly as intended.