Hydroponics has long been introduced to agriculture and gardening. It’s no longer a new idea, but only a few people are interested in trying this method. Most people don’t know that hydroponics is interesting and that you can grow amazing plants and crops using this system.
For starters, hydroponics is a method of growing plants without using soil. Instead of potting soil, hydroponics uses a nutrient-rich water solution to provide the nutrients needed by the plant.
However, not all plants are ideal for hydroponics. That’s why if you’re interested in using this method but don’t know the best plants for hydroponics, this article will give you some ideas!
What are the factors to consider in choosing the best plants for hydroponics?
For us to come up with our options when it comes to the best plants for hydroponics, we need to consider different factors. After understanding these factors, you can check if your chosen plant fits all these requirements.
Growth rate and maturity time
These factors are all about how quickly or slowly a plant matures and how fast or slow is its growth rate.
For example, you can choose between a plant with a slow growth rate and a fast one. A plant with a slow growth rate can reduce your system’s productivity, while a plant with a fast growth rate can cause overcrowding.
Moreover, in terms of maturity time, you can choose a plant with a short or long maturity time. If you choose a short maturity time, you can harvest immediately, but if you choose plants with a long maturity time, you need to be patient.
Nutrient requirements
We all know that different plants require different nutrients. With this in mind, you must only choose plants that can meet the nutrient you have in your hydroponics system.
Lighting needs
Like the nutrient requirements, some plants demand more light. You should select a plant that your hydroponics lighting can provide. This is especially true if you want a higher chance of success and don’t want to risk your plant. Always choose the plant that’s suitable for the lighting you have.
Space requirements
Do not forget to consider your hydroponic system’s available space or capacity. Plants need enough space so there will be no overcrowding. Note that overcrowding can cause your plants to fight for nutrients, leading to decreased productivity.
Water requirements
Different plants have different water requirements. That’s why it’s important to select plants that can thrive in the water conditions of your hydroponic system. You need to consider factors such as water pH, temperature, and the presence of certain minerals or chemicals.
What are the best plants for hydroponics?
After considering the different factors for your plants, it’s time to look for the best plants for hydroponics. You can start with these plants while assessing your hydroponic system. Once you’ve found your perfect fit, you can surely start hydroponics!
1. Leafy greens
Leafy greens are one of the most suitable crops for hydroponics. This is because they grow fast and require simple nutrients, making them well-suited for hydroponic growing. They also have a short maturity time, so you can harvest them early and sell or use their harvest.
Some of these leafy greens include the following.
- Spinach
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Mustard
- Arugula
2. Herbs
One great choice for a hydroponics system is herbs. It has the same simple nutrient requirements as leafy greens, which are generally small plants. You can grow herbs in various setups like deep water culture, aeroponics, and nutrient film technique.
Some herbs you can try growing on hydroponics include the following.
- Mint
- Thyme
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsely
3. Tomatoes
If you’d ask hydroponic growers about their recommended crop to grow using this method, they’ll give you tomatoes as a common answer.
One reason is that tomatoes are one of the easiest crops to grow and suit almost all hydroponic setups. The only thing you need to ensure when growing tomatoes hydroponically is the proper lighting, nutrients, and temperature. These three factors are crucial in the fruit production of tomatoes.
4. Peppers
Another heavy producer crop perfect for hydroponics is peppers. You can grow it even on a small setup, giving you a high yield. Like tomatoes, you need to monitor lighting, nutrients, and temperature when growing peppers hydroponically.
Additionally, you need to adjust your pH level in the nutrient solution for this crop to achieve optimal growth. You can try the following varieties!
- Bell pepper
- Hot pepper
- Sweet pepper
5. Strawberries
If you love strawberries and wonder if you can grow them hydroponically, our answer is yes!
In fact, growing strawberries hydroponically is more water-efficient than growing them in soil. And due to their low nutrient requirements and easy cultivation, strawberries are perfect for those who want to try hydroponics for the first time.
Just ensure that the pH level, lighting, and temperature are closely monitored to ensure fruit production.
6. Cucumbers
We tackled growing cucumbers vertically, but this time our news is that’s also one of the best plants for hydroponics.
One reason why cucumbers fit most hydroponics setups is that they’re fast-growing crops. They can also produce fruits even in a limited space as long as they get the nutrients and proper growing conditions they need.
But what are the advantages of growing these plants hydroponically?
When using hydroponic systems, crops receive a consistent and controlled supply of water, nutrients, and oxygen in one. This can result in faster growth and higher yields, which is your goal.
Additionally, we love the controlled environment of hydroponic systems because it lets you control the temperature, light, and humidity efficiently. It will give you the opportunity for year-round gardening.
Lastly, this system can be customized and designed to save water and space, making it an efficient and sustainable method of growing plants.
Explore hydroponics today!
As you can see, hydroponics is a powerful system for growing plants. Although not all plants are ideal for this system, still, you can use this opportunity to grow your own herbs, leafy greens, tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, and cucumbers. So that when you need them, you’re just one harvest away from enjoying them.
When growing hydroponically, the nutrients in the solution, temperature, and lighting are the only thing you need to take note of when growing hydroponically. All that boils down to the environment where your setup is located, so ensure that you know what hydroponic setup is right for you before you start.
Once you’re ready to explore hydroponics, choose from any plants we have above, and you’ll surely enjoy this method!