10 Great Plants To Grow With Hydroponics
Hydroponic growing is perfect to quickly grow vegetables, fruits, and herbs quickly. Having delicious crops all year around is simple through this soilless growing method. There are a few plants you can easily grow by providing a few basic necessities such as hydroponic nutrients, temperature, and pH levels
1. Strawberries
Growing strawberries all year around is simple and easy through hydroponics. This growing technique removes the worry of planting a seasonal fruit, allowing for an added ease of harvesting and growing. Whether with a deep water culture or an ebb and flood system, you’re sure to provide delicious strawberries. For quicker growth, it’s advised to plant strawberry runners instead of strawberry seeds.
pH Levels: 5.5 to 6.2.
Growing Time: Approximately 60 days.
Temperature: ℃ to ℃.
2. Lettuce
Lettuce is extremely easy, as these vegetables grow without needing any support due to their shallow root system and low vegetable height. It’s advisable to stagger lettuce planting to ensure a continuous supply, with regular nutrient solution changes for optimal growth.
pH Levels: 6.0 to 7.0.
Growing Time: Approximately 30 days.
Temperature: 7℃ to 21℃.
3. Peppers
A bit more advanced but a great vegetable to grow, peppers should be pruned at approximately eight inches tall to promote pepper growth. Either an ebb and flood or a deep water culture system are ideal for hydroponic growth. Peppers require around 18 hours of light per day, with lighting suspended at approximately six inches above the plants.
pH Levels: 5.5 to 6.0.
Growing Time: Approximately 90 days.
Temperature: Approximately 23℃ to 27℃.
4. Spinach
Ready to harvest from seedlings approximately 14 to 20 days, spinach does very well in hydroponics. Harvesting leaves weekly provides a good and steady supply, especially when planting plants close together. It’s advised to harvest leaves from the outside of the plant and not from the inner leaves.
pH Levels: 6.0 to 7.0.
Growing Time: Approximately 14 to 20 days.
Temperature: Approximately 18℃ to 20℃.
5. Tomatoes
Many different types of tomatoes can be easily grown hydroponically, however, some require approximately 18 hours of light to grow properly. They’re typically not advised for beginners but, if you have experience growing vegetables, you are very likely to succeed. Make sure to provide a two-part nutrient mix to achieve the level of nutrients that tomatoes need.
pH Levels: 5.5 to 6.5.
Growing Time: Approximately 10 to 14 days.
Temperature: 18℃ to 25℃.
6. Radishes
Radishes grow very easily in both soil and in hydroponic systems, being typically ready for harvesting in around a month. It’s advised to start growing radishes from seeds in cool temperatures. You don’t need to provide radishes with special lighting.
pH Levels: 6.0 to 7.0.
Growing Time: 3 to 7 days.
Temperature: 10℃ to 18℃.
7. Cucumbers
pH Levels: 5.5 to 6.0.
Growing Time:
Temperature: 22℃ to 24℃.
8. Beans
Both low maintenance and extremely productive, beans are great hydroponic crops. Whether you choose to grow pole beans, green beans, or lima beans, this vegetable germinates very quickly. Pole beans require vertical support when growing. Beans can be harvested approximately six to eight weeks after growth, with crops continuing for three to four months.
pH Levels: 6.0.
Growing Time: 5 to 7 days.
Temperature: Approximately 21℃ to 27℃.
9. Basil
As one of the most grown herbs in hydroponics, basil thrives with either a drip system or with a nutrient film technique (NFT) system. Make sure to weekly trim and harvest basil when it fully matures. Basil can be propagated from seed or from cuttings, the latter which form roots within approximately seven to ten days.
pH Levels: 5.8 to 6.5.
Growing Time: 7 to 10 days.
Temperature: Approximately 24℃.
10. Chives
Chives are easily grown from plants through hydroponics, requiring approximately 12 to 14 hours of light per day. It can take between six to eight weeks for chives to fully mature, and around three to four weeks of waiting between harvests.
pH Levels: 6.0 to 6.5.
Growing Time: 45 to 60 days.
Temperature: 18℃ to 21℃.
Choosing the ideal crops is the first step into your hydroponic growth journey. If you’re a beginner, fast growing crops are ideal for quick and delicious results, ensuring you get experience and results quickly.