If you are searching for the easiest plants for hydroponics then you made it to the right place! This post will teach you all about beginner-friendly plants for hydroponics, the benefits of hydroponic gardening (even at home!), and some plants you may want to hold off growing in your hydroponic setup.
I spent a whole summer working at a hydroponic farm and the plants on this list were my best friends because they grew quickly, were low maintenance, and offered abundant yummy rewards.
I can confidently say that if you are new to hydroponic gardening and are a little unsure about your gardening abilities, you really can’t go wrong with this list of plants for hydroponics!
This post is all about the best plants for hydroponics.
What is hydroponic gardening?
Hydroponic gardening is a method of growing plants without soil but rather with water and an added nutrient solution. The roots of the plants dangle into the water to absorb it and the added nutrients.
It is an innovative technology that can be used by small-scale growers (like backyard gardeners!) or used by commercial growers for the greater food system.
Growing your own food in a hydroponic garden at home is a wonderful way to positively impact your own health and your communities.
Easiest Plants To Grow Hydroponically
1. Leafy greens for hydroponic gardens
Get your salad spinner ready, leafy greens grow quickly and are plentiful in hydroponic systems.
Within a little over a month, you will already be able to harvest fresh leafy greens from your hydroponic system.
They are a popular choice for hydroponic gardeners for a reason!
Here are some leafy greens we suggest you start with:
- Swiss chard
- Arugula
- Spinach
- Butterhead lettuce
- Collard greens
- Kale
- Mustard greens
2. Herbs for hydroponic systems
Elevate your future meals with herbs galore. Hydroponic herbs grow nice and compact in so you will probably grow more than enough for your home and can share the abundance with your neighbors.
Virtually all herbs grow well in a hydroponics system but here are some of our favorite herbs for hydroponic gardening:
- Basil
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Mint
- Fennel
Herbs are an excellent choice since they offer a rich flavor to any dish and grow abundantly in hydroponic environments.
{RECOMMENDED POST: 7 Best Hanging Plants for Your Shaded Porch To Create a Charming Oasis}
3. Microgreens for hydroponic gardens
Microgreens are by far the fastest growing plants you can grow in a hydroponic system. At only 1-3 inches in height it only takes 1-3 weeks for these baby greens to be ready to harvest.
They make the perfect topping for any salad and have extra nutritional benefits.
Microgreens have a stronger flavor compared to more mature plants so they add a punch to any salad, sandwich, pizza or soup.
If you get bored of your own cooking from time to time, you will be grateful to have these little plants to jazz things up!
Here are the best microgreens to grow in your hydroponic system:
- Broccoli
- Radish
- Arugula
- Watercress
- Pea
- Red cabbage
4. Vegetables for hydroponics growing systems
If you are just getting started with using hydroponics to grow your own food, my top recommendations for vegetables is a bit limited.
I suggest starting with celery and green onions.
Green onions truly grow like a weed (even in the ground) so it will be a quick win having so much green onion to work with. This will help you to feel confident about your green thumb skills.
Then I would advance to celery. You can actually use a cutting from organic celery you bought from the store. Cut off the bottom and plop it in a dish of water. This is essentially a mini hydroponic starter. Then you can easily transfer this from your kitchen to your hydroponic green house.
Again, start with these vegetables in your hydroponic system and once you have these down, advance to more vegetables!
5. Edible flowers for hydroponic set up
If you have been wondering if you can grow flowers in hydroponics, I am stoked to let you know that you can and they will absolutely thrive!
These edible flowers grow like crazy in a well maintained hydroponic system:
- Carnations
- Lavender
- Marigolds
You can easily make little bouquets of these flowers and gift them to friend’s labeled as edible bouquets.
What are the benefits of hydroponic gardening?
- Doesn’t use soil! If your yard doesn’t have the best soil or you’re renting and can’t dig up the earth, hydroponic gardening is a great option for you.
- Uses less water than traditional gardening since the water is recycled rather than lost to runoff or evaporation.
- Food can be grown year-round in a controlled environment. This is valuable as climate change worsens, seasons change, pests do their thing (which means no pesticides!) etc.
- Great for urban gardening (hello vertical gardens) or suburban homesteading as hydroponics take up less space than traditional farming
- Plants have faster growth rates since they are getting the optimal nutrients and environment.
What other food can be grown in a hydroponic system?
Radish, habanero peppers, cucumbers, green beans, tomatoes, bush beans and strawberries are some advanced plants you can grow in a hydroponic system (among others).
These take a more watchful eye and are a bit more high maintenance.
You don’t want to come in and see your veggies sitting in a pool of water since they’re heavy and droop.
But don’t let this discourage you if you want to try!
What is the most profitable thing to grow hydroponically?
The most profitable thing to grow hydroponically as a beginner is probably flowers.
Although we NEED food to survive, humans do love pretty things. I’m sure any farmer’s market you have been to has buckets of flowers for sale right along rows of produce. People will pay good money for beautifully designed bouquets. If you use the edible flowers mentioned above, you can even market them as bouquets and food!
Flowers’ vibrant colors will stop any customer in their tracks and they are much more enticing to the average person than vegetables.
{RECOMMENDED POST: 4 Surprising Foods You Can Regrow From Kitchen Scraps}
What plants cannot be grown hydroponically?
You can grow most plants in a hydroponic system and new innovations and techniques are coming out all the time!
Some plants are much more difficult to get going in a hydroponic system, especially for a beginner.
For example, root vegetables that love to grow in rich soil won’t be too happy in a hydroponic system.
Grains that grow in wide open fields can technically be grown in a hydroponic system but it doesn’t make much sense for many people since the yield will be quite small. Lastly, some plants take a really long time to grow and it is kind of impractical to have a tree growing in a hydroponic system.
If you are new to hydroponic gardening maybe steer clear of plants that take up a lof of space (plants that vine) or will take a super long time to grow.
Here is a list of plants that cannot be grown hydroponically:
- Large fruit trees
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Corn
- Wheat
If you do try to grow any of these plants, please let us know in the comments below! I would love to hear about your experience doing so!
Absolute basics of hydroponic gardening
If you are feeling inspired and excited about hydroponic gardening then I encourage you to keep doing your research to learn more about how you can start a hydroponic garden in your home.
Here is a basic overview for getting started:
- Choose which plants you want to grow. Plant your seeds in seed trays until they are mature enough with healthy root systems that can then be transported to your hydroponic system.
- Decide which type of hydroponic system you will use (Deep Water Culture, Drip Hydroponics, Nutrient Film Technique, Aeroponic Systems, Wick systems etc.)
- Will you use the sun or grow lights?
- Choose a nutrient-rich water solution
- Learn more about measuring, monitoring, and fixing nutrient levels in the water
Everyone’s hydroponic technique is a bit different. A good gardener knows there will always be trial and error. Keep researching to find the best hydroponic systems for your needs!
Also different hydroponic setups have different needs. Some require electricity while others don’t. Some systems use a growing medium and others use straight water. FInd the best choice for your budget and what you can sustainably care for long term.
This post is all about the best plants for hydroponics.
Are you ready to set up your hydroponic system and try out some of these hydroponic plants for beginners? Let us know in the comments below!
Be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you would like sustainability and wellness tips sent directly to your inbox!
Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about the best plants for hydroponic gardening.
Other posts you may like:
The Best Resilient Classroom Plants to Liven Up Your Classroom
5 Simple Connections Between Sustainable Living On Your Debt Free Journey
7 Shockingly Simple Non Aesthetic Eco friendly Tips To Be Kind To The Planet and Your Wallet
If you would like to save this post for later-Pin it!
Leave a Reply