Are you wondering which plants can be grown hydroponically? Here are some examples of environmental requirements.
Do you want to switch to a greener lifestyle? The first step is to understand as much as you can about hydroponic farming.
For those who do not know, this kind of farming does not use any soil, which means that not much water is required.
The best part is that this farming does not require an abundance of space either, making it perfect for those living in apartments.
In this article, we will tell you which plants and vegetables are safe to grow in a hydroponic garden so that you can start working on your dream garden!
Here is a table that summarizes the temperatures, pH levels, and growing speed of each plant on what plants can be grown together hydroponically.
| Type of Plant | Ideal pH Levels | Temperature Requirements (Degree Celsius) | Growing Speed |
| Lettuce | 6.0-7.0 | 7-21 | More than 30 days |
| Cucumbers | 5.5-6.0 | 22-24 | 75-90 days |
| Basil | 5.5-6.5 | 15-24 | 28 days |
| Strawberries | 5.5-6.2 | 13-21 | More than 60 days |
| Kale | 5.5-6.5 | 15-25 | More than 45 days |
| Tomatoes | 6.0-6.5 | 22-26 | 75-90 days |
| Chives | 6.0-6.5 | 18-21 | 45 to 60 days |
what plants can be grown together hydroponically
1. Lettuce
Commonly used in sandwiches and salads, lettuce is the most common plant that can be grown in a hydroponic garden.
Not only do they require the least amount of care, but they also grow extremely fast.
Lettuce is a versatile plant that can be grown using deep water culture (DWC), nutrient film technique (NFT), wick systems, or even ebb and flow systems.
When grown lettuce hydroponically, the growth of the lettuce plant is increased by 50%, and it can grow with outdoor or indoor lighting.
Lettuce plants have shallow roots and do not grow too tall in height, making them perfect for growing with other plants on this list that are as small as the lettuce plant.
2. Cucumbers
Hydroponic gardeners prefer planting cucumbers because they grow quickly and can be harvested after 75 or 90 days.
Cucumbers are usually planted in commercial greenhouses, but with hydroponics, you can also grow them at home.
These plants, when grown properly, produce wonderful yields. When it comes to choosing the kind of cucumbers you want to grow, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the number of choices available.
However, we recommend European cucumbers as they are seedless, thick American cucumbers or Lebanese cucumbers.
Regardless of the variety you choose, these cucumbers will grow wonderfully hydroponically. We recommend hand-pollinating with a Q-Tip or paintbrush to grow your cucumbers successfully.
You only need to ensure that these plants are provided with loads of light and high temperatures, along with pH levels of 5.5 to 6.0.
3. Basil
Basil is an herb that grows beautifully in a soilless system. We recommend trying the drip technique of NFT to grow basil plants. Read how to grow basil hydroponically.
All you have to do is wait for the plant to mature before harvesting it every day.
However, do not pinch the leaves- if you want your basil plant to grow consistently, we recommend trimming the leaves instead.
Basil plants require moderate temperatures and lots of sunlight to grow. You can also use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to help the plant grow faster. In case you notice poor growth, simply increase the light around the plant.
We recommend giving a basil plant at least 11 hours of uninterrupted light and providing it with warm conditions. These plants grow best in pH levels of 5.5 to 6.5.
4. Strawberries
Strawberries are one of the easiest seasonal plants to grow in a hydroponic system. However, keep in mind that you will have to wait for 60 days before you can harvest strawberries from the root.
For most people, finding out that growing strawberries hydroponically is a shock.
This is mainly because strawberry plans require rigid climatic conditions since they are native to cold areas.
However, the best part about hydroponics is that the environmental conditions can be manipulated.
You only need to ensure that you maintain a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit when growing strawberry plants hydroponically. You can grow them in tents, indoors, or even in a grow room.
Growing strawberries hydroponically also means that you can consume them throughout the year. Unlike lettuce, strawberries thrive in an ebb-and-flow system.
All you have to do is ensure that the soil has a pH level between 5.5 and 6.2. moreover, instead of buying strawberry seeds, use cold-stored strawberries that are actively growing.
5. Kale
If you like having light and fresh salads for lunch, you will be very happy to know that you can grow kale hydroponically.
Healthy, nutritious, and delicious, kale is great for someone who wants to increase their fiber intake during the day.
Kale requires moderate temperatures to grow, meaning that you can easily manipulate the hydroponic system to provide this plant with its ideal environment.
Kale is a great option to grow hydroponically because it has been in the hydroponic system for many years, which means you cannot go wrong with it.
Moreover, it is easy to grow as long as you aim for pH levels between 5.5 and 6.5. Within 45 days, your plant should be ready to be harvested.
6. Tomatoes
Many varieties of tomatoes are available, but to make things easier, keep in mind that the cherry and regular variants can be grown hydroponically.
Say goodbye to purchasing commercially grown tomatoes when you can grow them at home!
It is recommended to grow these in deep water culture (DWC) systems. While these plants grow tall, you can use clay pebbles to grow them in DWC hydroponics.
Tomatoes grow best in hot and light temperatures, so make sure that if you are growing them indoors, you provide lots of supplemental lighting for a minimum of 8 hours a day so that they can thrive.
Moreover, keep the pH level between 5.5 and 6.5. The best part about growing tomatoes hydroponically is that the likelihood of disease and insect infestations is less since you provide your plants with a controlled environment.
7. Chives
Did you think that you could not grow herbs in a hydroponic system?
Luckily, you could not be more wrong. Chives are not only super simple to grow, but they also do not require too much maintenance.
The simplest way to grow chives hydroponically is by sourcing them from a local store and then planting them.
Usually, chives take six to eight weeks to fully mature, after which they can be harvested every day.
Keep in mind that these plants do not need too much water, but you must provide them with lots of light to grow. They grow best in warm temperatures and light that is provided for 12 to 14 hours.
Aim for a pH level of anywhere between 6.0 and 6.1. If you want to grow this plant with other crops as well, you can use a floating raft system.
The biggest plus point about chives is that you can propagate them through division, meaning you have to divide the plant into portions and put them in hydroponic net cups.
This will help the plant thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much space do I need?
With growing plants hydroponically, you do not need much space since this method allows you to plant your favorite plants in a small region as well.
Q: What environmental conditions do plants grown hydroponically need?
When growing plants together hydroponically, you need to think about water, pH levels, microclimate, light, and temperature requirements.
Q: Which plants should not be planted hydroponically?
Below are a few plants that are recommended not to be planted together using the hydroponic technique.
Corn, Melon, Squash, and Fruit trees.
Q: Can you grow rice in hydroponics?
Since Rice Thrives In Paddy Environments, It Can Be Cultivated Hydroponically As Well.
However, They Require Transplanting So That They Can Mature.
Q: Can you grow root vegetables in hydroponics?
You Can Definitely Grow Root Vegetables Through Hydroponics.
This includes Turnips, Radishes, Carrots, And Potatoes. All You Have To Do Is Use DWS Hydroponic Systems.
Conclusion
To wrap everything up, growing plants hydroponically is a great idea.
If you are new to hydroponics, we recommend choosing plants that do not require too much maintenance and those that yield quick growth. This will allow you to see results quickly without getting demotivated, and you will also learn the basics of hydroponics effortlessly.
Remember that choosing a plant to grow hydroponically is just the first step. You will have to care for it properly since the plant will be dependent on you for its survival. This means being patient with the plant and providing it with the best conditions so that it can thrive.
Follow the table above to get an idea of the basic requirements of each plant that can be grown in a hydroponic system!
My name is Olivia, and I live in the United States and love having plants in my garden. Lots of plants are there on my balcony, indoor and outdoor garden also. Here I am trying to share useful gardening tips, how to grow and care for various plants, etc.
