14 Easiest Hydroponic Plants to Grow
Growing your own vegetables can be a rewarding and cost-effective experience. And with the advent of hydroponic systems, it has become easier than ever to do so in even the smallest of spaces. Hydroponics is an efficient way to grow plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions instead.
But which vegetables are the easiest to grow hydroponically? In this article, we’ll explore some of the best options for those looking to get started with their first hydroponic garden. From leafy greens and herbs to tomatoes and peppers, there’s something for everyone! So let’s get started on our journey into growing delicious veggies using just water and nutrients!
Vegetables
Lettuces
Temp: cool pH: 5.5-6.5 EC: 0.8-1.2
Lettuce is one of the most popular and easiest vegetables to grow hydroponically. It can be grown in a variety of hydroponic systems and is well suited for growing in water culture or nutrient film technique (NFT) systems.Lettuce prefers cooler temperatures, so you may need a cooling system if your environment is too hot. It grows quickly compared to other crops and needs little maintenance – perfect for beginner gardeners.
Tomatoes
Temp: Hot. pH: 5.5-6.0 EC: 2.0-5.0
Tomatoes are another popular crop to grow hydroponically. They require a warm environment and need plenty of light, but they can be grown in smaller spaces than with traditional methods. Tomato plants also have a long life cycle so you get more harvests throughout the year. Make sure to use nutrient-rich solutions for tomatoes as they require more nutrients than lettuce.
Radishes
Temp: Cool pH: 6.0-7.0 EC: 1.6-2.2
Radishes are a great option for beginner gardeners as they are fast-growing and don’t need much maintenance. They grow best in lightly acidic soil, so make sure to adjust your nutrient solutions accordingly. Radishes also require plenty of light, so you may need to supplement with artificial lights if your space is not getting enough sunlight.
Kale
Temp: Cool to Warm. pH: 5.5-7.0 EC: 1.25-1.5
Kale is a hearty, nutrient-rich vegetable that can be grown in both cool and warm temperatures. It’s quick to grow and not too demanding when it comes to maintenance. However, it does need plenty of light so you may need to supplement with artificial lights if your space doesn’t get enough sunlight.
Cucumbers
Temp: Warm. pH: 5.5-6.0 EC: 1.2-2.5
Cucumbers are a great choice for hydroponic gardens, as they require little maintenance and can be harvested multiple times throughout the season. They thrive in warm temperatures, so you may need to supplement with artificial lights if your environment is too cool. Additionally, cucumbers require plenty of water and high nutrient concentrations, so make sure to adjust your nutrient solutions accordingly.
Spinach
Temp: Cool to warm. pH: 6.0-7 EC: 1.2-1.5
Spinach is a great beginner crop for hydroponic gardens, as it’s easy to grow and doesn’t require too much maintenance. It prefers cooler temperatures but can tolerate some warmth. Spinach needs plenty of light so be sure to supplement with artificial lights if your environment isn’t getting enough sunlight. Additionally, spinach requires high nutrient concentrations, so make sure to adjust your nutrient solutions accordingly.
Beans
Temp: Warm to hot. pH: 6.0 EC: 2.0-4.0
Beans are the last vegetable on this list and are a great choice for hydroponic gardens. They require a warm environment and need lots of light, but it’s easy to adjust the nutrient solutions accordingly. Beans have a long life cycle so you get multiple harvests throughout the year, making them an ideal crop for beginner growers.
Herbs
Chives
Temp: Cool to warm. pH: 5.5-7 EC: 0.8-1.2
Chives are a great choice for hydroponic gardens, as they require little maintenance and can be harvested multiple times throughout the year. They thrive in cool to warm temperatures, so you may need to supplement with artificial lights if your environment is too cold. Chives don’t need high nutrient concentrations but make sure to adjust your nutrient solutions accordingly.
Basil
Temp: Warm to hot pH: 6.0-7 EC: 1.2-1.5
Basil is a flavorful herb, and it’s one of the most common herbs cultivated in this system. You can choose between NFT or Drip systems to grow your basil. When at full size, you’ll be able to harvest and trim weekly from the same plant! Just remember: Basil requires plenty of light – without 11+ hours daily it won’t survive properly.
Mint
Temp: Cool to warm. pH: 6.0-7 EC: 2.0-2.2
Mint is another popular herb that can be easily grown in a hydroponic garden. It’s easy to maintain, requires little space, and grows quickly! Make sure your nutrient solution is slightly acidic (pH 6-7) and the temperature should remain between 18°C – 25°C for optimal growth. With these conditions met, you can have a continuous supply of fresh mint leaves for cooking or tea all year round!
Sage
Temp: Cool to warm. pH: 5.5-6.5 EC: 1.2-1.5
Sage is a hardy herb that can be grown in hydroponic systems, providing you with an endless supply of fresh leaves for cooking or tea! It thrives in cool temperatures, but can also tolerate some warmth. NFT or drip systems work well for sage, but it’s also possible to be grown in other systems.
Fruits
Strawberries
Temp: Cool to warm. pH: 5.5-6.5 EC: 1.2-3.0
Strawberries are a great option for hydroponic fruit production. This delicous fruit requires a slightly acidic pH (5.5-6.5) and temperatures between 18°C – 25°C for optimal growth. Make sure to adjust your nutrient concentrations according to the environment you’re growing in, and you’ll be able to enjoy sweet strawberries year-round!
Blueberries
Temp: Warm. pH: 4.5-6 EC: 1.4-2.0
Blueberries are a great choice for hydroponic gardening, as they require little maintenance and can be harvested multiple times throughout the season. They thrive in warm temperatures, so you may need to supplement with artificial lights if your environment is too cool. Additionally, blueberries require slightly acidic environments (pH 4.5-6) and low nutrient concentrations (EC 1.4-2.0), making them one of the easiest fruits to grow hydroponically!
Peppers
Temp: Warm to hot. pH: 5.5-6.5 EC: 2.0-4.0
Peppers are an ideal crop for hydroponic gardening due to their resilience and easy-to-manage requirements. They thrive in warm temperatures, so you don’t have to worry about supplementing with artificial lights if your environment is too cool.
Additionally, peppers can tolerate a wide range of pH levels (5.5-6.5) and nutrient concentrations (2.0-4.0). This makes them incredibly easy to grow in hydroponic systems, as the conditions can be easily adjusted according to the environment they’re being grown in!
What crops Cannot be grown hydroponically? ( hard to grow)
you can almost grow anything hydroponically, however, some vegetables may be more difficult to grow than others due to their specific needs. Some of the harder-to-grow vegetables include:
Large root vegetables
Vegetables with a large root system, such as potatoes, carrots, and parsnips, don’t do well in hydroponic systems. This is because their roots need soil and a lot of space to spread out and grow properly.
for the experienced growers With larger size hydroponic farms, it’s possible to grow them, but it’s not recommended for beginners and one with small or home hydroponic systems.
Plants that need a lot of space
Some crops, like corn, melon, and squash, need a lot of space to grow properly. While it’s possible to grow these plants in hydroponic systems, they can often be difficult to manage due to their large size and specific needs.
So for a beginner grower, it’s recommended to stay away from these types of plants.
Which plant grows the fastest in hydroponics?
Growing plants hydroponically is a great way to get the most out of your garden. Not only are you able to grow more in less space, but you can also increase the speed at which your plants grow! But which plant grows the fastest in hydroponics?
Below you have a table with some of the fastest-growing plants in hydroponics
| Plants | Weeks |
| Cucumbers | 5 to 6 weeks |
| Lettuce | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Green beans | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Cabbage | 9 to 11 weeks |
| Carrots | 8 to 10 weeks |
| Chard | 4 to 5 weeks |
| Beets | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Spinach | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Kale | 5 to 6 weeks |
| Chives | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Celery | 14 to 20 weeks |
| Broccoli | 8 to 20 weeks |
| Cauliflower | 10 to 12 weeks |
| Leek | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Radishes | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Arugula | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Eggplant | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Onions | 9 to 12 weeks |
| Peas | 7 to 8 week |
| Bell peppers | 7 to 9 weeks |
| Zucchini | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Squash | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Tomatoes | 6 to 8 weeks |
Conclusion
Hydroponic gardening allows you to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables in an easy-to-manage, efficient way. From blueberries to peppers, cucumbers to tomatoes, there are plenty of options for beginner hydroponic gardeners who want to get started growing their own food. However, some plants may be more difficult than others due to specific needs or size requirements.
With the right setup and knowledge base, even experienced growers can successfully cultivate large root vegetables like potatoes and carrots and space-hungry crops such as corn and squash in their hydroponic system!
No matter which plants you decide to grow, you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor much sooner than with traditional soil-based gardening thanks to the accelerated growth that hydroponic systems provide.
I hope you found this list of the easiest vegetables to grow hydroponically helpful. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to successfully cultivate delicious fruits and veggies for years to come! Happy growing!
Thank you for reading! Good luck with your hydroponic gardening journey.
Apartment Gardener is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in other affiliate programs which compensate us for referring traffic.
