Technically, you can grow anything hydroponically, but that does not mean it is the most effective or efficient way to grow that plant.
Some plants will thrive while growing in a hydroponic system, while others will most likely fail – or be very difficult for the gardener.
Below are some of the easiest plants to grow in a hydroponic garden. These would be a great choice for beginners in hydroponic gardening!
1. Lettuce
Growing Lettuces are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in a hydroponics unit because of how easy they are. They grow very fast and can be grown in any type of hydroponics unit.
It does not matter whether you have Aeroponics, Ebb and Flow, or any other type. Loosehead lettuce is the easiest variety to start out growing for beginners.
Read more about growing Hydroponic Lettuce.
2. Chives
Chives do not take up much space and produce new leaves year-round for cutting; they can be harvested about every 2-3 weeks. Chives are easy to grow since they are naturally insect and pathogen-repellent.
3. Strawberries
Strawberries can be grown more quicker hydroponically than when they are grown in the soil. They also require less maintenance with no weeds or digging due to there being no soil.
Strawberry plants are also easily stackable, making the most out of your space and increasing yield. Some commercial farms have been growing hydroponic strawberries large-scale for decades.
Read the full guide to growing Hydroponic Strawberries.
4. Tomatoes
Compared to growing tomatoes in soil, it is less physically demanding to grow hydroponically. Because there is no soil, it is cleaner to grow tomatoes in a hydroponics system. There is more versatility to growing tomatoes indoors or on a patio or deck.
Not only is growing tomatoes hydroponically easier, but it is also more efficient. Under the right conditions, tomato plants can grow 20-50% faster in hydroponics and have three to ten times the amount of yield.
Pests are almost always an issue when growing tomatoes in soil. However, with no soil pests and diseases decrease tremendously which leads to a higher yield.
Learn more about Hydroponic Tomatoes.
5. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a very popular hydroponically grown plant. They have high yields as long as it has enough light and temperature. All varieties do well in hydroponics.
6. Kale
There are many reasons why kale is one of the easiest plants to grow. For example, it can be harvested at almost any time.
You can either decide to harvest it fully grown or early to eat kale as a microgreen. If you plan on eating kale as a microgreen, it will only take a few weeks to grow!
Another decision to make when growing kale is deciding how to plant it. You can either grow kale from seeds or clone it from an existing plant.
7. Spinach
Similar to some other hydroponically grown plants, spinach is easy to grow due to the space it requires, fewer pests, and the harvest time.
Spinach seeds germinate within about three weeks from planting and they are ready for harvest within four to six weeks.
If you want baby spinach it is even sooner! Like other leafy greens, spinach can be grown year-round.
8. Beans
Beans are easily grown hydroponically because they do not need many nutrients. The plant will naturally get nitrogen from the air.
Any type of bean is low-maintenance and will do well in a hydroponic system. Make sure to have some kind of trellis if you choose to plant pole beans!
9. Basil
Basil can be started in your hydroponics system from either seeds or cuttings. In just 28 days your basil will be ready to harvest. After 28 days, you can harvest and trim your basil plants weekly.
Some of the fastest-growing varieties of basil include Aroma 2, Genovese, Prospera, and Rutgers devotion DMR.
Learn to grow Hydroponic Basil.
10. Mints
Growing mint hydroponically has been described as “foolproof.” Mint is an adaptable herb that can be grown in partial shade and almost any kind of hydroponics unit. Even simply putting mint together like a bouquet in a jar of water on a windowsill will work!
For more hydroponic growing guides for herbs, vegetables, and other plants, check out this list:
