Although the idea of having a garden may appeal to you, you might think it’s not possible because you don’t have an outside space. Many plants can be grown indoors hydroponically, including herbs, vegetables, and house plants.
We have put together 15 plants that are easy to grow in water or hydroponically. Although many plants will root and grow well in just a glass jar and a little water, you can accelerate their growth with correct plant nutrition and adequate lighting and be harvesting faster than you would from an outside vegetable garden.
Most of these selections you will likely already know of, but you may not know that they can be grown without soil. If you’re ready, let’s get started on a new, greener way of gardening.
Growing Vegetables Hydroponically
There are many types of plants you can grow in a water-based growing medium, including various vegetables. Many are the same types you would grow in your outside garden, and others are a variety specifically developed to flourish in a smaller space. Remember that as long as you are feeding your plant and giving it light, it will grow. This concept is difficult for some gardeners to accept, as they believe soil must be present.
To support larger plants like tomatoes, it is recommended to use clay pebbles, as they allow the roots to have a firm hold on something. The table below shows just some of the vegetable plants you can grow hydroponically.
Vegetables Well Suited to Hydroponics
| Common Name | Latin Name | Seeds | Cuttings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Lactuca sativa | Yes | Yes |
| Spinach | Spinacia oleracea | Yes | Yes |
| Bok Choy | Brassica chinensis | Yes | Yes |
| Tomatoes | Solanum lycopersicum | Yes | Yes |
| Peppers | Capsicum | Yes, sometimes | Yes |
| Cucumber | Cucumis sativus | Yes | Yes |
| Celery | Apium graveolens | Yes | Yes |
PH Levels for Hydroponic Vegetables
Knowing the ph level of your water is essential. To obtain the best yield and healthiest plants, you’ll want to give your vegetables the optimal growing environment.
A range of 5.5-6.5 is suitable for most plants. Some plants, such as pumpkins, can grow successfully between 5.5-7.5.
Taste of Hydroponic Vegetables
It’s likely that when you tell people you’re growing hydroponically, they will tell you things such as:
- They are tasteless
- There are no vitamins
- They aren’t organic
- They are unhealthy
These are just some of the reasons people claim they don’t like vegetables grown in water. Any difference in taste will be down to the quality of the food in the water. Even if tomatoes (as an example) are grown in different soil qualities, there is a taste difference. The same is true for the vitamin content.
There will always be people who are unwilling to accept that many plants can be grown this way, as some people are closed-minded. Please don’t waste your time trying to sway them. You can enjoy your freshly grown crops.
Growing Herbs Hydroponically
Imagine being able to pick fresh herbs whenever you need them. That could change the taste of your food and the nutrient content in the dishes you prepare. It’s also important to note that although you can plant from seeds in most cases, taking a cutting is the preferred option. This method not only gets the plant growing stronger but faster as well. Ask friends and family if they have this growing and ask for a cutting.
Herbs Well Suited to Hydroponics
| Common Name | Latin Name | Seeds | Cuttings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarragon | Artemisia dracunculus | No | Yes, from spring shoots |
| Peppermint | Mentha piperita | No | Yes |
| Green Mint | Mentha | Yes, but difficult | Yes |
| Oregano | Origanum vulgare | Yes | Yes |
| Basil | Ocimum basilicum | Yes | Yes |
| Sage | Salvia officinalis | Yes | Yes |
| Stevia | Stevia rebaudiana | Yes | Yes |
| Lemon Balm | Melissa officinalis | Yes | Yes |
| Rosemary | Rosmarinus officinalis | Yes | Yes (preferred method) |
