| Produce or Plant | Best Way to Start | Optimal pH Level | Days to Maturity | Lighting Requirements | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arugula | Seeds or Cuttings | pH
5.5-6.5 change nutrient solution every 1-2 weeks |
40-45 days 6-12 in. tall and wide |
12-14 hours daily | Any type of
arugula is great for hydroponics because the plants are small and compact.
Harvest the leaves as they grow and replant at regular intervals for a
constant supply. Arugula doesn’t mind cooler temperatures. That means it’s a solid pick if your grow space tends to run a bit cool. Bonus: Flowers are edible and attract pollinators. |
| Basil | Seeds or Cuttings | pH
5.5-6.5 change nutrient solution every 1-2 weeks |
65-70 days | Requires
12-14 hours of light per day; prefers 65-75°F |
18-24
in. tall and wide From classic Genovese basil to Thai basil, any type of basil grows well in a hydroponic garden, provided you give it lots of light and adjust the height of the lights as the plants grow. Warning: Prone to powdery mildew—ensure good airflow. |
| Beans | Seeds or Cuttings | 6.0 – 6.8 | 50-60 days | 12-16 hours daily | 12-24
in. tall and wide Bush beans are compact plants but it is still a good idea to top them when they get 8 to 10 inches tall so they will branch out more and grow denser. |
| Broccoli | Seeds or Cuttings | 6.0 – 6.8 | 10-12 weeks | 14-16 hours daily | Broccoli, a cool-season crop, adapts well to hydroponic gardening. Its nutritional value and versatility in various dishes make it a valuable addition to your hydroponic garden. |
| Bok Choy | Seeds or Cuttings | pH
5.5-6.5 change nutrient solution every 1-2 weeks |
45 days | 12-14 hours daily | Bok
choy is a leafy vegetable that you can grow in the right hydroponic setup. It
grows quickly, from sprout to harvest in just 45 days, and since you can grow
it indoors, you can meet its temperate climate requirements. However, just like lettuce and spinach, if you want a larger harvest, you need a wider hydroponic growing setup. Considering that bok choy needs full sunlight, it takes a near-perfect setup to get a decent harvest. |
| Cabbage | Seeds or Cuttings | 6.0 – 7.0 | 6-10 weeks | 12-16 hours daily | Cabbage,
a cool-season crop, is well-suited to hydroponic gardening. It boasts a high
yield and ease of growth. Hydroponic systems such as Nutrient Film Technique
(NFT) and Deep Water Culture (DWC) work well for cultivating this leafy
vegetable. Regular harvesting of outer leaves encourages the growth of inner leaves, ensuring a continuous supply. Proper attention to pH and nutrient levels will help you achieve optimal growth and flavor. |
| Carrots | Seeds or Cuttings | 5.8 – 6.2 | 10-12 weeks | 14-16 hours daily | Hydroponic carrot cultivation is possible, although it requires containers deep enough to accommodate their taproots. Despite a longer growth period, hydroponically grown carrots are rich in nutrients and offer a unique addition to your hydroponic garden. |
| Cauliflower | Seeds or Cuttings | 6.0 – 6.8 | 10-12 weeks | 14-16 hours daily | Cauliflower, a cool-season crop, is suitable for hydroponic gardening. It offers a high yield and can be cultivated in various hydroponic systems, including NFT and DWC. Consistent monitoring of pH and nutrient levels is essential to ensure the best growth and flavor. |
| Celery | Seeds or Cuttings | 5.8 – 6.2 | 14-16
weeks can take up to 140 days |
14-16 hours daily | While
celery requires patience due to its slow growth, it is packed with nutrients.
Deep containers are essential to accommodate its lengthy taproots. |
| Cherry Tomatoes | Seeds or Cuttings | pH 5.5-6.5 | 75-90 days | 12-14 hours daily | |
| Chives | Seeds | 6.0 – 7.0 | 6-8 weeks | 12-14 hours daily | Chives are versatile hydroponic herbs that thrive year-round. |
| Cilantro | Seeds or Cuttings | pH
6.0-6.5; benefits from a mild air circulation system |
55-75 days | 10-12
hours of light daily; thrives at 60-70°F |
12-18
in. tall and wide Cilantro is a fast grower. The downside is that after two to three harvests, the plant has reached the end of its short lifespan. Make sure to replant it every three to four weeks for an uninterrupted harvest. |
| Cucumbers | Seeds or Cuttings | 5.8 – 6.2 | 56-60 days | 12-14 hours daily | 6-8
in. tall, 26 in. wide Look for compact bush varieties of cucumber such as ‘Spacemaster’. With the exception of varieties that do not need pollination, cucumbers need to be hand-pollinated when grown indoors. Once the plants are flowering, they require less nitrogen and more phosphorus and potassium for fruit production. Each plant has its own female and male parts, and you’ll need to do the hard work of pollinating them if they don’t have access to insects. They grow fast and usually give plenty of produce when you keep the lights bright and temperatures steady. You’ll want to provide lots of space since they tend to sprawl and send out fast-moving vines. Trellises or supports will help keep your setup organized. |
| Dill | Seeds or Cuttings | pH 5.5-6.5 | 40-60 days | 12-16 hours daily | 3-5
ft. tall Dill is one of the easiest hydroponic herbs to grow. In the garden, dill grows to be a tall and often leggy plant but in a hydroponic system, you can keep it much shorter but harvesting it regularly. |
| Eggplant | Seeds or Cuttings | 5.8 – 6.2 | 105-130 days | 12-16 hours daily | 18-24
in. tall and wide Look for small, bush-type varieties of eggplant such as ‘Fairytale’. Once they start to flower, they require additional phosphorus to fruit. |
| Green Mint | Cuttings. You can start from seeds, but it is difficult | pH 5.5-6.5 | 40-60 days | 12-14 hours daily | |
| Green Onions | Seeds or Cuttings | pH 5.5-6.5 | 40-60 days | 12-14 hours daily | Green
onions do really well in hydroponic setups and don’t need a lot of space. You
can start them from seeds or by regrowing the roots from ones you’ve bought
at the store. They grow quickly, and you’ll notice regrowth just days after trimming. Because they don’t need much light, even a small setup in your kitchen works fine. They’re also pretty forgiving if you forget to check the water or nutrients now and then. |
| Kale | Seeds or Cuttings | pH
5.5-6.5; nutrient change every 7-10 days. Requires high nitrogen and calcium for strong, leafy growth. |
50-55 days | 12-16
hours of light; prefers 60-75°F Cool temperatures enhance leaf texture and prevent early bolting. |
1-2
ft. tall and wide Because kale has large roots, it is rather challenging to grow full-size plants in a hydroponic system in your home. You are better off growing kale as microgreens or harvesting individual leaves as they mature. This leafy green likes cooler temperatures, so it usually does best inside your home rather than outdoors in hot weather. |
| Lavender | Seeds or Cuttings | pH 5.5-6.5 | 40-60 days | 12-14 hours daily | Lavender
is a beautiful flowering plant that grows well in hydroponic setups. Lavender requires plenty of light and well-drained systems. |
| Lemon Balm | Seeds or Cuttings | pH 5.5-6.5 | 40-60 days | 12-14 hours daily | up
to 2 feet high, 3 feet wide While you’re likely not eating a ton of lemon balm, it’s a versatile product that you can use for many other reasons. It thrives in both partial and full sun, but compared to many other herbs, lemon balm can grow quite big: about 2 feet high and about 3 feet wide. It takes up a ton of space, but it also gives you a beautiful hydroponic plant in your home! |
| Lettuce | Seeds or Cuttings | pH
5.5-6.5; nutrient solution change every 10-14 days. Requires nitrogen-rich nutrients for strong leafy growth. |
25-60 days | 10-12
hours of light; thrives at 60-70°F |
6-12
in. tall and wide Lettuce is a hydroponic favorite due to its rapid growth, high yield, and ease of cultivation. Varieties such as butterhead, romaine, and loose-leaf lettuce thrive in hydroponic systems. These greens are not only quick to mature but also adaptable to various hydroponic setups, making them a fantastic choice for beginners. |
| Marigold | Seeds or Cuttings | pH 5.5-6.5 | 56-63 days | 12-16 hours daily | 6-24
in. tall, 6-18 in. wide Because French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are compact bushy plants, they work best for hydroponics. The dwarf French marigold ‘Janie Spry’ grows only eight inches tall. |
| Mint | Cuttings | pH
5.5-6.5; check roots regularly to avoid overgrowth |
30-40 days | 12-16
hours of light; prefers 65-75°F |
12-18
in. tall, 18-24 in. wide Although mint is a perennial plant, it makes an excellent annual herb to grow hydroponically. Because mint roots so easily in water, it is best to start by propagating it from a cutting in a glass of water. Once it has developed roots, transfer it to your hydroponic garden. It will grow quickly and the more you keep it pinched by harvesting the tip growth leaves, the bushier it will grow. It prefers a spot with lots of indirect light, but it can handle some shade too. You’ll want to trim it regularly so it keeps producing fresh growth. |
| Moss Rose | Seeds or Cuttings | pH 5.5-6.5 | 60-98 days | 12-16 hours daily | 4-8
in. tall, 6-12 in. wide Its low-growing growth habit makes moss rose ideal for hydroponics. And there are so many cheerful colors to choose from you’ll be pressed for choice. |
| Nasturtium | Seeds or Cuttings | pH 5.5-6.5 | 60-70 days | 12-16 hours daily | 8-12
in. tall and wide The vibrant flowers of nasturtiums not only brighten up grey winter days, they are also edible. For hydroponic gardening, pick a compact, bush or dwarf variety such as the ‘Alaska’ series or ‘Peach Melba’. |
| Oregano | Seeds or Cuttings | pH 5.5-6.5 | 40-60 days | 12-14 hours daily | Oregano
grows well indoors using hydroponic systems and doesn’t need much space. You
can easily snip off leaves whenever you need some for your cooking. This herb prefers plenty of light, so keep it near a sunny window or use grow lights. Oregano isn’t fussy about water but appreciates consistent moisture and occasional trimming. You’ll find that it responds quickly to hydroponic setups |
| Parsley | Seeds or Cuttings | pH 5.5-6.5 | 60-75 days | 12-16 hours daily | 9-12
in. tall and wide Parsley is slow to germinate, but once it starts growing, it will provide you with a constant supply of fresh, fragrant leaves. Although botanically a biennial, starting with a fresh plant at least three times per year yields the best results. It likes steady moisture and simple care, so you won’t need to hover over it all the time. |
| Peppers | Cuttings best, seeds sometimes | pH
5.5-6.5; nutrient refresh every 7-10 days. High potassium and calcium ensure strong growth and healthy fruit. |
70-85 days | 12-14
hours of light; prefers 70-85°F (21-29°C). Warm conditions boost fruiting; avoid high humidity to prevent disease. |
24
in. tall, 18 in. wide All kinds of peppers, from bell peppers to chili peppers, are suitable for hydroponics as long as the plants are compact, such as ‘Yum Yum’ mini bell peppers. To prevent the plants from toppling over when they are loaded with fruit, support them with wooden sticks. A temperature range between 70 and 80°F is ideal for steady growth. Pollination is simple – just give the flowers a gentle shake or use a small brush, since there’s no wind indoors. |
| Peppermint | Cuttings | pH 5.5-6.5 | 40-60 days | 12-14 hours daily | If
you’re new to hydroponic growing, start with herbs. Peppermint is a great
choice, but keep in mind that you’ll need to start with cuttings, not
seeds. On the plus side, it doesn’t take up much space, can thrive off both full or partial sun, and deters spiders and other pesky insects! Growing peppermint hydroponically is a win-win-win. |
| Petunia | Seeds | pH 5.5-6.5 | 70-84 days | 12-16 hours daily | 6-24
in. tall, 6-36 in. wide Petunias, even compact varieties such as Petunia nana compacta, are spreading plants. To prevent them from taking over your hydroponic garden, pinch them to encourage bushier growth. |
| Radishes | Seeds | 5.8 – 6.2 | 30-60 days | 12-16 hours daily | 6-8
in. tall Root vegetables are generally not suitable for hydroponic culture, but radishes are an exception because they are so small. The tops of hydroponic plants tend to be more tender than radishes grown outdoors so don’t skip eating those as well. |
| Rosemary | Seeds
or Cuttings Cuttings are the preferred method |
pH 5.5-6.5 | 40-60 days | 14-16
hours of light per day; prefers 60-75°F |
Rosemary
is an herb that doesn’t take much space, and this hardy plant can live for up
to a decade. The only real drawback to rosemary is that it’s not in as many recipes as other herbs |
| Spinach | Seeds or Cuttings | pH
5.8-6.5; refresh nutrient solution every 7-10 days. Requires nitrogen and iron for deep green, nutrient-rich growth |
28-55 days | 12-14
hours of light; thrives at 60-75°F |
6-12
in. tall and wide Spinach is a nutrient-packed hydroponic vegetable that matures swiftly, typically within four to six weeks. This leafy green is suitable for year-round cultivation in hydroponic systems. When harvesting, simply trim the outer leaves, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing, ensuring a steady supply of fresh, vibrant spinach. It prefers cooler temperatures, so keeping your growing space a bit cooler will help these leaves thrive. |
| Sage | Seeds or Cuttings | pH 5.5-6.5 | 40-60 days | 12-14 hours daily | |
| Stevia | Seeds or Cuttings | pH 5.5-6.5 | 40-60 days | 12-14 hours daily | |
| Strawberries | Seeds or Cuttings | pH
5.5-6.5, moderate EC (1.4-2.0). Needs frequent nutrient solution refresh and proper pollination for high yields. |
28-42 days | 12-14
hours of light; prefers 65-75°F (18-24°C). Slight temperature drops at night improve fruit production. |
4-12
in. tall, 6-24 in. wide Growing strawberries in a hydroponic system is more challenging than other crops. To start, you’ll need small plants that already have small flowers on them (strawberry seeds are notoriously difficult to germinate). Strawberries will self-pollinate to bear fruit. It does better with external pollination, but if you don’t want to put in the extra work, you don’t have to. To provide the roots of the strawberry plants with oxygen, a specially designed hydroponic system such as the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), a special form of the ebb-and-flow system, is required. Choose everbearing varieties if you want a longer picking season. Key: Keep crowns above water level to prevent rot. |
| Swiss Chard | Seeds | pH 5.5-6.5 | 60-65 days | 12-14 hours daily | 18–24
in. tall, 9–12 in. wide The leaves of Swiss chard keep growing as you harvest individual leaves, which makes it ideal for hydroponics. Like spinach, it does best in temperatures below 75°F so it’s a good idea to grow the two plants together in your hydroponic garden. You don’t need extra special nutrients – just make sure your system has enough magnesium and iron. |
| Tarragon | Cuttings from spring shoots | pH 5.5-6.5 | 40-60 days | 12-14 hours daily | |
| Thyme | Seeds | pH 5.5-6.5 | 40-60 days | 12-14 hours daily | Thyme is a compact herb that’s easy to care for indoors. It works well in small hydroponic setups, so you won’t need a lot of space. The plant needs plenty of light, so placing it near a window or using a grow light is helpful. |
| Tomatoes | Seeds or Cuttings | pH
5.5-6.5; nutrient refresh every 7-10 days. Requires high potassium and calcium for strong stems and healthy fruiting. |
75-90 days | 14-16
hours of light; prefers 70-85°F (21-29°C). Consistent warmth promotes production; avoid temperatures below 55°F |
2-4
ft. tall, 2 ft. wide With many choices for dwarf tomato plants, you should not have any trouble finding one to your taste. Prune the plants as needed to keep them under control. While tomatoes are self-pollinating, it helps to gently shake the branches with flowers to help along with the plant’s self-pollination. They completely self-pollinate, so if you are growing them indoors, you don’t need to worry about pollinating anything to get fruit. |
| Watercress | Seeds | pH 5.5-6.5 | 40-60 days | 12-14 hours daily | Watercress
is a fast-growing green that’s easy to manage with a hydroponic setup. It
thrives in constantly moist conditions, so you won’t have to worry about it
drying out. With just a bit of light and steady airflow, watercress will keep producing fresh greens. Regular trims help encourage more growth and keep your plants healthy. |
| Zucchini | Seeds or Cuttings | 5.8 – 6.2 | 6-8 weeks | 14-16 hours daily | Zucchini is a prolific hydroponic vegetable that can be grown vertically, maximizing space. Adequate water supply is crucial to support its growth. Hydroponically grown zucchini tends to be tender and uniform in size. |
May 5, 2026
by
Beryl Aldeberan