15 Types of Hydroponic Plants suitable for Planting in Urban Areas

15 Types of Hydroponic Plants suitable for Planting in Urban Areas

Hydroponic technique is a way of planting without soil, using only water. The use of water is also more efficient, not as much as if you plant the conventional way using soil. That way, people living in areas with limited water supply have the alternative to continue growing and harvesting their own food. There are many hydroponic systems that you can apply.

These include the Wick System, Water Culture System, NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) System, Ebb & Flow System, Drip System, Aeroponyc, Bubbleponics, DFT (Deep Flow Technique), Fertigation, and Bioponic. For beginners, the most common and easy to use systems are the Wick system and the NFT system. In connection with the limited supply of water and planting materials, this method of planting is suitable for those of you who live in urban areas. Instead of bothering to replace the soil, planting plants hydroponically is the best alternative in your yard or apartment. Get to know the types of hydroponic plants that you can easily plant below!

Types of plants that can be planted hydroponically

 

Lettuce

Lettuce is the most common hydroponically grown crop, as it can grow very rapidly in this growing system. The treatment is not difficult at all. This plant is perfect for beginners in the field of hydroponic planting.

When it’s harvested, you can easily make a salad or sandwich, without having to bother going to the supermarket.

Radishes

Well, unlike the previous vegetable crops, radishes do not need lights or heat, but cold temperatures. Radish seeds grow in a period of about 3-7 days. After a while, you can harvest and process it to complement various kinds of food at home.

Tomatoes

The status of this vegetable is still debating as a fruit or vegetable. Even so, what is clear is that tomatoes contain vitamin A which is good for skin health and immunity. There are many commercial farmers who grow tomatoes hydroponically.

If you’ve ever eaten tomatoes, you know that tomatoes contain a lot of water. To grow tomatoes using the hydroponic system successfully, you need a lot of water and also light. As an investment in farming, you can buy special lights for indoor plants, because you can’t always rely on light from the sun in urban areas.

Kale

In recent years, this vegetable is very popular, especially among activists of food and healthy lifestyles. The nutritional content and abundant benefits make this vegetable into the superfood category. As with lettuce, kale is also very easy to grow using a hydroponic system and will do very well.

Cucumber

Cucumber is a vegetable that has many benefits. Starting from garnishes or garnishes for special dishes, complementary to juices, eaten raw, to use for beauty treatments. All cucumbers do well in hydroponic systems. Cucumbers are warm plants, so you have to ensure adequate lighting and the right temperature.

Spinach

Similar to the leafy vegetables previously mentioned, spinach can grow well if planted with water. Therefore, this plant is very suitable if planted using a hydroponic system. Spinach doesn’t need a lot of light or too much heat. You can regularly harvest spinach within 12 weeks. You can use spinach for various types of food or process it into juice, if you don’t like the texture.

Nuts

Green beans, peas, long beans, all types of beans that you can easily plant hydroponically. After 6-8 weeks of planting and caring for legume crops, you can start harvesting. After the first harvest, you can continue to care for and harvest for the next 3-4 months.

Leeks

Leek is known as a plant that requires a lot of water. This makes leeks very suitable for hydroponic planting. The time it takes for the first harvest is 6-8 weeks, then 3-4 weeks for the next growth. Besides needing lots of water, leeks also need light for about 12-14 hours each day. Therefore, make sure to put it on the balcony of your apartment or home garden so that Leeks get the light intake they need.

Basil

Basil leaves are usually needed in making pepes or other savory dishes. To grow this plant, you can use the NFT system or you can also Drip for optimal results. You can harvest basil leaves every week when they are ripe or grown perfectly. As with growing tomatoes hydroponically, you also need special lights if you want to plant basil leaves, because this plant requires lighting all the time.

Strawberries

This fruit with a very distinctive sour-sweet taste is actually very suitable for hydroponic cultivation. The most suitable planting system is NFT. If cared for properly, strawberry plants can last a long time and you can harvest for a full year.

You can enjoy fresh strawberries that are harvested by yourself throughout the year, to be eaten immediately or processed into various types of delicious desserts.

Mint Leaves

Usually used for flavorings in drinks such as tea or natural flavorings in various types of cakes, you can easily plant mint leaves hydroponically, you know. The roots of mint leaves can spread very quickly, making this plant ideal for hydroponic planting because it will quickly absorb water which is the main nutrient.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a type of fruit that is also included in the superfood class. The combination of vitamins C, A, K, and B6 in the womb has many benefits for the body. In hydroponic cultivation systems — NFT to be more specific, this fruit can grow very well. Compared to strawberries, this fruit takes longer to harvest. For how to plant it, it is advisable to do a transplant, because it will be more difficult if planting from seeds alone.

Paprika

Just like tomatoes, peppers need warm temperatures and a fair amount of lighting from a special lamp for the plant. You can grow from existing paprika seeds, or buy them specially. Typically, paprika plants will mature or fully grow in 8-12 weeks.

Carrots

Carrots are part of a tuber plant that has many roots. Carrot roots can spread quickly and absorb more water, making this plant very suitable for planting using a hydroponic system. Even so, carrots are one type of plant with a higher difficulty to grow hydroponically. To successfully grow this plant, you need more experience and knowledge.

Corn

Who would have thought, it turns out that corn can also be planted hydroponically. Corn has root fibers that easily absorb water and make it suitable for planting using a hydroponic system. You can enjoy this grain plant for various types of processed food or it can also be eaten directly.

For beginners who just want to try growing plants hydroponically, it’s better to start with plants that are easier to plant first, yes. Carrots and corn are the types of plants with a higher level of difficulty to grow, so it takes experience first to successfully care for them. Don’t forget to also prepare special equipment for planting using a hydroponic system. You can choose a complete range of hydroponic farming equipment at affordable prices