Posts feature partner companies & may be sponsored. Post contains affiliate links & I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Are you wanting to grow herbs but don’t have the space for a traditional garden? Hydroponics is an easy, efficient, and effective way to grow great-tasting, nutrient-rich herbs. You can easily set up a hydroponic system in small spaces like balconies or rooftops and enjoy fresh herbs at any time of year. With proper care and attention, your hydroponic herb garden will be thriving in no time!
Hydroponic herbs aren’t hard to grow as long as you know what you’re doing. With our tips on how to get started with using this method, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an expert gardener without even setting foot outdoors. Our post provides helpful hints on everything from selecting the right type of container to adding nutrients so that your plants stay healthy and happy all season long.
So if you want to get started on indoor gardening or start an epic gardening adventure outdoors with a complicated deep water system, this post has you covered!
Benefits of hydroponic gardening
Hydroponic gardening has a lot of benefits, even if it does have a bit of a learning curve to get over.
Takes up much less space
The biggest advantage is the amount of space it takes up – growing herbs hydroponically doesn’t require soil or a large growing area. If you have limited indoor or outdoor space or just don’t want to mess with preparing a plot in your yard, this method can be a great solution!
Minimal maintenance
Another great thing about hydroponic gardening is that it requires minimal maintenance – no weeding, tilling, or other labor-intensive practices that you would normally have to do with a traditional garden. All you need to do is make sure the growing containers and nutrient solutions are kept clean and the plants are growing well.
Efficient use of water
Hydroponically grown herbs also require much less water than soil-based growing, making them more sustainable in the long run. Since the growing containers are constantly watered from a nutrient-rich solution, there is no need to worry about over or under-watering – the water is always there.
Cheap, Fresh Herbs Year Round
Hydroponic herb gardens provide a steady supply of fresh herbs year-round, so you’ll never have to worry about running out. Plus, since the growing containers can be kept indoors or in a sheltered area, you don’t need to rely on good weather for your plants to flourish.
No Messy Soil – Hydroponic Herbs are Grown in Water
Growing herbs indoors in conventional garden soil can be a bit messy. The best thing about hydroponic growing is that there is no messy soil to deal with. All of the growing materials and hydroponic nutrients are held in a growing medium, such as sand or clay pebbles, and this can be easily drained and cleaned when necessary. That makes hydropic systems a perk for many people.
Hydroponic Herbs Grow Fast!
Finally, growing hydroponic herbs is much faster than growing them in soil. Since the nutrient-rich growing medium is a constant source of water and nutrients, plants can grow quickly and be harvested sooner.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, growing herbs hydroponically can provide delicious freshness all year round.
Ultimately, growing herbs hydroponically can be an easy and rewarding way to get a taste of gardening without having to commit to a full-fledged outdoor growing operation.
What Herbs Grow Well in Hydroponics?
Like all gardens, some plants will thrive and others will not. Choosing the right herbs for your hydroponic garden will help ensure an abundant harvest. Here are some popular herbs to grow hydroponically:
- Sweet Basil
- Chives
- Dill
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Thyme
- Mint
- French Tarragon
- Lemon balm
Most herb seedlings are fairly easy to grow, even when grown in a hydroponic setup. For each of these herbs, you will need to follow the same growing instructions as any other hydroponic plant.
Make sure to provide a growing medium, nutrient solution, and sufficient lighting for them to thrive.
What do you need to get started?
Once you’ve chosen the herbs that you want to grow in your hydroponic garden, there are a few other things that you will need to get started. Here is a basic list of supplies that you should have on hand:
- Growing containers
- Nutrient solution
- Growing medium (e.g., clay pebbles, perlite, etc.)
- Watering system (e.g., drip or sprinkler)
- Lighting system (optional)
- pH testing kit
- Nutrient meter (optional)
- Air pump and air stones (optional)
Hydroponic growing is becoming increasingly popular, with many people discovering the ease, efficiency, and affordability that this method provides, especially when you want to grow indoors. With these items in hand, you’re ready to get growing! More on setting up your herb garden is below.
Growing Tips for Successful Hydroponic Gardens
For growing herbs in a hydroponic garden, there are some key tips and tricks that you should keep in mind:
- Make sure to have the right growing medium – this can range from sand or clay pebbles to something more elaborate like coco coir.
- Ensure that your growing containers are kept clean and free of debris.
- Test your growing medium and nutrient solution regularly to make sure they are at the proper levels for growing plants.
- Use a lighting system that is appropriate for the herbs you are growing – some herbs will require more light than others.
- Make sure to check your water levels often – too much or too little can affect the health of your plants.
- Check pH levels – depending on the herbs you are growing, this will vary.
- Make sure to use an air pump and air stones for aeration – this will help your plants get the oxygen they need to thrive. By following these tips and tricks, you can ensure that your hydroponic herb garden is growing successfully and providing you with delicious freshness
By following these growing tips, you will be able to get the most out of your hydroponic herb garden and enjoy a bounty of delicious flavors.
- HARVEST ANYWHERE & ANYTIME: Indoor gardening system efficient 24-watt LED grow light simulates optimal effects of sunlight. Technology optimized for plants, herbs garden LED panel can be adjusted to 180° maximum and 21inches maximum height, plants receive more illumination area, maximize photosynthesis, and also more convenient for pruning branch leaves. Hydroponics plants grow 5 times faster than soil, harvest fresh all year round
- QUIET SMART WATERING SYSTEM: Hydroponic growing system water pump with premium quality ceramic core technology, super quiet (less than 20 dB). The pump runs every 30 minutes, not only efficient and energy-saving but also provides oxygen for better root development. Indoor herb garden designed with the water shortage indicator, don’t worry about forgetting to water
Types of Hydroponic Systems
There are many different types of hydroponic growing systems available, ranging from simple setups to complex automated ones.
The Wicking Method
The most basic type of system is the “wicking” method. This involves running a growing medium (e.g., perlite or clay pebbles) in a container with a nutrient solution. The growing medium than “wicks” the solution up to the roots of the plants.
More complex systems include drip systems, aeroponics, and deep water culture (DWC). Drip systems are similar to wicking, but instead of a growing medium, they use a growing tray filled with nutrient solution and a separate reservoir for the nutrient solution. The growing tray is then connected to a timer which drips the solution onto the roots of your plants at regular intervals.
Drip systems, aeroponics, and deep water culture (DWC)
Aeroponic systems involve growing plants in a growing chamber filled with air and misting them with nutrient-rich water. This method requires more specialized equipment, such as an aeroponic growing chamber, air pump, and air stones.
A deep water culture system involves growing plants in an oxygenated growing medium such as clay pebbles or perlite. The growing medium is then suspended in a tank filled with nutrient-rich water and an air pump provides oxygen to the root systems of the plants.
Nutrient film technique (NFT)
The nutrient film technique (NFT) is a hydroponic growing method that uses growing mediums and shallow channels to provide nutrients directly to the roots of the plants. The growing media, such as coconut coir or perlite, are placed in growing trays which are connected together with a shallow channel of nutrient-rich water. This water is gently pumped through the growing trays, providing a consistent flow of nutrients to the plants’ roots. This method has been proven to be especially successful with herbs like basil and oregano, as they thrive on consistent moisture levels and nutrient availability.
Ebb and flow system
An ebb and flow system is another growing method used in hydroponic growth. This system uses growing mediums like clay pebbles or coconut coir, and a nutrient-rich water solution is periodically pumped into the growing trays. The trays are then allowed to drain before the next cycle of the nutrient-rich solution is added. This growing method is great for growing herbs like dill and thyme that don’t like their roots overly wet.
No matter which system you choose, with the right supplies and growing tips, you’ll be growing herbs like a pro in no time!
Check out a few of these ready-to-use hydroponic systems if you want to get started.
- Home Hydroponic Herb Garden Kits Grow herbs with grow no soil and no seasonal restrictions.
- Deep Water Systems Great for balconies and patios.
How Do I Make a Hydroponic Herb Garden?
Making your own hydroponic herb garden is simple. You’ll need a growing container, growing medium, nutrient solution, and light source.
Start by filling the growing container with a growing medium such as sand or clay pebbles – this will provide support for the roots of your plants.
Next, prepare your nutrient solution. This should contain all of the necessary vitamins and minerals for growing your herbs.
Once your growing medium and nutrient solution is in place, you’ll need to connect a water source and timer to keep the growing medium moistened with the nutrient solution.
Finally, add light to your growing area. Depending on the herbs you’re growing, this could be fluorescent lights, LED lights, or even natural sunlight.
How Do You Harvest Hydroponic Herbs?
When your herbs are ready to be harvested, they should be cut with sharp pruning shears or scissors. You can either harvest the entire plant or just a few leaves at a time. When harvesting, make sure you only take what you need and leave some of the growing material behind in order to encourage more growth.
Once you’ve harvested your herbs, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Alternatively, you can dry and store the herbs in an airtight container for longer-term storage.
How to grow hydroponic herbs in mason jars
Don’t want a complicated setup? You can grow herbs hydropically in a simple mason jar. All you need is your growing medium of choice, some water, and the herbs of your choosing.
To start growing, fill the jar with the growing medium of your choice – such as sand or clay pebbles – to about half full. Then, add a small amount of nutrient solution (about 1/4 cup per mason jar). Place your herbs in the jar and you are all set. Some herbs may thrive in nutrient solution alone without any growing medium at all.
Place it near a light source and add water to the growing medium whenever it begins to dry out. After a few weeks, you should start to see healthy growth! If you want to grow herbs in mason jars, check out the Environet Hydroponic Mason Jar Starter Kit.
Hydroponic Herb Gardening FAQ
Here are a few more frequently asked questions about hydroponic herb gardening.
Do herbs grow well in hydroponics?
Yes, many herbs grow well in hydroponic systems. However, some herbs may require more light or a different growing medium than others.
How long do herbs take to grow hydroponically?
The time it takes for an herb to grow hydroponically will depend on the type of growing system and the nutrient solution used, as well as environmental conditions such as light intensity. Generally speaking, herbs grown in a hydroponic system will mature faster than those growing in soil.
What hydroponic system is best for herbs?
It depends on the size and type of herbs you plan to grow. For small-scale growing, wicking systems are a great option. For larger growing operations, aeroponic or deep water culture systems work well.
What are the 3 disadvantages of hydroponics?
The three main disadvantages of hydroponics are cost (due to the need for specialized equipment), susceptibility to power outages, and increased risk of disease due to the growing environment.
More Herb Gardening Ideas
Check out some of my other posts on how to grow fresh herbs.
Whether you want to grow culinary herbs indoors or learn what to do with dried herbs after they come out of the dehydrator, stay a while and learn how to grow your own herbs this year.