DOC №133SEC: GUIDESREV: 2026-05-15AUTHORED
What is Hydroponics? The Complete Beginner Guide
Hydroponics is growing plants in nutrient-enriched water instead of soil. This guide covers the science, six common systems, and what you need to start.
BY ROOTLESS FARM
Quick answer
Hydroponics is a soil-less growing method in which plants take up nutrients dissolved in water. The roots receive a precise balance of macro and micronutrients, oxygen, and water — producing 2–4× the yield per square meter of soil farming while using 70–90% less water.
How it works
Plants do not need soil — they need water, oxygen, light, and 17 essential nutrients. Soil's role is simply to deliver these. Hydroponics delivers them directly to the root zone, giving the grower precise control over pH, electrical conductivity (EC, a proxy for nutrient concentration), and root oxygen.
The six common systems
- Deep Water Culture (DWC) — roots dangle in aerated nutrient water.
- Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) — thin film of solution flows over root mat in a sloped channel.
- Ebb and Flow — periodically floods then drains the grow tray.
- Drip — solution drips onto media (rockwool, coco) at the base of each plant.
- Aeroponics — roots suspended in air, misted with nutrient solution.
- Wick / Kratky — passive, no pump; solution drops as plant drinks.
FAQ
3 entries- Q01Is hydroponic food less nutritious than soil-grown?
- No. Multiple peer-reviewed studies show equivalent or higher nutrient density when the nutrient solution is balanced (Sambo et al., 2019; Buchanan & Omaye, 2013).
- Q02How much water does hydroponics save?
- 70–90% compared to soil agriculture because water recirculates rather than draining away.
- Q03Can you grow any plant hydroponically?
- Practically any non-root crop. Leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries thrive; carrots and potatoes are impractical.