Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without the use of soil that also happens to be much more water-efficient. When you’re growing in a hydroponic system, your roots are surrounded by a nutrient-rich water solution that provides them with all the nutrients they need for growth.
Hydro-Flowering is a relatively new method of planting that allows you to grow hydro flowering in any home environment without the use of soil. And while it is still in its infancy, there are already some great results.
Hydroponics plants give the home grower many advantages over other plants grown conventionally. The first thing most people notice while shopping for plants is that they look so much healthier than other plants.
They will have strong stems and branches with outstretched leaves which appear to reach for the sun. In addition to providing a vibrant, colorful aesthetic to your home, they also clean the air by trapping some of the many pollutants in it. They then convert them into food.
With so many benefits and little upkeep required, it’s no wonder why this is becoming such a popular gardening technique.
Best Hydroponics Flowers to Grow
There are many different types of flowers that can be grown hydroponically. While almost any flower can be grown in this way, some flowers do better than others. Here is a list of some of the best flowers to grow hydroponically:
Iris
The Iris is also a beautiful flower that can be grown hydroponically without getting too complicated or expensive. These plants look amazing in a garden, and they don’t require a lot of sunlight, water, or fertilizer to grow properly, which makes them an ideal plant for hydroponic growing.
If you decide to grow Iris flowers indoors using hydroponics, they will require a lot of sunlight which means you should place them in an area where they can get around 5-6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
If they receive too much sunlight, the leaves will start turning brown and start looking rough. So, it’s best to prune them occasionally to prevent this from happening.
When it comes to fertilizing your Iris, you shouldn’t need to do this very frequently. If you buy a high-quality hydroponic fertilizer mix, then you may only have to fertilize them once every two weeks.
A small amount of food will make your flowers grow large and vibrant without damaging the roots or leaves of your flower.
Peace Lilies
Peace Lilies are an excellent choice to grow hydroponically. They will thrive in low light conditions and actually do better when they receive less light than other plants. The leaves of Peace Lilies have a silver sheen to them, and when they are in bloom, they produce beautiful white flowers.
During the vegetative cycle of a peace lily, it is best to use nutrient-rich water for your flower. Once your plant begins to produce blooms, however, it is best to use nutrient-poor water to prolong the blooms.
Peace lilies work well in clay and Rockwool and can easily be grown hydroponically without causing too much stress on your plants.
Petunia
Petunias are another beautiful flower that is really easy to grow hydroponically. These flowers are unique looking, and they can come in a variety of colors which makes them great for both indoor and outdoor growing setups.
Petunias require lots of sunlight, so they’re best grown outdoors where they can get around 6-10 hours of sunlight per day.
If your flower doesn’t get enough sunlight, it may start sprouting brown spots along with the leaves, which makes them look unappealing and unhealthy. If you place your Petunia in an area where they receive too much sunlight, try pruning some of their leaves to allow more light into their system.
You should water your flower once a week, and you should only be watering it until its topsoil feels slightly damp.
If you give them too much water, the leaves may start developing root rot which will kill the plant and prevent this from happening. Always make sure to drain any excess water away from their soil, so it doesn’t sit on top of the soil for too long.
Make sure to fertilize your Petunia once every two weeks so it can grow large and strong flowers throughout the summer months. You should use a high-quality hydroponic fertilizer when you feed them so you don’t damage their roots or leave any unwanted residue behind in the soil, which could do more harm than good.
Gerber Daisies
Gerber daisies are also very easy to grow hydroponically. Gerber daisy plants should receive between thirteen and fourteen hours of artificial light per day. This can be easily accomplished by providing your plants with a timer that automatically turns the lights on and off for you.
Be sure not to place Gerber daisies in direct sunlight and use nutrient-rich water for the first two weeks of growth. Once your Gerber daisy has become established, however, it will not need as many nutrients and can be switched to nutrient-poor water.
Orchid
Orchids are some of the best flowers to grow hydroponically. They are very hardy and will flower almost immediately after they are placed into the system. Orchids come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, making them an ideal candidate for growing hydroponically.
Orchids love humidity. So, if possible, use an ultrasonic fogger in your hydroponics system to increase the humidity level. Some examples of different types of orchids that do well in hydroponics are odontoglossums, cymbidiums, oncidiums and phalaenopsis orchids.
Carnation
Carnation is a beautiful and elegant flower that can be grown hydroponically. They take up little space and are easy to grow and maintain.
Carnations need bright light, so they will do best if you place them near a window in your home so they can receive bright light throughout the day. The pH level should be kept around 5.5 to 6.
Carnations also need a lot of humidity. So, it is best if they are grown in a place that has moist air or in a greenhouse where you can maintain the humidity level. These flowers may experience wilting from time to time but usually recover quickly when appropriately watered and given plenty of light.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are very hardy plants that love to grow outdoors during the spring, summer and fall seasons. They also happen to be some of the best flowers to grow hydroponically because they don’t require much light or water.
However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when growing these plants hydroponically.
If you want to grow them indoors, it’s best to place them in an area where they can get around 3-5 hours of sunlight per day. If the plant doesn’t receive enough light, it may develop a reddish hue and won’t flower as well as normal.
As long as the plant gets enough light, there is no need to worry about over-watering your hydrangea. This plant does not like sitting in water for long periods of time, so it’s best to water them every other day or so.
Because these plants are relatively large, they’ll need a lot of fertilizer when growing indoors or outdoors. If you give them too much fertilizer, the plant may start producing a lot of foliage and not many flowers. However, if you give them too little fertilizer, they won’t grow as well either.
The pH level should be kept at 6.5 to 7.5, with the temperature around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. They need moist soil or hydroponic solution but can tolerate periods of dryness during the hot summer months, although this may affect the blooms.
Pansy
Pansies are very easy to grow and come in many different colors. They can be planted in the ground or in a container like a hanging basket. Pansies may face some challenges when transitioning between hot summer days and cooler nights.
They need to be watered often, but not too much. Their biggest challenge is transitioning between hot days and cool nights because the pansy needs cooler temperatures to continue blooming well.
However, once they are acclimated to their environment, this delicate flower will give you beautiful bright blooms that last for weeks at a time.
Pansies can thrive in nutrient-rich yet slightly acidic soil, so they are ideal for hydroponic growing since this type of growing uses water as its only medium.
Rose
Hydroponic roses can be grown in a small flower pot or planter that is 8 inches by 8 inches and set on a windowsill where they can receive plenty of bright light but no direct sunlight.
Hydroponically grown roses are usually ready for harvesting between 50-70 days after being planted. Roses should be harvested by cutting them off with sharp, clean scissors. Avoid pulling the flower out of the medium since this may damage the stem.
Roses need warm temperatures, around 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 70 to 75 degrees during the day. The pH level should be around 5.5 to 6.5, and the medium should be well-drained but moist at all times. The medium should also be rich in nutrients, so fertilizing is necessary.
Zinnia
Zinnias are another beautiful flower that can add a lot of color to your home or greenhouse. They can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the night and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.
They also need bright light but cannot tolerate direct sunlight, so place them near a window or in your greenhouse where they can receive bright indirect sunlight throughout the day.
The pH level of the water should be between 5.0 and 6.5, and the medium should always be moist but not soaking wet.
Freesia
Freesia is an elegant flower that produces beautiful blooms that last for several weeks. They don’t need too much care and will tolerate poor light conditions, although they will do best if their location has bright indirect sunlight throughout the day.
Freesias should be watered sparingly since they are plants found in bogs where water levels can fluctuate with the seasons. They should be kept at 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and around 40 degrees Fahrenheit at night with a pH level between 5.0 and 7.5.
Vinca Minor
Vinca minor is a beautiful ground cover plant that can also be grown hydroponically. They will grow well in loose soil or in an aggregate like perlite, vermiculite or crushed brick. These are often used as components of hydroponic growing mediums for plants that need to drain well.
Vinca Minor has small purple/pink flowers that will add beauty to your yard or greenhouse, and it also attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The pH level should be between 5.5 to 6.5, and the temperature around 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 80 degrees during the day.
Amaryllis
These blooms are hard to beat. They come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, orange, and red. These flowers can reach up to 18 inches tall, so growing them hydroponically is the best option for space-saving purposes. Their ideal temperature for growth is about 60°F.
Amaryllis are typically hard to grow, but growing them hydroponically can make that process much easier. They can even be grown as houseplants. Be sure that the water temperature is about 68°F when growing them hydroponically.
Dahlias
Dahlia is one of the easiest flowers to grow hydroponically. They’re hardy and very easy to grow. Their main requirement is good drainage and a lot of water. If your growing medium doesn’t drain well, it’s unlikely that your dahlias will do well. They will quickly rot if they’re sitting in water.
However, if you provide them with well-draining media and high humidity, they are relatively easy to grow. Their ideal temperature is 60-72 degrees and requires a lot of light.
They also love humidity and will benefit from a humidifier in your grow room to make sure they don’t dry out. Also, the pH level should be around 6.5-7.5 to ensure that they grow well.
Gardenias
Unlike many other types, gardenias are extremely fragrant. They are perfect for home gardeners simply because of this reason, but they also happen to be one of the best flowers to grow hydroponically.
This is due in part to their relatively low light requirements and humidity needs, which means that it’s unlikely they will dry out quickly. The main requirement for growing gardenias is that you provide them with a lot of water and good humidity.
For the best results, they should be watered at least once a day and placed in an area where they will not dry out quickly. The ideal temperature for these plants is between 65-85 degrees. You can grow them indoors or outdoors as long as you meet their requirements of water and humidity.
They need a lot of light as well, but not too much direct sunlight. If you keep them in full sun, they may die of shock if moved to an area with lower light levels.
To make sure that your gardenia plants grow really big and beautiful, provide them with a significant amount of fertilizer. When they are in full bloom, their blooms can be quite large and make for excellent cut flowers.
Balloon Flower
One of the best flowers to grow hydroponically is the balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus). They’re extremely easy to grow and, like gardenias, require very little light because they are shade tolerant.
However, they do need light in order to flower, so it’s best to provide at least three hours of sunlight per day for these plants. If they receive less than this amount of light, the plant will not flower, and your balloon flowers may not grow as large.
These plants are also cold hardy which means that even if you live in a colder climate, they’ll be just fine.
The main requirement for this plant is that you water it regularly. Because they are shade tolerant, if the plant does not receive enough water, it will dry out quickly.
They’ve also been known to develop bacterial blight if their requirements of humidity and moisture are not met correctly. This disease may cause the leaves to wilt and turn yellow. If this happens, remove all of the affected leaves immediately.
Bluebells
These beautiful flowers bloom late in the spring and love cool temperatures. Because of this reason, they do not like direct sunlight or heat. They also need lots of moisture and will rot if left to dry out for long periods of time.
However, they grow well in a relatively cool environment and don’t require too much light.
When growing these plants hydroponically, it’s best to provide them with a medium that drains very well because bluebells do not like sitting in water for long periods of time. They will also need lots of fertilizer while growing.
If the plant receives too much fertilizer, it will grow a lot of foliage and few flowers. On the other hand, if it does not receive enough fertilizer, the plant may die. They also need a lot of water while growing because they have high moisture requirements.
You can cut these plants back during their dormant period in early spring to promote new growth.
In Conclusion
Hydroponics is an easy way to grow all kinds of flowers in your garden. Once you have learned the basics, you can try growing some different types of flowers in your hydroponic system. There are many tutorials online that will direct you on how to get started with hydroponics.
The best part of growing flowers hydroponically is that you can enjoy them indoors all year long.
