Herbs are among the most rewarding crops, and many of them are easy to grow.
But wait ! You do not have a garden or any soil! Worry not. You can still grow hydroponic herbs even without soil. How is it possible? Read on to find out!
Herbs are especially suited for hydroponic gardening since they are small plants, most are fast-growing, and they have become a favourite even with beginners in hydroponics. Actually, you can purchase a hydroponic kit for herbs with everything incorporated cheaply.
But which herbs are suitable for hydroponics? To offer you a little inspiration, in this article, we cover some of the most dependable and productive herbs for growing in hydroponics.
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7 Best Hydroponic Herbs to Grow
1. Chamomile
Already a favourite amongst ancient Egyptians, this plant has grown to be the world’s favourite as a naturally sweet and relaxing flavoured home remedy to soothe nerves after a hard and irritating day at work.
If you grow chamomile at home, you will have a long-lasting source of aromatherapy. The aroma of chamomile has excellent soothing properties, and its presence can offer calm and relaxation to your home and family.
Here are a few tips on growing chamomile:
- Chamomile does well in temperatures of between 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When grown outside, it will dry during severe winters but be evergreen during warmer climates.
- Chamomile likes the sun; nonetheless, it can still grow with only 4 hours of light a day. A south-facing orientation is good for this plant. If you intend to use grow lights, ensure to give it 8 hours of sleep every night, in the dark.
- Avoid damaging the plant when harvesting the flowers. You can use a small, sharp, and disinfected knife to avoid spreading diseases. A pruning knife or grafting knife would be ideal.
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2. Parsley
There is an Italian phrase that says, “You are like parsley.” This means that you are everywhere.
Parsley is a natural antibiotic since it contains myristicin. It keeps your bones healthy, and it is rich in nutrients such as:
- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Magnesium
Tips for Growing Parsley
- The electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution is good when kept between 0.8 and 1.8
- The best nutrient solution pH for parsley is 5.5
- Parsley is not a demanding crop. Provide it with a warm temperature and plenty of light, and it will grow healthy and happy (60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit). However, it can withstand a freezing temperature of 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
- You can grow parsley from seed hydroponically; soak a few Rockwool cubes in water, place them in a tray with a little water in it, plant two seeds per square inch, and push them into the Rockwool. Then put the tray in a sandwich bag and wait for the plants to grow.
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3. Mint
The mint flavour is arguably the most appreciated and common globally. You can find it in candies, drinks, jellies, sweets, and, of course, salads and even salty dishes.
Additionally, mint is a generous and strong herb. It grows fast, is resistant to most diseases, and offers a lot for the little attention it requires.
Mint does offer you not only a fresh smelling breath but also many other health benefits such as:
- Enhancing brain work
- Treats irritable bowel syndrome
- Ease breastfeeding pain in women
- Used to prevent seasickness and plane sickness
- Aids in food digestion and remedies indigestion
Here are a few tips on growing mint:
- Mint can grow in a fairly wide pH range – 5.5 to 6.5
- Mint does well in a nutrient solution of electrical conductivity that is between 2.0 and 2.4
- Mint thrives under sunlight. However, if you have it indoors, ensure that it is exposed to light for 12 to 16 hours daily.
- Mint does well in a temperature range of 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit during the night and 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Nonetheless, if the temperature shoots above 89 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant will stop growing.
- Mint needs moisture when it is rooting. You can provide a humid environment of between 70 to 75% during this stage. If you are growing your mint plants from cuttings, you need a higher percentage of 85 to 90%.
4. Oregano
Oregano is a herb that does well in hot and well-lit places, where it can develop its essential oils that have the following benefits:
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Too rich in antioxidants
- It can remedy symptoms of colds and flu
- Has antiviral properties
Here are tips for growing oregano:
- The optimum electrical conductivity for the nutrient solution should be between 1.5 and 2.0
- Oregano thrives under a temperature range of between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit
- Oregano thrives in a fairly high pH, between 6.0 and 8.0,
- If you plant it outdoors, put it in full sun or part shade since it likes plenty of light. You can use LED grow lights if you have them indoors – expose them to 12 to 14 hours of light daily.
5. Thyme
Thyme needs minimal fertilization when grown in a hydroponic system. It propagates well through stem cuttings. It is an aromatic and attractive plant that thrives well under full sun and will grow poorly in minimum light. Thyme can be propagated easily using stem cuttings. Watch out for spider mites and whiteflies as they are susceptible to them.
Thyme is rich in the following nutrients:
- Manganese
- Iron
- Copper
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
Here are tips for growing thyme:
- The pH of the nutrient solution should be between 5.5 and 7.0
- The best electrical conductivity for the nutrient solution should be between 0.8 and 1.6
- Thyme thrives under any light condition – from total shade to full sun.
- Thyme needs very little nutrients.
Avoid harvesting thyme when it is in bloom. During this time, the leaves lose most of their flavour and properties.
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6. Basil
Basil ranks among the tastiest and most prolific herbs that may be grown and are popular for hydroponic growing. Once mature, it can be harvested and trimmed weekly. It thrives in a pH range between 5.5 and 6.5. Compact cultivars of basil like “Spicy Globe” or “Bush” make fragrant and attractive houseplants without needing a lot of space or room.
Here are a few tips for growing basil:
- It is easy to recreate the conditions that suit basil indoors; a lot of warmth, light, and a sheltered place
- You can propagate basil by stem cuttings, even hydroponically, using Rockwool as a growing medium
- The optimum nutrient solution pH for basil is 5.5
- The electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution for basil should be within the range of 1.0 to 1.6
- If you plan to keep your basil for long, avoid plucking the leaves lower down the stem – pick the top leaves instead.
Do not let your basil flower if you wish to keep harvesting it. As soon as it flowers, it stops producing leaves. The leaves have lost nutrients and flavour, and they will begin to wilt. Also, the flowery tips are bitter. Still, you may allow it to flower at the end of its life so as to harvest seeds.
7. Watercress
This is a water-loving herb that can be propagated by bits of stem or grown from seed in a growing medium or a rooting plug. It is an eBay cut-and-grow type of herb that is wonderfully suited to fresh soups, salads, and watercress sandwiches. Ideally, the thinker stems are removed, and just the succulent leaves are eaten.
Watercress is rich in the following nutrients:
40 different types of flavonoids
- Antioxidants
- Manganese
- Calcium
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
Here are a few tips for growing watercress:
- The best nutrient solution needs to have a low electrical conductivity of between 0.4 to 1.8
- This herb thrives in a temperature range of between 77 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it can withstand temperatures outside of this range, particularly below 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The best nutrient solution pH is between 6.5 and 6.8
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