25 Vegetables to Grow in Your Hydroponic Garden

If you’re a foodie, there’s nothing better than having a garden full of vegetables. But creating the ultimate food selection outdoors takes time and a lot of work. You’re dealing with soil, watering, weeding, pest control, and unpredictable weather. 

Hydroponics take out the variables and make gardening a breeze. With a little upfront investment, you’ll create a living produce aisle in your home. If you need fresh lettuce or herbs, simply gather them from your soil-free hydroponic system. 

Basil thrives in a hydroponic garden. It loves the consistent light, moisture, and nutrients hydroponic systems provide. It is an easygoing herb and requires basic maintenance. 

You’ll get big, flavorful foliage that matures quickly. Harvest each branch at a time from the leaf nodes and enjoy fresh basil year-round.  

Nasturtium

	botanical name Tropaeolum majus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Up to 10’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Nasturtium is a wonderful flowering vine that no foodie garden should be without. Every part of the plant, from its stems to its colorful flowers, is edible. Its foliage is packed with nutrients such as Vitamin C and antioxidants. 

The plant has a flavor that resembles pepper and garlic. Use it in salads, soups, pasta, or as a nutrient-dense garnish. 

This subtropical to tropical vine flourishes in a soil-free system. It’s easy to maintain and develops vigorously. Harvest or prune frequently to control its growth. Or, let the long vines of trailing cultivars stretch across your indoor space to create a vibrant decoration or edible flowers. 

Bok Choy

	botanical name Brassica rapa var. chinensis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-20”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Bok choy is one of the world’s most popular vegetables. In ancient China, records of cultivating bok choy go back 5,000 years. Today, there are several popular varieties to choose from. 

The leafy green vegetable is one of the most cold-hardy edibles. Still, it thrives remarkably well in a hydroponic garden. It needs a lot of nitrogen and a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. 

This plant will mature quickly, giving you healthy harvests in a month. You can also cultivate it as a microgreen for epic salads. 

Tomato

	botanical name Solanum lycopersicum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 3-11

Tomatoes are a staple for any edible garden. It’s hard to find a recipe that doesn’t use them. They bring a flavorful boost in umami, acidity, and nutrients to many dishes. 

These vines are native to South America and eventually spread up Central America over 7,000 years ago. Europeans brought them across the Atlantic in the 16th century. Traders brought them around the world, where they reached India and the Middle East. 

Tomatoes are great vegetables for a hydroponic system. They are beginner-friendly and provide consistent harvests year-round in the right environments. There may be over 10,000 varieties of tomatoes out there, so plant as many as you can! 

Thyme

	botanical name Thymus vulgaris
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-12”
	hardiness zones 5-9

Thyme is a Mediterranean herb that thrives in almost any garden. As a hydroponic, it grows quickly, giving you tons of aromatic foliage to use in your dishes. 

Plant thyme along with other Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, oregano, and lavender. It requires very little maintenance other than getting a lot of light.

This beautiful herb thrives in some of the smallest hydroponic systems and vertical gardens. Harvest throughout the year. Dry and store the leaves as spices for European and Middle Eastern dishes. 

Lettuce

	botanical name Lactuca sativa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-12”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Lettuce is one of the most common vegetables grown in a hydroponic garden. There are several types out there, from the popular iceberg variety to lesser-known heirlooms. 

Early societies, from the Egyptians to the Mesopotamians, cultivated the crop. For thousands of years, it’s made it into recipes globally. 

Lettuce thrives in any hydroponic system. It needs very little maintenance. Some varieties will mature in just a few weeks.  

Swiss Chard 

	botanical name Beta vulgaris var. cicla
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6”-2’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Swiss chard is part of the Amaranthaceae, which contains popular edibles like the beetroot. There are hundreds of varieties to choose from, each with its own flavor, color, and size. 

It has an earthy flavor, with a juicy crunchiness that’s packed with nutrients. It is beginner-friendly and produces limitless stalks of edible leaves. 

This popular vegetable grows well in a variety of hydroponic systems, especially vertical gardens. Grow several varieties side-by-side and harvest throughout the year. 

Chili Peppers

	botanical name Capsicum annuum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6”-2’
	hardiness zones 3-11

Chili peppers, or Capsicum annuum, cover tons of popular varieties, from bell peppers to habaneros. Many contain the alkaloid capsaicin, which produces a heat response in our tongues. Scoville Heat Units or SHUs measure the amount of capsaicin in a chili pepper. 

Chili peppers are native to Central and South America. They’ve been cultivated for thousands of years. They are one of the most famous crops spread around the world during the Columbian Exchange. 

These plants thrive in a variety of systems, including vertical gardens, NFTs, and drip systems. They need plenty of light to thrive. Once your plants get going, you’ll have tons of flavorful chilis to add to your dishes. 

Onions

	botanical name Allium cepa
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-20”
	hardiness zones 5-10

Onions come in an enormous variety. You have the common yellow onions, purple onions, white onions, and green onions. And then, you have tons of cultivars and heirloom varieties. These root vegetables go way back to antiquity and are still one of the most indispensable ingredients in any kitchen. 

Onions are great vegetables for a hydroponic garden setup. Because of their size and space requirements, try using a Deep Water Culture system for the best results. 

Make sure to plant the bulbs at the same height so the nutrient solution reaches each one evenly. Once they start to grow, you’ll get tons of bulbs and delicious greens. 

Spinach

	botanical name Spinacia oleracea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-6”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Spinach is a hardy leafy green that grows great in several systems. Try growing it in a vertical garden for the ultimate produce space. It needs a slightly alkaline pH to thrive. 

This superfood is full of nutrients and antioxidants, especially iron. It grows within a few weeks and gives you massive harvests throughout the year. 

Mustard Greens 

	botanical name Brassica carinata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-5′
	hardiness zones 9-12

Mustard greens come in several varieties and cultivars. These vegetables are easy to grow and thrive in a hydroponic gardening system. They are native to the Indian subcontinent where they were cultivated thousands of years ago. 

Mustards are packed with vitamins and minerals as well as disease-fighting antioxidants. They have earthy, complex flavors you can add to salads, soups, and stir-fries. 

Try planting diverse varieties, such as ‘Amara’. Grow as many varieties as you can together to add tons of variety to your meals. 

Beetroot

	botanical name Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. conditiva
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-18”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Beets are delicious and colorful leafy green root vegetables that flourish in a hydroponic garden. They’re easy to grow and need very little maintenance. Grow them in a vertical garden with other leafy greens or in a Deep Water Culture system for big, flavorful roots. 

There are many species of beets, including the common beetroot and the sugar beet. They’re native to Europe and are cultivated around the world. While hydroponics isn’t the best way to grow root vegetables, it is possible. At the very least you’ll get tasty beet greens.

When it comes to adding a nutritious ingredient to your meals, few vegetables are better. They have tons of vitamins and minerals as well as a delicious sweetness. 

Beans 

	botanical name Phaseolus vulgaris
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-15’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Beans come in numerous varieties and cultivars. They’re native to Central and South America. They grow as vines and produce edible seed pods that must be cooked until they’re soft. 

Choose between popular varieties and unique varieties such as ‘Golden Wax Bean’ and the delicious ‘Kentucky Wonder’. They grow fast and thrive with very little maintenance. Try growing varieties such as bush beans to avoid having them take over your indoor garden. 

Kale

	botanical name Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Kale is a superfood that’s taken over the world of health-conscious gardening. There are hundreds of varieties, from the common dinosaur kale to colorful heirloom varieties. 

Grow this leafy green vegetable in a vertical hydroponic garden with other healthy greens. Or, grow them in hydroponic micro gardens for tasty micro greens. Grow them in your kitchen for easy access to add to your salads and stir-fries. 

Eggplant

	botanical name Solanum melongena
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-4′
	hardiness zones 9-12

Eggplants are some of the most diverse and flavorful vegetables you can grow. Their ancestors originated in Africa. Eventually, they were cultivated as a food crop in Asia thousands of years ago. 

These members of the Nightshade family produce beautiful flowers and big, meaty fruits. You can use them in a huge variety of cuisines, from Middle Eastern and Mediterranean to East Asian. 

Grow these vegetables in a hydroponic garden and enjoy them throughout the year. They need a lot of light and a balanced pH of around 6.0 to 6.5. 

Dill 

	botanical name Anethum graveolens
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-5’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Dill is an ancient Mediterranean herb with a history that goes back thousands of years. Cuisines from around Europe and the Middle East use it as a spice and fresh seasoning for salads and sauces. 

As long as it gets enough light, it’s easy to grow hydroponically. Grow it in several systems, including Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Ebb and Flow, or Deep Water Culture (DWC). 

Once your dill matures, harvest its flavorful foliage. Or, let it go to seed to enjoy its seeds. Use them to make the best-tasting pickles with your freshly harvested cucumbers. 

Cucumbers

	botanical name Cucumis sativus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-6’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Cucumbers are easy to grow and produce tons of delicious fruit. There are dozens of popular varieties, from Persian to Japanese and English varieties. 

These tasty vines flourish in Deep Water Culture (DWC) and Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) setups. Try growing them with other vines for a diverse collection of greens. 

Mint

	botanical name Mentha spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 3-10

There are 25 species and hundreds of varieties of mint. Some resemble flavors like chocolate and vanilla while others have the classic aromas and flavors of peppermint. It grows incredibly well in several hydroponic systems. 

For thousands of years, people in Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean have used this herb for food and medicine. It has plenty of uses, from making delicious teas to flavoring salads and desserts. 

Bitter Melon

	botanical name Momordica charantia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12-20’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Bitter melon is a popular vegetable grown throughout Asia. It’s used in stir-fries, soups, salads, and classic dishes such as Okinawan goya champuru. 

It’s a fast grower that takes a few months to mature. The vines produce fruit that adds a touch of crunch and bitterness to many dishes. Grow in a balanced nutrient solution, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.7. 

Note that growing this plant requires tons of space and lots of support. It may not be possible to cultivate bitter melon inside your home. This may be a better plant for you if you have a hydroponic space in a greenhouse or outdoors.

Parsley

	botanical name Petroselinum crispum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Up to 36”
	hardiness zones 2-11

There’s nothing like grabbing fresh parsley from your hydroponic setup and using it right away. This fresh-tasting and nutrient-rich herb adds plenty of flavor and texture to many dishes. 

Grown for thousands of years in the Mediterranean, it’s one of the most planted herbs on the planet. It grows easily in a soil-free environment. With very little care, you’ll harvest big stems of foliage in a month or less. 

Arugula 

	botanical name Eruca vesicaria
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Arugula is a delicious leafy green that thrives in several systems. All it needs is consistent light and balanced nutrients to get it thriving. 

You can use every part of the plant in a variety of cuisines. Try using the roots in Chinese cuisine and teas. Or, enjoy its leaves in Mexican tacos or pastas. 

This herb is one of the easiest plants you can grow hydroponically. It requires basic maintenance to get endless harvests. 

Zucchini

	botanical name Cucurbita pepo
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 3-10

Zucchini is a wonderful vegetable that produces a ton of long, delicious squashes. It’s incredibly easy to grow, especially hydroponically. As long as it gets enough light, it will grow vigorously. 

It thrives in almost any system. Try harvesting the flowers and the squash. Use it in everything from zucchini bread to pasta for a healthy and tasty meal. 

Squash is one of the oldest plants cultivated for food. In South America, there’s evidence of squash being used in cooking that dates back almost 10,000 years. 

Watercress

	botanical name Nasturtium officinale
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3′
	hardiness zones 3-11

Try growing watercress for a peppery addition to your salads. It’s easy to grow in several systems, including aquaculture. 

It’s native to Europe and Asia and grown globally. In its native environment, it thrives near rivers and lakes. It grows incredibly fast and gives an almost endless amount of delicious foliage. 

Celery

	botanical name Apium graveolens
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-3′
	hardiness zones 3-6

Celery is a crispy and juicy vegetable that’s full of fiber and nutrients. It’s native to Europe and parts of Asia, where it became a staple food crop for many cultures. In French cuisine, it’s one of the standard base ingredients in soups and stocks.