From robust grow lights to essential gardening tools, every item in the kit ensures a seamless and efficient growing experience. All you need to begin is your plants, some soil, and water.
Hydroponics means growing plants without soil. It revolutionizes the way we grow plants. Among the various hydroponic systems, the Deep Water Culture (DWC) method stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness. In this system, plants are suspended in a nutrient-rich water solution, with their roots submerged for access to oxygen and nutrients.
The DWC hydroponic system is particularly well-suited for a wide range of hydroponic indoor plants. In this article, we’ll explore 10+ hydroponic plants that thrive in DWC systems, showcasing their growing requirements and care tips. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a beginner, you can enrich your indoor garden with plants for hydroponics and the DWC hydroponic system.
Table of Contents
What Is Hydroponic Gardening?
Hydroponic gardening refers to growing plants in nutrient-rich water solutions. These solutions will provide essential nutrients directly to the roots for plant growth. There are different types of hydroponic systems you can set up. Each technique has various features that can meet different hydroponic plants or flowers’ needs.
What Is Hydroponic Gardening?
Wick System: A wick pulls nutrient solution to the plants from a reservoir. This low-maintenance system is suitable for beginners, making it easy to grow herbs and small vegetables.
Deep Water Culture (DWC): Plants sit in a nutrient solution with their roots submerged. This system is ideal for growing leafy greens like lettuce and herbs, as it promotes rapid growth.
Drip Irrigation System: The nutrient solution is dripped onto the growing medium around the plant roots. This system is very flexible and can be scaled to grow various plants.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): A continuous flow of nutrient solution runs over the roots. This system suits small, fast-growing plants, such as strawberries and basil.
Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain): The nutrient solution floods the plant roots periodically. This versatile system works well for small and large plants, such as peppers and tomatoes.
Aeroponics: Roots hang in the air and receive nutrients via a mist. Aeroponics works best for high-value crops like medicinal herbs and flowers, promoting maximum oxygenation.
The controlled environment of hydroponics can promote plant growth, reduce susceptibility to pests and diseases, and contribute to higher yields. Additionally, it conserves water through recirculation and can be adapted for both small-scale home setups and large-scale commercial operations.
What Are the Plants for Hydroponics?
As hydroponic gardening brings many advantages, you may wonder about the best plants for hydroponics. Nearly all plants can be grown in hydroponics, but certain species are particularly well-suited for this method.
In this part, we’ll explore the plants that thrive best in this system, discussing their growing conditions and care tips. Hopefully, this knowledge can empower you to maximize yields and contribute to a more sustainable food system.
Hydroponic Vegetables
Lettuce
Growth Time: 4-6 weeks
Growing Conditions: Growing lettuce with hydroponics requires a balanced nutrient solution with a focus on nitrogen for leafy growth. The pH should be maintained between 5.5 and 6.5. As it prefers 12-14 hours of light per day, you can use full-spectrum LED grow lights for optimal growth.
Care Tips: Requires consistent light and moderate nutrient levels; ideal for floating or NFT systems.
Best Plants for Hydroponics - Lettuce
Tomatoes
Growth Time: 8-14 weeks to fruit
Growing Conditions: Tomatoes need a nutrient solution rich in potassium and calcium to support fruit development and the pH should be between 6.0 and 6.5.
Care Tips: Needs strong light and regular pruning; best in a drip or ebb and flow system.
Growing Conditions: Cucumbers require a nutrient solution with balanced macronutrients and micronutrients. The pH should be maintained between 5.5 and 6.5
Care Tips: It requires 14-16 hours of light per day. If there isn’t enough light, you can use full-spectrum LED grow lights.
Best Plants for Hydroponics - Cucumbers
Beans
Growth Time: 6-8 weeks to first harvest.
Growing Conditions: Beans need a nutrient solution with balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels. The pH should be between 6.0 and 6.5.
Care Tips: Require full sunlight and can be harvested after 6 to 8 weeks of planting.
Hydroponic Herbs
Mint
Growth Time: Mint grows quickly and can be harvested within 4-6 weeks.
Growing Conditions: Mint prefers a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0 and thrives in moist conditions. You can keep moist via a self-watering system. It requires moderate light, around 10-12 hours per day.
Care Tips: Keep the nutrient solution oxygenated to prevent root rot. Regularly harvest the leaves to encourage new growth.
Best Plants for Hydroponics - Mint
Cilantro
Growth Time: Cilantro has a relatively fast growth rate and can be harvested within 5-6 weeks.
Growing Conditions: Cilantro prefers a pH level between 6.0 and 6.5 and requires 10-12 hours of light per day. It thrives in cooler temperatures.
Care Tips: Harvest cilantro regularly to promote new growth. When growing cilantro, make sure the nutrient solution is changed every 1-2 weeks to maintain nutrient levels.
Best Plants for Hydroponics - Cilantro
Parsley
Growth Time: Parsley takes about 8-12 weeks to reach maturity.
Growing Conditions: Parsley needs a pH level of around 6.0 and prefers cooler temperatures compared to some other herbs. It requires 10-12 hours of light per day.
Care Tips: Parsley benefits from a nutrient solution with balanced macronutrients. Regularly check the pH and nutrient levels to ensure optimal growth.
Best Plants for Hydroponics - Parsley
Dill
Growth Time: Dill grows quickly and can be harvested within 5-6 weeks.
Growing Conditions: Dill prefers a pH level between 6.0 and 6.5 and requires 10-12 hours of light per day. It thrives in cooler temperatures.
Care Tips: Harvest dill regularly to promote new growth. Ensure the nutrient solution is rich in nitrogen to support leafy growth.
Hydroponic Flowers
Peace Lily
Bloom Time: Bloom once or twice a year.
Growing Conditions: Prefers filtered water to avoid chemical sensitivity. The Kratky method is suitable for growing peace lilies hydroponically.
Care Tips: Ensure only the root system is submerged and maintain moderate humidity and temperature.
Best Plants for Hydroponics - Peace Lily
Carnations
Bloom Time: Bloom from late spring to early summer.
Growing Conditions: Needs 5-10 hours of light daily, mild temperatures (55-65°F during the day, 40-45°F at night), and a pH level around 6.
Care Tips: Use ebb and flow, deep water culture, or drip systems with individual tanks.
Daffodils
Bloom Time: Bloom in early spring and the blooms last for several weeks.
Growing Conditions: Requires pH levels of 6-6.5 and prefers direct sunlight or some shade.
Care Tips: Store bulbs in a dark, cool place during dormancy and ensure leaves dry out before removing from the container.
Gerbera Daisies
Bloom Time: Take four to six months for the plants to flower.
Growing Conditions: Requires partial shade or indirect light and temperatures between 40-70°F.
Care Tips: Keep away from ethylene-producing plants and ensure well-draining soil if grown in soil.
Orchids
Growth Time: Take about 2 to 5 years to reach maturity and bloom.
Growing Conditions: Thrives indoors with enough sunlight. It blooms faster hydroponically and requires pollination when grown indoors.
Care Tips: Medium to high difficulty level; suitable for indoor hydroponics.
How to Start Hydroponic Gardening at Home?
If it’s the first time you engage in hydroponic gardening at home, you can start with a hydroponic garden kit. Among these mentioned hydroponic gardening methods, Deep Water Culture (DWC) can be one of the simplest and most effective methods for beginners.
To grow hydroponic plants and keep hydroponic plants alive, it’s worth trying the Spider Farmer DWC Hydroponics Grow System. This DWC kit enables your plant roots to suspend directly in a nutrient-rich, oxygenated water solution. The solution provides plants with a consistent and direct supply of water, nutrients, and oxygen, which is essential for plant growth and yields.
$170.99Original price was: $170.99.$162.99Current price is: $162.99.
GGS AC10 Power Strip with Automatic Operation: The GGS AC10 Power Strip features 10 independent outlets, each of which can be set with its own schedule and mode (e.g., temperature, humidity, and CO2 modes). This means users can precisely control the operation times and modes of every device plugged into it (such as the air pump in the DWC system), ensuring that the system runs efficiently under optimal conditions for plant growth and health. What’s even more important, the GGS AC10 is connected to a temperature and humidity light sensor, allowing you to plug in devices such as humidifiers, dehumidifiers, lights, clip fans, and inline fans. These devices will work together based on a unified temperature and humidity target, ensuring that the environmental conditions are always ideal for plant growth.New Triangle Cover Design: The innovative triangle cover design allows for easy access to add water and measure liquid parameters, improving overall ease of use. With a 7-gallon capacity, it’s made from high-quality, corrosion-resistant PP (polypropylene) material that is lightweight and durable.Top Irrigation System: Equipped with an adjustable top drip irrigation ring, this system lets you finely adjust the irrigation speed. The 6-inch net cup is made from high-strength PP material, making it incredibly tough and able to provide strong support for healthy, lush plants.Powerful Air Pump: Equipped with an adjustable top drip irrigation ring, this system lets you finely adjust the irrigation speed. The 6-inch net cup is made from high-strength PP material, making it incredibly tough and able to provide strong support for healthy, lush plants.The AC10 Power Strip kits includes:1 x GGS AC10 Power Strip1 x Temperature, humidity, and light sensor1 x 3-in-1 soil sensor1 x 2-in-1 adapter (for connecting the lights to the controller)7 x 2.5m RJ12 cables (for connecting devices)2 x 0.25m RJ12 cables (for connecting between telephone line splitters)3 x RJ12 telephone line splitters (for expanding device connections)6 x Hook and loop straps (for organizing cables)DWC Hydroponic System Kit Includes: 2x 7-gallon DWC buckets, 2x triangle covers, 2x net cups, air pump, 2x air stones, 6 meters of 4/6mm black tubing, dry clay pebbles, 2x water level tubes, 2x drip irrigation rings, user manual, and other accessories.
$255.99Original price was: $255.99.$239.99Current price is: $239.99.
GGS AC10 Power Strip with Automatic Operation: The GGS AC10 Power Strip features 10 independent outlets, each of which can be set with its own schedule and mode (e.g., temperature, humidity, and CO2 modes). This means users can precisely control the operation times and modes of every device plugged into it (such as the air pump in the DWC system), ensuring that the system runs efficiently under optimal conditions for plant growth and health. What's even more important, the GGS AC10 is connected to a temperature and humidity light sensor, allowing you to plug in devices such as humidifiers, dehumidifiers, lights, clip fans, and inline fans. These devices will work together based on a unified temperature and humidity target, ensuring that the environmental conditions are always ideal for plant growth.
New Triangle Cover Design: The innovative triangle cover design allows for easy access to add water and measure liquid parameters, improving overall ease of use. With a 7-gallon capacity, it's made from high-quality, corrosion-resistant PP (polypropylene) material that is lightweight and durable.
Top Irrigation System: Equipped with an adjustable top drip irrigation ring, this system lets you finely adjust the irrigation speed. The 6-inch net cup is made from high-strength PP material, making it incredibly tough and able to provide strong support for healthy, lush plants.
Powerful Air Pump: Able to output powerful air; 15W; maximum airflow: 28 L/min (adjustable). Used with air stone can effectively provide sufficient oxygen to plant roots, helping plant roots thrive and grow healthily
The AC10 Power Strip kits includes:
1 x GGS AC10 Power Strip
1 x Temperature, humidity, and light sensor
1 x 3-in-1 soil sensor
1 x 2-in-1 adapter (for connecting the lights to the controller)
7 x 2.5m RJ12 cables (for connecting devices)
2 x 0.25m RJ12 cables (for connecting between telephone line splitters)
3 x RJ12 telephone line splitters (for expanding device connections)
6 x Hook and loop straps (for organizing cables)
DWC Hydroponic System Kit Includes: 4pcs 7-gallon DWC Buckets, 4pcs triangular cover, 4pcs net cup, air pump, 4pcs air stone, 12M 4/6mm black tubing, dry clay pebbles, 4pcs water level tube, 4pcs drip irrigation ring, user manual and other accessories
$190.99Original price was: $190.99.$179.99Current price is: $179.99.
GGS AC5 Power Strip with Automatic Operation: The GGS AC5 Power Strip features 5 independent outlets, each of which can be set with its own schedule and mode (e.g., temperature, humidity, and CO2 modes). This means users can precisely control the operation times and modes of every device plugged into it (such as the air pump in the DWC system), ensuring that the system runs efficiently under optimal conditions for plant growth and health. What’s even more important, the GGS AC5 is connected to a temperature and humidity light sensor, allowing you to plug in devices such as humidifiers, dehumidifiers, lights, clip fans, and inline fans. These devices will work together based on a unified temperature and humidity target, ensuring that the environmental conditions are always ideal for plant growth.New Triangle Cover Design: The innovative triangle cover design allows for easy access to add water and measure liquid parameters, improving overall ease of use. With a 7-gallon capacity, it’s made from high-quality, corrosion-resistant PP (polypropylene) material that is lightweight and durable.Top Irrigation System: Equipped with an adjustable top drip irrigation ring, this system lets you finely adjust the irrigation speed. The 6-inch net cup is made from high-strength PP material, making it incredibly tough and able to provide strong support for healthy, lush plants.Powerful Air Pump: The system includes a powerful air pump that operates at 120V/60Hz, consuming 8W of power with a maximum airflow of 4*63.4 GPH (adjustable). When used with air stones, it effectively delivers oxygen to plant roots, ensuring healthy root development and promoting strong growth for indoor plants.The AC5 Power Strip kits includes:1 x GGS AC5 Power Strip1 x Temperature, humidity, and light sensor1 x 3-in-1 soil sensor1 x 2-in-1 adapter (for connecting the lights to the controller)7 x 2.5m RJ12 cables (for connecting devices)2 x 0.25m RJ12 cables (for connecting between telephone line splitters)3 x RJ12 telephone line splitters (for expanding device connections)6 x Hook and loop straps (for organizing cables)DWC Hydroponic System Kit Includes: 2x 7-gallon DWC buckets, 2x triangle covers, 2x net cups, air pump, 2x air stones, 6 meters of 4/6mm black tubing, dry clay pebbles, 2x water level tubes, 2x drip irrigation rings, user manual, and other accessories.
$235.99Original price was: $235.99.$219.99Current price is: $219.99.
GGS AC5 Power Strip with Automatic Operation: The GGS AC5 Power Strip features 5 independent outlets, each of which can be set with its own schedule and mode (e.g., temperature, humidity, and CO2 modes). This means users can precisely control the operation times and modes of every device plugged into it (such as the air pump in the DWC system), ensuring that the system runs efficiently under optimal conditions for plant growth and health. What’s even more important, the GGS AC5 is connected to a temperature and humidity light sensor, allowing you to plug in devices such as humidifiers, dehumidifiers, lights, clip fans, and inline fans. These devices will work together based on a unified temperature and humidity target, ensuring that the environmental conditions are always ideal for plant growth.
New Triangle Cover Design: The innovative triangle cover design allows for easy access to add water and measure liquid parameters, improving overall ease of use. With a 7-gallon capacity, it’s made from high-quality, corrosion-resistant PP (polypropylene) material that is lightweight and durable.
Top Irrigation System: Equipped with an adjustable top drip irrigation ring, this system lets you finely adjust the irrigation speed. The 6-inch net cup is made from high-strength PP material, making it incredibly tough and able to provide strong support for healthy, lush plants.
Powerful Air Pump: Able to output powerful air; 15W; maximum airflow: 28 L/min (adjustable). Used with air stone can effectively provide sufficient oxygen to plant roots, helping plant roots thrive and grow healthily
The AC5 Power Strip kits includes:
1 x GGS AC5 Power Strip
1 x Temperature, humidity, and light sensor
1 x 3-in-1 soil sensor
1 x 2-in-1 adapter (for connecting the lights to the controller)
7 x 2.5m RJ12 cables (for connecting devices)
2 x 0.25m RJ12 cables (for connecting between telephone line splitters)
3 x RJ12 telephone line splitters (for expanding device connections)
6 x Hook and loop straps (for organizing cables)
DWC Hydroponic System Kit Includes: 4pcs 7-gallon DWC Buckets, 4pcs triangular cover, 4pcs net cup, air pump, 4pcs air stone, 12M 4/6mm black tubing, dry clay pebbles, 4pcs water level tube, 4pcs drip irrigation ring, user manual and other accessories
$169.99Original price was: $169.99.$144.99Current price is: $144.99.
New Triangle Cover Design: The innovative triangle cover design allows for easy access to add water and measure liquid parameters, improving overall ease of use. With a 7-gallon capacity, it’s made from high-quality, corrosion-resistant PP (polypropylene) material that is lightweight and durable.
Top Irrigation System: Equipped with an adjustable top drip irrigation ring, this system lets you finely adjust the irrigation speed. The 6-inch net cup is made from high-strength PP material, making it incredibly tough and able to provide strong support for healthy, lush plants.
Powerful Air Pump: Able to output powerful air; 15W; maximum airflow: 28 L/min (adjustable). Used with air stone can effectively provide sufficient oxygen to plant roots, helping plant roots thrive and grow healthily
DWC Hydroponic System Kit Includes: 4pcs 7-gallon DWC Buckets, 4pcs triangular cover, 4pcs net cup, air pump, 4pcs air stone, 12M 4/6mm black tubing, dry clay pebbles, 4pcs water level tube, 4pcs drip irrigation ring, user manual and other accessories
$95.99Original price was: $95.99.$85.99Current price is: $85.99.
Rated 5.00 out of 5
New Triangle Cover Design: The innovative triangle cover design allows for easy access to add water and measure liquid parameters, improving overall ease of use. With a 7-gallon capacity, it’s made from high-quality, corrosion-resistant PP (polypropylene) material that is lightweight and durable.
Top Irrigation System: Equipped with an adjustable top drip irrigation ring, this system lets you finely adjust the irrigation speed. The 6-inch net cup is made from high-strength PP material, making it incredibly tough and able to provide strong support for healthy, lush plants.
Powerful Air Pump: The system includes a powerful air pump that operates at 120V/60Hz, consuming 8W of power with a maximum airflow of 4*63.4 GPH (adjustable). When used with air stones, it effectively delivers oxygen to plant roots, ensuring healthy root development and promoting strong growth for indoor plants.
DWC Hydroponic System Kit Includes: 2x 7-gallon DWC buckets, 2x triangle covers, 2x net cups, air pump, 2x air stones, 6 meters of 4/6mm black tubing, dry clay pebbles, 2x water level tubes, 2x drip irrigation rings, user manual, and other accessories.
Place your plants in a net pot or basket that is filled with a growing medium such as clay pebbles or rock wool. This enables roots to dangle into the nutrient solution below.
Use an air pump and air stone to oxygenate the water. This ensures that the roots receive enough oxygen and uptake ample nutrients.
Main Steps
Main Steps to Use Spider Farmer DWC Hydroponic Garden Kit
Step 1. Open the triangular cover and inject the nutrient solution.
Step 2. Add clean ceramsite and ensure the spout of the drip irrigation ring is not covered. Ceramsite is used to support the plant and ensure good aeration while the drip irrigation ring helps in distributing water evenly.
Step 3. Transplant plant seedlings into the net cup, making sure the roots are below the drip irrigation ring. This is crucial for ensuring that the roots are properly submerged in the nutrient solution.
Step 4. Plug in and adjust the air pump power. The air pump is essential for oxygenating the nutrient solution, which is vital for the health of the plant roots.
Key Features
The Spider Farmer’s DWC Hydroponic system includes 4 7-gallon DWC buckets, 4 triangle covers, 4 net cups, an air pump, 4 airstones, 12M of 4/6mm black tubing, dry clay pebbles, 4 water level tubes, 4 drip rings, a user manual, and other accessories.
New Triangle Cover Design: You can easily add water and measure liquid parameters by lifting the cover. The bucket is made of corrosion-resistant lightweight, and durable materials and its capacity is up to 7 gallons.
Powerful Air Pump: It can deliver strong airflow. When placed with airstones, it can effectively supply ample oxygen to plant roots, enhancing root growth. ( the voltage is up to 120V/60HZ/15W, while the maximum airflow is up to 28 L/min (adjustable).
6-Inch High-Quality Net Cup: The inner bucket is made of durable and resistant PP materials that can support lush plants. The lightweight design and adjustable drip rings also facilitate roots to absorb water.
Grow Anything You Like: You can use the Spider Farmer DWC System to grow strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes, mint, and other veggies and herbs. It’s also applicable to various settings such as grow tents, indoor gardens, balconies, and greenhouses. This allows for unrestricted growing spaces.
FAQs About Hydroponic Plants
By the end of the post, we’ll answer several frequently asked questions about hydroponic plants.
Do marigolds do well in hydroponics?
Yes, marigolds can thrive in hydroponic systems as they adapt well to nutrient-rich water and prefer well-drained conditions. They require ample light—ideally 12-16 hours daily—and benefit from a balanced nutrient solution. Maintaining a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5 and keeping temperatures around 70°F to 75°F (21°C to 24°C) will further enhance their growth. Both African and French marigolds are suitable for hydroponic cultivation, making them a colorful and rewarding addition to indoor gardens.
Can you grow petunias hydroponically?
Yes, you can grow petunias hydroponically. These colorful flowers prefer well-draining conditions and benefit from consistent moisture, making hydroponics an ideal growing method. They require ample light, ideally around 12-16 hours per day, and a balanced nutrient solution to support healthy growth. Maintaining a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5 is important for optimal nutrient uptake. With proper care, petunias can flourish in hydroponic setups, adding vibrant color to indoor spaces.
Can zinnias grow hydroponically?
Yes, you can grow zinnias hydroponically. They prefer well-draining conditions and benefit from a consistent moisture level, which hydroponic systems provide effectively. Zinnias require plenty of light—ideally around 12-16 hours a day—and a balanced nutrient solution to promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms. It's also essential to maintain a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5 for optimal nutrient absorption. With the right conditions, zinnias can flourish in hydroponic setups, making them a beautiful addition to indoor gardens.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Deep Water Culture (DWC) hydroponic system offers an efficient and effective way to grow plants for hydroponics. When you grow good plants for hydroponics, you can make the best use of Spider Farmer DWC hydroponic garden kit to control nutrient levels, pH, and other environmental conditions, which ensures optimized growth and higher yields.
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