Plants To Grow In Hydroponics – An Aquarist’S Guide To Aquaponics

Written ByHoward Parker

Ever look at your aquarium and see more than just a home for your fish? What if I told you that the nutrient-rich water your fish produce is liquid gold for growing vibrant, beautiful plants?

It sounds almost too good to be true, but it’s the magic of aquaponics. You can combine your love for fishkeeping with the joy of indoor gardening to create a stunning, self-sustaining ecosystem right in your living room. This is the ultimate guide to the best plants to grow in hydroponics, powered by your very own aquarium.

Imagine lush, green leaves cascading down the side of your tank, all while making the water healthier and more stable for your fish. It’s a win-win that’s easier to achieve than you think.

Ready to turn your aquarium into a living work of art? Let’s dive into the best plants and exactly how you can get started today.

What is Aquaponics and Why Should You Care?

Before we get to the fun part—picking out plants—let’s quickly cover what we’re actually doing. When you grow plants with their roots in your aquarium water, you’re creating a small-scale aquaponics system. Don’t let the technical term scare you; it’s incredibly simple and natural.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Your fish eat and produce waste, which releases ammonia into the water.
  2. Beneficial bacteria in your filter and tank convert that toxic ammonia into nitrites, and then into nitrates.
  3. Normally, you’d remove these nitrates with water changes. But now, your plants absorb those nitrates directly as their primary food source!

This beautiful, symbiotic cycle is the secret sauce. The fish feed the plants, and the plants clean the water for the fish. This simple setup offers some incredible benefits of plants to grow in hydroponics right in your tank.

  • A Natural Filter: Your plants act as a powerful, living filter, constantly pulling nitrates out of the water column. This leads to pristine water quality.
  • Fewer Water Changes: Since the plants are managing your nitrate levels, you’ll find that you don’t need to perform water changes nearly as often. Less work for you, less stress for your fish!
  • Free, Organic Fertilizer: You’ll never have to buy plant fertilizer again. Your fish provide a constant, gentle, and perfectly balanced supply of nutrients.
  • A Stunning Aesthetic: The combination of a thriving aquatic world below and lush greenery above is simply breathtaking. It bridges the gap between your aquarium and your home.
  • Eco-Friendly Gardening: This is the pinnacle of sustainable and eco-friendly plants to grow in hydroponics. You’re recycling nutrients and conserving water in a closed-loop system.

The Best Plants to Grow in Hydroponics (Aquaponics Edition)

Okay, let’s get to the main event! Not all plants are suited for this method. You want to choose species that don’t mind having “wet feet” and can thrive on the nutrients your fish provide. Here are my tried-and-true favorites, perfect for beginners and seasoned aquarists alike.

Leafy Greens & Herbs: The Undisputed Champions

If you want plants that are both beautiful and edible, you can’t go wrong with leafy greens and herbs. They are fast-growing and have relatively low nutrient demands, making them a perfect match for the average aquarium.

  • Lettuce: Varieties like Butterhead and Romaine are fantastic choices. You can harvest the outer leaves, and the plant will keep producing from the center.
  • Basil: This fragrant herb absolutely loves water and light. Place a cutting in your tank, and it will root and grow incredibly fast. Plus, you get fresh basil for your kitchen!
  • Mint: Be warned—mint grows like a weed! It’s almost impossible to kill and will quickly develop a massive root system that your shrimp and small fish will love to explore.
  • Spinach & Kale: These nutrient-packed greens also do surprisingly well. Like lettuce, you can harvest leaves as needed for a continuous supply.
  • Parsley & Cilantro: These popular herbs are another great option. They stay relatively compact and add a nice, bushy texture above your tank.

Vining & Trailing Houseplants: For a Cascading Effect

For a truly dramatic and beautiful look, nothing beats a vining plant. These are incredibly hardy and will send their roots down into the water while their gorgeous leaves trail down the sides of your aquarium.

  • Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): This is the number one plant I recommend for beginners. It’s nearly indestructible. Golden, Neon, and Marble Queen Pothos all work wonderfully. Just take a cutting, stick it in the water, and watch it go.
  • Philodendron (Heartleaf Philodendron): Very similar to Pothos, this plant has beautiful heart-shaped leaves. It’s another super-easy vining plant that thrives in an aquarium setup.
  • Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): These are fantastic because they produce little “spiderettes” or baby plants that you can simply snip off and place in your filter or tank lid. Their thick, white roots look amazing in the water. This is one of the most sustainable plants to grow in hydroponics because it constantly reproduces for you!

Moisture-Loving Ornamentals: Adding a Touch of the Tropics

Some classic houseplants naturally grow in boggy, wet conditions, making them perfect candidates for your aquaponics project. They add a bold, tropical feel to your setup.

  • Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): Known for its air-purifying qualities and elegant white flowers, the Peace Lily can adapt beautifully. Pro Tip: Make sure only the roots are submerged. If the crown of the plant (where the stems meet the roots) sits in water, it can lead to rot.
  • Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana): While not true bamboo, this plant is a staple in aquatic settings. You can find it in almost any pet store. Just ensure the leaves stay above the water level.
  • Monstera (Monstera deliciosa): Yes, even the trendy Swiss Cheese Plant can join the party! Take a cutting with a node (the little bump where a leaf grows from) and place it in your tank. The roots will grow, and you’ll eventually have a new plant.

How to Get Started: Your Step-by-Step Aquaponics Guide

Feeling inspired? Getting started is easier than setting up a new tank. This simple plants to grow in hydroponics guide will walk you through the process.

  1. Choose Your Method: You don’t need fancy equipment. The easiest way is to use what you already have.
    • The Hang-on-Back (HOB) Filter Method: This is my favorite for beginners. Simply place a plant cutting (like Pothos) into the media compartment of your HOB filter. The water flows directly over the roots, providing tons of nutrients.
    • The Net Pot Method: You can buy small plastic net pots, place your plant inside with some clay pebbles for support, and cut a hole in your aquarium lid for the pot to sit in. This is great for plants like lettuce or basil.
  2. Prepare Your Plants: If you’re using a cutting, you’re good to go. If you’re moving a plant from soil, you must be gentle. Remove the plant from its pot and carefully wash all the soil from its roots. Any remaining soil can foul your aquarium water.
  3. Position Your Plants: Place your prepared cutting or plant into your chosen spot. Make sure the roots are in the water but the leaves are in the air.
  4. Provide Adequate Light: This is crucial. Your standard aquarium light is designed to penetrate water and might not be strong enough for the plant’s leaves. Position the tank near a window with indirect sunlight or, better yet, get a small, cheap clamp-on LED grow light.

Best Practices for a Thriving Aquaponic System

You’re almost there! Following a few plants to grow in hydroponics best practices will ensure both your fish and your new plants flourish together. This is the core of a good plants to grow in hydroponics care guide.

Balancing Fish and Plants

Think of it as a simple equation: more fish waste equals more plant food. If you have a heavily planted system but only a few small fish, your plants might show signs of nutrient deficiency (like yellowing leaves). Conversely, too many fish for too few plants means nitrates can still build up.

Don’t worry—start small with one or two plants and add more as your system matures. Your tank will find its own natural balance over time.

Lighting is Everything

I can’t stress this enough: your plants need light on their leaves to perform photosynthesis. While the roots are happy in the dark tank, the foliage needs its own light source. An inexpensive full-spectrum LED bulb from a hardware store will work wonders and prevent your plants from looking pale and leggy.

Don’t Forget Your Fish!

Your fish are still the heart of the system. Continue to monitor your water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate) as you normally would. Be mindful that many common fish medications, especially those containing copper, can be harmful or fatal to plants and invertebrates. If you need to treat your fish, it’s best to do so in a separate quarantine tank.

Troubleshooting: Common Problems with Plants to Grow in Hydroponics

Even in the best setups, you might run into a snag. Don’t panic! Here are some solutions to the most common problems with plants to grow in hydroponics.

Problem: Yellowing Leaves

Solution: This is most often a sign of a nutrient deficiency, usually iron. It can mean your fish load is too low for the number of plants you have. You can try adding a comprehensive, fish-safe aquarium fertilizer. It could also mean not enough light.

Problem: Root Rot

Solution: The roots look brown, mushy, and smell bad. This happens when there isn’t enough oxygen around the roots. Ensure your HOB filter is flowing well or that there’s good surface agitation near the roots. You can trim away the affected roots with clean scissors.

Problem: Slow or Stunted Growth

Solution: Nine times out of ten, the culprit is insufficient light. Before you do anything else, check your lighting situation. If the light is good, your tank may be too “clean,” meaning there aren’t enough nitrates to fuel growth. It’s a good problem to have, but it might mean that particular plant is a heavy feeder.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plants to Grow in Hydroponics

Can I grow vegetables like tomatoes or peppers this way?

While technically possible, fruiting plants like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers are extremely heavy feeders and require intense, specialized lighting. An aquarium typically doesn’t produce enough nutrients to support them. It’s best to stick with leafy greens, herbs, and houseplants for aquarium setups.

Will the plant roots clog my filter or harm my fish?

The roots will not harm your fish; in fact, many fish and shrimp love to hide and forage among them! The roots can become very dense over time, so you may need to trim them back every few months to ensure they don’t impede your filter’s flow. Just a little trim is all they need.

Do I still need to do water changes?

Yes, but likely less often. Your plants are amazing at removing nitrates, but they don’t remove everything. Minerals and total dissolved solids (TDS) will still build up over time. A water change helps to reset these levels. Think of your plants as extending the time between changes, not eliminating them entirely.

Your Aquarium, Reimagined

You no longer have to see your aquarium as just a glass box. It’s a dynamic, living ecosystem with incredible potential. By adding a few simple plants to grow in hydroponics, you’re creating a healthier environment for your fish, a more beautiful display for your home, and a deeply rewarding project for yourself.

The connection between the water and the land, the fish and the flora, is right there for you to cultivate. It’s a simple, sustainable, and stunning way to take your hobby to the next level.

So grab a Pothos cutting, find a spot on your tank, and watch the magic happen. You’re not just keeping an aquarium anymore—you’re curating an ecosystem. Happy growing!

Howard Parker
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