What Plants Can Be Grown In Aquaponics – Your Complete Guide

Written ByHoward Parker

Ever look at your beautiful aquarium, with its graceful fish and gentle currents, and think, “What if this amazing little ecosystem could do even more?” You’re not alone. Many of us aquarists are captivated by the idea of creating a truly self-sustaining world right in our living rooms.

Well, I’m here to tell you that it can. This guide promises to unlock that incredible potential by showing you exactly how to turn your fish tank’s natural waste into a lush, thriving garden. It’s a beautiful, symbiotic process called aquaponics, and it’s easier than you think.

We’ll dive into the best plants for beginners, explore the simple science that makes it all work, and give you a complete roadmap for understanding what plants can be grown in aquaponics. Get ready to merge your love for aquariums with the joy of gardening!

Understanding the Magic: How Aquaponics Works in Your Aquarium

Before we jump into the fun part—choosing your plants—let’s quickly cover how this amazing system works. Don’t worry, it’s not complicated! Think of it as the ultimate natural recycling program for your aquarium.

It all starts with your fish. Here’s the simple breakdown:

  1. Fish Create Waste: Your fish eat and produce waste, which releases ammonia into the water. In a normal tank, high levels of ammonia are toxic.
  2. Bacteria Get to Work: Beneficial bacteria in your tank (living on your filter media, gravel, etc.) convert that toxic ammonia into nitrites, and then into nitrates.
  3. Plants Get Fed: A pump sends this nitrate-rich water up to your plants. For the plants, nitrates are a superfood—the perfect fertilizer!
  4. Water is Cleaned: As the plants absorb the nitrates, they effectively filter and clean the water. That clean water then returns to the fish tank, and the cycle begins again.

This creates a perfect partnership. The fish feed the plants, and the plants purify the water for the fish. This eco-friendly what plants can be grown in aquaponics system is a win-win, creating a healthier environment for your aquatic pets and a productive garden for you.

The Best of the Best: What Plants Can Be Grown in Aquaponics with Ease

Okay, this is the section you’ve been waiting for! The great news is that a huge variety of plants thrive in aquaponics. The key is to start with ones that are hardy and don’t have overly complex nutrient needs. Here is a guide to some of the top performers.

Leafy Greens: The Undisputed Champions

If you’re just starting, leafy greens are your absolute best bet. They grow incredibly fast, don’t require a ton of nutrients, and are super rewarding. You can practically watch them grow day by day!

  • Lettuce: Varieties like Buttercrunch, Romaine, and Oakleaf are fantastic. They love the water-rich environment and you can harvest leaves as needed.
  • Kale: This nutritional powerhouse is incredibly resilient and productive in an aquaponics system.
  • Swiss Chard: Beautiful and delicious, Swiss chard adds a splash of color with its vibrant stems and grows wonderfully.
  • Spinach: Another fast-grower that provides a steady supply for salads and smoothies.

Aromatic Herbs: Your Kitchen’s New Best Friend

Who doesn’t love fresh herbs? They are some of the easiest and most satisfying plants to grow. The constant supply of nutrients from your fish makes them incredibly aromatic and flavorful.

  • Basil: This is an aquaponics superstar. It grows like a weed and you’ll have more than enough for all your pasta dishes.
  • Mint: Be a little careful—mint can take over! But if you love it for teas or cocktails, it grows with almost zero effort.
  • Parsley: Both flat-leaf and curly parsley do exceptionally well, providing a fresh garnish whenever you need it.
  • Cilantro: A bit more sensitive to heat, but in the right conditions, it flourishes.
  • Chives: Easy to grow and they come back again and again after you trim them.

Fun & Fruiting Plants (For the More Adventurous!)

Once you have a feel for your system, you might want to try something that bears fruit. These plants are a bit more demanding—they typically need more nutrients (meaning a well-stocked tank) and stronger lighting—but the payoff is huge.

  • Strawberries: Believe it or not, strawberries love aquaponics! Keeping their leaves and fruit dry is key, which is easy in a media-based system.
  • Peppers: Smaller varieties like jalapeños, serranos, or other chili peppers are a great choice.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: You’ll need a mature, well-stocked aquarium to provide enough nutrients, but growing your own tiny tomatoes is incredibly rewarding.

Ornamental & Houseplants: Adding a Splash of Green

Maybe you’re not interested in growing food, and that’s perfectly fine! Many common houseplants thrive with their roots in water, making them perfect for an aquaponics setup. This is a fantastic way to propagate new plants, too.

  • Pothos: This is arguably the easiest houseplant on the planet. It will grow long, beautiful vines from the top of your tank.
  • Peace Lily: Known for its air-purifying qualities, it also does a great job of purifying your tank water.
  • Spider Plant: Hardy and forgiving, spider plants will happily send their roots into your system.
  • Lucky Bamboo: This plant is a natural fit, as it’s often grown in water anyway.

Factors for a Flourishing System: Best Practices for Success

Choosing the right plants is half the battle. The other half is creating the right environment. This what plants can be grown in aquaponics care guide covers the essentials you need to master.

Lighting is Everything

Your standard aquarium light is designed to illuminate your fish, not grow dense plants. For any edible plants, especially fruiting ones, you will need a dedicated full-spectrum grow light. Without it, your plants will become “leggy”—long and weak—as they stretch for light.

Aim for a light cycle of 14-16 hours on and 8-10 hours off per day. A simple outlet timer makes this a set-it-and-forget-it task.

Nutrient Levels & pH Balance

The “engine” of your aquaponics garden is your fish. The more fish you have (within reason for your tank size!), the more nutrients they produce. If your plants show signs of yellowing, it could mean your fish load isn’t high enough to support them.

The ideal pH for most aquaponics systems is between 6.0 and 7.0. This is a happy medium where the fish, the beneficial bacteria, and the plants can all thrive. Regularly test your pH and adjust as needed, just as you would for a standard aquarium.

Choosing Your Grow Media

You can’t use soil, as it will make a mess and harm your fish. Instead, you need an inert medium that provides support for the roots and allows water to flow freely.

  • Clay Pebbles (LECA): This is the most popular choice. They are porous, pH neutral, and provide excellent aeration for the roots.
  • Lava Rock: Also very porous and provides a massive surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize.
  • Gravel: Pea gravel can work, especially for houseplants like Pothos, but it’s heavier and offers less aeration than the other options.

Matching Fish to Flora: The Other Half of the Aquaponics Equation

Don’t forget about your aquatic partners in this project! The best fish for aquaponics are hardy species that produce a good amount of waste. Think of them as your little fertilizer factories!

Pro-Tip from an experienced aquarist: Don’t start your system with tiny fish and demanding plants like tomatoes. Start with hardy fish and simple plants like lettuce. As your fish grow and produce more waste, you can experiment with more nutrient-hungry plants.

Here are some fantastic fish choices:

  • Goldfish: They are incredibly hardy and produce plenty of waste, making them perfect for aquaponics.
  • Guppies, Mollies, and Platies: These livebearers are active, reproduce easily (ensuring a steady bio-load), and are very forgiving for beginners.
  • Tilapia: The go-to for larger, more serious aquaponics systems. They grow fast and are very resilient.
  • Betta Fish: For a small desktop setup (5 gallons or more), a single Betta is a great choice. They produce enough waste to support herbs or a small lettuce plant.

Troubleshooting Guide: Solving Common Problems with What Plants Can Be Grown in Aquaponics

Even with the best planning, you might run into a few hiccups. Don’t worry! Here’s how to solve some of the most common issues.

Why are my plant leaves turning yellow?

This is usually a sign of a nutrient deficiency. In aquaponics, the most common culprit is a lack of iron. While fish waste provides nitrogen, it can be low in other micronutrients. You can add a small amount of chelated iron (a type safe for aquariums) to resolve this.

My plants are growing slowly or are “leggy.”

Nine times out of ten, this is a lighting issue. Your plants are desperately stretching for more light. The solution is simple: move your grow light closer to the plants or invest in a more powerful one. This is one of the most important what plants can be grown in aquaponics tips to remember.

I’m seeing pests on my plants!

Whatever you do, do not use chemical pesticides! They will wash into your aquarium and are lethal to your fish. Instead, you can wipe pests off with a damp cloth or use a fish-safe solution like a very diluted neem oil spray, being extremely careful not to let any drip into the water.

The Rewards: Unpacking the Benefits of What Plants Can Be Grown in Aquaponics

Beyond the simple joy of growing something, a sustainable what plants can be grown in aquaponics setup offers some incredible benefits for you and your aquarium.

  • Cleaner Water for Happier Fish: Your plants are the best filter you could ever ask for. They aggressively remove nitrates, leading to pristine water and reducing the need for frequent water changes.

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  • Sustainable Food Source: Imagine snipping fresh basil for your pizza or grabbing lettuce for a salad, all grown by your fish. It’s the ultimate in local, organic gardening.

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  • Educational & Fun: It’s a living, breathing science experiment! Aquaponics is a fantastic way to learn about the nitrogen cycle and symbiotic ecosystems.

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  • Eco-Friendly Gardening: This method uses up to 90% less water than traditional soil gardening, making it an incredibly environmentally friendly choice.

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  • Stunning Aesthetics: There’s nothing quite like the look of a lush green canopy growing above a sparkling, active aquarium. It’s a true living work of art.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aquaponics Plants

Can I grow root vegetables like carrots or potatoes?

Generally, no. Root vegetables like carrots, radishes, or potatoes need loose, deep soil to develop properly. They tend to rot or become misshapen in the constantly wet environment of an aquaponics grow bed.

Do I still need to do water changes?

Yes, but far less frequently! The plants are amazing nitrate sponges, but solid waste and other minerals can still build up over time. A small 10-15% water change every few weeks helps reset the system and keep everything in perfect balance.

What kind of fish are best for a small desktop aquaponics setup?

For a nano or desktop system (5-10 gallons), a single Betta fish is a fantastic choice. They are hardy, produce a manageable amount of waste perfect for a few herbs or some pothos, and thrive in those conditions.

Can I use regular potting soil?

Absolutely not! This is a critical rule. Soil will immediately cloud your water, clog your pump and system, and can introduce harmful bacteria or chemicals to your fish. Always use an inert, soil-free grow media like clay pebbles or lava rock.

Your Aquaponics Adventure Awaits

Merging the worlds of fishkeeping and gardening might seem complex, but as you’ve seen, it’s a natural and intuitive process. The connection between your fish and your plants is a beautiful example of a perfect ecosystem at work.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Start small with a hardy herb like basil or a simple leafy green like lettuce. Learn as you grow, and enjoy the incredible satisfaction that comes from creating your own miniature, self-sustaining world.

Your fish (and your dinner plate) will thank you for it. Go forth and grow!

Howard Parker
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