Everyone wants beautiful flowers to grow in their garden, but tending to the soil for extended periods can prove to be demotivating for DIY gardeners. Earlier, there was little you could do to solve that problem. However, with the introduction of hydroponic systems, all gardeners get a definite solution.
Hydroponic systems remove the need for spending hours taking care of the soil and eliminate another huge garden menace too – weeds. Therefore, we have rounded up 15 hydroponic flowers that you can grow in little space and in a variety of systems.
15 Beautiful Hydroponic Flowers
#1. Orchids
Orchids are high-value flowers, but they can be fussy about their growing conditions since they are prone to infected media that can cause health deterioration. But, there is a way you can eliminate these risks when growing orchids, and that is by using a hydroponic system. This is because most orchids are epiphytes, which means that these plants require very little soil and take most moisture from the air.
Growing orchids in water provide them with appropriate conditions that allow them to soak the amount of moisture that is necessary. This, in turn, allows aerial roots to remain dry and thus prevent pathogens.
A few tips for growing orchids hydroponically are:
⦁ It’s critical to provide orchids with optimal illumination since they require a lot of light, but direct light should be avoided at all times.
⦁ With epiphytic orchids, make sure your grow tank is clear since their roots require light to photosynthesize
Flowers on orchids can survive for up to 6 months, making them exceptional plants to grow.
#2. Petunia
Hot temperatures are no problem for these famous South American flowers. They may be found in many gardens, both in borders and in containers. Additionally, they come in an almost infinite variety of hues, which is one of the reasons they are so popular with gardeners.
The majority of petunias on the market are hybrids created for specific uses. They may grow to be anything from six inches to four feet tall with a three-foot spread as they mature. To avoid congestion, you’ll need plenty of branch support and enough space.
To grow, petunias need at least 5-6 hours of sunlight to thrive. While in germination, they prefer warmer temperatures, after which they can be shifted to cooler areas.
#3. Zinnia
Zinnias are daisy-like flowers that are easy to grow. They prefer full sun and are endemic to the southwestern United States and South America. To get the most out of these vibrant plants, they need at least six hours of full sun or strong light.
They may grow to be between 4 and 40 inches tall once fully matured. This implies you’ll need some assistance as well as a growth medium that can sustain your root system.
They are popular for growing in various garden environments due to their wide spectrum of brilliant colors and ability to endure hotter climes. Every year, zinnias will self-seed. You will be better off picking from the various kinds available for your hydroponic garden.
#4. Amaryllis
This flower comes in a variety of variations and cultivars and is mostly planted as a houseplant in a temperate climate. Even if you want to put these plants in soil later, it is best to utilize hydroponics to get the huge and spherical bulbs to root.
Indeed, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t keep growing it until its massive flowers glow brightly in your living room like a star.
Amaryllis can adapt to even the most basic Kratcky technique, which involves placing a plant in a jar with its roots in water and drying it from the base of the stem up.
Keep in mind; a straightforward deep-water culturing system will suffice. Also, you may plant the bulb directly in the growth medium (such as potting soil).
#5. Iris
Iris is one of the most adaptive plants you’ll ever meet, with its unique inflorescence of three blooms. Some species can be found growing in difficult clay soil, swampy swamps, and even inside water ponds.
The transition to hydroponics is straightforward from there. Iris variegata, Iris tectorum, and Iris versicolor, as well as cultivars like ‘John Wood,’ ‘Between the Lines,’ and the relatively newly produced and gorgeously titled – and colored – ‘Sun Moon Lake,’ are more naturally predisposed to grow in water.
The flowers are also extremely unique, with particular names for the various petals. As a result, the three petals that turn upwards are referred to as “standards”.
#6. Carnations
Carnations are one of the most often produced flowers in hydroponic systems. Because of the large number of people who utilize them inside decorations, they are also one of the most commercially cultivated flowers.
Carnation petals have a wonderful scent and make any space seem more welcoming when they are around. Aside from that, the leaves are edible and have a pleasant flavor.
Taking cuttings and growing from them is a popular approach. When starting from seeds and propagating in soil, it might take two to three weeks. This can be accelerated using hydroponics.
#7. Snapdragon
Antirrhinum is the botanical name for Snapdragons, which means “like a nose.” They’ve become a popular choice thanks to their vivid colors and blooms, that when squeezed, resemble a dragon’s mouth.
Snapdragons can reach a mature size of 6 inches to 48 inches, depending on the type and growth circumstances. This implies your plant may need some support, and the growth media will need to hold them in place.
Even when cultivated in a soil-based media, snapdragons are frequently grown inside before being transplanted. This is due to their extreme sensitivity to weather conditions.
Even better, snapdragons come in a variety of hues, including pink, purple, and white.
#8. Dahlias
Sunflowers, daisies, zinnias, and chrysanthemums are all linked to dahlias. Dahlias are classified as octoploids, meaning they have eight sets of homologous chromosomes.
If you’re growing them in a hydroponic system, make sure they have plenty of room. Because you’re planting in a container, you’ll want to make sure it’s at least 12 inches deep. Some kinds need a closer examination, which may rule them out of your system.
Moreover, dahlias are half as broad as they are tall, so they require a lot of lateral room.
Dahlias require a lot of light and are voracious eaters. Between watering cycles, your growth medium should dry out, and you’ll need to keep an eye on your tank levels.
#9. Gerbera
While many people prefer annuals or bulbous plants for their hydroponic garden, perennials may be quite attractive when their flowers are lengthy. Gerbera blooms, which are members of the Asteraceae family and resemble exotic daisies, persist for weeks.
This plant, native to tropical regions across the world, comes in a wide spectrum of hues, from white to dark purple, as well as yellow, pink, orange, and red. If you prefer contrast, you may also get flowers in two colors.
A few tips to keep in mind while growing it are:
⦁ Plants that generate ethylene, such as apples, broccoli, eggplant, lettuce, sweet potatoes, and cucumber, should not be grown near them.
⦁ Maintain a temperature of 40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (5 to 20 degrees Celsius).
⦁ Keep your plants out of direct sunlight since it can burn the foliage and perhaps damage the blossom.
All in all, this plant makes a good choice for a hydroponic flower option.
#10. Freesia
Freesia is another bulbous flower that may easily grow in your hydroponic garden and has one of the most beautiful and distinctive sweet smells of all the flowers. Flowers in white, yellow, purple, orange, and red can be used to add a bit of spring cheer.
When you walk into a room filled with freesias, you are instantly captivated by their powerful smell, followed by their beautiful inflorescences and long, linear leaves.
A few tips to take care of this plant are:
⦁ Keep the bulb-like part of the plant dry at all times
⦁ The best nutrient solution consists of a 25-50-75 ratio
⦁ Keep the corms at 86 degrees Fahrenheit or comparable conditions for 12 weeks to break their dormancy
This elegant plant can transform any room or garden landscape for the better.
#11. Peace Lilly
If you simply want a nice home plant to grow hydroponically, Spathiphyllum is a perennial favorite.
This exotic plant gets its name from a modified leaf called “spathe,” which serves as a lovely backdrop to the “spadix,” a tall inflorescence that rises like a candle from its center.
Its leaves are quite ornamental and architecturally significant. With their deep green and waxy, finely veined, and rich dark green chordate-shaped leaves, you have to admit that they complement the blooms.
Keep in mind that peace lilies are extremely sensitive to chlorine. As a result, ensure that the nutrition solution does not contain chlorinated water. Don’t worry if all you have is tap water; simply put it in a jug and let it stay for approximately 30 minutes to allow the chlorine to dissipate.
Chlorine is more likely to be found in dirt containers. If that’s the case, carefully clean the roots before transferring them to your hydroponic system.
#12. Hyacinth
Hyacinths are a simple plant to grow hydroponically, so much so that it may be an excuse to spend quality time with your children and – why not – take the opportunity to teach them about nature and flowers.
The benefit of utilizing hydroponics for this flower won’t have you remove the bulb from the soil when the dormant period begins. In reality, in most temperate regions, hyacinth bulbs will not survive the winter in the ground.
Hyacinths grow seeds quickly. To avoid this, remove the stem as soon as the blooms wilt away. If you don’t, you’ll get a less robust bloom next year.
Because the bulbs are fragile, cut the stem 12 inches below the inflorescence once the bloom is over. This assures that the plant directs all of its energy back into the bulb.
You may clip the stem completely off once it has dried. But don’t rip it off. Lastly, remember, these lovely flowers have a short bloom time; adding some organic flowering fertilizer can help them thrive for longer.
#13. Rex Begonias
Rex Begonias are one-of-a-kind in every way. We recognize them for their leaves and foliage rather than their blooms. Even better, they are vibrant and appear painted over the thick fibrous leaves. There are a variety of color variations available, including maroon, lavender, grey, silver, pink, and reds.
Rex Begonias were discovered in a shipment of orchids to England in 1856, and no one knew what it was. This tropical plant may be found in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. There are approximately 1,831 different begonia species, each with its own unique leaf look.
Rex Begonias are natural to tropical and subtropical regions since they are tropical and subtropical plants. It is because of this that they make excellent houseplants, as they require minimal light and like to be in the shade.
The height of these plants can range from 12 to 24 inches. With leaves growing an average of 4-5 inches in length, it’s also important to keep an eye on the amount of space required for outward growth.
#14. Daffodils
This flower has long been a beloved hydroponic plant owing to its short vegetative span. It can be readily grown even with a basic Kratky technique.
You can leave the bulbs in the ground when the plant turns dormant while in the soil. If you’re growing it hydroponically, you’ll need to keep it cold, dark, and dry.
It is not necessary to deadhead the bloom once it has faded, but if you do, your plant will devote more energy to fattening the bulb.
Before removing the bulb from your hydroponic garden or the vase, make sure all of the leaves have dried.
Lastly, it looks lovely in a modest and exquisite vase or even a cheap jug.
#15. Echinacea
The American Cone Flower, or Echinacea, is a beautiful blooming plant that is also mixed in a herbal tea with therapeutic properties. The combination contains Echinacea roots, leaves, and flowers.
Herbalists assert Echinacea boosts the immune system, reducing the symptoms of colds, flu, and a variety of other diseases.
Standard echinacea plants grow to be 2 to 4 feet tall, whereas dwarf echinacea plants grow to be around 16 inches tall. On normal, the spread is 1 1/2 to 2 feet, while on dwarf, it’s a foot or less.
A nutrition solution nourishing Echinacea should have a pH of 6 to 7. Although they will survive a wide variety of temperatures, the quality and yield will vary.
Many important nutrients will be lost if your nutrition solution or growth media is excessively alkaline or acidic, as they will not be absorbed by the plant.
Conclusion
Flowers that are often used in floristry are typically suitable choices for hydroponic cultivation. Carnations, gerbera daisies, and snapdragons are fussy about their growing conditions and are prone to fungal diseases such as fusarium wilt. This makes them ideal candidates for a more regulated growth approach, and they typically respond well to hydroponic frameworks.
Houseplants are also good candidates for hydroponic cultivation, so don’t limit yourself to your normal outdoor garden flowers. You may create a hydroponic collection of peace lilies, hoya, Rex begonias, or blooming jasmine vines with only a few cuttings. Yes, it’s that convenient!