What is Hydroponic Gardening?

Hydroponic gardening is a method of growing plants without using traditional soil. Instead, it involves cultivating plants in a water-based solution that contains all the essential nutrients required for plant growth. The roots of the plants are directly exposed to this nutrient-rich water, allowing them to absorb the necessary elements for their development.

It’s easy to start at home, allowing year-round growth. Common styles include wick systems, deep water cultures, and nutrient film techniques. Create your own indoor garden effortlessly!

Things you'll need:

  • 2-liter bottle for a container

  • Knife or sharp scissors

  • Marker

  • Coconut coir

  • Perlite

  • Cotton wick or cotton t-shirt

  • Hydroponic nutrient solution

Step 1

Locate and mark the spot on the two-liter bottle where the top curve levels out and forms a straight side, drawing a line around the bottle with a permanent marker along the curve. This creates your cutting line. 

Step 2

Cut along the line with sharp scissors to remove the top of the bottle.

Step 3

Place the top, with the cap end down, into the bottle so that it nestles inside the top of the cut section.

Step 4

Place a 6-inch section of cotton wicking through the cap hole so it extends into the bottom of the bottle. You can use a piece of cotton rope or strip of T-shirt material as the wick.

Step 5

Hold the end of the wick inside the open cavity created by the top of the bottle with your finger while filling the cavity with coconut coir or a mixture of coconut coir and perlite.

Step 6

Make a small indentation in the mixture with your fingers, and place the roots of a seedling in the hole. Firm the coconut coir around the roots to secure the seedling in place.

Step 7

Fill the bottom of the bottle approximately halfway with hydroponics solution (follow instructions on solution). Most require mixing a few tablespoons of the concentrated formula with a gallon of distilled water.

Step 8

Place the top of the bottle inside the bottom so that the wick extends into the solution. Check the unit frequently, and refill the bottom with hydroponic solution when needed.