Hydroponics grows plants in a nutrient solution instead of soil, giving you fast growth and tight control over feeding — in a greenhouse, a spare room or a countertop. The equipment splits into three decisions: the system that holds and delivers the solution, the nutrients you dissolve in it, and the inert growing media that supports the roots. This hub connects the buying guides for each, plus lighting.
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The three core choices
- Hydroponic systems — DWC, NFT, drip, ebb-and-flow, wick and all-in-one countertop units; how to pick by crop, space and experience.
- Nutrients — complete hydroponic formulas, one- vs two-part, and why pH and EC matter more than any single brand.
- Growing media — rockwool, coco, LECA/clay pebbles, perlite and more, compared by water-holding and reusability.
Lighting for hydroponics
Indoor hydroponic plants need strong light. Rather than a separate product line, use the existing grow lights guides — the same full-spectrum LEDs used for seedlings and indoor plants suit hydroponic crops; match intensity and daily light hours to what you’re growing.
Hydroponic systems & kits
New to hydroponics?
Start with the concepts before the kit: our hydroponics for beginners explains water, oxygen, nutrients, pH and EC so the equipment choices make sense.
Beginner vs expandable — which class of system
- Countertop / all-in-one — herbs and salad on a kitchen counter; the simplest start.
- DWC / small kits — cheap, forgiving, great for learning leafy greens.
- Expandable NFT / drip / tower — more plants and control once you’re comfortable managing pumps, pH and EC.
What you need beyond the system
Every setup also needs complete nutrients, a pH/EC meter to keep the solution in range (the number-one success factor), growing media for net pots, and strong grow lights indoors. Pumps/air stones come with most active systems.
pH & EC meters
Related guides
Getting Started with Hydroponics
The three decisions that matter most, in order: which hydroponic system fits your space and how hands-on you want to be, what growing medium (rockwool, coco, clay pebbles) suits that system, and which nutrient solution matches your plants’ growth stage. Getting the nutrient concentration wrong is the most common beginner mistake — start diluted and work up.