Aquaponics is a system of food production that combines aquaculture with hydroponics. In an aquaponic system, the excreta and waste material produced by the fish acts as a rich source of nutrients for growing plants. This is a sustainable form of food production. It does not require soil, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides, and even ensures higher yield and qualitative products.
Now, let’s take a look at the most suitable plants to grow in an aquaponics system.
Tomatoes- The tomato plant does exceptionally well in the aquaponics system. It is also easier to control the temperature in an aquaponics system and even the amount of sunlight that the plant gets. Tomatoes are perfect to grow in an aquaponics system as it grows relatively quickly and even produce an enormous yield.
Lettuce- Lettuce requires little maintenance and even has low nutrient requirements. It has a short growing cycle which is perfect to meet its high market demand. An aquaponics system is the best way to grow lettuce as it allows them to provide them with proper sunlight.
Peppers- Peppers grow twice as fast as soil-grown peppers. It is relatively easier for growing peppers in an aquaponics system and the aquaponics system is able to meet the high nutrient needs of the pepper.
Cucumber- Cucumbers possess an extensive root system that can easily absorb nutrients from the water. Cucumbers thrive in warm temperatures, direct sunlight, and high humidity.
Cauliflower- Cauliflower is already considered a water-based plan. This plant tends to thrive in an aquaponics system as it needs very little maintenance. It is also resistant to pest infestations and diseases making it the perfect plant for aquaponics beginners.
Basil- Basil seeds not only germinate very quickly but also become mature plants in less than 25 days. It is a heat and moisture-tolerant plant that thrives in warm and humid weather.
Eggplant- Eggplants can also be grown in an aquaponics system as it heavily requires the nutrients provided by the fish to grow properly.
Rosemary- Rosemary is a popular herb that is grown for culinary and medicinal purposes. Usually, people grow rosemary alongside other plants as rosemary’s strong scent keeps invasive pests at bay. It can be grown in an aquaponics system very easily, however, when using seeds to grow them, they need to be germinated in the soil.
Strawberries- Strawberry is a highly nutritious fruit that is consumed all year round in many countries around the world. Due to its high demand, strawberries are grown in an aquaponics system as it allows cultivators to control the environment, temperature, and humidity in even off-seasons.
Kale- Kale is another widely cultivated and consumed vegetable that is very nutritious. However, the plant itself has very low nutrient requirements. It is easy to grow in an aquaponics system and can be cultivated within 5 to 6 weeks of planting. This plant prefers cool temperatures and medium partial sunlight.
Broccoli- Just like cauliflower, broccoli is another popular vegetable that can be grown in an aquaponics system. It has very high nutrient needs and needs a lot of attention.
Peas- Peas might have very high nutrient requirements but it is still considered a low maintenance plant that is ideal for growing in an aquaponics setup.
Ginger- Ginger is a widely used ingredient in Asian cuisine because of its peppery flavour and medicinal benefits. It is not a fast-growing plant in soil and in an aquaponics system but it is used all year round.
Spinach- Spinach is a superfood that can be easily grown in an aquaponics system. It has low nutrient requirements and prefers shade to direct sunlight.
