Plants for Aquaponics
Choosing which plants you can grow in your own Aquaponics system can be a daunting task, and it can have you going round and round in circles whilst trying to make a decision. It is best to start simple by growing the things that you like, and that are easy to grow, which will fit in the space that your grow beds allow, and that suit your climate.
I have made this list of plants which will grow in an Aquaponics system, starting with plants for beginners, or new systems, then advancing to plants which need a little more in the way of nutrients and care. This list may be full of omissions, and for that there is a comment box for you to add your own, which I will then add to the list.
Click on plant names for instructions on how to grow.
Easy plants for any Aquaponic system, with low nutrient requirements, and reasonably quick growth. These would be ideal for starting new Aquaponics systems, where the fish are small, or few, and bacteria colonies not yet mature:
These plants have higher nutritional requirements, and will only flourish in a well-stocked, mature aquaponic system, so would therefore be better planted once your first plants have become established, and your fish have grown to at least the juvenile stage, or where the stocking density is higher:
Some other plants well worth considering:
- Beets
- Brussel sprouts
- Carrots
- Celery
- Chinese cabbage
- Dill
- Edible flowers: View a comprehensive list here.
- Endive
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Globe Artichoke
- Kohl rabi
- Leeks
- Lemon grass
- Melon
- Micro-greens
- Mustard
- Okra
- Onions
- Parsley
- Parsnips
- Radish
- Rhubarb
- Rice
- Spinach
Aquaponics doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to grow plants for eating, it may be the philosophy, but you can always do something different.
How about some alternatives?
· Bamboo
· Cut Flowers
· Ground cover plants
· Herbs
· Ornamental grasses
These could be just the right plant ideas to get you set up in your own Aquaponics business. Who knows? Just find a crop that you have infinite success with and grow just that! I am going to start with pak choi.
So, there you have it. A list of plants that will positively thrive in an Aquaponics system. I hope that this is of some value to you, and it helps you to decide what to grow.
When I have more time I will attempt to write some cultural instructions for all of the plants mentioned. In the meantime, happy Aquaponicking!
I Love Aquaponics.
