What Veggies Can You Grow in Aquaponics? A Comprehensive Guide

Aquaponics offers a fantastic way to grow your own organic, pesticide-free vegetables.

No matter the size of your system, you can enjoy healthy, fresh produce right at home.

But what veggies can you grow in aquaponics? Let's dive in and explore the possibilities!

Why Grow Veggies in Aquaponics?

Growing vegetables in an aquaponics system ensures that they are organic, free from pesticides, and full of nutrients.

This method of gardening is the most sustainable and efficient form of gardening, using less water than traditional soil gardening and allowing for continuous harvests, without waste products.

Everything is reuseable, as we are replicating nature.

What Can You Grow in Aquaponics?

The good news is that you can grow almost anything in an aquaponics system!

However, some plants thrive better with specific setups.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can grow and how to optimise your system for different types of plants.

NOTE: different plants grow better in different systems for support, however there are many varieties of plants that are dwarf varieties and can be grown in other designs.

Leafy Greens and Herbs:

• Lettuce

• Spinach

• Kale

• Basil

• Chives

These plants are ideal for aquaponics because they grow quickly and don't require extensive root systems.

They can thrive in various system designs, including Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Deep Water Culture (DWC), and grow beds.

Fruit-bearing Plants:

• Tomatoes

• Cucumbers

• Peppers/ capsicums

• Eggplants

 Fruit-bearing plants typically need more support and space. They grow well in media-filled grow beds where they can develop strong root systems.

As these are fruiting plants, they need strong root structures that can only be achieved (unless dwarf varieties) within growbeds with gravel/ expanded clay.  

These plants typically also need stakes or support to grow, as they can branch out, or are vines, and the fruit is heavy.

Ensure your system provides adequate nutrients and support for these heavier plants.

Root Crops:

• Carrots

• Radishes

• Beets

• Parsnips

• Swedes

Root crops can be grown in aquaponics, but they require a flood and drain (ebb and flow) system.

This design prevents the constant wet conditions that can cause root rot, ensuring healthy growth.

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Vines and Climbers:

• Pumpkins

• Watermelons

• Zucchinis

• Cucumbers

These plants need a lot of space to spread out.

They grow well in a media bed with proper support structures to train the vines.

Again, especially the zucchinis and cucumbers need the root structure of a growbed as they grow vertically. They will topple over if grown in NFT or DWC systems.

Keep in mind that they will require more nutrients, so ensure your system is balanced to accommodate them.

Ginger and Turmeric:

These plants can be successfully grown in aquaponics, provided they have enough space for their root systems to expand.

They are a type of root crop, which grows stems and leaves that are edible too.

They thrive in media beds with a flood and drain system, and cannot grow in DWC or NFT systems as there is not enough room for the tubers to grow, and these systems have too much water.

While I love growing both of these, as they take 9 months to grow, I tend to grow them in containers, leaving my aquaponics systems for faster growing crops.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are large ground vines that love hot, humid weather. As the sweet potato is a tuber, it doesn’t like a lot of water, or sitting in water, as it will rot.

Anywhere where the vine touches the ground, is an opportunity for sweet potato tubers to grow.  

However, the vines themselves grow well within aquaponics, and the leaves and stems are edible. So, if you are seeking the greens, then they are perfect for aquaponics.  

Plants to Avoid in Aquaponics

While you can grow a wide variety of plants, there are some you should avoid, particularly those from the mint family, such as:

• Mint

• Spearmint

• Catnip

Mint has invasive roots that can clog your system's pipes and create maintenance issues. It's best to keep these plants out of your aquaponics setup.

Many people do plant it, within a growbed and leave within weeks how invasive this is. Growing them within a DWC, allowing fish to nibble on their roots may be a way to contain the invasiveness of mint.

Balancing Your System

Aquaponics is all about balance. The key to a successful system is matching the number of fish to the amount of plants.

However every situation is different, as the size of the plants and the size of the fish vary from system to system.

Fish waste provides the nutrients that plants need, so having the right ratio ensures that your plants receive enough fertiliser without overwhelming the system.

Using your water tests to manage this ratio is the best way to balance your aquaponics system.

Conclusion

Aquaponics allows you to grow a diverse range of vegetables organically and sustainably.

By understanding the needs of different plants and designing your system accordingly, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh produce.

Remember, the balance between fish and plants is crucial to maintaining a healthy and productive aquaponics system.

Check out My YouTube Channel 'Candy The Aquaponics Lady'

Aquaponics is an ecosystem, and with anything it takes time to learn how it works. So, sit back and binge watch my 'how to' playlist and the 'Water Quality Made Simple' Playlist, and learn the next steps in your aquaponics system as you create the ecosystem.

Learn More About Aquaponics

Check out the COURSES page to learn how you can get started with aquaponics now. Click HERE.

Want to help out and Feed my Fish?? (They don't drink coffee)

Candy Alexander is a dedicated aquaponics enthusiast with a wealth of formal training in aquaculture. Over the past 15 years, Candy has been deeply immersed in both commercial and backyard aquaponics, honing her skills and expertise in this sustainable farming method.

Candy's passion lies in making aquaponics accessible to everyone. With a mission to simplify aquaponics, she believes that anyone can embark on this sustainable journey.

She encourages those new to aquaponics to "kick the tires" without a significant financial investment. Her guidance focuses on helping people start their aquaponics journey with small-scale systems, ensuring a low barrier to entry for newcomers.

Candy shares practical tips, step-by-step guides, and personal stories to inspire and guide readers on their aquaponics adventure. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or a curious beginner, Candy Alexander is your go-to source for simplifying aquaponics and fostering a sustainable gardening experience.