What is hydroponics?
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead of drawing nutrients from the ground, plants grow in water that is enriched with a liquid nutrient solution. The roots are supported by a growing medium such as perlite or rockwool, and the nutrient-rich water is circulated past them continuously.
Plants grown hydroponically receive exactly the nutrients they need, exactly when they need them. This means they grow faster, produce higher yields, and use significantly less water than soil-based growing — typically up to 90% less.
Hydroponics is well suited to the South African climate and is equally effective indoors, in a garage, or inside a greenhouse tunnel.
What can you grow hydroponically?
Beginners should start with fast-growing, leafy crops. The easiest plants to grow hydroponically include:
- Lettuce (all varieties)
- Spinach
- Kale
- Basil and other herbs
- Spring onions
- Bok choy
These crops grow quickly — typically ready to harvest within 3 to 5 weeks — and require minimal maintenance. Fruiting plants like tomatoes and peppers can also be grown hydroponically but require more experience and management.
What equipment do you need to get started?
A basic home hydroponic system consists of:
- A growing system — a structure that holds the plants and circulates water. Bell and Paton offers NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) systems in 8-hole, 36-hole, and 72-hole configurations.
- A nutrient solution — a liquid fertiliser formulated for hydroponic growing, added to the water reservoir.
- Seedlings or seeds — started in rockwool cubes or seedling trays before being transferred to the system.
- A water pump and timer — to circulate the nutrient solution past the roots at regular intervals.
- Light — natural sunlight works well; place your system in a sunny spot or inside a greenhouse tunnel.
Bell and Paton's Hydroponic Starter Kit includes everything needed to begin growing at home.
How do you get started?
- Set up your hydroponic system in a well-lit location.
- Fill the reservoir with water and add the nutrient solution according to the product instructions.
- Start your seeds in seedling trays or rockwool cubes and allow them to germinate.
- Once seedlings have developed roots (usually 7–10 days), transfer them into the growing system.
- Check the water level and nutrient concentration every few days and top up as needed.
- Harvest outer leaves as the plant grows to extend the production period.
Most beginners harvest their first crop of lettuce or spinach within four weeks.
Why hydroponics makes sense in South Africa
South Africa faces water scarcity in many regions, and soil quality varies significantly across the country. Hydroponics removes both constraints. You can grow fresh vegetables year-round regardless of soil type, rainfall, or season — from a small balcony in Johannesburg to a backyard in the Karoo.
Bell and Paton supplies hydroponic systems and nutrient solutions to home growers across South Africa. Systems are available online at bellandpaton.co.za and ship nationally.