October 07, 2021

So, you’re itching to start your aquaponic journey but you’re still not 100% sure about what you can grow in an aquaponic system. Don’t worry we’ve got your back, with many years of experience, trials and errors we have compiled a list of plants that work best in an aquaponic system.

Herbs

Take your average herb patch to the next level with a fully sustainable, aquaponic herb garden. Herbs are a great introduction to growing plants in your system. Most herbs have low to medium nutrient requirements and are perfect to grow in an aquaponic system!

  • Mint
  • Chives
  • Basil
  • Coriander
  • Watercress
  • Parsley
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Edible Flowers (Even lavender works wonderfully)
  • Chillies
  • Jalapenõs

Leafy Greens

This group of plants love to get their feet wet and are eligible recipients for a deep water culture setup. Their low nutritional requirements and small size allow you to fully optimize your system and your salad-making skills!

Here are some of our top recommended leafy greens:

  • Lettuce – our favourite.
  • Spinach
  • Swiss chard
  • Kale
  • Bok Choi

Fruits

Bring some vitamin-packed sweetness into your life with a garden full of the juiciest fruits. Just make sure your system can handle the high nutrient requirements needed for optimal fruit development and plant health.

  • Tomatoes – a trusty old friend in our systems here at Ichthys.
  • Strawberries are a popular favourite, especially in a vertical system. They’re also fairly easy to grow and manage.
  • Melons of all shaped and sizes.
  • Bananas – if you have a big system, we highly recommend challenging yourself to cultivate these!
  • Citrus plants – make sure they’re dwarf citrus plants as these are a bit more manageable in a system.
  • If you’re really up for a challenge you can even try some pineapples but they have very specific climate requirements.

We are constantly amazed at how well fruits perform in an aquaponic system and you’re just a few weeks away from tasting the best strawberry you’ve ever had!

Vegetables

Vegetables are popular amongst home systems because ideally, you want to be growing what you and your family would consume around the dinner table. Once again, you will need quite an established system to meet the nutritional requirements for the development of these vitamin-packed favourites.

The top three regulars in our systems:

  • Cucumbers
  • Peppers
  • Aubergines or Egg Plant

Some other veggies to consider:

  • Squash
  • Spring Onions
  • Peas
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower

 

The truth is…you can grow just about anything your heart desires! You just need to know the requirements and adjust your system accordingly. As we have spoken about before, there are many different growing methods available, so once you have decided what you want to grow, you can design your system around your needs! Which is just another perk to this wonderful farming technique.

If you have a list of produce in mind but you’re a bit unsure about what your system should look like, then book a consultation with us today and we can start designing your dream aquaponic garden together!