10 Difficult Plants to Grow in Hydroponics.

Thinking of diving into hydroponics? While many crops thrive in soilless systems, not all plants are well-suited for hydroponic cultivation—especially if you’re just getting started. In this post, we’ll explore the 10 most challenging plants to grow in hydroponics, why they’re difficult, and what to consider if you want to experiment with them.

1. Aquatic Plants in Hydroponics

It might seem logical to grow aquatic plants in a hydroponic system, but the reality is quite the opposite. Aquatic plants attract excessive algae growth, and controlling algae without harming the plants is extremely difficult. Even freshwater seaweeds have proven challenging in controlled systems.

2. Calcifuge and Calcicole Plants in Hydroponics

These are pH-sensitive plants:

• Calcifuges prefer acidic soils
• Calcicoles thrive in alkaline, calcium-rich environments

Hydroponic nutrient solutions are usually optimized for neutral pH, making it tricky to meet these plants’ unique requirements without extensive adjustment to the fertigation system.

3. Trees and Perennials (e.g., Avocados, Cherry Trees, Bonsai)

Large, long-living plants like fruit trees aren’t ideal for hydroponic systems:

• They need years to mature
• Grow room height and space become a constraint
• Pest and disease buildup is hard to manage over time

If you’re not running a commercial setup, skip the trees.

4. Soft Fruits (e.g., Strawberries, Raspberries)

While strawberries are being grown commercially in hydroponics, it’s not easy:

• You’ll need to manage flowering, pollination, and fruit development
• The crop requires precision care and more labor than leafy greens

Soft fruits can be rewarding, but they’re not beginner-friendly.

5. Parasitic Plants (e.g., Rafflesia, Mistletoe)

Parasitic plants rely on host plants to survive, making them almost impossible to grow hydroponically. Mistletoe, for instance, needs a living tree to latch onto. Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, has never been successfully grown outside its natural habitat.

6. Cereal Crops (e.g., Wheat, Barley, Maize, Rice)

Grains pose multiple challenges:

• Low commercial value per unit area
• Wind pollination requirements
• Long growth cycles (often 8–10 months)
• Grassy growth habits not suited to standard hydroponic setups

These make cereals impractical for most hydroponic systems.

7. Carnivorous Plants (e.g., Venus Flytrap, Pitcher Plants)

These plants evolved in nutrient-poor environments and rely on insects for survival:

• Most hydroponic feeds are too nutrient-rich
• Hydroponic environments are typically insect-free, depriving them of food
• They require specialized care and humidity levels

8. Root and Tuber Crops (e.g., Carrots, Potatoes)

Root crops struggle in hydroponic media like rock wool:

• Tuber development is restricted
• Harvesting is messy
• Light exposure can turn potatoes green and toxic, making them unsafe to eat

While seed potatoes can be started hydroponically, growing them to maturity is complicated.

9. Arid-Zone Plants (e.g., Cacti, Succulents)

These drought-tolerant species aren’t made for water-abundant systems:

• Roots can rot easily in constantly wet environments
• They require high airflow and low humidity
• Many need less frequent irrigation, which contradicts typical hydroponic setups

10. Halophytes (e.g., Sea Asparagus, Saltbush)

Halophytes thrive in salty environments, unlike most crops:

• Standard hydroponic fertilizers contain minimal to no sodium
• Adding salt can damage systems and hinder future plantings
• You must clean your system thoroughly to remove salt residues

These plants present opportunities but are best left to experts or experimental growers.

Final Thoughts: Test Your Skills Cautiously

These crops aren’t impossible to grow hydroponically—but they require advanced knowledge, specialized equipment, and a lot of patience. If you’re new to hydroponics, avoid these plants at first and focus on easier crops like lettuce, herbs, and microgreens.

Once you’re confident in managing pH, nutrients, light, and system design, you can consider experimenting with these more complex species to challenge your skills and stand out in the hydroponics world.

Article by Dr Russell Sharp

If you would like to keep up to date with subjects just like this, you can listen to both our podcasts! Links can be found bellow:

Hydroponics Daily Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/207T7p7fw9sPjINfSjVXW2

Cereal Killers Podcast: https://t.co/eSEbBkTVHl