Gardeners and horticulturalists are used to getting grimy. They root around in the soil, applying fertilizers and pesticides. They plant, divide and re-plant. They do all this for the rewards of producing beautiful and nutritious plants to view and eat. But what if you could gain those values without coming into contact with any soil at all?

Hydroponics is the science and practice of growing plants without using soil. Water is the most common medium used instead. There are more technically accurate definitions, to be sure. But for the home gardener, hobbyist and occasional teacher that’s what it comes down to.

But how is such a thing even possible? Don’t plants need soil for nutrition, heat, support, water and all the other things they need to grow and reproduce? Not necessarily.

Plants require a specific amount of energy, whether it’s in the form of heat from their surroundings or sunlight. However, sunlight is not the only to get this warmth. Direct sunlight will work on the leaves, exactly as it does on the soil. Allowing the top of the plant to be exposed to sunlight, supported by string from the top of the container, will allow the vital process of photosynthesis to occur. However, with almost anything in botany, there are some exceptions. Some plants are able to survive as well as reproduce with absolutely no light, but they will still require some form of energy to initiate biochemical reactions.

Plants have to get a certain amount of energy from sunlight or from heat from their surroundings. Soil that has been warmed by sunlight isn’t the only way to get this energy. Direct sunlight will work on the leaves, just as it does for plants that are grown in soil. By leaving the top portion of the plant exposed to a source of sunlight by supporting it with a string at the top of the container will allow the critical process of photosynthesis to take place. As with almost everything in botany, there are some exceptions. There are some plants that are able to survive as well as reproduce with no light at all as long as they get some energy to drive biochemical reactions.

Most plants that interest the home gardener or hobbyist do require physical support. Planting them in soil is one common and effective way to achieve that. That’s one of the reasons roots spread and stems are wind resistant. If they hadn’t evolved that way, those types of plant wouldn’t be here to discuss. But artificial aids, such as strings on supports, ice cream sticks glued to the top of a glass and dozens of other methods will work quite well.

Without a doubt, nutrients are one of the most critical elements for a plant. For good plant growth, a host of trace elements like iron, copper, and zinc are needed as will as phosphorous, potassium, and nitrogen. The normal way that plants get these nutrients is to absorb them from soil, but there are a number of different ways to deliver nutrients to a plant that are often used in hydroponic gardening.

One very effective method would be to immerse the plants roots in water that contains liquid nutrients. There are other methods as well. People that are involved in hydroponic gardening house their plants in an enclosure that will retain moisture. The roots are sprayed frequently with a mister that contains a nutrients solution. This method does cross into an area that is known as aeroponics.

Hydroponics are used to effectively grow a variety of plants like tomatoes, strawberries, lettuce and a variety plants that are not vegetables or fruits, like orchids. The list is really very long. There are literally thousands of plants that can thrive without soil as long as they receive proper care. Hydroponic gardening can be instructive and fun and can produce nutritious and lovely plants with none of the drawbacks that soil delivers.

Looking for giant tropical Hibiscus? See our site for Blue Hibiscus flowers.