What plants can be grown in aquaponics ?

For beginners, it's recommended to start with plants that are easy to grow. The goal is to help get the system off the ground while ensuring a good first harvest.

Leafy vegetables are particularly well-suited for the early stages of an aquaponics system. They have relatively low nutrient requirements and a short growth period, allowing for rapid observation of the positive effects of the fish-plant ecosystem.

Lettuce and salad greens : These are aquaponics classics. They grow quickly (about 4 to 6 weeks), tolerate temperature fluctuations well, and thrive on moderate nutrient concentrations. They're ideal for getting acquaponic familiarity.

Spinach and Swiss chard : These leafy vegetables are also very well adapted. They withstand variable conditions well and allow for successive leaf harvests, which extends the production period. Rich in nutrients and popular in cooking, they offer an excellent yield/effort ratio.

Herbs are among the most popular plants for aquaponics. Their high culinary value, rapid growth, and moderate nutrient requirements make them ideal candidates.

Like leafy greens, they can be grown with few nutrients and adapt well to a young, stabilizing system. Another significant advantage : most of these plants can be harvested gradually, leaf by leaf, without compromising their development. This allows for continuous production over several weeks or even months.

Basil, mint, chives, parsley : Very easy to grow, they appreciate the constant moisture of the substrate and offer generous production. They are the stars of aquaponic systems, often used in educational demonstrations.

Thyme, rosemary, oregano : Although more Mediterranean, these plants can also be grown aquaponically if placed in a less humid area with a more well-draining substrate. They require a little more attention but fit well into a more diversified approach.

Many fruit-bearing vegetables (plants that produce fruit or vegetables to be harvested) can also be grown aquaponically, although they require a little more attention.

Tomatoes, peppers, chilies, eggplants and strawberries are among the popular species in aquaponic systems.

These plants generally have higher nutrient requirements than salad greens or herbs, but a well-balanced system can handle them perfectly. Just make sure your fish population produces enough waste (nutrients) to feed these more demanding crops.

You should choose plant/fish combinations that share similar environmental preferences. For example, warm-water fish (like tilapia) require water around 24-28°C, ideal for plants like basil or tomatoes, while cold-water fish like trout will be better suited to cool-loving crops (lettuce, spinach). Make sure the temperature range, water pH, and even hardness are suitable for both partners in the system.

More fish means more nutrients in the water, which benefits plants... up to a point. Too many fish (and therefore waste) can saturate the system and affect water quality, while too little fish won't provide enough nutrition for your plants.

It's up to you to find the balance of your system !

At the top of the list are root and bulb vegetables (carrots, potatoes, onions, beets, etc.). In a constantly irrigated bed, roots and tubers risk becoming deformed, rotting, or remaining stunted.

Other slow-growing plants or plants with overly large root systems should also be avoided. For example, fruit trees or shrubs are not suitable for home aquaponics due to their size and longevity.

Similarly, plants that like arid or very acidic soils (certain heather plants, cacti, etc.) will not thrive in a continuously humid environment.