For people who have little time or space to care for traditional potted plants, hydroponics seems like a perfect choice. However, many run into all sorts of issues when growing hydroponic plants. Some even buy plants that are not truly grown hydroponically.
Fake hydroponics just means washing the roots of a soil-grown plant and placing it in water. These fake hydroponic plants often don't grow well—their roots rot easily, or the plant dies. True hydroponic plants have roots that are lighter in color (like white or light green), and the roots usually grow straight and spread out naturally. Fake hydroponic roots are darker and often tangled together. The surface of true hydroponic roots has a fine, fuzzy feel, while fake roots feel smoother. You can also smell them: healthy hydroponic roots have a fresh, grassy smell, while fake ones might smell like rotten wood or decaying roots. For the water, true hydroponic water stays clear with just a little green algae on top, while fake hydroponic water turns cloudy and smelly very quickly.
Hydroponic plants can generally be divided into a few types:
1. Pure Hydroponics: True Water-Grown Plants
This first type is real hydroponic plants. They are grown in water right from the start. Their roots live only in water and never touch soil. Plants like peace lilies and money trees are good examples. Since their roots are already used to water, they grow well in it. But remember, plants in water cannot get food from soil. You must give them liquid plant food often. If you don't, the plant will grow slowly and its leaves may become small. For example, lucky bamboo with small leaves often needs more food.
2. Soil-to-Water Change: Making Soil Plants Grow in Water
The second type starts as plants grown in soil. You wash their roots and then put them in water. Plants like anthurium, peace lily, and monstera are often grown this way. Their roots take time to adjust to water. During this change, some roots may rot and the bottom leaves may turn yellow. It is very important to control the water level, especially for plants with woody stems. Do not cover the roots completely with water, or the stem may rot. Keep the water at about half to two-thirds of the way up the roots. You should also change the water often. Check it every 3 to 5 days. If the water looks cloudy, change it. Also, add liquid plant food regularly to help the plant stay healthy. The plant might have yellow leaves or root rot at first, but with time, it will grow new roots that are happy in water.
3. The "Lazy Pot": Part Soil, Part Water Method
The third type is called the "lazy pot." It is a good choice for people who don't want to water plants often. The pot has a water tank at the bottom. A cotton rope pulls water up into the soil to keep it damp. This seems easy, but many people make a mistake. They think they should always keep the pot full of water. However, too much water stops the roots from getting air, and this hurts the plant. To avoid this, water the plant the normal way. Let the soil dry out completely before you water it again. [1]Don't let the roots sit in wet soil for a long time.
4. Clear Containers: A "Fake Hydroponic" Method Using Soil and Water
The last type is clear containers. This pretty-looking method isn't good for most plants. Many people buy clear containers, add water, and then never change it. The roots stay underwater for too long and can't breathe properly, which can kill the plant. If you really want to use a clear container, remember to let it dry out between waterings—only add more water after it has completely dried to avoid waterlogging. Also, it's best to pick plants that don't need much water, like cacti and succulents, because they can handle less air and don't like very damp conditions.
Five Common Mistakes in Hydroponic Plant Care：
Too Much Water
A lot of people fill their hydroponic pots all the way to the top, so the roots are totally submerged. This seems easy enough, but too much water stops the roots from getting air. That leads to root rot, and the plant might die. Don’t let the water go above two-thirds of the container. Leaving some roots out of water lets them breathe. For plants that hate soggy roots—like cacti, money trees, and clivia—only put part of the roots in water, and keep the rest in air.
Too Much Fertilizer
Hydroponic plants need liquid food to grow, but using too much can hurt them. Extra fertilizer makes roots take in more nutrients than they need, turning leaves yellow and causing rot. It also makes algae grow in the water, and algae uses up the oxygen the plant needs. Usually, just add a few drops of fertilizer every 10 to 15 days. If your pot holds more water, you can add a bit more, but never use a lot at once. If leaves turn yellow or roots rot, change the water right away. Cut off the bad roots and use fresh water. If you see algae, clean the pot and roots immediately.
Not Changing the Water
Some people hardly ever change the water—they just top it up now and then. Over time, this makes the water go bad. Bacteria and pests can grow, which causes root rot and makes the plant sick. Since hydroponic roots live in water, changing it every one to two months usually works. If the water looks dirty or has bugs, change it right away. Using filtered or bottled water keeps it clean longer. For the best results, try changing the water monthly to keep disease away.
Adding Unhelpful Liquids
Some people think leftover tea or coffee can feed their plants, so they pour it into the water. But these drinks spoil quickly. They harm the plant, make the water dirty, and hurt its health. Don’t pour drinks like tea or coffee into your hydroponic setup. You might think they give nutrients, but they’ll only make the water gross and grow bacteria—stopping the plant from thriving.
Using Fungicide Wrong
When people see root rot, they sometimes add fungicides (like carbendazim) to the water to fix it. Fungicides can kill germs, but putting them straight into the water messes up the plant’s environment. This might turn leaves yellow or make rot worse. If you’re moving a plant from soil to water, soak the roots in a fungicide mix for 30 minutes first. Let them dry before putting them in water.[2] If a plant already has yellow leaves or rot, change the water and clean the pot and roots instead. Also, lower the water so only the very bottom of the roots is wet—this cuts down on more rot risk.
Real hydroponics is easier to do than fake methods. It’s also better for the environment, cleaner, and simpler to take care of. Hydroponic plants often live longer, and they’re both nice to look at and useful—perfect for low-effort gardening. If you’re busy but still want to grow plants, hydroponics is a great pick for you.
Source:
[1] https://www.facebook.com/groups/1842823149113921/posts/24108873608748890
[2] https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantloversaddicts/posts/1646572936284198