Hydroponic way of farming has gained popularity for the several benefits it provides. Not only does it allow you to grow vegetables and plants all year-round, the harvest you reap is more organic, pesticide, and chemical-free, and it tastes really good. Hydroponic crop farming is more sustainable and eco-friendlier as it consumes less water as compared to traditional, soil-based farming. A large crop can be harvested in a limited space, and you can create a hydroponic garden just about anywhere. All these factors, combined, bring a lot of profitability to the farmers and gardeners. And even if you are just starting your hydroponic garden for fun or as a hobby, you can start a small business out of it very soon.
But the benefits and the profitability don’t stop at that. There are several crops that, if grown hydroponically, yield a bumper harvest. All you need to know is what are the most profitable plants to grow hydroponically, and you can start a flourishing business within just a few weeks. So, in this article, we will tell you all about the best hydroponic crops for profit and how you can grow them.
Most profitable plants to grow hydroponically
Microgreens
The most common microgreens like dill, fennel, garlic, broccoli, cucumber, mint, basil, rosemary, sage, oregano, etc., are some of the most profitable plants to grow hydroponically. They are easy and lucrative to grow as they reach their harvest phase within just a couple of weeks, allowing farmers to grow a dozen crops every year. They are usually high in demand as they are widely used in a variety of cuisines. Not just that, they also carry a high-nutrient value. The harvest is always bountiful as you can grow up to two pounds of microgreens per square feet and they sell for a high value in the market.
Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the easiest and the most profitable hydroponic crops to grow as it doesn’t require a lot of nutrients, light, or other elements to grow. This is why it is advised to grow lettuce if you are a beginner in hydroponics as it is easy to grow, and doesn’t require too much investment, and can be grown all year round. This is what makes it such a highly profitable crop. From healthy salads to different cuisines across the world, lettuce has become an integral part of high-end food.
Radishes
They are healthy, and they harvest within 20-60 days, making them one of the best crops for hydroponics. The seeds germinating into saplings have a high growth rate of almost 80 percent. So, if you invest in radishes, they will give you a good return on investment. While radishes are widely used in salads and other healthy food options, their leaves are also high in vitamin C and are consumed in various ways in different parts of the world. The only thing that needs to be ensured is that radishes should be harvested as soon as they are ready, or else there is a chance of them getting bitter.
Bell peppers
Sweet bell peppers are yet another vegetable you should add to your hydroponics plant list that provides a lot of profit. Growing bell peppers hydroponically is a lot more economical than growing them in soil. While the farmers have to wait to grow bell peppers up until June in traditional farming, they can be grown all year round in a hydroponic system. When grown hydroponically, bell peppers grow tastier, crispier, and bear a beautiful color, which is one of the main selling points of these vegetables. They can be harvested within 50-80 days after sowing.
Herbs
Herbs like parsley, chives, basil, thyme, mint, chamomile, watercress, and sage not only grow into bountiful harvest but are also quite profitable. All these herbs are high in demand as they add loads of flavor to food items and are healthy too. They harvest quickly, and their demand never seems to go down, despite the seasons. Apart from these commonly used herbs, ginseng is also said to be a highly profitable herb that can be grown hydroponically. It has a very high value in the market as it provides a list of health benefits. While it is not as easy to grow as some of the other herbs, once you develop a hydroponic system to grow this rare herb, it provides a lot of profitability.
Whether you grow your greens indoors or outdoors, hydroponic systems are built to help you make a profit. While several plants grow well, depending on the ease of growing, the harvest and their demand in the market make the above-mentioned plants the most profitable of them all.
Hydroponic farming has several benefits, and one of the most significant ones is that you can grow fresh, pesticide-free, organic, and tasty vegetables all year round. This automatically provides you with more profit than traditional soil-based farming, where harvest depends on the weather conditions. Even the size of your hydroponic setup doesn’t matter, as even in a small, space you can maximize the output. All you need is the right knowledge and proper hydroponic supplies to set up a garden and harvest throughout the year.