{"id":3635,"date":"2020-02-26T18:42:08","date_gmt":"2020-02-26T18:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbexaminer.com\/?p=3635"},"modified":"2021-08-04T00:53:51","modified_gmt":"2021-08-04T00:53:51","slug":"hydroponic-mediums","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.herbexaminer.com\/hydroponics\/hydroponic-mediums\/","title":{"rendered":"The 8 Best Hydroponic Mediums: A Detailed Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As I’m sure you know, hydroponic growing uses no soil – just nutrient solution – but in order for plant roots to be properly held in place, the use of a growing media or substrate is very much needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, I’ve been growing hydroponically for roughly half a decade at this point, so when prepping for this article I thought that I knew just about every single hydroponic growing media in existence… this was not the case!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It turns out that there are dozens of highly advantageous growing media that range from boring but effective to exotic, yet a little impractical. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the best hydroponic growing media? <\/strong>That entirely depends on your personal preference, what you’re growing, and the hydroponic system that you use. Hopefully, this guide can help you find what you’re looking for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that being said, here are my personal favorite hydroponic growing mediums: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Mediums:<\/th>Type<\/th>Score<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Coconut Coir<\/td>Soft<\/td>10\/10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Expanded Clay<\/td>Hard<\/td>9\/10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rockwool<\/td>Hard<\/td>8\/10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pumice<\/td>Hard<\/td>8\/10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Growstones<\/td>Hard<\/td>8\/10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Perlite <\/td>Hard<\/td>7\/10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Parboiled Rice Hulls<\/td>Soft<\/td>6\/10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peat Moss<\/td>Soft<\/td>4\/10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n

Growstones <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"grow<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

My score: <\/strong>8\/10. Perfect for my cucumbers and tomatoes. I’ll publish an updated case study using these grow stones within the coming months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growstones are perhaps the most underrated hydroponic growing media; perforated with small holes for wicking capillary action, this may be the best-growing media for both moisture retention and aeration, especially for large plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Roughly twice the aeration of perlite. <\/li>
  • Large enough to hold hydroponically grown vegetable roots in place – perfect for melons, cucumbers, and large tomatoes. <\/li>
  • It does not crumble or crush under pressure. <\/li>
  • Best for deep water culture, ebb and flow, and top-fed drip hydroponic systems. <\/li>
  • Retains roughly 30% moisture. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Too large for succulents or small, delicate herbs.<\/li>
    • Smells pretty bad after a few weeks.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n