Growing Without Soil

Jeremy Wright
Jul 1
2 min read

Updated: Aug 28

You don’t need a backyard to grow something beautiful. You don’t even need soil.

Hydroponic gardening offers a way to cultivate plants with just water, nutrients, and intention. It’s clean, efficient, and well-suited to modern spaces. And more than that, it invites you into a slower, more connected rhythm of care.

What is Soil-less Gardening?

In hydroponics, plants grow in water enriched with nutrients. This lets you skip the soil without sacrificing health or yield. It's cleaner, faster, and puts you in full control of what your plants receive. You give them what they need, nothing more.

Choosing a System That Fits

There’s no single way to do hydroponics, but here are a few that work well indoors:

Deep Water Culture (DWC): Simple and great for beginners. Plants sit in nutrient water with air bubbles for oxygen.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): A thin stream of water flows past the roots. Clean and efficient.
Ebb and Flow: Periodic flooding keeps roots nourished. Great for a variety of plants.

Choose the one that fits your time, space, and curiosity.

What to Grow

Start with plants that are generous and forgiving:

Lettuce for freshness
Basil and mint for their aroma and ease
Strawberries for sweetness
Tomatoes if you’re feeling bold

Each one brings life and flavor into your home.

Setting the Space

Create a clean, dedicated spot near light or under grow bulbs. Mix your nutrient solution, adjust pH, place your seedlings into a growing medium like clay pellets or rock wool, and let water become the soil.

Add a simple pump, set your lights on a timer (12 to 16 hours is plenty), and keep an eye on temperature and humidity. Plants thrive in the same comfort we do: soft light, steady warmth, and clean air.

Tending the Garden

Check water levels, refresh nutrients every couple weeks, and stay curious. Yellow leaves might mean too much water or not enough nutrients. Slow growth could mean it’s time to adjust your lights. Don’t rush the process, just pay attention.

Even indoors, pests can visit. A little neem oil or insecticidal soap will keep things in balance. Clean regularly, prune gently, and let your plants show you what they need.

The Harvest

There’s joy in harvesting something you’ve grown, even a few leaves at a time. Use fresh herbs in tea or toss greens into a bowl. Share a handful with a friend. It’s not about the quantity. It’s about the relationship.

Growing indoors without soil isn’t just possible, it’s grounding. It’s a way to nourish your space, your body, and something quieter inside you.