Yes. Plants can grow in water with dissolved nutrients and no soil, as long as their roots get oxygen and the solution has the nutrients they need. This is the basic idea behind hydroponics.
Why It Works
Soil mainly holds water and nutrients for roots and gives them support. A hydroponic setup does the same jobs in other ways: a nutrient solution delivers food and water, and a net cup, medium or frame holds the plant upright.
What You Need to Watch
- Roots need oxygen, so solutions should be aerated or the roots should be partly in the air.
- The nutrient mix and pH both matter, because a poor solution shows up in the plant quickly.
- Light is still required, so a grow light is often needed indoors.
Where to Start
Begin with a simple system and a leafy crop. The guide below covers the setups in more detail.
Related guide: Hydroponics Basics.
