What does hydroponic mean?
Hydroponic describes a method of growing plants without ordinary soil. Instead, plant roots are held in a growing medium, water, or an inert support and receive the water, minerals, and oxygen they need, usually through a controlled nutrient solution. The approach is used in commercial greenhouses, indoor farms, research facilities, and home gardening. Its advantages include efficient water use, fewer soil-borne diseases, and precise control over plant nutrition, although equipment and monitoring can be costly. “Hydroponic” is also used more broadly for the equipment, systems, and practices associated with this technique. The word comes from the Greek roots for “water” and “labor,” reflecting the idea of water doing the work that soil normally performs.
adjectiveRelating to or involving hydroponics, the cultivation of plants without soil, using mineral nutrients dissolved in water or another suitable medium. It may also refer to the systems or solutions used in this method.
- Relating to or using a method of growing plants without soil, with roots supported in water or another medium and supplied with dissolved nutrients.
"The greenhouse uses a hydroponic system to grow tomatoes efficiently with very little water."
"He built a small hydroponic garden beneath the kitchen stairs."
"Hydroponic vegetables can be produced year-round in a controlled greenhouse."
Hydroponic farming turns plant nutrition into a controlled science: roots receive precisely measured nutrients without a single spoonful of soil.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hydroponic come from?
“Hydroponic” is formed from Greek roots meaning “water” and “labor” or “work.” The related noun “hydroponics” developed in the early 20th century, and the term was associated with experiments in growing plants with mineral solutions rather than soil. Its underlying concept draws on the same hydro- root found in words such as hydrogen and hydrology, while the -ponic element reflects the idea of productive work performed through water.
Related word forms
How hydroponic is actually used
The term is mainly used in horticulture, agriculture, gardening, and environmental technology. It is sometimes confused with aeroponics, which grows plants with their roots misted rather than supported in a nutrient solution.