If you’ve ever heard the word “aeroponics” used in the hydroponics community but couldn’t quite grasp what that meant, well, you’ve come to the right place!
Aeroponics is taking nutrient-rich water and periodically spraying (or rather misting) it over your plant’s roots. So while your plant is receiving light from above, your roots, which are fully exposed and suspended within a chamber, are receiving the perfect amount of water, nutrients, and oxygen, exactly what they want and need to grow.
Here’s everything you need to know to get started!
Table of Contents:
- How Aeroponics Works
- Aeroponics vs Hydroponics
- What You Can Grow in Aeroponics
- Types of Aeroponic Systems
- Your Aeroponic Responsibilities
- What You Need to Get Started
Quick Note: Aeroponics is technically a subset of hydroponics, but because of how different it is in terms of design, it’s typically given its own classification (as we’ve done here at Ponics Life).
Aeroponics — How it Works!
Despite its intimidating name, the concept of aeroponics is actually quite simple. In essence, it’s taking nutrient-rich water, pumping it up to a misting nozzle, and spraying your plant’s roots in a fine, nutrient-covered mist to make them grow. Here’s a full breakdown of how that process works:
1: Nutrients are Added to Water
First and foremost, nutrients (either mixed yourself or bought as an all-in-one solution, such as the General Hydroponic Flora Series) are added to a reservoir of water.
And even though this is the easiest step in the process and it seems pretty straightforward, it’s also where you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time. Depending on the size of the tank, the amount of plants you’re growing, and your aeroponic setup as a whole, the amount of nutrient solution you add and the number of times you add it are going to vary. Make sure you get a good understanding of nutrient solutions before you set anything up.
2: The water (with Nutrients) is Pumped Up to the Growing Area
The second step in the aeroponic process is to pump the nutrient-rich water from the reservoir to the growing area. There are a couple of ways to do this, but normally, it’s just a regular water pump with a timer attached.
But remember, where a hydroponic system brings water to the growing area and lets it flow over the roots, an aeroponic pump is designed to bring water up to a nozzle (think of an adjustable garden hose nozzle) where it releases a fine “mist” over the roots.
3: The Roots of the Plants are Misted
As discussed above, once the water has been carried up to the growing area, the water is “sprayed” or “misted” onto your plants.
And this is what really separates aeroponics. While a traditional hydroponic system completely saturates the plant roots with water and nutrients, an aeroponic system only mists them, exposing the plant’s roots to a perfect amount of (1) oxygen and (2) nutrients — a win-win that a regular hydroponics setup just can’t offer.
With the plant’s roots constantly exposed to open air and nutrient-rich water simultaneously, they’re given exactly what they “need” and “want” to grow. This results in higher yields, faster plant growth, and a more efficient system when compared to a standard hydroponics setup.
4: The Water Returns Back to the Reservoir
There are a couple of different setups for an aeroponics system, but there is one constant among all of them — the roots are fully exposed!
That means that after your roots have been misted, the water needs to go somewhere. Typically, at least in basic aeroponic setups, the water will simply trickle back down into your reservoir, completing the aeroponic recirculating process — however, just be mindful that depending on how your system is set up, there are a couple of ways for this to happen.
5. The Process Starts Over and Your Plants Grow
After your water has trickled back down into your reservoir, the whole process starts over again. Meanwhile, your plants are soaking up those necessary nutrients, enjoying that rich oxygen, and growing bigger and bigger every day. Eventually, after just a few weeks, your plants (whether they be fruits or vegetables) will be ready for the dinner table!
Aeroponics vs Hydroponics – Why Choose Aeroponics?
Hydroponics is great, but aeroponics (the not-so-distant cousin), has its own unrivaled advantages. For one, aeroponics has the distinct ability to “perfect” the growing process, giving plants just the right amount of ingredients to grow. Additionally, when it comes to speed, size, and quality, aeroponics might just do it better (if done right of course).
Here’s why you should consider growing aeroponically!
1. An Aeroponic System Doesn’t Have to Use Grow Media
One of the advantages that aeroponics has over regular hydroponics is that it doesn’t require a growing medium. That’s because, in an aeroponics setup, your plant’s roots are fully exposed to their surroundings and allowed to “breathe” naturally.
For example, think about an aeroponics tower — your plants sit comfortably on top of their PVC opening and are supported by a neoprene collar — they don’t require anything other than that. In a hydronic setup, however, the roots almost always have to sit in rockwool, coco, or something else.
2. Aeroponic Systems Provide More Oxygen
Because your plant’s roots are fully exposed, they receive far more oxygen than a hydroponic setup. And this is what really separates aeroponics from hydroponics.
Oxygen, in the simplest of terms, is the “stimulant” your plants need to grow. And because an aeroponic setup has roots fully exposed to air, they’ll receive A LOT of oxygen. This greatly increases the speed at which your plants grow and generates larger better-tasting fruits and vegetables.
3. An Aeroponic System is Completely Enclosed
Aeroponic growing is usually done within a closed system or semi-closed system. This allows water to recirculate more efficiently. And because the system is enclosed and the roots themselves are directly targeted by the mist, water “slippage” is kept to a minimum.
4. Vertical Aeroponics and Vertical Farming Potential
Growing vertically — aka vertical farming — is extremely easy to do in aeroponics. The initial setup can be a little challenging, but it’s extremely rewarding once complete. Not only does it increase the number of plants you can grow in one area, but it makes the physical part of your job much easier as plants can be harvested at eye level, greatly reducing the need to crouch down and work.
And while hydroponics also provides vertical farming options, aeroponics is purposefully created with vertically stacked irrigation systems in mind.
What Can You Grow with Aeroponics?
In theory, you can probably grow anything. In reality, it’s probably best to start with something small (especially if you’re a beginner). Most aeroponic systems (at least non-commercial ones) are used to grow basic, garden-style fruits and vegetables.
1. Hot Climates (recommended):
- Cucumbers, Chives, Tomatoes, Peppers
2. Warm Climates (recommended):
- Blueberries, Peppers, Strawberries, Basil, Mints, Chives, Beans, Kale, Spinaches
3. Cool Climates (recommended):
- Radishes, Spinach, Lettuce, Kale
Types of Aeroponic Systems
There are three basic types of aeroponic systems: (1) low-pressure aeroponics, (2) high-pressure aeroponics, and (3) fogger aeroponics. While high-pressure aeroponics is your most efficient system, for beginners, a low-pressure system will work just fine. For more information on all three systems, try reading our Types of Aeroponic Systems Guide.
1. Low-pressure Aeroponics (LPA)
Low-pressure aeroponics is the easiest aeroponics system to set up.
- Easy to set up
- Available at most hydroponic shops and online
- Inexpensive (comparably)
- Mist droplets are a little larger than high-pressure aeroponics
- Requires a basic pump to push water to the spray nozzle (aka mister)
2. High-pressure Aeroponics (HPA)
High-pressure aeroponics is a little more advanced, but if set up properly, has several advantages over low-pressure aeroponics.
- For advanced aeroponic growers
- More expensive than a low-pressure aeroponics setup
- Requires specialized equipment
- Typically used for commercial production
- Pressure has to be high enough to get the desired droplet size
- Due to droplet size (smallness), more oxygen is delivered to the roots
- Most efficient type of aeroponic system
3. Ultrasonic fogger Aeroponics
“Fogponics” is the most complex of the three aeroponic systems.
- Requires an ultrasonic fogger to create extremely small mist droplets (looks like fog)
- Replicates a humid atmosphere (like the rainforest)
- Droplets are better able to penetrate plant roots
- Has only one area to clean — the area where the fog comes out (verses several areas for LPA or HPA)
- Has a high startup costs
- Salt can build up in the fogging area
Your Aeroponic Responsibilities
Once your system is set up, your aeroponic responsibilities are pretty minimal — but they also need to be taken seriously. If you don’t maintain or keep up with your system, it’s going to fall apart. And if it falls apart, everything you worked for will have been for nothing. Here are your four main responsibilities:
1. Nutrients and Water
After your system is built (check out our DIY Aeroponics Guide for full instructions), one of your main responsibilities will be maintaining your nutrient-rich water. This will require just two things:
- Your water’s pH will need to be adjusted to meet the needs of the plant. While pH requirements can vary from plant to plant, they usually fall somewhere between 5.5 and 6.5. Before getting started, it’s a good idea to buy a pH meter and some phosphoric acid, wood, lime, and sulfur (or a pH control kit) to test and adjust the pH of your water. It’s also not a bad idea to read some instructions on this before starting anything.
- You’ll need to add nutrients to the reservoir. This can be done with a self-mixed solution or an all-in-one solution. For beginners, it’s probably best to use an already-prepared solution and then follow the instructions on the bottle. Or, you can use our nutrient solutions guide before getting started.
2. Your Aeroponic System
Maintaining your whole aeroponics system — to include the stands, the wood, the PVC, the pumps, the tubing, etc. — is a job in itself and will require regular inspections. Make sure that you’re not only inspecting the physical structure of the system, but you’re looking at everything that keeps the system moving. Your main responsibilities include:
- Pumps: Pumps can and do fail so make sure to regularly check them to see if they’re working. Check for blockages, power, and overall efficiency. If it’s having issues, consider upgrading to a new one. Or, at the very least, make sure it’s properly plugged into the wall.
- Nozzles: A common problem with aeroponic systems is that the nozzles — the areas where water is coming out– can become clogged and ineffective. Monitor them as much as possible and clean them periodically.
- Reservoir: It’s not often that your reservoir will leak, but it does happen from time to time (especially in areas where it connects to other parts of your system). Whenever you walk up to your system, do a quick walk around and look for puddling. If you see an excessive amount of water on the ground in the wrong spot, that probably means there’s a leak somewhere.
- Walking/working space: Your “working space” is pretty important and shouldn’t be overlooked. Not only should you design your system with “working space” in mind, but you need to keep this area clear as much as possible once your system is built. Having a nice, clean area that’s free of obstruction will go a long way when it comes time to harvest.
3. Lighting
Lighting is extremely important for your system and it needs to be maintained just like everything else. A good grow light can go a long way when you’re trying to grow plants year-round and you need to inspect it every couple of months. Here’s what you need to know to keep your lighting maintained:
- Clean your ballast after every harvest and look for black marks or discoloration.
- Look for burn marks around the socket area of the lamp (replace if found)
- Clean off dust that collects around the ballast (even a little dust can reduce efficiency)
- Look for decreased deficiency and consider replacing the ballast around the 1-year mark
- Try using a light meter app on your phone to check light output
4. Your Roots!
Your roots are the life of your system and they have to be regularly inspected from time to time. If your roots aren’t maintained and they start to look damaged, there’s really no way to save them — all your work will have been for nothing.
- Trimming your roots should be a last resort. In the event that they’re starting to obstruct something (like your “misters”) try simply adjusting their position. Make sure you’re inspecting your roots pretty regularly and look for obstructions. While trimming your roots is an option, it’s not really recommended as an aeroponic beginner. When in doubt, adjust don’t cut!
- Roots shouldn’t be exposed to light (think about how they naturally grow in the ground), but if they are exposed to light, they’ll start to grow a green (sometimes brown), slimy algae. And while algae won’t completely suffocate your plants in an aeroponics setup, it will compete for nutrients in the growing area and leave your roots hungry. A healthy root system should appear white, fluffy, and hairy-looking.
Everything You Need to Get Started!
Building your own DIY aeroponic system is very doable and extremely fun! And while it is a little more expensive than a traditional hydroponics setup, it’s well worth the effort. If you do it right, your fruits and vegetables will grow faster, fuller, and tastier. Here’s what we recommend to get started (but please read our DIY Aeroponics Guide for a full breakdown of what you’ll need).
1. Build Your Own DIY Aeroponics System
If you want to build an aeroponics system yourself, you’re going to have to do your homework first. Plan, plan, and plan some more. And most importantly, make a list of everything you’ll need and price out your options. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll need to get you started:
- Water tank/reservoir to hold water and nutrient solution
- A water pump
- Tubing to connect the water pump to the nozzles
- Some form of Misting nozzles to spray your plants (such as the Acuteye Aeroponic Misters)
- A structure to suspend your plants
- Some form of enclosed watertight chamber for the roots
- A cycle timer for the pump
If you’d like some more detailed instructions, try reading our DIY Aeroponics Guide.
2. All-In-One Options for Beginners
If you’re interested in getting a taste and feel for the process, then you can always buy an all-in-one beginner system. And while a true aeroponics system (by definition) requires a finer mist, these systems will get you familiar with the concept and grow some pretty great stuff in the process.
So What is Aeroponics Exactly?
Just like hydroponics and aquaponics, aeroponics is a cleaner, more efficient form of farming. Aeroponics gives plants exactly what they want and need to grow, creating a unique growing atmosphere that perfects the plant-life cycle.