A hydroponic tower is a vertical growing system where plants are inserted into ports arranged in a column, and a nutrient solution is pumped to the top and cascades down through the root zone of each plant in turn. Towers maximise yield per square foot of floor space by using vertical height.
Key Facts
- Vertical orientation multiplies growing capacity in the same floor footprint
- Nutrient solution is pumped to the top and gravity-fed downward past all root zones
- Common for lettuce, herbs, strawberries, and leafy greens
- Popular commercial and home systems include Tower Garden, Zipgrow, and DIY PVC towers
- Root zones remain moist but not submerged β similar to NFT mechanics
- Excellent for balcony and patio growing where floor space is limited