Aquaponics refers to a system where you are able to traditionally raise aquatic animals whilst simultaneously cultivating plants in the same water tank. In this article, we explain why lettuce is good for aquaponics. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of aquaponics, as well as what other plants grow well in it.
Why is Lettuce Good for Aquaponics?
Lettuce is a good plant for aquaponics because it survives well in water temperatures between 70 and 74F. Another reason why lettuce is good for aquaponics is it matures fast, typically maturing fully at less than 30 days. In addition, aquaponic lettuce is not very sensitive to water temperature, which means that if you get something wrong, it’s not likely to completely die out.
What Plants Grow Will with Aquaponics?
The article from “How to Aquaponic” (linked above) provides a list of plants that grow well in aquaponics such as cucumbers, watercress, peppers, cauliflower, and cabbage, among others. An aquaponic system has everything that cucumber plants need for them to be productive. Watercress, on the other hand, grows and multiples so fast even if you only start with one.
Peppers, on the other hand, grow even better in small aquaponic systems where the temperature and water level can be controlled. Aquaponic cauliflowers are ideal for beginners, because of the very minimal maintenance and are highly resistant to diseases.
The same goes for cabbage which also requires very little maintenance. Other plants good for aquaponics as listed in this article are strawberries, onions, radishes, and more.
Related Article: Why Does my Arugula Have Holes in It?
What Are the Benefits of Aquaponics?
According to Stuppy Greenhouse, the main benefit of aquaponics is its sustainability as an agricultural method. It uses less water, hence friendly to the environment. The chemical usage is also very minimal since no artificial fertilizers are required. Pests and diseases are also very rare in an aquaponic environment, contributing to the plants’ easy and quick growth. Multiple crops and fish can be grown in the same system, hence more produce can be harvested, thus the land area can be maximized, as opposed to traditional agriculture.
What Are the Disadvantages of Aquaponics?
One disadvantage of aquaponics is that not all crops that could be farmed through traditional means can be grown in this system. According to this article, plants like potatoes, carrots, and other root vegetables cannot be grown in an aquaponic system. Also, starting an aquaponic system is relatively more costly than traditional farming. Since the system needs to be kept at a certain temperature, it requires electricity.
And lastly, you need to be professionally trained/educated, so you can install the system properly.
Wrap Up
Lettuce is a good plan for aquaponics because it matures pretty fast, and it thrives in water with temperature requirements that are not too specific. Other plants that grow well in aquaponics are cucumbers, peppers, and cabbage. Aquaponic farming has increasingly been gaining popularity because it is a very sustainable method of agriculture, although there are some disadvantages such as cost and limited crops available.
If you want to know more about growing lettuce in aquaponics, here is a very helpful YouTube video you can watch:
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
