Are hydroponic plants easy to grow in summer? Recommendations for the easiest varieties to keep alive

As soon as summer arrives, many friends start to worry: with soil-grown flowers, watering too much causes root rot, and watering too little makes them wilt. Why not try hydroponics? But then they worry it is too hot and plants in water are hard to look after. Actually, hydroponics in summer is not as difficult as you might imagine. Pick the right varieties and master a few small tricks, and it is actually much less trouble than soil growing.

So is hydroponics in summer actually easy to grow or not? Some people think that in high temperatures bacteria easily grow in the water and plants easily get root rot. In fact, you just need to pay attention to these few points: first, do not let direct sunlight hit them; a windowsill with bright indirect light or the living room is fine, otherwise the water temperature soars, like boiling vegetables; second, change the water often, about 3-5 days once, replacing half with new water each time; do not use tap water directly, let it sit for half a day first, otherwise the chlorine irritates the roots; third, do not keep the water level too high; for most plants it is enough to have half the roots in the water, leaving half in the air to breathe, otherwise they feel suffocated. Do these few things well and hydroponics in summer is actually less prone to problems, and you do not have to think about watering every day. So much less hassle.

So which plants are easiest to keep alive in hydroponics in summer? Here are a few recommendations exclusive to lazy people, that will grow into a full pot however casually you care for them.

Water hyacinth: Some people may think water hyacinth is a weed, but growing it hydroponically is actually quite interesting. In summer the temperature is high and it grows extremely fast, with glossy green leaves, and it can even produce small purple flowers like little butterflies. Just find a shallow basin, add some water, and toss it in and it will live. No fertilizer, no fuss, except that it grows so wildly that you should remember to divide it regularly so it does not take over the whole container.

Lucky bamboo: Lucky bamboo is especially easy to grow and has a good meaning too. Placed at home in summer it looks refreshing. Buy the kind with roots, put it straight into clean water at home, and just keep the water level about 10 cm above the roots. Be careful not to let the leaves soak in the water, otherwise they rot easily. Add nutrient solution occasionally and it grows more upright. Even if you forget to change the water, at worst the leaf tips dry a little, and after trimming it keeps growing. Really tough.

Pennywort: Pennywort has round leaves like little lotus leaves, and grown hydroponically it looks especially lively. It loves sunlight, and in summer it is fine even on a balcony in the sun; the more sun, the more vigorously it grows. Just keep the water level above the roots. If you want it to grow wildly, toss in one or two slow-release fertilizer granules, and before long it will fill a whole pot, looking so full of life. If you accidentally splash a little water on the leaves while watering, they sparkle beautifully.

Peace lily: Peace lily is also called smooth sailing, and grown hydroponically it has a built-in sense of elegance. Its roots are fairly thick, so when growing it in water do not submerge the roots completely; leave one third outside. It still blooms in summer, with white spathes like little boats, fresh and graceful. Even if you occasionally forget to change the water and the leaves droop a bit, they perk up soon after you change it. Especially suitable for the office, easy on the eyes and easy to care for.

Hydroponic plants in summer are not so fussy. The key is to pick the right varieties, and not be too diligent nor too lazy. Compared with soil growing, where roots rot and pests appear at the drop of a hat, hydroponics is also cleaner, and you do not even have to change the potting soil. Friends who want to grow flowers in summer but dread the hassle can really give it a try.