Growing Cannabis Using Hydroponics

GTA Seeds
May 21
4 min read

💧 Growing Cannabis Using Hydroponics: A Complete Guide for Modern Cultivators

Futuristic Rendering - Hydroponics System

Hydroponics has revolutionized cannabis cultivation. By replacing soil with a nutrient-rich water solution, hydroponic systems deliver faster growth, bigger yields, and total control over the growing environment.

Whether you’re new to growing or looking to scale up your indoor setup, hydroponics offers a high-efficiency path to premium cannabis production.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover:

What hydroponic growing is
Benefits of hydroponics for cannabis
Popular hydroponic systems
Required equipment and setup
Nutrients and pH management
Best practices and tips

🌱 What Is Hydroponics?

Hydroponics is a soilless growing method where cannabis plants are fed through water enriched with dissolved nutrients. Roots are either fully submerged or suspended in a medium (like clay pebbles or coco) and watered directly through irrigation systems.

Since the plant doesn’t have to search for food in the soil, nutrient uptake is faster, resulting in accelerated growth and larger yields.

RDWC - Recirculating Deep Water Culture Hydroponic System

DWC - Deep Water Culture Hydroponic System

🚀 Benefits of Hydroponic Cannabis Growing

✅ Faster Growth

Plants absorb nutrients directly, speeding up vegetative and flowering stages.

✅ Bigger Yields

Hydroponic cannabis often produces more buds per plant when properly managed.

✅ Cleaner Grow Environment

No soil = fewer pests, mold issues, and mess. Perfect for indoor setups.

✅ Total Nutrient Control

You control exactly what your plant receives — from pH to micronutrients.

✅ Efficient Use of Space and Water

Hydroponic setups use less water than traditional soil and allow vertical or compact designs.

🔧 Types of Hydroponic Systems for Cannabis

1. Deep Water Culture (DWC)

Roots hang in a reservoir of oxygenated water and nutrients.
Best for beginners due to simplicity and low maintenance.
Requires air stones for oxygenation.

2. Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain)

Water periodically floods the root zone, then drains back into a reservoir.
Great for managing wet/dry cycles.
Requires a timer and water pump.

3. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

Thin stream of water flows past roots in a channel or trough.
Excellent oxygenation, ideal for small plants.
Not beginner-friendly; sensitive to pump failures.

4. Drip Irrigation

Nutrient solution is dripped into the root zone from above.
Works well with various media (rockwool, clay pebbles).
Requires emitters and drip lines.

5. Aeroponics (Advanced Hydroponics)

Roots are misted with nutrient solution in a suspended chamber.
Provides maximum oxygen and nutrient efficiency.
High maintenance and sensitive to equipment failure.

🧪 Nutrients in Hydroponics

Unlike soil, hydroponic systems need complete, water-soluble nutrients.

🌿 Key Nutrients:

Macronutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K)
Secondary Nutrients: Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sulfur (S)
Micronutrients: Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo)

PH UP - PH DOWN - Buffering Solution - PH Stability

🔍 Feeding Tips:

Use two-part or three-part hydroponic nutrient systems (e.g., Grow/Micro/Bloom)
Adjust feeding based on plant stage: more nitrogen during veg, more phosphorus and potassium during flowering
Always measure EC/PPM and pH before feeding