At its most basic, hydroponics is nourishing plants with nutrient-rich water rather than the traditional method of providing nutrients via soil. This method allows you to have full control over what your plants take in through their root system. However, that also means you’re going to need a different medium to provide root and stem support since your plants are not being supported in dirt. A good growing medium allows your plant’s roots to absorb nutrients and oxygen easily. How do you know what growing medium to use? Here’s our list of the best hydroponics growing media for beginner growers.

Perlite and vermiculite

These two media can each be used separately as a growing medium, but when used as a mixture, they complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses, making a better overall medium for your plants. Perlite retains nutrients and oxygen well (big concerns regarding growing media), but it tends to dry out quickly. Vermiculite also retains nutrients fairly well, but it can retain too much water. By using a mixture, you can balance out the moisture and oxygen ratio for your roots. The big benefit to beginners is that perlite and vermiculite are each inexpensive, and they are versatile enough to use in most hydroponics systems, with the exception of ebb and flow systems.

Grow rocks, or LECA

Grow rocks, made from clay pellets called lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA), are left with many tiny air pockets because of the way they are manufactured. This makes them wonderful for retaining oxygen. Unfortunately, grow rocks are not very good at retaining moisture, so they often need to be used in combination with another growing medium. Grow rocks can be bought in large bags at inexpensive prices, making them a popular primary growing medium in hydroponics. Unlike perlite and vermiculite, grow rocks are heavier and work better in ebb and flow hydroponics systems, as well as other types of setups.

Coco coir

So, what do you add to your grow rocks to improve their moisture retention? Coco coir is an excellent complement to grow rocks. Coco coir is made from coconut husks that would otherwise be a waste product. It is not only one of the most efficient growing media for retaining both oxygen and moisture, but it is also environmentally-friendly. Coco coir could easily be used on its own as an excellent medium. However, it is a bit more expensive than other media, so many growers prefer to mix it with something else.

Rockwool

If you’re looking for something similar to coco coir at a more reasonable price, rockwool is almost as effective at retaining both moisture and oxygen. However, it must be handled carefully because it can irritate the skin, and you must wear a protective mask to prevent rockwool dust from entering your lungs. One very convenient feature of rockwool is that it is manufactured in cubes that allow you to easily plant in rows.

As you can see, many growing media work best when combined with a complementary medium. You need to get a good balance of oxygen and moisture to your roots, as well as finding media that will retain nutrients for your plants and keep them well supported without hindering root growth. Check out our selection of growing media at Indoor Cultivator to find the perfect solution for your indoor growing setup.