Grow Smarter with Hydroponics

Hydroponic growing with SmoothCrops means that plants are grown completely without soil - simple, clean and efficient. Plants get all their nutrition through a carefully balanced water solution that contains all the important minerals they need to grow. The roots get optimal amounts of oxygen and nutrition, which gives faster growth, larger harvests and up to 90% lower water consumption compared to traditional cultivation.

For those who want to start with hydroponic growing, we recommend our three simple and beginner-friendly systems: HydroWave counter model, SkyStack the vertical growing tower and SproutBench for microgreens and pre-cultivation. HydroWave makes it easy to grow herbs and lettuce right in the kitchen, SkyStack lets you grow upwards and maximize space at home, and SproutBench is perfect for fast-growing microgreens and strong plant starters. All our systems are developed to be easy to use, hassle-free and delivered as complete kits - ready to grow as soon as you unpack them.

pH shows how acidic or alkaline the water is, and most plants thrive best between 5.5-6.5. If pH is wrong, plants can have difficulty absorbing nutrients, even if they are present in the water. EC (Electrical Conductivity) shows how much nutrition is in the solution - too high EC can stress the roots, while too low can cause nutrient deficiency.

In Sweden we generally have good water, so pH usually only needs to be adjusted when necessary. EC, however, is good to follow regularly to ensure plants get adequate nutrition.

All our kits always include an EC meter, and in SkyStack both pH and EC meters are included from the start so you can grow optimally right out of the box.

The best plants for beginners in hydroponics are leafy greens and herbs that grow quickly and are forgiving. Try: lettuce, spinach, basil, mint, parsley, arugula, pak choi and cilantro. These grow fast (4-6 weeks to harvest) which gives quick feedback on your system. When you've gained more experience you can try tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and even strawberries. Start with 2-3 plants of the same variety so you can learn their needs before diversifying!

The most important thing is to keep track of how your nutrient solution and plants behave. Instead of changing on a fixed schedule, we recommend changing when you see signs that the balance is changing. Top up with water when the level drops and adjust pH and EC as needed.

Signs that it's time to change the solution can be rapid pH swings, unusually high or irregular EC value, cloudy or dark water, or if growth suddenly decreases. Also look at the roots - healthy plants have light, white roots. If they start to turn brown, slimy or smell bad, it's a clear sign that the solution needs to be changed.

SmoothCrops nutrient solutions make refilling and balancing easy, so your plants always get the best possible conditions.

Prevention is key! For algae: cover all water containers and pipes so that light doesn't reach the water, as algae need light to grow. Use opaque containers and cover unused openings. For root rot: ensure water is properly oxygenated with air pumps, keep water temperature below 22°C (warmer water holds less oxygen), avoid over-watering or stagnant water, and keep the system clean. Change nutrient solution regularly and clean the system between harvests. If problems occur, treatment products are available at Smoothcrops!

How often you need to refill water depends on several factors: which plants you grow, how many plants you have in the system and what growth stage they are in. Larger plants in full growth naturally consume more water than small plants or plants in early stages.

Generally, you need to refill water at least once a week, but it can vary. During warm months or when your plants are large and growing fast, you may need to refill more often, while smaller systems with fewer plants can manage longer.

Tip: Keep an eye on the water level regularly, especially in the beginning when you're getting to know your system's consumption. It's better to refill a little more often than to let the level drop too much, as roots need constant access to water and nutrition.