Each type of hydroponic systems have their own unique characteristics and thus are optimal for different types of crops. Here is a table listing the pros and cons of each of the major types of hydroponic systems. There are also hybrid systems that attempt to take the positive characteristics of systems types while avoiding the downsides.
| System Type | Distinguishing Characteristics | Pros | Cons | Tolerance to Pump Failure/Electricity Outage | Best for Growing | Not Ideal for Growing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passive | No power is required to run the system. Most passive systems use a wick and capillary action to deliver the nutrient solution to the roots. | Does not require electricity Inexpensive to construct No moving parts | Does not scale well Requires grow medium Lower yields than other systems | Highest | Best used for educational growing projects, typically not used commercially or for production. Theoretically it can be used to grow any crop provided the system is scaled for size appropriateness. | Mass production crops, crops that need a lot of air in the root zone, crops with large root zones. |
| Flood and Drain (Ebb and Flow) | Nutrient solution delivered by pump into a tray then drained away in determined cycles | Energy efficient Scales well High rate of production, allows for many kinds of grow media High rate of germination | Reservoir capacities need to be higher Uses electricity | Medium | Seed starting. Crops that need well drained soil. Tomatoes, peppers. | Crops that need constant moisture. Salad greens, herbs, brassica family plants. |
| Drip | Nutrient solution delivered by pump to base of plant just above root zone Water pumps run continuously or on cycles depending on the water retention characteristics of the growing medium | High yields Low water usage Scales well Excellent for plants that like drainage | Requires electricity Drip lines are easily clogged | Low | Crops with large root zones, crops that require drainage, fruiting and flowering plants, crops that have a long growing cycle. Great for everything | Least practical for salad greens or crops harvested as a head. |
| Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) | Nutrient solution delivered to root zone via a thin film of liquid in a channel Water pumps run continuously | High yields Little to no medium required Easy to maintain Scales well | Not suitable for plants with large taproot systems | Lowest | Leafy greens, crops with shorter life cycles. Crops with smaller root zones. Lettuce, dandelion, chicory, herbs, basil, sage, brassica family plants used as salad greens. | Fruiting and flowering plants. Plants with larger root zones. |
| Deep Water | Roots are constantly submerged in a nutrient solution | Great for water loving crops Scales well | Reservoir capacities need to be higher Less useful for crops that need drainage | High | Water loving crops. Lettuce, chicory, dandelion, basil, cilantro, arugula, bok choy. | Crops that require heavy drainage. Large plants. Watercress (ironically). |
| Aeroponics | Nutrient solution delivered to root zone via a spray, mist or fog Water pumps run continuously Roots dangle in air | High yields Excellent for specialized tasks such as vegetative propagation or seed germination | Does not scale well Spray jets/misters/foggers clog easily | Lowest | Rooting cuttings, seed starting, seedlings, plants that like moderate drainage. | Large plants, plants with long life cycles. |