Plant cultivation using water and fertilizers with liquid (fertigation) are known as hydroponic plants. Hydroponics culture is one of the latest food production solutions to feed expanding populations. It does not matter if you are a newbie or an expert gardener. You can start your own hydroponics culture for your kitchen needs at your home. You can built your own hydroponics setup or you can buy Vertical Garden Towers from Amazon. Some of those plants which can easily be grown at home or at large-scale hydroponics farming are discussed below.
Edible Plants that Grow in Water
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
Lotus flowers can grow in shallow water, having pink and white flowers that add beauty to the area. The edible portion in lotus is its leaves, roots, and seeds also.
Lotus is eaten as salads, soups, and also stir-fried form. Leaves are used to cover foods, and seeds can be roasted.
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)
It’s a warm-season flower, very nutritious can be propagated through cuttings and seeds.
The edible portion of it is seeds, stems, flowers, and leaves. Both are used in salads that give peppery and spicy flavor to food.
Water spinach (Ipomea aquatic)
It is an Asian crop, best grown in tropical and sub-tropical climatic areas.
It can be produced from seeds or cuttings; you can harvest its leaves just after six weeks. We can eat its leaves in soups or as stir-fried. It is also called morning glory, kangkong, and swamp cabbage.
Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
Taro is an edible water plant, we can eat its leaves, but they contain calcium oxalate, which can cause kidney stones.
So when you cook taro leaves, first oil them properly to remove toxicity. There are various methods to eat taro leaves: mashed, boiled, and fried chips.
Water chestnut (Eleocharis dulci)
We can eat water chestnuts in the form of soups and also stir-fried after peeling. The edible portion is corm that can be harvested in winters. Harvesting level is when the leaves turn brown and die. They contain a maximum amount of Vitamin B6 and riboflavin.
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)
The edible portion of sweet potato is a modified stem and root. You can grow it easily in a pond or freshwater. Its vines are toxic for animals, so keep your pets away from your garden. People in Asian countries eat sweet potatoes after steaming and boiling them. It promotes gut health, enhances brain functions, and helps to fight cancer.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Peppermint can easily grow in a glass jar full of water, needs indirect sunlight and a small number of nutrients. Its leaves are used in fresh form in salads, tea, and making yogurt. Peppermint yogurt is widely used in the whole world. It contains menthol that gives a cooling sensation to the human body. Propagating a new plant in water is feasible; take a cutting from a fresh mint plant. Remember to take the young branch and grow a new one and place it in your kitchen window.
Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)
Stevia is a sugar alternative plant for diabetic patients.
As doctors prescribe diabetic patients to avoid sugar, so stevia is not harmful. It sweetens drinks, tea, or any sweet food. For its propagation, you can grow it in water and also in soil. Put its cutting in a glass jar, a place near a window of maximum sunlight, and care for growth.
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
Tarragon sauce is the most favorite sauce nowadays served with chicken steak and pasta. It can also be propagated in a hydroponic system, needs warmness, and excessive sunlight for growth. The process for producing a new plant is the same as peppermint. An edible portion of tarragon is its leaves; enjoy fresh leaves in salads, sauces, and soups.
Tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicum)
Maintenance, regular care for the growth and development of tomatoes are required. We know that tomato is the main vegetable crop used in making curry, tomato ketchup, and salads. Hydroponic tomatoes are also successful, give good results.
The edible portion of tomato is epicarp, mesocarp, and endocarp, along with their seeds. Tomatoes help to reduce heart diseases and cancer. It contains vitamin K, C, and folate.
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