Learn Kratky Hydroponics Step by Step
No Pumps, No Power
The Kratky method grows plants in still water. Roots drink the nutrient solution as it drops, and the gap left behind gives them air. Nothing to plug in.
Lessons in Order
Follow the lessons one at a time, from your first jar to your first harvest. Each lesson covers one step and nothing else.
Grown by Us
Every lesson comes from our own Kratky garden. The lettuce, basil and tomatoes you see on this site are our harvests.
Who It's For
Complete beginners who want to grow lettuce, herbs and more indoors, with no soil and no electricity. If you have never grown anything in water, start with Lesson 1.
Tomatoes
Basil
Lettuce
Potatoes
Mason Jars
Cilantro
What You Need to Start
The Kratky method was developed by Dr. Bernard Kratky at the University of Hawaii. A basic setup needs only a container with a lid, a net cup, a growing medium, hydroponic nutrients, a pH test kit, seeds and a sunny window or grow light. The lessons walk you through each one.
Kratky Method Tomatoes
Kratky Tomato
See our harvests!
Kratky Method Lettuce
Kratky Lettuce
See our harvests!
Kratky Method Basil
Kratky Basil
See our harvests!
Is the Kratky Method a Good Solution?
"I wanted to grow vegetables and herbs during the winter, but couldn't. I adopted the Kratky method and created an indoor grow shelf in a 2x5 foot space. I was able to grow Kratky lettuce, basil, dwarf tomatoes and more. I love the Kratky hydroponic method of growing indoors."
"Lettuce does not grow well in high heat, like we get in Texas. I started using the Kratky method to grow lettuce indoors and wow, Kratky rocks. Large heads of lettuce in less time and they grow all year long. Using the Kratky method of hydroponics, I now grow all of my lettuce indoors in my Kratky mason jars."