Hydroponic Herbs Dying: Common Problems in Small Kits
Hydroponic herbs dying in a countertop kit usually come down to light, temperature or the roots. Iowa State University Extension notes light is the most limiting factor for herbs indoors. University of Minnesota Extension notes roots need oxygen as well as water. Check each of these before you replace the plants.
The short answer
Most failing kit herbs lack light or root oxygen. Penn State Extension advises fluorescent lights 6 to 12 inches above herbs for 14 to 16 hours a day. University of Minnesota Extension notes only part of each root should sit in water. Colorado State University Extension favors aeration plus a 68 to 72 F root zone.
Which herbs are easiest in a kit?
Iowa State University Extension lists parsley, mint, chives, basil, oregano, cilantro plus thyme as herbs that grow well indoors. It notes rosemary plus sage need more light. Most herbs need about eight hours of direct light, which a kit light has to supply indoors. Starting with easier herbs means fewer losses.
| Problem | Sign | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Weak light | Thin, spindly plants | Lower the light plus add hours |
| Cold room | Basil failing below 50 F | Move the kit somewhere warmer |
| Drowned roots | Roots fully under water | Lower the water line |
| Low oxygen | Brown, sparse roots | Run an air stone |
| Root disease | Wilting with brown roots | Aerate plus cool the water |
Source: Penn State Extension, University of Minnesota Extension plus Colorado State University Extension.
Why do herbs die under kit lights?
Penn State Extension notes thin, spindly growth means herbs need more light. It advises fluorescent lights 6 to 12 inches above the plants for 14 to 16 hours a day. Penn State suggests days of 65 to 70 F plus nights of 55 to 60 F. It notes basil cannot survive below 50 F.
How do roots fail in a small kit?
University of Minnesota Extension notes the net pot should sit only partly in the water so roots get oxygen. An air pump plus air stone supplies oxygen as fine bubbles. Colorado State University Extension notes root disease shows as wilting, with brown roots that have sparse root hairs.
How to: step by step
- Choose easy herbs such as parsley, chives plus mint.
- Set the light 6 to 12 inches above the plants.
- Run the light 14 to 16 hours a day on a timer.
- Set the room near 65 to 70 F by day.
- Leave part of each root above the water line.
- Run an air stone plus change the solution on schedule.
Troubleshooting
Thin, spindly herbs: weak light. Lower the light plus lengthen hours.
Wilting with brown roots: root disease. Aerate plus cool the water.
Basil collapsing on a cold sill: cold. Carry the kit somewhere warmer.
For related reading see caring for your hydroponic system, how to deal with pythium root rot in cannabis plants plus indoor marijuana grow systems. Kind Seed Co also stocks cannabis seeds.
Sources
- Growing herbs indoors, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Growing herbs indoors, Penn State Extension
- Small scale hydroponics, University of Minnesota Extension
- Root disease problems and management in hydroponic systems (PlantTalk 2043), Colorado State University Extension
FAQ
Why are my kit herbs thin and leggy?
Thin, spindly herbs need more light, according to Penn State Extension. It advises fluorescent lights 6 to 12 inches above the plants for 14 to 16 hours a day. Iowa State University Extension notes light is the most limiting factor for herbs grown indoors. Lower the light or extend the hours on a timer.
Which herbs struggle most in a kit?
Iowa State University Extension notes rosemary plus sage need more light than many other herbs. It lists parsley, mint, chives, basil, oregano, cilantro plus thyme as herbs that do well indoors. Start with those if past kits failed. Add higher light herbs once you know the kit light can supply enough.
Can roots sit fully under water?
Not for long. University of Minnesota Extension notes the net pot should sit only partly submerged so roots can reach oxygen. It notes aeration helps when roots sit more than halfway under water. Run an air pump plus air stone, and lower the water line if the whole root mass sits in the solution.
What room temperature suits herbs?
Penn State Extension suggests days of 65 to 70 F plus nights of 55 to 60 F for most indoor herbs. It notes basil cannot survive below 50 F, so it needs a warmer spot than the others. Move kits away from cold windows at night, and away from heaters that dry the air.
How do I know if roots are diseased?
Colorado State University Extension notes root disease is first noticed as wilting or tip burn on leaves. The roots turn brown with sparse root hairs and may be soft or stunted. It notes low oxygen favors disease, so it advises good aeration plus a root zone near 68 to 72 F.
