By Floris Berghout, CEO of Viemose DGS
Across the United States, greenhouse growers are navigating a fast-changing landscape. Rising input costs, unpredictable weather patterns, and growing demand for fresh, local produce have led many to rethink how food is grown. More and more, the answer points toward hydroponics.
Hydroponic systems offer a clean, efficient, and resource-conscious way to grow leafy greens and herbs year-round. Whether it’s a family-run greenhouse in the Midwest or a high-tech facility supplying urban markets on the East Coast, growers are finding that hydroponics gives them the control and consistency they need to thrive in today’s market.
Lettuce and herbs, in particular, are a natural fit. Fast-growing, space-efficient, and in constant demand, these crops respond exceptionally well to hydroponic conditions, especially when supported by thoughtful greenhouse design and smart production systems.
In this article, we’ll explore why hydroponics is such a powerful tool for lettuce and herb growers, how it contributes to a more efficient food system, and how innovative cultivation systems help growers maximize yields without sacrificing quality.
What is hydroponics?
First of all, it’s worth understanding what hydroponics really is and why it’s gaining so much traction in the American greenhouse industry.
Hydroponics is a soil-free method of growing plants using a water-based solution enriched with nutrients. Instead of pulling minerals from the soil, plant roots grow in or just above this solution, giving growers precise control over every aspect of the crop’s environment – from nutrients to pH to oxygen levels. This control leads to faster growth, higher yields, and cleaner production.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all system, and that’s part of what makes hydroponics so versatile. Some of the most common approaches used in greenhouse settings include:
- Nutrient film technique (NFT): A thin stream of water runs continuously over plant roots inside sloped channels. It’s ideal for small, fast-growing crops like lettuce, basil, and other herbs.
- Deep water culture (DWC): Plants are suspended in oxygenated nutrient-rich water. Roots dangle directly into the solution, making this method simple and effective for high-density growing.
- Floating raft systems: Used widely in large-scale lettuce operations, this method allows plants to “float” on a pond of nutrient-enriched water, which supports uniform growth and easy handling.
- Moving Gutter Systems: Designed for continuous production, the Moving Gutter System advances plants slowly through the greenhouse as they grow. This dynamic setup supports efficient space utilization, automates plant handling, and enables growers to manage crops at different growth stages in a streamlined flow.
Each of these hydroponic systems are especially effective when housed inside controlled greenhouse environments where temperature, humidity, and light can be adjusted to match the crop’s specific needs all year long. For growers facing the challenges of modern agriculture, hydroponics offers a future-focused way forward.
In the sections that follow, we’ll look more closely at why hydroponics is such a natural fit for leafy greens and herbs, what benefits it offers in terms of sustainability and productivity, and how hydroponic systems can further optimize space and labor efficiency without adding unnecessary complexity.
Why hydroponics works so well for lettuce and herbs
1. Rapid growth cycles
Lettuce and herbs grow quickly, often reaching harvest size in as little as 3–6 weeks in hydroponic systems. Because nutrients are delivered directly to the roots, plants spend less energy searching for food and more on developing lush, flavorful leaves.
This speed and reliability make hydroponics an excellent choice for commercial growers seeking fast turnover and steady supply.
2. Compact and clean production
Hydroponic greens and herbs don’t need soil, which eliminates many pests, weeds, and diseases, and reduces the need for chemicals. Plants can be grown vertically or in close proximity, making better use of space. Systems are often elevated, reducing bending and easing the harvesting process.
In controlled greenhouse environments, growers can avoid unpredictable weather and grow year-round – even in cold or arid regions.
3. Longer shelf life and fresher taste
Hydroponically grown herbs and lettuce are often cleaner and crisper at harvest, with minimal handling required. This translates to longer shelf life and better flavor, which is especially valuable for local food markets, restaurants, and specialty retailers.
Environmental advantages of hydroponic lettuce and herb production
Water conservation
Hydroponics uses up to 90% less water than traditional agriculture. Water is recirculated within the system, minimizing waste through evaporation or runoff. For water-sensitive regions or urban farms, this efficiency is a key advantage.
Minimal land use
Without the need for soil, hydroponic systems can operate in greenhouses, rooftops, or even urban shipping containers. Growing vertically or in mobile channels makes it possible to produce large volumes of lettuce or herbs in a small footprint.
Fewer inputs, less waste
Because the environment is tightly controlled, growers can limit fertilizer use, avoid unnecessary pesticide applications, and maintain consistent crop quality. Hydroponic systems also avoid common soil-borne diseases, saving money and reducing losses.
How greenhouse design supports hydroponics
While hydroponics can technically be done anywhere, it thrives in greenhouses built for energy efficiency and climate control. Specifically, greenhouses that design for the following considerations will be more likely to thrive:
- Passive solar heating using thermal mass
- Natural ventilation and airflow to reduce cooling costs
- Light diffusion for even growth and reduced stress on plants
Pairing hydroponics with these features makes production more efficient and lowers operating costs – key for long-term viability.
Optimizing production with moving systems
One of the common challenges in lettuce and herb production is space management. When crops are started from seed, they can be densely packed. But as they grow, they need more space to ensure proper light access and air circulation. Traditionally, this means manually moving plants or wasting space by planting them with final spacing from the start.
A smart solution? Moving Gutter Systems.
These systems allow plants to begin closely spaced and gradually move apart as they grow. The channels or “gutters” containing the plants are automatically shifted along a track, adjusting spacing over time. This approach ensures:
- Maximized use of space
- Uniform crop growth
- Reduced manual handling
- Optimized airflow and light penetration
It’s a dynamic way to align plant needs with growing conditions, especially in high-turnover crops like lettuce and herbs.
A real-world example: Viemose DGS’s Moving Gutter System
At Viemose DGS, we’ve worked closely with commercial greenhouse growers to design a Moving Gutter System optimized for hydroponic lettuce and herb production. The system integrates easily with common hydroponic techniques like NFT and is scalable to suit both small and large operations.
By enabling dynamic crop spacing and minimizing labor inputs, the system helps growers get more from their space, both in yield and efficiency, without sacrificing quality.
While we understand that each grower’s setup is unique, we’ve seen firsthand how our innovation can support the next level of efficient food production.
Looking ahead: The future of fresh, local greens
The appetite for fresh, locally grown, and sustainably produced greens continues to grow. Hydroponic systems offer an efficient way to meet this demand – even in regions with limited space, water, or ideal climate conditions. When combined with optimized greenhouse environments, leafy greens and herbs can be produced rapidly and cleanly, all while minimizing environmental impact.
As tools for automation and climate control become more advanced, growing fresh produce is getting easier to manage and more efficient. Whether you’re supplying grocery stores, local shops or upscale kitchens, hydroponics gives you a reliable way to produce clean, healthy crops all year round.
