Plants for small aquaponics systems
Plants are the last stage of the filter in an aquaponics system. They take up the nitrate the bacteria produce, so which plants you grow, and how many, decides how much fish load the system can carry.
The article on top plants for filtration efficiency compares basil, watercress, lettuce, mint, and peace lily as nitrate sponges for small systems. When leaves start to yellow or brown, our guide to nutrient deficiencies explains how to read the pattern and correct iron, potassium, and calcium without harming the fish. If plants look hungry even though the water tests clean, feeding and stocking covers how to raise the nitrogen supply.
Guides and articles
Top Plants for Aquaponics Filtration Efficiency
Which species pull the most nitrogen from your system and why root architecture matters more than growth rate.
GuideFixing nutrient deficiencies in aquaponics plants
Reading leaf symptoms and correcting iron, potassium, and calcium shortages without harming the fish.