Gerbera

Quick growing conditions

How to Grow Hydroponic Gerbera Indoors

Hydroponic gerbera produces colourful daisy-like flowers without soil. For successful indoor growing, give the plant plenty of light, an airy root zone and a crown that stays dry.

Growing Conditions

These temperatures are guidance, rather than strict limits. Cooler conditions slow development; warmer conditions need enough light to support healthy growth. Increasing temperature does not necessarily bring earlier flowers.

The light setting is an approximate home-growing starting point, not a universal optimum. Lux readings depend on lamp spectrum. Adjust intensity gradually according to growth and flowering; commercial greenhouse recommendations can be considerably higher. Avoid hot, direct sunlight that scorches leaves.

Varieties and Hydroponic System

Choose a compact pot gerbera for a small indoor setup. Taller varieties grown for cut flowers need more space and headroom.

A substrate-based drip system is a practical choice. Use an airy medium such as perlite or rockwool, with effective drainage. Hydroponic gerbera has been successfully grown in both substrates.

Keep the crown, where leaves and flower stems emerge, slightly above the substrate. Position the dripper beside it. Roots need moisture and oxygen, while the crown should remain dry.

Recommended Nutrient Solution

The following profile comes from Nutrient Solutions for Greenhouse Crops, by Geerten van der Lugt and co-authors, version 4, 2020, page 79: Gerbera, inert substrate.

All concentrations are in mg/L of finished nutrient solution.

Total N already includes N–NO₃ and N–NH₄. Each adjusted column is calculated independently from the base profile.

The book lists feed pH 5.3 and EC 1.6 mS/cm, separately from its root-zone targets. Monitor both the supplied solution and conditions around the roots.

Use this profile as a starting point. You can modify it during growth according to your cultivar, lighting, water composition and plant response. Include nutrients already present in your water when calculating fertilizer quantities.

Prepare your formula with our NPK Calculator.

Plant Care and Flowering

Adjust irrigation to keep the substrate moist and aerated, allowing a slight reduction in moisture between irrigations without wilting. Avoid permanent saturation.

Give each plant enough space so neighbouring leaves do not shade its crown. Light reaching the crown supports bud development.

Remove faded flowers with their whole stems, and remove damaged or dying leaves. Keep healthy foliage; gerbera does not need routine shaping or heavy pruning. Pollination is unnecessary when growing flowers for display.

For pesticide-free home growing, inspect leaves and buds regularly. Isolate affected plants, remove pests physically where practical, and use suitable biological controls if needed.

Enjoying the Flowers

Leave flowers on the plant for an indoor display, or cut developed blooms for a vase. Use clean tools and fresh water. Gerbera flowers can last more than a week in a vase, particularly in cooler conditions.

Common Problems

• Few flowers: Check light intensity, crown shading and temperature before increasing fertilizer.
• Yellow young leaves with green veins: Check root health and pH; high pH can restrict Fe availability.
• Soft crown or wilting in wet substrate: Check drainage and reduce excessive irrigation.
• Grey mould: Remove affected material, avoid wet foliage and improve ventilation.

Have questions about growing hydroponic gerbera? Join the Grow Like Pro Telegram channel. We’re happy to help with your setup and nutrient solution.

Sources

• Nutrient Solutions for Greenhouse Crops, Geerten van der Lugt and co-authors, version 4, 2020, page 79