How to Build a DIY Aeroponic System for Plants: Build to Harvest Guide
When our DIY aeroponic system build video went viral with over 4 million views on Instagram and Facebook, we received thousands of questions about every step of the process. Originally shared as a multi-part series, we've now combined everything into one comprehensive guide so you can see the complete journey from building the system to harvesting your first crop.
This is the same system we've been using since 2018—long before On The Grow even existed—and it's become one of our favorite ways to grow greens indoors with minimal effort.
What is Aeroponics?
Aeroponics is a soilless growing method where plant roots are suspended in air and periodically misted with a nutrient-rich water solution. Unlike traditional hydroponics where roots sit in water, aeroponics delivers oxygen directly to the roots while providing nutrients through misting cycles.
The benefits include:
- Faster plant growth compared to soil
- More oxygen to the root zone
- Less water usage than traditional growing
- No soil-borne diseases
- Clean, efficient indoor growing
- Perfect for leafy greens and herbs
What Grows Well in Aeroponic Systems
We've had excellent success growing a variety of crops in our DIY aeroponic setups:
Leafy Greens:
- Swiss chard (our favorite—grows fast and abundantly!)
- Collard greens
- Kale varieties
- Pak choi (both purple gem and standard)
- Tatsoi (produces beautiful, large plants)
- Lettuce varieties
Herbs:
- Basil (grows extremely well)
- Shiso
Brassicas:
- Scarlet red cat soy mustard
- Various cabbage varieties
Swiss chard has consistently been our top performer, growing faster and more abundantly than other crops in the system. The pak choi and tatsoi also produce stunning results with beautiful coloration and perfect stem development.
Part 1: Building Your DIY Aeroponic System
Materials You'll Need
Main Components:
- Food-safe HDPE plastic bin with lid (source locally and verify food-grade rating)
- 2-inch hole saw
- Drill and drill bits
- Deburring tool or sandpaper
- 2-inch net cups
- Air pump (runs 24/7)
- Airstones
- Airline tubing
- Water pump with timer
- Misting system (options detailed below)
- Rubber floor mat (recommended for leak protection)
Additional Supplies:
- Grow lights
- Light timer
- Rockwool cubes for seed starting
- Hydroponic fertilizer (Master Blend, Epsom salt, calcium nitrate)
- pH meter
- pH solution
- 5-gallon food-grade bucket for mixing
You can find most of these supplies on our Amazon Affiliate Storefront. For seed starting trays and other growing supplies, visit OnTheGrow.net.
Step-by-Step Build Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Bin Lid
Start with your food-safe HDPE plastic bin. Using a 2-inch hole saw, carefully cut evenly spaced holes in the lid where your net cups will sit.
Pro tip: Go slow when cutting—plastic can grab and cause the hole saw to jump. Take your time for clean cuts.
Once all holes are cut, use a deburring tool or sandpaper to smooth the edges. This prevents sharp edges from damaging plant stems later.
Step 2: Clean Everything
Thoroughly wash the bin and lid with soap and water. This removes any manufacturing residue and ensures a clean growing environment.
Step 3: Set Up on Your Grow Rack
Place the cleaned bin on your grow rack or growing shelf. Make sure it's level and stable.
Important: These bins can develop leaks over time. Placing a rubber floor mat underneath protects your floors and makes cleanup easier if leaks occur.
Step 4: Install the Air System
Add airstones inside the bin. Connect them to airline tubing, then connect the tubing to your air pump. The air pump will run 24/7 to keep the nutrient solution oxygenated.
Position the airstones so they're evenly distributed across the bottom of the bin for consistent aeration.
Step 5: Set Up the Misting System
This is where aeroponics differs from other hydroponic methods. You have two options for creating your misting system:
Part 2: Watering Setup Options
Option 1: Pre-Made Spray Manifold (Easiest)
The simplest approach is using a pre-made spray manifold from Amazon. These connect directly to your water pump with tubing and provide an even spray pattern across the root zone.
Advantages:
- Super easy to install
- Consistent spray pattern
- No customization needed
- Saves time
Simply attach the manifold to your water pump tubing and position it inside the bin. The spray heads distribute the nutrient solution evenly across all plant roots.
Option 2: Custom DIY Misting System
For those who want more control, you can build your own misting system using:
- Irrigation tubing
- Micro sprinkler heads (available at Lowe's or Home Depot)
- Hole punch tool for irrigation tubing
Advantages:
- Fully customizable layout
- Can add or remove spray heads as needed
- Works for non-standard bin sizes
Disadvantages:
- More time-consuming to build
- Punching holes in tubing requires significant hand strength
- More parts to manage
Fair warning: Have someone strong around when building a custom system—those tubing holes are tough to punch!
Setting Up the Timer
Regardless which misting option you choose, connect your water pump to a timer. We run ours for 15 minutes every 30 minutes throughout the day.
Our timer schedule:
- On: 15 minutes
- Off: 15 minutes
- Repeat: Throughout the day
This keeps roots consistently misted without oversaturating them. The "off" periods allow oxygen to reach the roots between misting cycles.
Part 3: Lighting Setup
Since we're growing adult plants (not just microgreens), these systems need more light than our typical microgreen setups.
Our Lighting Specifications
Lights Used: Three 40-watt LED shop lights
Light Spectrum: Daylight spectrum around 6,500K with covers over the diodes
Positioning: 10 inches above the plant canopy initially (distance decreases naturally as plants grow taller)
Timer Settings: 14 hours on, 10 hours off daily
There's nothing fancy about our lighting—just standard LED shop lights with daylight spectrum. The key is consistency and proper positioning above your plants.
PAR Readings
For those interested in technical specifications, we measured PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) readings at various distances. These measurements help ensure plants receive adequate light for photosynthesis.
The setup provides ample light for leafy greens and herbs without being overpowered or unnecessarily expensive.
Part 4: Mixing the Fertilizer Solution
Getting your nutrient solution right is critical for plant health and growth.
Our Fertilizer Recipe (Per 5 Gallons)
We use the Master Blend fertilizer system, which provides complete nutrition:
Measurements:
- 12 grams Master Blend 4-18-38
- 12 grams Calcium Nitrate
- 7.5 grams Epsom Salt
Mixing Instructions
Step 1: Fill a 5-gallon food-grade bucket with water. If you need more solution, simply repeat the process with additional buckets.
Step 2: Add ingredients in this specific order:
- Add Master Blend to water and mix thoroughly
- Add Epsom salt and mix completely
- Add Calcium Nitrate last and mix until dissolved
Why the order matters: Mixing Calcium Nitrate with other nutrients before they're diluted can cause nutrient lockout. Always add it last.
Step 3: Let the solution rest for a few minutes after mixing.
Step 4: Check pH using a pH meter. Adjust with pH down solution until you reach the 5.5-6.0 range. This pH range ensures optimal nutrient availability for plants.
Step 5: Carefully pour the mixed fertilizer into your aeroponic system until the water level sits just beneath the misters. You want the misters spraying into air, not submerged in water.
When to Change Water
Monitor your system and change the water when:
- Solution looks cloudy or dirty
- You notice algae growth
- Plants show signs of nutrient deficiency
- Every 2-3 weeks as general maintenance
We use this cleaning solution to sanitize the system between water changes.
Part 5: Starting Seeds for Your Aeroponic System
Starting seeds properly sets the foundation for healthy plants in your aeroponic system.
Seed Starting Process
Step 1: Prep Rockwool Cubes
Soak rockwool cubes in pH-balanced water (around 5.5-6.0). Let them soak until fully saturated.
Step 2: Plant Seeds
Once soaked, place 1-2 seeds in the small hole on top of each rockwool cube. Using two seeds gives you a backup in case one doesn't germinate.
Why 1-2 seeds? If both germinate, you can either thin to one plant or let both grow together (they'll often merge into one strong plant).
Step 3: Initial Germination
Place seeded cubes on a seed starting tray and put them on a shelf without light initially. Keep them moist but not waterlogged.
Step 4: Move to Light
Once seedlings emerge just above the rockwool cube, transfer them to a separate tray. This is when you introduce fertilizer for the first time and place them under grow lights.
Lighting tip: If using weaker lights, raise the tray closer to the light source. Seedlings need adequate light to prevent stretching.
Step 5: Grow Out (1-2 Weeks)
Keep seedlings under lights with diluted fertilizer for 1-2 weeks. During this time, they'll develop stronger root systems and true leaves.
Step 6: Transplant to Aeroponic System
When plants are tall enough (usually after 1-2 weeks), they're ready for the aeroponic system.
Transplanting Into the System
Step 1: Place the rockwool cube with plant into a 2-inch net cup.
Step 2: Gently insert the foam plug collar around the stem to stabilize the plant. If needed, cut the hole slightly larger for a better fit.
Step 3: Place the net cup with plant into one of the holes in your aeroponic system lid.
Step 4: Repeat for all plants.
Once in place, the roots will begin getting misted with fertilizer water. Over time, both roots and plant foliage will continue growing vigorously.
Part 6: Growing and Maintaining Your System
Daily Checks
- Verify timer is working: Misters should cycle on/off as programmed
- Check for leaking: this can happen
- Check water level: Top off as needed to keep misters submerged
- Inspect plants: Look for signs of deficiency or pests
- Monitor lights: Ensure they're on the correct schedule
Weekly Maintenance
- Check pH: Adjust if it drifts outside 5.5-6.0 range
- Clean any algae: Wipe down lid and exposed surfaces
- Inspect roots: Healthy roots should be white or light tan
- Top off nutrients: Add fresh solution as water level drops
Signs of Healthy Growth
Healthy roots:
- White to light cream color
- Fuzzy appearance from root hairs
- Vigorous growth into the misting zone
Healthy foliage:
- Vibrant green color (or appropriate color for variety)
- New growth emerging regularly
- Strong, upright stems
- No yellowing or brown spots
Part 7: Harvesting Your Aeroponic Crops
After several weeks of growth (timing varies by crop), your plants will be ready for harvest. Here's how we harvest our aeroponic-grown greens:
Harvesting Pak Choi and Tatsoi
Step 1: Cut the Roots
Using clean scissors or a knife, cut just above where the roots meet the stem. This separates the plant from the net cup.
Step 2: Remove Bottom Leaves
Remove any lower leaves that may be damaged, yellowed, or touching the water during growth.
Step 3: Make the Final Cut
Cut at the base of the stem, right above where leaves emerge. This gives you clean, marketable greens.
Step 4: Repeat
Continue the process for each plant in your system.
Our Harvest Results
From a single aeroponic system, we harvested:
- 5 large pak choi plants
- Several baby pak choi
- 1 massive tatsoi plant (the largest in the group)
What made them special:
- Beautiful, thick stems
- Perfect leaf development
- Stunning coloration (especially the red gem pak choi)
- Clean, uniform growth
The tatsoi was particularly impressive—so perfect it almost looked surreal. The stems were thick and pristine, better than anything we'd seen from soil growing.
Our Favorite Crop: Swiss Chard
While pak choi and tatsoi produce beautiful results, we prefer growing Swiss chard in the aeroponic system because it:
- Grows faster than other greens
- Produces more abundantly
- Can be harvested multiple times (cut-and-come-again)
- Develops vibrant stem colors
- Handles the system extremely well
One bin can produce an incredible amount of Swiss chard over time, making it our go-to crop for aeroponic growing.
Using Your Harvest
Fresh-harvested aeroponic greens are perfect for:
- Stir-fries (pak choi and tatsoi excel here)
- Fresh salads
- Sautéed side dishes
- Smoothie additions
- Any recipe calling for fresh greens
We enjoyed our pak choi harvest in a stir-fry the same day—the freshness and flavor were outstanding.
Bonus: Converting to DWC (Deep Water Culture) or Kratky
One of the best features of this build is its versatility. You can easily convert the same setup into other hydroponic systems:
Converting to DWC (Deep Water Culture)
Remove: The misting system (water pump and sprayers)
Keep: Airstones and air pump
Adjust: Raise water level so it touches the bottom of net cups
Result: A deep water culture system where roots grow directly into oxygenated water
This works great for lettuce, basil, and other crops that thrive in DWC setups. You can find supplies for a dedicated DWC build here.
Converting to Kratky Method
Remove: Both misting system AND airstones
Adjust: Fill water level to just below net cups
Result: A passive hydroponic system requiring no electricity
The Kratky method works through an air gap that naturally forms as plants consume water. This gap provides oxygen to roots while the remaining water provides nutrients.
We've covered the Kratky method extensively for microgreens in this guide.
Important Notes About Materials and Safety
Choosing Food-Safe Plastics
We use HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) bins rated as food-safe for our systems. However, not all plastic bins are created equal.
Our recommendation: Do your own research on plastic safety and choose materials you're personally comfortable with. We grow for our own consumption and use what works for us based on our research.
Things to verify:
- Food-grade certification
- HDPE (#2) or PP (#5) plastic rating
- BPA-free designation
- Intended use (some bins aren't meant for food contact)
Source bins locally where you can verify their ratings. Not all brands are alike.
This Build Isn't for Everyone
We recognize that DIY systems involving plastics, electricity, and water aren't everyone's preference. There are plenty of pre-made aeroponic and hydroponic systems available if you prefer:
- Professional certifications
- Warranty coverage
- Technical support
- No assembly required
Our goal isn't to say this is the "best" or "only" way—it's simply to share what's worked for us and inspire others to explore growing methods that fit their space, budget, and comfort level.
Uses Beyond Growing Food
This aeroponic system isn't just for food production. They're excellent for:
Plant Propagation:
- Starting vegetable transplants for outdoor gardens
- Cloning plants from cuttings
- Rooting herbs for transplanting
Education:
- Teaching kids about plant biology
- Learning hydroponic growing principles
- Experimenting with different crops
Hobby Growing:
- Testing new varieties before committing to large grows
- Winter growing when outdoor gardening isn't possible
- Apartment and indoor gardening
We started building systems like this in 2018 simply because we enjoyed the process and loved growing fresh food indoors year-round.
Why We Love This System
After years of growing with these DIY aeroponic setups, here's what keeps us coming back:
Low Maintenance: Once established, these systems largely run themselves. Just monitor water levels, check pH weekly, and ensure timers are functioning.
Fast Growth: Plants grow noticeably faster in aeroponics compared to soil. The constant oxygen and nutrient availability accelerates development.
Space Efficient: Vertical stacking lets you grow multiple bins in a small footprint. Perfect for apartments or limited growing spaces.
Clean Growing: No soil means no mess. Harvesting is cleaner, and there's no dirt tracked around your home.
Year-Round Production: Grow fresh greens regardless of outdoor weather or season.
Learning Experience: Building and maintaining these systems teaches valuable skills in hydroponics, plant nutrition, and system design.
Common Questions and Troubleshooting
Q: How often should I change the water? A: Every 2-3 weeks, or sooner if the solution looks cloudy or algae develops.
Q: What if my bins leak? A: Place a rubber floor mat underneath. Some leaking is common—it's why we emphasize mat placement in the build. Since they CAN leak, make sure that you do NOT have any electrical outlets that could get water contact near by the system. Safety first.
Q: Can I grow fruiting plants like tomatoes or peppers? A: While possible, leafy greens and herbs perform best. Fruiting plants need more support structures and deeper root zones. While its not impossible, we have 100% grown plants like peppers and tomato's in this system with great success, its just harder to keep them upright.
Q: My plants look yellow. What's wrong? A: Check pH first (should be 5.5-6.0). If pH is good, you may need to refresh your nutrient solution or increase light intensity.
Q: Algae is growing in my reservoir. Is that bad? A: Some algae is normal but too much competes for nutrients. Clean during water changes and minimize light reaching the reservoir.
Q: How long does a harvest take? A: Most leafy greens are ready in 4-6 weeks from transplant. Swiss chard can be harvested sooner for baby greens.
Complete Supply Lists
For Aeroponic System Build
Find all supplies on our Amazon Affiliate Storefront - Aeroponic List
You'll need to source locally:
- Food-safe HDPE bins with lids
For DWC System Build
Find all supplies on our Amazon Affiliate Storefront - DWC List
For Seed Starting & Microgreens
Watch the Complete Video
Want to see the entire process in action? Watch our complete YouTube video that combines all parts of the series:
The video walks through every step visually, making it easier to follow along as you build your own system.
Final Thoughts
This DIY aeroponic system has been one of our most rewarding projects. From its viral debut to countless successful harvests, it's proven itself as a reliable, efficient way to grow fresh greens indoors.
Whether you're looking to:
- Grow food year-round
- Learn about hydroponics
- Start a small indoor garden
- Experiment with different growing methods
- Clone and propagate plants
This system offers a straightforward entry point into soilless growing.
Remember: This is what works for us. Take the concepts, adapt them to your space and needs, and don't be afraid to experiment. Some of our best discoveries came from trying new things and learning what our specific setup and environment needed.
Have you built an aeroponic system? We'd love to hear about your experience, what crops you're growing, and any modifications you've made to improve the design. Share in the comments below!
For more growing guides, tips, and updates on what we're growing, follow along on our social media or subscribe to our YouTube channel. And if you're interested in growing microgreens alongside your aeroponic setup, check out our Microgreen Masterclass for comprehensive training.
Happy growing! 🌱