Free Hydroponic Building Plans

Indoor Shelf DWC Space Saver

A compact deep water culture system that fits on a standard wire shelf. Perfect for apartments and small spaces. Grows up to 24 heads of lettuce at once.

Cost: $85-$120

Build: 45 min

Kratky Mason Jar Herb Garden

The simplest hydroponic build possible. Wide-mouth mason jars and the passive Kratky method grow fresh kitchen herbs with zero electricity and zero pumps.

Cost: $15-$30

Build: 5 min

3 builders

DWC 5-Gallon Bucket System

The classic single-bucket DWC setup for growing one large plant. Perfect for peppers, tomatoes, or a massive basil bush indoors or outdoors.

Cost: $25-$45

Build: 20 min

1 builder

Wick System Starter Tote

A passive wick system in a simple storage tote. No pumps, no electricity - just cotton wicks drawing nutrients to 6 plants of herbs and microgreens.

Cost: $20-$35

Build: 15 min

DWC 18-Plant Storage Tote System

Two 27-gallon totes with 9 plants each create an 18-plant lettuce and herb factory. Simple DWC with shared air pump.

Cost: $70-$100

Build: 45 min

DWC Floating Lettuce Raft

A commercial-style floating raft system scaled for home use. A styrofoam raft floats on a shallow reservoir, growing 24 heads of lettuce at once.

Cost: $50-$80

Build: 30 min

DWC Strawberry Bucket Garden

Four 5-gallon DWC buckets configured specifically for strawberries, with tips for runners, hand pollination, and berry-specific nutrients.

Cost: $45-$70

Build: 30 min

DWC Classroom Demo Kit

A mini DWC in a clear container designed for schools and kids. Watch roots grow in real time and learn plant biology hands-on.

Cost: $15-$25

Build: 10 min

Kratky Lettuce Factory Tote

A no-pump, no-electricity lettuce factory in a single 8-gallon tote. Six heads of lettuce grow passively using the Kratky method.

Cost: $20-$35

Build: 10 min

Kratky Windowsill Microgreens Tray

Grow nutrient-dense microgreens on your windowsill with a shallow Kratky tray. Harvest in just 7-14 days with almost zero effort.

Cost: $10-$20

Build: 5 min

Kratky 5-Gallon Pepper Bucket

A single 5-gallon bucket grows one big pepper or tomato plant with zero electricity using the passive Kratky method. The ultimate low-cost, low-effort setup.

Cost: $15-$25

Build: 10 min

Kratky Balcony Salad Garden

Ten Kratky totes on a small balcony grow a complete salad garden - lettuce, spinach, kale, and herbs - with no pumps and no electricity.

Cost: $40-$60

Build: 30 min

Wick System Window Box Herbs

A long window box planter with a wick reservoir underneath. Grows 8-10 herbs passively in a kitchen window with zero electricity.

Cost: $25-$40

Build: 15 min

Wick System Classroom Science Kit

An educational wick build using recycled 2-liter bottles. Great for school projects and teaching kids about plant science and capillary action.

Cost: $5-$15

Build: 10 min

Wick System Kids' First Garden

A fun, colorful wick build designed for children using recycled containers. Includes educational activities about plant growth and capillary action.

Cost: $10-$20

Build: 15 min

DIY 5-Gallon Bucket Hydroponic System

The most popular DIY hydroponic project in the world. Build a complete Deep Water Culture system in 30 minutes with a 5-gallon bucket, air pump, and nutrient solution. Grows lettuce, herbs, peppers, and tomatoes.

Cost: $25-$45

Build: 30 min

Classroom Hydroponic System (Easy STEM Project)

A simple floating raft DWC system designed for classrooms. Grows 8-12 plants on a single table, teaches biology, chemistry, and engineering. Perfect for STEM programs and science fairs.

Cost: $35-$60

Build: 30 min