Stacked, climate-controlled growing for leafy greens, herbs and strawberries, with honest costs and a crop guide.
A vertical farm stacks growing trays in layers inside a building, container or tunnel. Light, temperature, humidity and nutrients are all controlled, so crops grow on a schedule that weather does not interrupt.
It suits places where land, water or good soil are scarce, and where fresh produce must reach a city market quickly. It is not a replacement for field farming. It works best for high-value, fast, light crops such as leafy greens, herbs, microgreens and strawberries.
Be clear about both sides before you invest.
Hotels, restaurants and supermarkets that want daily fresh greens. Schools and universities for teaching. Urban rooftops and warehouses. Farms adding a controlled unit beside their fields, powered by solar.
The right system depends on crop, budget, skill and power supply. Scroll the table sideways on a phone.
| System | How it works | Good for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFT (nutrient film) | A thin stream of solution flows along channels past the roots. | Lettuce, herbs, leafy greens | Pump failure dries roots fast; channels can block. |
| Deep water culture | Plants float on rafts above aerated nutrient solution. | Lettuce, pak choi, basil | Warm water lowers oxygen; needs strong aeration. |
| Ebb and flow | A tray floods with solution, then drains. | Mixed small crops, training units | Timers and valves must be reliable. |
| Drip in substrate | Emitters feed coco, perlite or rockwool slabs or pots. | Tomato, cucumber, pepper, strawberry | Salt build-up in the substrate; run-off needs managing. |
| Vertical towers | Solution trickles down stacked pots or columns. | Leafy greens, herbs, strawberry | Plants at the top get more light; rotate or balance. |
| Aeroponics | Roots hang in air and are misted with nutrient solution. | Leafy greens, herbs, seed potato, strawberry | Highest skill and monitoring; nozzles clog; roots dry quickly if misting stops. |
In aeroponics the roots hang in a dark chamber and are misted with fine droplets of nutrient solution. Roots get plenty of oxygen, which can speed growth, and the system uses little water. It also needs the most care.
| Crop | Fit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce (leaf, romaine) | Excellent | Fast, forgiving, top choice to start with. EC about 0.8 to 1.2, pH 5.5 to 6.5. |
| Basil, mint, coriander | Excellent | High value herbs. Basil EC about 1.0 to 1.6. Keep mint in its own unit because it spreads. |
| Kale, Swiss chard, pak choi | Excellent | Tolerant and productive. Harvest outer leaves for repeat cuts. |
| Spinach | Good | Likes cool roots, below about 20 °C. Bolts in warm rooms. |
| Strawberry | Good | High value. Needs good light, pollination and disease control. EC about 1.0 to 1.5. |
| Cucumber, tomato, pepper | Good with support | Need trellis, strong light, pollination and larger root zones. Tomato EC about 2.0 to 3.5. |
| Seed potato (mini-tubers) | Specialist | Aeroponics is used to produce disease-free seed tubers. Needs expert management. |
| Wheat, rice, maize, cotton, sugarcane, root vegetables | Not suitable | Too large or too low in value per kilogram to pay for the space and power. |
In aeroponics the roots can dry out within minutes if the pump or power stops. Fit a backup pump or battery, a low-pressure alarm and a phone alert. Filter the water, and clean the nozzles on a schedule.
Plants respond to the total light they receive in a day, called the daily light integral (DLI). Use this tool to check a lighting plan and its electricity use.
Planning estimate. Measure real light with a quantum sensor before you finalise.
Yields, costs and savings depend on crop, design, climate and electricity price. We give a written estimate for your case.