Vertical hydroponic is a soilless growing method where plants are arranged in a stacked or tiered system, often in a vertical orientation. On the other hand, in horizontal hydroponics, plants are typically arranged on flat surfaces. In both cases, the plant’s root system receives nutrient-rich water solutions to support the growth system.  
 
Home and commercial growers can choose any hydroponic systems and grow plants both vertically and horizontally. But the question is, which one is better in terms of crop production and profitable farming practices?  
 
Today, in this blog, we will compare horizontal and vertical hydroponics farming to provide you with insightful information. So, you can choose a profitable and sustainable farming system.  
 

Comparison Table of Horizontal vs Vertical Farming

 
Both horizontal and vertical hydroponics layout methods for growing plants are different from each other. From crop yield to space utilization, both of these stacking orientations can be implemented in any hydroponic system. For instance, gardeners can choose the NFT (Nutrient Film Technique), DWC (Deep Water Culture), or Ebb and Flow systems to arrange plants horizontally and vertically.  
 
The following comparison table will provide you with a quick overview of vertical hydroponics vs horizontal.   
 

Aspect Horizontal Hydroponic Farming Vertical Hydroponic Farming 
Space Efficiency Requires more horizontal space. It’s suitable for those who have a large yard. Utilize vertical space which makes it appropriate for small indoor areas. 
Plant Capacity Plant capacity is limited by the available ground space. Can accommodate a large number of plants in a small space. 
Yield Potential Lower yield per square foot area. Higher crop yield per unit area. 
Crop Variety Best for crops that can grow horizontally, like leafy greens. Suitable for growing a variety of crops including vine plants. 
Watering and Nutrient Use Uses standard water and nutrient delivery methods. Use a more efficient water and nutrition solutions distribution system (Drip irrigation, Mist system, submersion systems) 
Energy Consumption  Lower energy consumption compared to vertical setup.  Require more energy for vertical lighting systems.  
Accessibility Easier access for maintenance and harvesting.  May be less accessible for maintenance and harvesting due to height. 
Growing Conditions  More precise control over growing conditions.  It’s challenging to maintain proper growing conditions throughout the tower.  
Lighting Requirements Typically uses traditional horizontal lighting setups.  Need a more efficient lighting system that covers multiple levels.  
Initial Setup Cost  It takes a lower setup cost as it uses a standard layout.  Potentially higher setup cost due to vertical structure and lighting.  
Maintenance  Require more maintenance  Require less maintenance.  

 

Choosing Between Horizontal and Vertical NFT Hydroponic System

 
If you’re looking to cultivate plants using the NFT system (Nutrient Film Technique), you may feel confused between vertical and horizontal stacking of plants. Regardless of growing medium, temperatures, humidity, ventilation, and nutrient solutions, you also need to consider the yield, crop variety, initial cost, lighting, and maintenance of your hydroponic farm. These are highly associated with the plant's layout. Vertical farming is highly profitable, still, vertical farming advantages and disadvantages need to be addressed.  
 
Pros of Vertical NFT Hydroponic System:  

  • Grow channels to stay on top of each other which makes it more compact and space efficient.  
  • Allow for higher yields than horizontal NFT systems.  
  • Easy to maintain.  

Cons of Vertical NFT System:  

  • Require a more powerful pump. 
  • Difficult to setup 
  • Uneven distribution of lights.  
  • Can’t grow larger plants!  

Pros of Horizontal NFT System:  

  • Easier to maintain.  
  • Plants are grown on a flat surface which allows for larger plants to be supported. 
  • Even distribution of light ensures efficient photosynthesis. 
  • Simpler and easier to set up  

Cons of Horizontal NFT System:  

  • Lower yields compared to vertical NFT hydroponics.  
  • Difficult harvesting process. 
  • Need significantly larger space.  

 
Vertical vs Horizontal Hydroponics Farming: Factors to Consider

 
As the name suggests, vertical hydroponic is growing plants in a vertically stacked system, perpendicular to the ground. In this system, plants are grown in a tower. On the contrary, just like traditional farming, horizontal hydroponics is a way of growing plants on flat or horizontal surfaces. Both methods have some pros and cons.     
 
To choose between horizontal and vertical stacking of plants in a hydroponic system, you must consider the following factors:

  1. Space Utilization 
  2. Crop Variety  
  3. Resource Efficiency  
  4. Yield and Productivity  
  5. Lighting Requirement 
  6. Environmental Impact 

Space Utilization

  
Vertical farming requires less space compared to horizontal hydroponic farming. If you have a small indoor space, you can conveniently grow some lettuce, basil, and leafy greens in vertically stacked layers.  
 
However, to grow plants horizontally, you’re going to need a large yard. So, select a stacked system between vertical and horizontal hydroponics based on the resources you have.  

Crop variety

 
Gardeners can grow a wide variety of crops in both vertically and horizontally stacked hydroponic farms. The choice of crops can depend on factors like the system’s design, available space, and certain requirements of each crop.  
 
Generally, relatively small-sized plants with short growth cycles are suitable for vertical hydroponics. For instance, Basil, cilantro, lettuce, leafy greens, spinach, kale, arugula etc.  
 
On the other hand, larger plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and eggplants are grown a lot in horizontal hydroponic systems. This happens due to the plant’s need for more space to grow and support structure. Besides, root vegetables like carrots, radishes, and beets can be grown in some horizontal hydroponics using deep-growing containers. For horizontally stacked farms, DWC (Deep Water Culture) is one of the simple and popular hydroponic methods.   

Resources Efficiency


Vertical farming is practiced in a highly controllable indoor or outdoor area. It utilizes resources like land, water, nutrient solutions, growing beds, and LED grow lights or consumption of energy. You can use growing beds both as horizontal stacked layers, and vertical towers or vertical cylinders.     
 
Using vertical towers, gardeners and hydro hobbyists can maximize space and water utilization, which results in resource efficiency. Conversely, in the case of horizontally stacked hydroponics, large space, even distribution of water, precise nutrient delivery, and increased energy consumption for artificial lights can cost more investment and operating expenses.   

Yield and Productivity


Vertically cultivated plants can offer higher yields per square foot of space due to the efficient utilization of vertical dimensions which allow multiple layers of plant growth. Vertically stacked farms produce 5.45 pounds of lettuce per square foot area. Besides, pest control and reduced diseases maximize the yield rate.  
 
Horizontally produced crops can also provide some benefits in terms of yield and productivity. In horizontal farming, a lower level of plant density setting is introduced, so plants get more space to spread out. This can be positive for certain crops and result in higher yield and increased productivity. Besides, pruning, harvesting, and plant-caring tasks become easy in horizontal hydroponic farming, which also contributes to increased yield. However, you can grow 3 times more plants in the space required for one plant in vertical farming. That’s why it is more productive than horizontal hydro farms.   

Lighting Requirement

  
To grow plants vertically, you may not maintain the even distribution of lighting. However vertical systems need uniform and consistent lighting. Therefore, more artificial LED grow lights are required. Oppositely, horizontally growing plants in an outdoor setting can receive natural light which reduces reliance on artificial lighting. It also encourages improved photosynthesis for each hydro plant.  

Environmental Impact


Vertically stacked hydroponic systems can have the following environmental impacts:  

  • Resource Efficiency: Natural resources are limited. The vertical system is more resource-efficient in terms of land and water which makes it a sustainable choice. 
  • Lower Pest and Disease Pressure: Vertical hydroponic system operates in a controlled environment. This can reduce the need for pesticides and herbicides which contributes to lower environmental pollution.  
  • Reduced Transportation Emission: Around 55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas. Vertical farming (aka vertical urban farming) is mostly located in city areas. Thereby it can reduce the carbon emissions associated with transporting produce from rural farms to urban markets.

Environmental impacts of horizontally stacked system:  

  • Lower Initial Construction Impact: Building a horizontally stacked system may have lower initial construction and infrastructure impact compared to constructing multi-story structures for vertical farming.  
  • Potential for Outdoor Cultivation: Some horizontal hydroponic systems like DIY Hydroponic systems or passive hydroponic systems don’t need a controlled environment which can allow farmers to cultivate outdoors. This can reduce the consumption of energy.  

In essence, both horizontal vs vertical hydroponics may have positive and some negative environmental impacts. However, the high energy demand is one of the major negative impacts of both hydroponic systems. Still, it’s less harmful to ecosystems than traditional farming.    
 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some questions asked by our reputed customers regarding vertical hydroponics vs horizontal. We’ve answered these queries to provide better insight.  
 

What is the difference between horizontal and vertical farming?

Vertical farming refers to the hydroponic farming method where plants are grown in vertically stacked layers. It is practiced in a controlled-environment agriculture to achieve an improved growth system. Whereas horizontal farming means growing plants in a flat or horizontal growing bed just like traditional farming. However, horizontal hydroponics can be practiced both indoors and outdoors. 
 

What is the easiest hydroponic method to use?

DWC (Deep Water Culture) is one of the easiest hydroponic systems. If you want, you can build it at home and maintain it on your own. In DWC, you’ll need a storage container or a bucket, net pots, an air pump with an air stone, hard water liquid, a pH meter, a measuring beaker, pipettes, and a drill.  
 

Wrapping Up

  
Vertical hydroponic farming is an engineering solution to produce food using a limited floor space. Vegetables, leafy greens, and herbs are produced in a vertically stacked layer in this hydroponic system. Conversely, horizontal farming refers to the practice of growing plants on a level or horizontal surface. In many metropolitan locations, both of these hydroponic gardening methods are widely used. The world is hopeful that this will change how agriculture and food production are done in the future.