Water-wise systems
Save up to 90 % water
Plant-first design
What your crops need—nothing more
Made for Namibia
Locally tested, locally supported
Why We Grow
Helping Namibians Grow with Hydroponics
I’m Justus, founder of Habitat Hydroponics. After years of experimenting with hydroponic systems and learning from growers around the world, I saw the need for a reliable source of equipment and knowledge here in Namibia. Today, I help growers of all levels — from home gardeners to commercial farmers — get started and succeed. Whether you're growing herbs, vegetables, or something bigger, I’m here to support your journey.
Meters, Monitors, Controllers, Automation
Frequently asked questions
Can I do hydroponics in Namibia's climate?
Absolutely! Namibia is a fantastic place for hydroponic growing. We have an abundance of sunlight — and that’s a big advantage. Hydroponics also offers something very important: it gives you a way to grow fresh herbs and vegetables independently from imports, especially from countries like South Africa. At the same time, hydroponics uses water very efficiently — helping us preserve Namibia’s precious water reserves.
But: while the sun is our friend, it can also be too strong for most useful plants. Growing fully exposed to the open sky won’t work well in Namibia — the sun will simply scorch your plants.
The best low-cost solution for beginners is to grow in a net greenhouse (shade net structure). It’s ideal:
- It allows plenty of airflow — keeping your plants cool.
- It protects your plants from the strongest sunlight.
- It still gives your plants just the right amount of sun during the day.
- It is affordable and easy to set up.
Of course, you can also grow in a full greenhouse (plastic or glass), but this setup is more complex:
- You will need to carefully manage heat build-up.
- Full greenhouses are typically used by commercial growers who need to grow year-round or at a larger scale.
In short: yes, hydroponics works beautifully in Namibia — and a net greenhouse is the best place to start!
What water can I use for hydroponics?
Water is the backbone of any hydroponic system. The cleaner and more balanced your water, the better your plants will grow. Ideally, you want water with low dissolved minerals and few impurities.
Common Water Sources in Namibia:
- Dam Water
Often contains many particles and organic matter. Not ideal unless well filtered. - Borehole Water
Usually very clean but often hard (high in calcium and magnesium). Hardness can cause nutrient imbalances and pH issues but can be managed with proper treatment or filtration. - River Water (Northern Namibia)
Typically very suitable for hydroponics — low in hardness and well balanced. - Municipal Water
Generally hard, though often less so than borehole water because it is blended with dam water. Usable for hydroponics but may require pH adjustments and careful nutrient management.
Summary Tips
- Best options: River water or treated borehole/municipal water
- Hard water: Manageable with adjustments (pH control, hard water nutrients, filtration)
- Dam water: Use only with proper filtration
Final Tip:
If your water contains a lot of dissolved salts (such as lime), it’s a good idea to flush your hydroponic system every two weeks to prevent salt buildup. Don’t waste the old nutrient-rich water — you can reuse it to water your garden or outdoor plants, where it will still provide valuable nutrients.
What equipment do I need to get started with hydroponics?
Getting started with hydroponics is easier — and cheaper — than many people think. You don’t need a big setup or expensive gear to grow your first plants.
To start, you really only need a working hydroponic system. We offer an affordable beginner system that you can check out here: Budget NFT System.
In addition to your system, you’ll need just a few basic items:
- Nutrients — specially designed for hydroponic growing.
- pH test kit — to check your water’s pH level.
- pH Down solution — to adjust the pH if it’s too high.
And that’s it — with just these few items, you’re ready to start growing!
As you get more experienced, you can always add more tools and automation, but to begin: keep it simple and start small.
How much time does it take to maintain a hydroponic system?
Hydroponics doesn’t take much time — but it’s also not a complete “set it and forget it” system. If you want good results, you do need to invest a little attention.
In general:
- It’s a good idea to check your system every day, especially in the beginning.
- But if that’s not possible, at least take a look every 2–3 days.
Check two things:
- Water level — to ensure your plants have enough.
- pH level — to keep the nutrient balance right.
If you want to make life even easier, we offer automation controllers that help manage your system for you. You can find them here: Meters, Monitors, Controllers, Automation.
With automation, daily checks become less important — but we still recommend keeping an eye on your plants from time to time.
Bottom line: Hydroponics is not completely maintenance-free. But with just a little regular attention, your plants will thrive — and your system will stay healthy.
What plants can I grow with hydroponics?
The short answer is: almost anything!
Plants grown with hydroponics usually grow faster and often taste better because they receive exactly the right amount of nutrients, water, and oxygen.
But — there are some practical considerations depending on the type of system you use:
In Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) systems (the channels with running water), it's best to grow small, fast-growing plants like:
- Lettuce
- Herbs (basil, mint, coriander, parsley, chives)
- Baby spinach
- Asian greens (bok choy, pak choi)
Larger plants like tomatoes or cucumbers will develop large root systems that can block your channels — not ideal.
If you want to grow larger fruiting plants like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, or even eggplants, we recommend using a Dutch bucket system, which is perfect for supporting big plants with lots of roots.
Trees and very large plants are generally not a good fit for hydroponics — they grow too slowly, need long-term stability, and are better grown in soil or special systems.
Pro tip: If you’re not sure which system works best for what you want to grow — just ask us! We’re happy to advise you based on what you want to achieve.