Hydroponics is an agricultural method of growing plants without soil, utilizing water-based mineral nutrient solutions instead. Plants are either suspended directly in the liquid or supported by inert mediums like perlite, gravel, or coconut coir. This approach allows for optimal control over water, nutrients, and oxygen.
Instead of searching through soil for randomly distributed nutrients, roots are submerged in a carefully balanced water solution. Because the nutrients are delivered directly to the root zone, plants don't have to expend extra energy developing massive root systems, leading to accelerated growth and higher yields.