Top 10 Fast-Growing Aquaponics Plants for High-Yield Systems

If you’re starting an aquaponics system and want results fast, choosing the right plants can make all the difference. Fast-growing plants not only give you a quicker harvest, but they also help stabilize your water quality, support healthy fish, and kickstart your system’s nutrient cycle much sooner.

In this blog, we will walk you through the top 10 fastest-growing aquaponics plants that are perfect for beginners and high-yield systems. These plants are for growers who want rapid success, whether their goal is home food production or steady income from leafy greens and herbs.

And if you’re serious about building a thriving, self-sustaining system without guessing your way through it, we’ll also show you where to access this 5-hour step-by-step aquaponics video course, which is designed to guide you from setup to successful harvest with complete confidence.

But first, let’s explore why choosing fast-growing plants matters more than most beginners realize.

Why Fast-Growing Plants Matter in Aquaponics

Fast-growing plants do much more than just give you quick harvest, they play a critical role in stabilizing and accelerating the health of your entire aquaponics system. Here’s why they matter:

1. They Help Balance Your System Faster

In the early stages, your system is still finding its natural balance. Fast-growing plants absorb excess ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates quickly, protecting your fish from toxic spikes and helping your biofilter mature faster.

2. They Prevent Algae and Waste Build-Up

When plants grow slowly, waste and nutrients aren’t absorbed fast enough, which creates the perfect environment for algae overgrowth. Fast growers consume nutrients rapidly and help keep your water clear and clean.

3. They Give You Early Motivation and Wins

One of the most common reasons beginners quit is because they don’t see results soon enough. Fast-growing plants like lettuce, basil, and bok choy can be ready to harvest in as little as 25–30 days, giving you confidence and momentum right away.

4. They’re Ideal for Profit or Food Security

If your goal is home food production or small commercial yield, fast growers let you harvest more frequently and replant sooner, maximizing your output per square foot (and per watt of energy used).

Criteria for Choosing Fast-Growing Aquaponics Plants

Not all fast-growing plants perform well in aquaponics and choosing the wrong ones can lead to nutrient imbalance, pest issues, or poor yield. Here are the key criteria that make a plant ideal for fast and reliable growth in an aquaponics setup:

1. Short Harvest Time: Look for plants that can be harvested within 25–45 days. These are ideal for quick system maturity and early success.
2. Low to Moderate Nutrient Demand: Heavy feeders like tomatoes and peppers should not be your first choice as they demand more nutrients than a young system can supply. Early-stage systems thrive with leafy greens and herbs.
3. High Water Adaptability: Some plants struggle in constantly wet roots, but plants like lettuce, basil, and bok choy thrive in continuous water exposure and adapt well to raft or media bed systems.
4. Consistent Regrowth or High Turnover: Prioritize plants that can either regrow after cutting (like basil or kale) or allow fast replanting cycles (like quick-harvest lettuce varieties).
5. Low Pest and Disease Risk: Aquaponics is naturally pest-resistant, but some plants attract more pests than others. We’ll focus on hardy, low-risk plants perfect for beginners and yield-focused growers.

Top 10 Fast-Growing Aquaponics Plants for High-Yield Systems

 

1. Lettuce (Butterhead, Bibb, or Romaine)

Harvest Time:25–35 days
Why It’s Perfect:  Lettuce is one of the fastest-growing aquaponics plants and is unbelievably forgiving, ideal for beginners. It rapidly absorbs nitrates, helping stabilize new systems.
Best For: Beginners, indoor systems, commercial profit, rapid turnover
Tip: Plant in staggered batches every 1–2 weeks for continuous harvests.

 

2. Basil

Harvest Time: First harvest in 25–30 days, ongoing regrowth possible
Why It’s Perfect:  Basil thrives in warm aquaponics setups and regrows after every cut, making it one of the most profitable herbs for small-scale systems.
Best For: Profit growers, hobbyists who want multiple harvests
Tip: Harvest just above the leaf nodes to encourage branching and double future yield.

 

3. Bok Choy (Pak Choi)

Harvest Time:30–35 days
Why It’s Perfect:Bok choy grows extremely fast, even in cooler climates, and is more nutrient-hungry, which makes it excellent once your system is cycling well.
Best For:Quick home harvest, Asian cuisine growers, slightly cooler systems
Tip: Harvest the outer leaves first for continuous growth instead of pulling the entire plant.

 

4. Kale

Harvest Time:30–40 days (continuous harvest afterward)
Why It’s Perfect:  Kale is extremely hardy and one of the most nutrient-efficient leafy greens you can grow in aquaponics. It performs well even in slightly imperfect water conditions, ideal for beginners and year-round production.
Recommended Systems: Media bed or raft sytem.
Best For:Beginners, nutrient-dense home harvests, cooler climates
Tip: Don’t harvest the whole plant, pick only the lower leaves to allow it to produce continuously for months.

 

5. Swiss Chard

Harvest Time:30–45 days (regrows continuously)
Why It’s Perfect:  Swiss chard thrives in both warm and cool systems, making it a year-round powerhouse. It’s visually stunning too, often used in display aquaponics systems for its red or yellow stems.
Recommended Systems: Media bed, raft, and even NFT if young
Best For:Decorative systems, high-nutrient home use, long-term harvest
Tip:Swiss chard can grow large roots in raft, so make sure your raft holes aren’t too tight.

 

6. Mint

Harvest Time:20–30 days
Why It’s Perfect:  Mintis one of the fastest and most aggressive growers in aquaponics, which is amazing for nutrient absorption, but it must be controlled so it doesn’t overcrowd other plants.
Recommended Systems: NFT or media bed (avoid raft unless isolated)
Best For: Beginners, strong nutrient uptake, high-demand culinary use or product sales (teas, oils, garnishes)
Tip:Grow mint in its own net pot or designated zone, it can overtake weaker plants quickly.

 

7. Spinach

Harvest Time:25–35 days (cool-season fast grower)
Why It’s Perfect:  Spinach thrives in cooler aquaponics systems (18–22°C), making it ideal for growers in colder climates or indoor setups without artificial heat. It’s nutrient-dense and in high market demand.
Recommended Systems:NFT and media bed (avoids root rot)
Best For: Cooler climates, health-conscious consumers, indoor winter production
Tip:Avoid warm water, spinach bolts quickly when water is over 24°C.

 

8. Watercress

Harvest Time:10–20 days (one of the absolute fastest growers)
Why It’s Perfect:Watercress is insanely fast and extremely efficient at absorbing excess nutrients, making it perfect for cycling or stabilizing young systems. Bonus: it sells well in premium markets.
Recommended Systems:Raft, NFT, constant-flood media beds
Best For:System startup stabilization, high-value microgreens, nutrient polishing
Tip: Trim often, watercress will spread aggressively and block light from other plants if left unchecked.

 

9. Asian Greens (Mizuna, Tatsoi, Asian Mustard)

Harvest Time:21–30 days
Why They’re Perfect: These “microfarm power greens” grow incredibly fast and have high market value in gourmet and health-focused markets. They also tolerate partial shade and cooler temps.
Recommended Systems: NFT or raft (fast turnover systems)
Best For:Profit growers, microgreen production, fast system cycling
Tip:Harvest young for baby leaf salad mixes, much higher demand and price per gram.

 

10. Mustard Greens

Harvest Time:25–35 days (spicy leaf, cuts and regrows)
Why It’s Perfect: This is a fast-growing, pest-repelling plant, its strong aroma naturally deters pests like aphids. Great for interplanting or organic pest control.
Recommended Systems: Media bed or raft system.
Best For: Natural pest defense, mixed harvest systems, gourmet Asian markets
Tip: Use this as a protective barrier plant around more vulnerable crops like lettuce.

Growing Strategies to Speed Up Growth Even Further

Choosing the right plants is just the first step, how you set up and manage your environment makes a massive difference in how fast and reliably your aquaponics plants grow.

Here are the techniques to speed up plant growth by 20–40%:

1. Keep Optimal Water Temperature for Your Crop Type

• Most leafy greens thrive at 18–22°C
• Warm herbs like basil prefer 24–28°C
• Wrong temperature = slow growth or plants bolt too early.

Why it matters: Temperature controls how efficiently plants absorb nutrients, being just 3°C off can cut growth speed in half.

2. Use Proper Light Duration and Intensity

• Leafy greens need 12–16 hours of light daily
• Low light = leggy, weak, low-yield plants
  Grow lights (LED grow bars or panels) are often more reliable than windows.

3. Maintain Strong Water Oxygen Levels

Fast growers like watercress and basil consume oxygen aggressively, poor oxygen leads to stunted root systems.

• Aim for 5–8 mg/L dissolved oxygen minimum
• Add an air stone or Venturi system for best results

4. Use the Right Plant Spacing for Maximum Light and Air Flow

Plants  that grow too close together compete for light and oxygen, slowing overall growth.

• Leafy greens: 6–8 inches (15–20cm) spacing
• Herbs:8–10 inches (20–25cm) spacing

5. Harvest the Right Way for Continuous Regrowth

Don’t pull the whole plant unless you need to. For fastest and endless harvest cycles:

• Cut only outer leaves for lettuce, kale, bok choy, mustard greens
• Snip basil above the leaf node, it will grow two new branches from each cut

Common Mistakes That Slow Down Plant Growth in Aquaponics 

Even fast-growing aquaponics plants can struggle or completely stall if these common mistakes are made. Avoiding them early can save you weeks of frustration and prevent system imbalance.

1. Planting Before the System Is Fully Cycled

Impatient beginners often plant too early, before beneficial bacteria are ready.

Result: plants turn yellow, water chemistry spikes, fish get stressed.
Fix:Wait until ammonia and nitrite are consistently at 0 ppm, with healthy nitrate levels.

2. Overcrowding Plants in the Grow Bed

More plants does not mean faster results,  overcrowding reduces light, airflow, and nutrient efficiency.

Follow proper spacing (6–8 inches for greens, 8–10 for herbs)
 Thin out aggressively, weak plants steal resources from healthy ones

3. Poor Oxygen Levels in the Root Zone

Even if your fish are fine, your plants may be suffocating silently.
Root oxygen is the foundation of fast growth.

• Add air stones or Venturi injectors, especially for raft system
• Roots should be white, not brown or slimy

4. Not Matching Plants to Water Temperature

Trying to grow spinach in 28°C water… or basil in 18°C water… is a growth killer.

• Cool crops:lettuce, kale, spinach
• Warm crops: basil, bok choy, mint

5. Full Harvest Instead of Strategic Cutting

• Yanking the whole plant can result in wasted growth momentum.
• Especially for cut-and-come-again crops like basil, kale, and chard.
• Harvest outer leaves only or top nodes to trigger faster regrowth.

Choosing the Right Fish and Plant Combination 

Selecting the right fish and plant combination is crucial for system balance, market profitability, and year-round production. Your choices should be guided by climate, market demand, legal regulations, and your production goal, whether it’s culinary crops, medicinal herbs, or high-value specialty produce.

In aquaponics, tilapia is the most popular fish due to their fast growth rate, high tolerance to fluctuating water conditions, and ability to thrive in warm climates. They are ideal for regions like Southeast Asia, Australia, and tropical U.S. states. However, if you are targeting a premium culinary market, consider trout, barramundi, jade perch, or catfish, these demand higher retail prices but require stricter temperature and water quality management.

On the plant side, pairing crops based on nutrient demand is essential. Leafy greens like lettuce, kale, arugula, pak choi, basil, and mint are the most recommended for high-turnover commercial systems. They grow fast and require moderate nutrient levels. For higher profit margins, microgreens and premium herbs are excellent choices for farm-to-table restaurants and gourmet markets.

If your goal is to produce fruiting plants like tomatoes, peppers, or strawberries, you must ensure the system can handle their higher potassium and calcium requirements. These crops also prefer slightly warmer water and stronger grow lights if operating indoors.

Important pairing tip:

• Tilapia and leafy greens/herbs = high efficiency and easy management
• Trout and cold-climate greens (spinach, lettuce) = seasonal business model
• Barramundi and fruiting crops = premium but high-maintenance production

How to Your Aquaponics System for Maximum Growth and Efficiency 

Your system layout plays a role in growth speed, ease of maintenance, and long-term profitability. Whether you’re building a home-scale or commercial system, the goal is to maximize plant turnover, nutrient flow efficiency, and system stability.

Here are the key design principles to keep in mind:

1. Prioritize horizontal efficiency before expanding vertically

Raft and Media Bed systems are ideal for scaling leafy greens and herbs, because they are simple to maintain and easier to automate. Vertical towers are excellent for maximizing space later, but only after water quality consistency is achieved.

2. Optimize water flow direction 

 Always design your plumbing so that water reaches the plants as quickly as possible after leaving the fish tank, while dissolved nutrients are still fresh and highly bioavailable. Long travel paths can reduce nutrient potency and cause oxygen drops.

3. Separate zones for redundancy and control

Professional growers design systems with modular grow beds instead of one large continuous system. This way, if disease or nutrient imbalance affects one zone, the entire operation doesn’t collapse.

4. Plan for upgrades early, not when it’s too late

Make sure your foundation can easily support future additions like auto-dosing, LED grow lighting, separate nutrient remineralization tanks, and seasonal crop partitioning. Many beginners regret building “just enough” only to spend triple fixing their layout later.

5. Maintain farmer-friendly access.

Every grow bed should be reachable without climbing, bending excessively, or walking around equipment. Commercial downtime costs money, so fast harvesting, replanting, and maintenance are part of system design.

Maintenance Routines to Keep Plants Growing Fast 

To keep your aquaponics system running at peak growth speed, consistency matters more than anything else. A fast-growing system is not just about nutrient levels, it’s about preventing fluctuations before they happen.

Here’s a simple but highly effective maintenance rhythm used by commercial growers:

1. Daily Tasks 

• Check water temperature:growth slows drastically outside ideal range (22–28°C for leafy greens + tilapia).
• Observe fish behavior:slow movement, refusal to eat, or gasping at surface are early warning signs.
• Inspect water clarity and smell:cloudy or ammonia-smelling water need immediate attention.
• Ensure proper water flow and aeration:clogged outlets or weak air pumps can kill plants overnight.

2. Weekly Tasks 

• Test pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels, record trends, not just raw values.
• Trim roots and remove dead or yellowing leaves this prevents disease and improves nutrient allocation.
• Top up water with dechlorinated or RO water, evaporation concentrates dissolved minerals.
• Recalibrate auto-feeders, timers, or monitor sensors, automation needs verifying, not ignoring.

Final Thoughts: Ready to Grow Faster and Smarter?

You now know the top fast-growing plants, the best system design strategies, and how to maintain rapid, consistent plant growth, which already places you ahead of most beginners.

But if your goal is to confidently build or scale a high-yield aquaponics system that produces real results, then the next step is to learn more.

Ready to Level Up?

This 5-Hour Premium Aquaponics Video Course is designed to help you:

• Avoid costly beginner mistakes
• Learn by visually following real working systems
• Design a system that can scale from hobby to income
• Grow with confidence,not anxiety or endless guesswork

If you’re serious about growing faster, cleaner, and profit-ready, this course was built for you.

Click here to get instant access and start today.