What is hydroponics?

What is hydroponics?

Coir glossary · Updated 2026-09-22

Soilless plant cultivation using mineral nutrient solutions, with or without a solid growing medium. Coir is one of the primary solid media for both open (run-to-waste) and closed (recirculating) hydroponic systems. The Dutch greenhouse industry, the world’s largest, increasingly uses coir substrates in hydroponic vegetable and ornamental production as peat phase-out regulations take effect.

Hydroponics: equivalents.

PT: hidroponia · ES: hidroponía

Source: Cadena · Industry practice. Definition from the Carve coir glossary, where the full source list is given.

Related terms.

Retention curve: Graph plotting substrate water content against applied suction or tension.

Growing medium / substrate: Any material used in place of natural soil for plant cultivation in containers, bags, trays or hydroponic channels.

Run-to-waste: Open hydroponic system where nutrient solution drains through the coir substrate and is not recirculated.

See also: Coir Pith · back to the coir glossary.

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About this page. Part of the coir glossary maintained by Carve Biorrefinaria Agroindustrial Ltda, a coir pith and fiber producer in Paraipaba, Ceará, Brazil. Corrections: [email protected].