Water spinach, also known as kangkong, is one of the fastest-growing leafy vegetables and a favorite in many home kitchens. What makes it even more appealing is how easy it is to grow. With a simple hydroponic setup using recycled plastic bottles, you can grow fresh water spinach at home and harvest it in as little as 10 days—no soil, no garden, and very little space required.

This method is perfect for beginners, apartment dwellers, and anyone looking for a low-cost, sustainable way to grow fresh greens quickly.

Why Choose Hydroponic Water Spinach?

Water spinach thrives in water, making it ideal for hydroponic growing. Unlike many vegetables that require complex systems, water spinach grows vigorously with just water, light, and minimal nutrients.

Hydroponic growing also offers several advantages:

• Faster growth compared to soil planting

• Cleaner leaves with no soil mess

• Less water usage overall

• Easy control of plant health

Because water spinach grows so quickly, it’s an excellent choice for first-time hydroponic growers.

Why Plastic Bottles Work So Well

Plastic bottles are readily available, free, and perfectly sized for small hydroponic systems. They are lightweight, easy to cut, and transparent enough to monitor root growth and water levels.

Reusing plastic bottles also reduces waste and turns everyday items into productive growing containers. This makes the method both eco-friendly and budget-friendly.

Preparing the Plastic Bottle System

Start by choosing a clean plastic bottle, preferably 1.5 to 2 liters in size. Cut the bottle in half. The bottom part will act as the water reservoir, while the top half (turned upside down) will hold the plant.

Make a small hole in the bottle cap to allow a wick or fabric strip to pass through. This wick will draw water from the reservoir to the growing medium, keeping the roots consistently moist.

Place the top half upside down into the bottom half so it fits securely.

Choosing the Growing Medium

Since this is a hydroponic method, soil is not needed. Instead, use a lightweight growing medium that holds moisture while allowing air to reach the roots.

Good options include:

• Sponge pieces

• Coconut coir

• Rock wool

• Cotton or foam

The growing medium should be clean and free from contaminants. Its role is simply to support the plant and keep roots hydrated.

Starting Water Spinach Cuttings or Seeds

Water spinach can be grown from seeds or cuttings, but cuttings provide the fastest results. Using cuttings allows harvesting in about 10 days.

For cuttings:

• Select healthy stems with several leaf nodes

• Cut stems about 15–20 centimeters long

• Remove lower leaves, leaving only the top leaves

Insert the cutting into the growing medium so the lower nodes are in contact with moisture.

For seeds:

• Place a few seeds on the moist growing medium

• Keep them warm and well-lit

• Germination usually occurs within a few days

Seed-grown plants may take slightly longer to harvest than cuttings.

Filling the Water Reservoir

Fill the bottom half of the bottle with clean water. The wick should touch the water so moisture can travel upward. The water level should be high enough to keep the wick wet but not submerge the growing medium completely.

For faster growth, a mild hydroponic nutrient solution can be added, but water spinach can grow well even in plain water for short harvest cycles.

Replace or refresh the water every few days to keep it clean and oxygen-rich.

Light and Placement

Place the bottle system in a bright location with indirect sunlight. A windowsill, balcony, or outdoor area with filtered light works well.

Water spinach grows best with plenty of light, but strong direct sunlight all day may heat the water too much. Moderate, consistent light encourages fast leaf growth.

Good air circulation also helps keep the plants healthy.

Growth and Daily Care

Within a few days, roots begin to grow into the water reservoir. Leaves will expand quickly, and new shoots will appear from the nodes.

Check water levels daily and top up as needed. Because the system is small, evaporation can happen quickly, especially in warm weather.

Remove any yellowing leaves to keep the plant healthy and focused on new growth.

Harvesting After 10 Days

One of the biggest advantages of this method is how fast it delivers results. In about 10 days, water spinach is ready for harvest.

Harvest by cutting the stems above the root zone, leaving the base intact. This allows the plant to regrow for multiple harvests.

Freshly harvested water spinach is tender, crisp, and perfect for stir-fries, soups, or salads.

A Simple, Fast, and Sustainable Growing Method

Growing hydroponic water spinach in plastic bottles is one of the simplest ways to produce fresh vegetables at home. It requires no special equipment, minimal maintenance, and delivers fast results.

This method is ideal for beginners, small households, and anyone interested in sustainable food production. With just a recycled bottle, water, and a few cuttings, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown greens in days—not weeks.

It’s proof that growing food doesn’t have to be complicated to be productive.