×
  • Home
  • Daily
    • Buyers Guides
    • Composting
    • Container Gardening
    • Easy Healthy Recipes
    • Food Preservation
    • Garden Design
    • Garden Tools
    • Gardening LIfe
      • Animals in the Garden
      • Funny Business
      • Gardening History
      • Gardening Humor
      • Gardening Mishaps
      • Gardening Poems
      • Gardening Romance
      • Gardening Science
      • Gardening with Kids
      • Healing Gardens
      • Joy of Gardening
      • Mystical Gardens
      • Ornamental Gardening
    • Growing Fruits & Berries
    • Indoor Gardening
    • Pests & Diseases
    • Seeds & Seedlings
    • Soil & Fertilizer
    • Spice & Herb Gardening
    • Vegetable Gardening
    • Watering & Irrigation
  • Freebies
  • Videos
  • Magazines
    • Food Gardening Magazine
    • GreenPrints Magazine
    • RecipeLion Magazine
  • Books
    • GuideBooks
    • Cookbooks
      • Beverages
      • Bakery
      • Breakfast
      • Appetizers
      • Salads & Dressings
      • Soups
      • Entrées
      • Side Dishes & Sauces
      • Desserts
    • Story Collections
    • StoryBooks
    • Recipe Collections
  • Kits
    • Garden Calendars
    • Garden Plans
    • Recipe Cards
    • Greeting Cards
    • ArtPrints
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Affiliate Program
  • Sponsor Program
  • Give a Gift
  • Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
  • Authors
  • GreenPrints Writer’s Guidelines
  • Keyword Index
  • Join
Celebrating 5 Years of Food Gardening

Food Gardening Network

Growing food, fun & more

Give a GiftJoin
Mequoda Publishing Network
  • Daily
    • Buyers Guides
    • Composting
    • Container Gardening
    • Easy Healthy Recipes
    • Food Preservation
    • Garden Design
    • Garden Tools
    • Gardening Life
      • Animals in the Garden
      • Funny Business
      • Gardening History
      • Gardening Humor
      • Gardening Mishaps
      • Gardening Poems
      • Gardening Romance
      • Gardening Science
      • Gardening with Kids
      • Healing Gardens
      • Joy of Gardening
      • Mystical Gardens
      • Ornamental Gardening
    • Growing Fruits & Berries
    • Indoor Gardening
    • Pests & Diseases
    • Seeds & Seedlings
    • Soil & Fertilizer
    • Spice & Herb Gardening
    • Vegetable Gardening
    • Watering & Irrigation
  • Freebies
  • Videos
  • Magazines
    • Food Gardening Magazine
    • GreenPrints Magazine
    • RecipeLion Magazine
  • Books
    • GuideBooks
    • Cookbooks
      • Beverages
      • Bakery
      • Breakfast
      • Appetizers
      • Salads & Dressings
      • Soups
      • Entrées
      • Side Dishes & Sauces
      • Desserts
    • Story Collections
    • StoryBooks
    • Recipe Collections
  • Kits
    • Garden Calendars
    • Garden Plans
    • Recipe Cards
    • Greeting Cards
    • ArtPrints
  • Sign In
  • Search

How to Avoid 7 Hydroponic Pests and Diseases

How to Avoid 7 Hydroponic Pests and Diseases

Learn how to spot, treat, and prevent these seven hydroponic pests and diseases.

By Amanda MacArthur | May 19, 2025

hydroponic pests

One of the benefits of growing herbs and vegetables in a hydroponic system is that you reduce the possibility of pests and diseases. Even still, there are a number of hydroponic pests and diseases that can wreak havoc on your veggies. Below are some common hydroponic pests and diseases and ways to prevent them from taking over your hydroponic system.

Discover the 3 top options for growing vegetables indoors—when you access the FREEBIE Growing Vegetables Indoors for Beginners, right now!

1. Aphids

Aphids can become hydroponic pests without you realizing it. At first, you may not notice them because they are so tiny. Full-grown aphids are about 1/8 of an inch big.

Signs to watch for: A colony of aphids will likely appear on new-growth stems and leaves. You may first notice discolored or wilting leaves. You may also notice ants that are attracted to the sugary residue left by the aphids.

Treatment: If you find your veggies are infested with aphids you can try to spray plants with neem oil or a soapy spray. A more Darwinian approach would be to introduce some ladybugs into your hydroponic environment since they are a natural predator to aphids. This is probably only a good option if your hydroponic garden is self-contained otherwise you may end up with a ladybug infestation!

Prevention: The best way to prevent aphids from becoming hydroponic pests is to not introduce them into your environment in the first place. Take caution when planting seedlings or transplanting plants that have been outdoors. Inspect your plants carefully before introducing them into your hydroponic garden.

2. Whiteflies

Like aphids, whiteflies can become hydroponic pests, feeding on leaves and leaving a trail of sugary residue in their wake. Whiteflies can stunt the growth of vegetation as well as spread disease and other pathogens.

Signs to watch for: Whiteflies are tricky to spot since they are so small and often blend into their surroundings. They tend to hang out on the undersides of leaves and stems and are usually only spotted when they reach adult size. Leaf texture may become stickier due to whitefly residue and plants can become stunted, overall.

Treatment: Similar to aphid treatment, soapy sprays, and neem oil sprays are a good option. Before spraying, try to remove any active hydroponic pests with the wand attachment of a vacuum. Of course, take care to empty your vacuum in a way that doesn’t promote additional infestation. You can also introduce ladybugs and other predatory insects, though as mentioned above this is probably only a good idea if your hydroponic garden is in a greenhouse or other self-contained space.

Prevention: Sticky traps are a useful first line of defense and prevention for hydroponic pests like whiteflies. They’re a great tool to help you diagnose an issue before it becomes a full-on infestation. Neem oil is not only an effective treatment, it can also be used as a preventative addition to your hydroponic garden since it makes leaves and stems inhospitable to whiteflies.

3. Spider mites

One of the most common hydroponic pests are spider mites. They can be tricky to get under control since they spread so quickly and they’re difficult to see.

Signs to watch for: The oval bodies of the spider mite are no bigger than the head of a pin. They can be green, yellow, tan, orange, and brown. You’ll know they’ve been around if you see yellow speckles on your veggie leaves. In larger infestations, you’ll notice webbing appears and leaves become brown.

Treatment: The standard treatment for spider mites is a miticide. For hydroponic pests, a miticide called azadirachtin can be added to your hydroponic reservoir at an approximate ratio of one tablespoon per gallon. (Follow directions on your particular bottle since concentrations can vary). As with all chemicals, take precautions when using azadirachtin and wear gloves, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes. Wash your hands and any exposed skin immediately after use.

Prevention: Using sterile hydroponic equipment and plants is key to preventing spider mites. There are plant-friendly room cleaners and disinfectants that you can use in between growing cycles, to make sure you’re starting with a clean environment. Be careful when using cuttings from other people’s gardens. Inspect cuttings thoroughly and treat them with miticide before introducing them to your hydroponic system. Stay vigilant with your plants and use a magnifying glass periodically to inspect your hydroponic veggies.

4. Thrips

Thrips are one of the sneakiest hydroponic pests out there since you may not notice them for months. They are small and slim, usually measuring about a millimeter in length. Thrips are either black or green with a small set of wings, though they aren’t good flyers. They often go undetected because they’re so fast-moving. Thrips can jump quickly from plants when gardeners get close to inspect leaves. In fact, gardeners often don’t see the pests themselves, rather the damage they leave in their wake.

Signs to watch for: Thrips scrape the surface of leaves and stems leaving behind a silvery appearance. In small numbers, the leaf damage is not a big problem and can be easily treated. But with a widespread thrip infestation, you won’t be able to keep up with the damage.

Treatment: Neem oil spray is a good option for treating thrips. The trick is to stay persistent since the spray will only kill adult thrips and pupa, not the eggs which are embedded in the leaf itself. Repeat sprayings will eventually kill off newly hatched thrips and you will be able to end the cycle as long as you stay vigilant.

Prevention: Using poly-plastic sheeting is a method for preventing these hydroponic pests. Cover the base of your hydroponics and root areas with plastic sheeting to prevent newly hatched thrips from burrowing into the roots. This helps prevent a full life cycle. There are also some natural predators you may choose to introduce like ladybugs and lacewings, but like the other methods for preventing hydroponic pests mentioned above, you’ll want to use predator insects in a controlled environment (and not, say, in your living room).

5. Powdery mildew/Downy mildew

Powdery mildew and downy mildew are both fungal infections that cause leaf damage to vegetable plants.

Signs to watch for: Powdery mildew gets its name from the visual pattern it makes on leaves, looking like spilled powder. Downy mildew on the other hand often develops on the underside of leaves and causes leaves to droop with yellow and brown spots.

Treatment: Fungicides are helpful treatments for different mildew diseases. There are also sulfur vaporizers that are beneficial with a large-scale infection. Though, be careful to follow instructions since improper usage can further damage your plants.

Prevention: Keep an eye on humidity levels. Anything over 60% increases your chances of a mildew infection. Avoid overcrowding your hydroponic plants. Mildews can spread rapidly among close touching leaves. Keep temperatures above 68 degrees. Cooler temperatures can be a breeding ground for these fungi.

6. Gray mold

Gray mold (also known as Botrytis), is another fungus that can affect hydroponic vegetables and herbs.

Signs to watch for: White to gray mold spreads rapidly on the surface, stems, and roots of plants. After infection, plants will turn brown and die.

Treatment: If you notice gray mold in your hydroponic system, remove the infected plant entirely to prevent the spread to additional plants. Dispose of the diseased plant far away from other vegetation.

Prevention: Equipment sterilization is important, especially if you use your garden tools indoors and outdoors. Like mildews, humidity is a major factor for gray mold and should be reduced.

7. Root Rot

Root Rot is tricky when it appears in your hydroponic system since the whole system relies heavily on water and root rot tends to appear when plants have been overwatered. What’s really at play is a lack of oxygen.

Signs to watch for: Yellowing leaves and droopy leaf positions are early signs of root rot. In addition, the roots themselves will brown and take on a slimy texture.

Treatment: Sadly, once the roots have turned brown, they’re beyond help.

Prevention: Make sure your hydroponic system includes methods for aerating the water, effectively. This can be accomplished using a mechanical oxygenator pump or even a low-tech air stone.

Common threads

There are common threads in dealing with and preventing the above hydroponic pests and diseases.

  • Start off with a sterile environment and uninfected plants. Take time to carefully inspect your seedlings or plants before transferring them into your hydroponic system. Likewise, choose a sterilized growing medium with clearly labeled source information.
  • Simple mitigation steps like passive sticky traps, are an excellent way to monitor your hydroponic system and make sure your vegetables and herbs remain healthy.
  • When introducing chemicals like insecticides or fungicides to your hydroponic garden, do your homework. Read labels and consider how to keep your plants safe while also keeping them edible!

Do you have any tips for preventing hydroponic pests and diseases? What methods have you used? Let me know in the comments!

Discover the 3 top options for growing vegetables indoors—when you access the FREEBIE Growing Vegetables Indoors for Beginners, right now!

« There’s a Magical Secret Garden Underground
Homegrown Bread Revolution: 5 Backyard-Inspired Bread Recipes to Brighten Your Day »

Related Posts

  • The Best Vegetables to Grow in a Greenhouse
  • Terracotta vs Plastic Pots: Which is Better for Edible Gardens?
  • 3 Ways to Grow Edible Flowers Indoors

Tags

garden tools, growing herbs, herbs and vegetables, hydroponic equipment, Hydroponic Pests, hydroponic reservoir, hydroponic system, hydroponic vegetables, hydroponics, vegetables and herbs

Comments
  • Debra M. December 1, 2022

    Thanks for the great info on identification and problem solutions. Pictures were very helpful too!

    Reply
  • Gardening F. September 25, 2022

    Thought you might find this interesting

    Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Give a Gift

FREEBIE!

With your FREEBIE, you’ll also receive regular email messages from the Food Gardening Network. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Your email address is private. We promise never to sell, rent or disclose your email address to third parties.

Freebies

  • Worst Best Gardening Jokes Calendar
  • 5 Easy Healthy Carrot Recipes
  • 5 Easy Healthy Lemon Recipes
  • 5 Easy Healthy Salsa Recipes
  • 5 Easy Healthy Apple Recipes
  • 5 Easy Healthy Chicken Breast Recipes
  • Top 11 Food Gardening Tools You Need to Succeed
  • A Printable Companion Planting Chart
  • Plants for Bug Control Chart
  • Printable Seed Germination Temperature Chart
  • Printable Tomato Garden-to-Table Chart
  • Planning Your Perfect Food Garden
  • Printable Butterfly Garden Planting Chart
  • The Best Way to Grow Tomatoes
  • Printable Composting 101 Charts
  • How to Master Spice and Herb Gardening at Home
  • Printable Monthly Gardening Calendar
  • 10 Best Garden Poems of All Time
  • Vegetable Garden Planting Chart Freebie
  • Printable Flower Garden Companion Planting Chart
  • 10 Things You Can Grow That Your Pet Will LOVE To Eat!
  • Rose Garden Planting Chart Freebie
  • Printable Kitchen Garden Planting Charts
  • Sunflower Garden Planting Chart Freebie
  • Seasonal ArtPrints Collection Kit Sampler
  • Sampler: Gardening Humor
  • Sampler: Wit, Wisdom, & Learning
  • Gardening in Every Season
  • How to Start a Freedom Garden
  • Recipes from Your Garden
  • Sampler: Animals in the Garden
  • Sampler: Healing Gardens
  • Sampler: Joy of Gardening
  • Growing Vegetables Indoors for Beginners
  • 15 Easiest Fruits to Grow at Home
  • How to Grow a Vegetable Garden

Browse Topics

  • Buyers Guides
  • Composting
  • Container Gardening
  • Easy Healthy Recipes
  • Food Preservation
  • Garden Design
  • Garden Tools
  • Gardening Life
  • Growing Fruits & Berries
  • Indoor Gardening
  • Ornamental Gardening
  • Pests & Diseases
  • Seeds & Seedlings
  • Soil & Fertilizer
  • Spice & Herb Gardening
  • Uncategorized
  • Vegetable Gardening
  • Watering & Irrigation

Buyers Guides:

  • 9 Automated Garden Tools for Effortless Growing
  • 12 Cool Gardening Tools and Gifts for the Plant Lover in Your Life
  • Choosing the Best Shovel for Your Gardening Needs
  • 10 Gardening Tools for Seniors That Actually Make a Difference
  • This Countertop Compost Machine Turns Scraps into Compost in a Few Hours
  • 10+ Food Gardening Gadgets We Love
  • 15 Adaptive and Accessible Gardening Tools and Raised Beds
  • 13 Canning Tools, Supplies & Equipment You Need
  • The 3 Best Gardening Shoes
  • 5+ Best Bird Deterrents for Gardens
  • Shop Our Amazon Store

Authors:

  • Bill Dugan
  • Amanda MacArthur
  • Mike McGrath
  • Don Nicholas
  • Norann Oleson
  • Christy Page
  • Becky Rupp
  • Beth Rush
  • Pat Stone
  • Diana Wells

Enter Your Log In Credentials

This setting should only be used on your home or work computer.

  • Lost your password? Create New Password
  • No account? Sign up

Need Assistance?

Call Food Gardening Network Customer Service at
(800) 777-2658

Food Gardening Network is an active member of the following industry associations:

  • American Horticultural Society
  • GardenComm Logo
  • GardenComm Laurel Media Award
  • MCMA logo
  • Join Now
  • Learn More
  • About Food Gardening Network
  • Contact Us
  • Affiliate Program
  • Sponsor Program
  • Give a Gift
  • Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

Food Gardening Network
99 Derby Street, Suite 200
Hingham, MA 02043
support@foodgardening.mequoda.com

To learn more about our Email Marketing and Broadcasting Services, Exchange Program, or to become a marketing partner with any of our publications, click here to contact us at Mequoda Publishing Network.

FREE E-Newsletter for You!

Discover how to grow, harvest, and eat good food from your own garden—with our FREE e-newsletter, delivered directly to your email inbox.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Powered by
Mequoda Publishing Network
copyright © 2025 Mequoda Systems, LLC

Food Gardening Network®, Food Gardening Magazine® and GreenPrints® are registered trademarks of Mequoda Systems, LLC.

Go to mobile version