Dwarf Varieties of Common Crops to Grow in a Desktop Hydroponic System

In this article we'll cover some of the dwarf varieties of favourite crops that are well suited to growing in desktop indoors hydroponic systems. As you can imagine, some of the selections below will take a bit more work than others. But if you're shopping for compact varieties, the following could be a good place to start.

What are Dwarf Varieties?

Dwarf varieties of crops are compact, small versions of their full-sized counterparts. They have been selectively bred to remain short and bushy and still produce an abundant crop.

They are quite adaptable to small-scale hydroponic systems and are ideal for desktop indoor gardening. They require less space and mature more quickly, performing well under controlled indoors conditions.

What to Look at When Choosing Dwarf Crops for Desktop Hydroponic Systems

In selecting dwarf crops for a hydroponic system on a desk, consider the following:

· Size: The crop should be small enough to fit a small hydroponic system.

· Growth Rate: Opt for varieties that grow quickly and their crops can be harvested in a short time.

· Yield: Despite being small, some of the dwarf varieties have high yields.

· Light Needs: Opt for plants that perform well under LED grow lights.

· Pruning Requirements: While some dwarf varieties require constant pruning, others require little pruning.

· Nutrient Requirements: Be compatible with hydroponic nutrient solutions.

Dwarf Varieties of Leafy Greens:

Leafy greens are naturally compact in habit and easy to grow in confined space, hence ideal for beginners. There are some types of lettuce that are particularly dwarf and thus well-suited for indoor hydroponic systems. They are:

Looseleaf Lettuce, e.g. 'Salad Bowl'

'Salad Bowl' is a loose, tender green lettuce with mild, slightly sweet taste and bright green colour. It grows six inches tall and is ideal for small hydroponic systems.

This variety prefers cooler weather and may be encouraged to produce new growth by regular trimming. Harvest by removing the outside leaves as needed, and the plant will continue to generate new growth. Leaves to be used should be kept in a closed container in the refrigerator to maintain their crispness and flavour.

Compact Butterhead Lettuce - 'Tom Thumb'

'Tom Thumb' is small butterhead lettuce with crisp, buttery leaves that form a dense head around five inches in diameter. It grows well in hydroponics where roots remain immersed throughout in a nutrient solution. It likes moderate temperatures and even moisture.

It can be harvested by taking the entire head or cutting leaves off as needed.

Compact Romaine/Cos Lettuce - 'Little Gem'

'Little Gem' is a compact romaine lettuce plant with crispy, sweet leaves reaching about six to eight inches in height. This variety will thrive under moderate light and requires normal moisture levels.

It can be cut for leaves or harvested by cutting the entire head at once.

Dwarf Kale - 'Dwarf Blue Curled'

'Dwarf Blue Curled' is a compact, curled form of kale with an earthy, rich flavour. It reaches twelve inches tall, though hydroponic systems will produce plants a little shorter. This cultivar requires a lot of nutrients and bright light to grow.

It's harvested by removing leaves one at a time as needed, which encourages continuous regrowth.

Dwarf Spinach - 'Baby Leaf'

Baby Leaf' spinach is a tender-leaf type with a sweet and mild taste, reaching six inches in height. It thrives in cool temperatures and needs constant moisture to grow.

It is harvested by cutting outer leaves regularly to stimulate new growth.

Dwarf Varieties of Herbs

Herbs are also great choices for desktop hydroponic systems, and most of them can be kept very small in size through regular pruning. For bigger-growing herbs, dwarf or compact varieties can be chosen to keep them from growing too large. For example, you might choose:

Dwarf Basil - 'Dwarf Greek'

'Dwarf Greek' basil is a dwarf herb with small, very fragrant leaves. It grows to about six inches tall and is well suited for mini hydroponic systems.

Regular trimming encourages bushy growth and prevents premature flowering. Harvest leaves before they flower to get them at peak freshness. Keep fresh basil in the refrigerator or otherwise dry the leaves for long-term storage.

Parsley - 'Compact Curly'

'Compact Curly' parsley is a bushy, compact variety with closely curled, bright green leaves. It grows eight inches tall and performs well under moderate light.

Regular pruning ensures continuous growth and prevention of legginess. Harvest by snipping off outer stems as needed. Fresh parsley should be refrigerated or dried for storage.

Dwarf Varieties of Tomatoes

Tomatoes very greatly in size, and only the smallest work well in compact hydroponic systems indoors. Here are a few options to consider:

'Pinocchio' Micro Dwarf Tomatoes

'Pinocchio' micro dwarf tomatoes produce small cherry tomatoes with a sweet, rich flavour. The plant grows about twelve inches tall and requires staking and moderate pruning.

Ripe tomatoes should be picked as they turn red. Store them at room temperature and eat them promptly to taste them at their best.

'Tom Thumb' Micro Dwarf Tomatoes

'Tom Thumb' is a compact plant that produces small, juicy tomatoes. It typically grows between six to nine inches tall and requires strong light and a balanced nutrient supply.

Harvest ripe fruits regularly to promote continuous production. Again, remember to store your micro tomatoes in a cool, dry place for the best flavour retention.

'Red Robin' Micro Dwarf Tomatoes

'Red Robin' is another exceptionally compact tomato variety, growing up to twelve inches tall. It produces bright red, sweet cherry tomatoes.

This variety is well-suited for hydroponic growing, requiring moderate pruning and consistent moisture.

'Rosy Finch' Micro Dwarf Tomatoes

'Rosy Finch' is a tiny yet productive micro dwarf tomato variety. Its plants grow to about ten inches tall and produce deep pink, flavourful tomatoes. It thrives in small hydroponic systems with sufficient light.

Harvest when the fruit softens slightly and the fruits have a rosy glow.

Dwarf Tomatoes 'Tiny Tim'

'Tiny Tim' is a popular micro dwarf tomato variety, growing only twelve inches tall. It produces small, juicy, bright red tomatoes with a slightly tangy flavour.

This variety is perfect for hydroponic growing, requiring moderate pruning and consistent nutrients. Harvest when fully coloured and store in a cool place, though ideally not in the fridge.

Dwarf Varieties of Peppers

Peppers of all varieties, sweet and spicy hot, can also come in many shapes and sizes. The smallest, including the examples below, work well in desktop hydroponic systems.

Sweet Pepper 'Mini Bell Improved Mix'

'Mini Bell Improved Mix' peppers are small, colourful bell peppers that grow on compact plants about twelve to sixteen inches tall.

These plants require support and a nutrient-rich hydroponic solution to thrive. Peppers should be harvested when they reach full colour. Store fresh peppers in the fridge to maintain their crispness.

Dwarf Peppers 'Fairy Bell'

'Fairy Bell' is a compact sweet pepper variety, reaching about ten inches in height. It produces small, bell-shaped peppers that ripen to red, orange, or yellow. This variety thrives in hydroponic systems and requires moderate feeding.

Harvest when fully coloured and glossy and pop the fruits in the refrigerator if you are not planning to use them right away.

Dwarf Chilli Pepper 'Prairie Fire'

'Prairie Fire' is a compact, spicy chilli pepper variety that grows to about eight inches tall. It prefers warm temperatures and regular feeding.

The small, colourful fruits should be harvested when they turn bright red or orange. You can store them fresh in the fridge and they also dry really well if you want to keep them longer. (They make a great decoration as they hang to dry too!)

Dwarf Peppers 'Basket of Fire'

'Basket of Fire' is a small, bushy hot pepper variety that reaches about twelve inches tall. It produces an abundance of small, spicy peppers that change colour as they ripen.

This variety thrives in hydroponic systems as long as conditions are warm and benefits from regular pruning. Store fresh or dry the chillies for long-term use.

Hot Peppers 'Roxi Dwarf'

'Roxi Dwarf' is a compact hot pepper variety growing to about ten inches in height. It produces bright red, spicy peppers that add heat to dishes.

This plant requires good airflow and consistent nutrients but when these are provided it can be a good choice for compact hydroponic systems.

Dwarf Varieties of Eggplant

You might also consider giving these mini eggplant or aubergine varieties a go:

Mini Eggplant - 'Baby Black Jack'

'Baby Black Jack' produces small, deep-purple eggplants on a plant that grows about twelve inches tall. It requires support and warm temperatures to thrive.

Harvest eggplants when their skin appears glossy and firm. Store in a cool place to maintain their  freshness.

Dwarf Eggplant - 'Patio Baby'

'Patio Baby' is a compact, high-yielding eggplant variety that reaches about sixteen inches in height. It benefits from moderate pruning and consistent feeding.

Harvest young fruits for the best tenderness. Remember to store them in the refrigerator after harvesting to extend their shelf life.

Compact Eggplant - 'Fairytale'

'Fairytale' is a beautiful, compact eggplant variety that grows up to eighteen inches tall. It produces small, striped purple and white eggplants with a delicate, sweet flavour.

Harvest when young and tender. Store in a cool place for freshness.

Dwarf Eggplant - 'Hansel'

'Hansel' is a productive, compact eggplant variety that grows up to sixteen inches tall. It produces slender, deep-purple fruits that are best harvested when young.

It thrives in hydroponic systems with regular feeding.

Dwarf Eggplant - 'Gretel'

'Gretel' is a white-skinned, compact eggplant variety that reaches about eighteen inches in height. Its small, tender fruits are best picked early.

This plant thrives with consistent moisture and moderate pruning. Again, remember to store harvested eggplants in a cool place or your refrigerator to make sure they stay fresh as long as possible.

Dwarf Varieties of Cucumber

Smaller cucumber varieties can also potentially be grown in smaller-scale hydroponic systems indoors. You might try:

Cucumber 'Spacemaster'

'Spacemaster' cucumbers are small, crisp fruits that grow on a compact vine reaching about twenty-four inches in hydroponics.

They require trellising for support. Harvest young cucumbers to ensure tender texture. Store them in the fridge to preserve freshness but remember these mini cucumbers are all best eaten quickly and won't store long.

Mini Cucumber - 'Merlin'

'Merlin' is a small cucumber variety that grows up to ten inches tall, producing mini cucumbers perfect for snacking. It thrives in nutrient-rich hydroponic setups and requires regular watering. Harvest young for the best texture and flavour.  

Cucumber - 'Little Leaf'

'Little Leaf' is a bushy, compact cucumber variety with small, tender leaves. It produces crisp, mini cucumbers that are perfect for salads and pickling. It requires consistent moisture and good airflow in hydroponic systems. Harvest at about four inches long for optimal quality.

Dwarf Cucumber - 'Honey Plus'

'Honey Plus' is a dwarf cucumber with a sweet, mild flavour. It grows about ten inches tall and thrives under warm hydroponic conditions. It requires good light and steady feeding. Harvest young for a crunchy texture.

Cucumber - 'Quick Snack'

'Quick Snack' is a fast-growing dwarf cucumber variety producing small, tender cucumbers. It thrives in hydroponic setups with moderate light and regular pruning. Harvest when the cucumbers reach about five inches long.

Dwarf Varieties of Squash/ Zucchini

You might also try out the following zucchini cultivars in your indoors hydroponic garden:

Zucchini 'Bush Baby'

'Bush Baby' is a compact zucchini variety with tender, dark green skin. It grows up to eighteen inches tall and requires ample light to thrive.

Harvest fruits when young for the best flavour and texture. Store harvested zucchinis in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness.

Compact Zucchini - 'Patio Star'

'Patio Star' is a compact zucchini variety bred specifically for small spaces. It grows about twenty inches tall and produces dark green, cylindrical fruits with a mild flavour.

This plant thrives in hydroponic setups with moderate lighting and regular feeding. Harvest when zucchinis are five to six inches long.

Zucchini - 'Black Beauty'

'Black Beauty' is a bush-type zucchini that remains compact, reaching around twenty inches tall. It produces deep green, glossy fruits with a tender texture and rich flavour. It thrives in hydroponic systems with ample light and regular pruning. Harvest young for the best taste.

Bush Zucchini - 'Spacemiser'

'Spacemiser' is a dwarf zucchini variety designed for small gardens and hydroponic setups. It grows to about eighteen inches tall while producing a steady yield of small, tasty zucchinis. It requires minimal pruning and moderate nutrients. Harvest when the fruits reach six inches in length.

Zucchini - 'Raven'

'Raven' is a compact zucchini variety with dark green, nearly black fruits. The plant grows about twenty inches tall and thrives in hydroponic systems with consistent moisture and strong light. It produces early and continuously, with fruits best harvested at four to six inches in length.

By growing these dwarf crop varieties, you can maximize yield in a small hydroponic system and enjoy fresh, homegrown produce at your fingertips throughout much of the year.