Vertical farming is one of the most discussed innovations in modern agriculture. It is often confused with hydroponics, but they are actually two different concepts: hydroponics is a growing technique, while vertical farming is a model of production and organization of space.
To truly understand its value, one needs to distinguish between the two.
Vertical farming is an indoor cultivation method that organizes plants on multiple vertical levels within closed, controlled structures.
The goal is to maximize productivity per square meter, reduce waste and ensure consistent year-round production.
In a vertical planting system, they are managed automatically:
light
water
nutrients
temperature
humidity
air circulation
Everything is designed to create a replicable and highly efficient environment.
Hydroponics is a soil-less growing technique in which roots are submerged or periodically bathed in a balanced nutrient solution.
It is a growth mode, not a structure.
Hydroponics can be used:
in a traditional horizontal greenhouse
in an outdoor facility
in a small piece of a balcony
or... inside a vertical farm
Vertical farming and hydroponics are not alternatives: they often coexist.
| Appearance | Hydroponics | Vertical Farming |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Soilless cultivation technique | Multilevel structure and controlled environment |
| Objective | Feed roots efficiently | Maximize productivity and consistency of production |
| Where to use | Indoor or outdoor | Indoor only |
| Integrated technologies | Nutrients, pumps, sensors | LED lighting, climate control, automation, hydroponics or aeroponics |
| Scalability | From small domestic plant to industrial greenhouse | Needs dedicated infrastructure |
In short: all hydroponics can take place without vertical farming, while all vertical farming uses at least one hydroponic technique.
Hydroponics improves the efficiency of cultivation, but does not solve problems such as:
soil availability
space utilization
total control of climate
production density
Vertical farming, on the other hand, allows:
Increasing levels means multiplying usable space.
Temperature, humidity and CO₂ are digitally regulated: no dependence on weather.
Closed environments → very low risk of contamination.
No seasonality, no interruptions.
Light, water and nutrients arrive identically on every level: less variability, more precision.
No.
It requires significant investment, technical expertise, artificial lighting and climate management.
This is why many vertical systems fail: the technology is complex and operating costs can be prohibitive without a highly efficient, automated system.
This is where integrated solutions like Tomato+, which combine hardware, automation, AI and precise data management, make a sustainable and scalable model possible.
Hydroponics is how we grow.
Vertical farming is where we grow.
Combining the two technologies makes it possible to:
use fewer resources
produce more food in less space
achieve consistent quality 365 days a year
It is the basis for the agriculture of the future: urban, scalable and climate-independent.
Thank you for reading this article. Keep following us to discover new content on hydroponics, vertical farming, and smart agriculture.
Tomato+ Team