A FlowGrow tower gives plants what they need without a traditional garden.

Water and nutrients circulate through the tower, flowing gently past the roots before returning to the reservoir.

You add the water and nutrients. FlowGrow keeps them moving.

How it works in 4 simple steps

Here's how FlowGrow works.

  • Diagram showing how to fill a reservoir with water and nutrients for a vertical gardening system.

    Add water and FlowGrow nutrients to the reservoir.

  • Diagram showing a hydroponic system with text indicating 'Pump Lifts Water to the Top'.

    The pump moves nutrient water to the Flow Cap at the top.

  • Diagram of a vertical hydroponic system with water flowing through the tower.

    The Flow Cap spreads nutrient water gently through the tower.

  • Diagram of an indoor vertical garden with plants growing and water returning.

    Roots take up what they need, and nutrient water returns to the reservoir.

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Inside FlowGrow

See what’s happening inside the tower.

Nutrient water travels to the top of the tower, gently trickles past the roots, then returns to the reservoir ready to circulate again.

A woman in a light dress picking lettuce leaves from a white vertical hydroponic garden filled with green leafy lettuce and strawberry plants, set on a white kitchen bench.

What you do

The timer handles the watering cycle. You handle the growing moments.

The pump runs on a timer, moving nutrient water through the tower at regular intervals. This keeps the roots hydrated and fed without you needing to water each plant by hand.

Your part is simple. Check the water level, top up the reservoir when needed, add nutrients, and keep an eye on how your plants are responding.

In the first few weeks, it's worth checking the pH now and then while you get used to your tower. If you use an EC meter, it can help you understand the strength of your nutrient water, but it's completely optional.

For most home growers, refreshing the reservoir every 2–3 weeks and topping up with fresh water between changes is all that's needed to keep nutrients balanced and plants growing well. You don't need to chase perfect numbers every day.

Most days, it's simply a quick glance as you walk past. When fresh growth is ready, you pick what you need.

Want to understand nutrients better? Read our guide: Understanding hydroponic nutrients.

FlowGrow hydroponic tower growing fresh greens in natural sunlight at home

Light Matters

Good light makes a real difference.

A bright indoor space near a window, or a covered outdoor area with consistent sunlight, will give the best results. In warmer months plants grow faster; in cooler or lower-light seasons, growth slows down.

Fruiting plants like cherry tomatoes, peppers, chillies, and strawberries need stronger light to perform well. Herbs and leafy greens are usually more forgiving, which makes them a great place to start if your space is not especially sunny.

If light is coming from one direction, plants will lean toward it. Turning the tower daily keeps growth even. If natural light is limited, grow lights can help, especially through winter.

Lettuce and strawberry seedlings ready to plant into a FlowGrow hydroponic tower

Starting with seeds or seedlings

You can start your tower with seeds or small seedlings. Both work. Seedlings are simply the faster way to get growing.

Seeds start outside the tower in a germination tray. A planting sponge or rockwool cube holds the seed while it sprouts and develops early roots. Once the seedling has a few leaves and a small root system, it can move into the tower.

You can also start with small seedlings from a garden centre. If they have been grown in soil, gently rinse the roots before placing them into a sponge or net cup. The roots need to be soil-free so they can settle properly inside the tower.

Planting sponges are included with every tower. For a more complete start, the Starter Kit includes nutrients, a measuring cup, rockwool cubes, a germination tray, and net pots.

Shop Tower + Starter Kit

What grows well in a FlowGrow tower

FlowGrow towers suit plants that enjoy regular moisture, good light, and space for their roots to grow inside the tower.

Start with food you actually use. Herbs, leafy greens, strawberries, chillies, compact vegetables, and edible flowers are all good options.

For your first tower, keep it simple. Choose plants that grow at a similar pace, then experiment as you learn what works best in your space.

Fresh herbs including basil, mint and parsley suitable for growing in a FlowGrow tower

Herbs

Basil, parsley, coriander, mint, thyme, oregano, and chives.

Close-up of fresh green lettuce leaves growing in a Flowgrow vertical hydroponic system.

Leafy Greens

Lettuce, rocket, spinach, kale, and smaller Asian greens.

Ripe strawberry showing fruiting plants that can grow in a FlowGrow tower

Fruiting favourites

Strawberries, compact chillies, peppers, and tomatoes.

Edible flowers including nasturtiums and violas suitable for compact home growing

Edible flowers

Violas and other edible flowers suited to container-style growing

One system, three sizes

Every tower works the same way. The difference is how much you grow at once.

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NOW AVAILABLE IN STORE

See FlowGrow for yourself.

Prefer to see a tower in person?
Visit Mitre 10 MEGA Nelson.

Frequently asked questions

Good to know

Is FlowGrow aeroponic or NFT?

FlowGrow is best described as a recirculating vertical hydroponic system.

It is not a true aeroponic system, because the roots are not suspended and misted, and it is not a traditional NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system, where water flows through horizontal channels.

Instead, a pump lifts nutrient-rich water to the Flow Cap at the top of the tower. The water flows gently past the plant roots before returning to the reservoir to be reused, creating an efficient recirculating growing system.

Why does the pump run on a timer?

The timer allows the roots to receive regular water and nutrients while also allowing air to circulate around them between watering cycles. This balance of water, nutrients and oxygen helps create healthy growing conditions for a wide range of plants.

How often does the pump run?

For everyday growing, set the timer to run for 1 minute on and 30 minutes off. During particularly hot weather, this can be increased to 5 minutes on and 30 minutes off if your plants need additional moisture.

How much water should I add?

The reservoir holds up to 20 litres, although we recommend filling it with around 15 litres. This leaves space for water returning through the system and makes topping up and changing the reservoir easier during normal use.

Does the tower need a grow light?

Not always. FlowGrow grows best in a bright location. A grow light is only recommended when there isn't enough natural light available, such as indoors away from a sunny window. Towers placed in a bright indoor position or a sheltered outdoor location may not need additional lighting.

How often should I refresh the reservoir?

Top up the water as your plants use it, and replace the nutrient solution approximately every 2–3 weeks. This helps maintain a healthy balance of water and nutrients for consistent growth.

Can the timer be left in the rain?

No. The timer and electrical connections should always be kept dry and protected from the weather. If your tower is outdoors, place the timer and power connections under cover or inside a suitable weather-protected enclosure.

Can I grow fruiting plants like tomatoes?

Absolutely. The 12 Layer Tower gives you the freedom to grow a wider range of herbs, leafy greens and fruiting plants at the same time. When plants begin flowering, switch to FlowGrow Bloom Nutrients to support healthy flowers and fruit. Some larger plants may also benefit from additional support as they grow.

Grow your confidence

Explore practical guides, setup tips, and growing advice in Learn to Grow.

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