If you’re looking for an easy way to grow a lot of leafy greens in a small space, the VIVOSUN NFT Hydroponic Growing System (36-Plant) might just be what you need. I recently picked one up for $79 to test it out—partly to feed our bearded dragons fresh lettuce, and partly to see if it’s worth recommending to new hydroponic growers. Here’s how it stacked up.
Quick Take
- Price Paid: $79
- System Size: 36 plant sites
- Setup Time: 10–15 minutes
- Noise level: Silent (with proper drain setup)
- Best For: Lettuce, herbs, and other leafy greens
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Setup & Ease of Use
Unboxing the Vivosun system was straightforward, and assembly took less than 15 minutes. The instructions were clear enough that even a complete beginner could follow along without stress. In addition to the framing and channels the system came with a water pump, timer, net pots and starter plugs.
When assembled the system is about 3ft long and 2ft wide, making it the perfect size to fit in our downstairs closet next to our bearded dragons. The system is shorter than we thought, only about 13-14 inches. We needed to use a short 2.5 gallon bucket as opposed to the taller 5 gallon buckets we usually use as a reservoir.
What Else Is Needed To Start Growing
- 2.5 gallon bucket
- Seeds
- Nutrient solution (I’m using Foliage Pro)
- pH Meter
- pH Up and Down
- Grow light (if indoors)
🌱 New to hydroponics?- Check out my guide 👉 How To Start Your Dirtless Garden
Performance & Growth
I had started our seeds in rapid rooter when I ordered the system to get a head start. When I placed the seedlings into the net pots the rapid rooter was to big to fit down into the smaller net pot. This didn’t cause any issues and actually assisted with decreasing algae growth at the top of the plug.
The plugs that came with the system fit down into the net pots and you can purchase more plugs on Amazon.
I added my water to the bucket and mixed in some SuperThrive Foliage Pro nutrients, adjusted the pH and the plants were ready to grow.
After transplanting the seedlings into the system, the plants took off. I set it up on a constant flow and didn’t use the provided timer.
Aside from daily pH fluctuations that come along with using a small reservoir, a couple top offs and nutrient changes, all of which would be normal with any system, I haven’t had any issues with the system.
These are the plants after 2 weeks after being transplanted into the new Vivosun NFT hydroponic system.
Pros & Cons of the Vivosun NFT System
👍 Pros
Affordable for a 36-site hydroponic system
Quick, simple setup
Silent operation
Compact—grows a lot in a little space
Great for both beginners and leafy greens
👎 Cons
The system is short, so need to use 2.5 gallon bucket. It needs alterations or platform to sit on in order use a 5 gallon bucket.
👉Also
Rapid rooter plugs don’t fully fit in the net pots. This actually works out as it reduces the moisture to the top of the plug reducing algae growth. Plants overall growth isn’t impacted. The system also comes with starter plugs that fit in the net pots and more can be purchased.
Who This System Is For
This system is perfect for:
- Beginners who want a simple, no-fuss hydroponic system
- People looking to grow lettuce and leafy greens
- Anyone with limited space who still wants to grow a lot of plants
- And yes, also bearded dragons
Final Verdict
For $79, the VIVOSUN 36-plant system is a great entry-level hydroponic kit. It’s compact, quiet, and beginner-friendly while still letting you grow a surprising amount of food. While the plant spacing limits it to smaller crops, it shines as a lettuce factory.
Would I recommend it? Yes. If you’re just getting into hydroponics and want a simple and affordable system to grow fresh greens, this one is worth picking up.
| | My Top Pick | 1,200+ Reviews |
