What if growing fresh vegetables didn’t need a big backyard, hours of weeding, or becoming a hydroponics expert?

For many New Zealanders, the problem isn’t wanting to grow their own food. It’s that traditional gardening doesn’t fit modern life. You might have an apartment balcony, a townhouse courtyard, a small deck, or no suitable garden at all. Or you’ve tried before, and watering, weeds and pests became more work than you expected.

That’s where hydroponics offers a different approach. And the key is choosing a system that genuinely makes growing easier, rather than one that swaps gardening for a new list of chores.

Full disclosure: I’m the New Zealand distributor of CheerBio through NextWave Imports, so I’m not a neutral observer. I chose to bring CheerBio into NZ after trying several hydroponic systems myself, and I’ll explain exactly why below. 

What is hydroponics?

Hydroponics is a way of growing plants without garden soil. Plants still need water, nutrients, oxygen, light and support. The difference is how those needs are delivered: directly to the roots, usually through circulating water.

The term covers everything from a DIY bucket setup to a countertop herb garden to a full vertical tower with pumps, lighting, sensors and app control. These aren’t designed for the same person, which is why choosing carefully matters.

Can you really grow vegetables without a garden?

Yes. Hydroponic systems, especially vertical ones, let you grow in places such as:

• • balconies and decks

• • courtyards and townhouses

• • apartments

• • sheltered outdoor areas

• • suitable indoor spaces

Vertical systems use height instead of ground area. So instead of asking “where can I fit a vegetable garden?”, you can ask “how can I grow food using the space I already have?”

Hydroponics isn’t the only answer. Pots, raised beds and vertical planters all work well, and if you have good soil and enjoy gardening, there may be no reason to change. Hydroponics is simply another option.

What makes a hydroponic system easy to live with?

This is the part most guides skip. A system can grow plants brilliantly and still be frustrating if it needs constant attention. Before buying, think about what you’ll actually do every week:

• • Water management: How often do you refill the tank? Does the water circulate automatically? Can you easily see when it’s low?

• • Cleaning: Is the tank easy to clean? Can the system come apart without becoming a project?

• • Leaks and spills: Is water properly contained and circulated?

• • Nutrients: Is it clear what to add and how much?

• • Lighting: If you’re growing indoors or in a shady spot, does the system include suitable lighting?

• • Technology: Does it reduce your workload, or is it there because it sounds impressive?

• • Support: If something breaks, can you get parts and speak to someone in New Zealand?

A hydroponic system isn’t just a planter. It’s a piece of equipment, and after-sales support matters.

Is hydroponics really low maintenance?

It can be, but no honest system is completely maintenance-free. Plants are living things. You’ll still add nutrients, check your plants, harvest and occasionally clean the system.

The difference is that a well-designed system takes care of much of the repetitive work. You’re not trying to eliminate growing. You’re trying to make fresh food fit into your life.

Why I chose CheerBio

I’ve lived with and tried different hydroponic systems, and they are not equally easy to live with. Some are fiddly. Some need more cleaning than you’d expect. Some have water management problems. Some feel like another machine demanding attention.

What stood out about CheerBio in my own use:

• • The water stays contained within the system rather than running onto the floor or deck

• • The tank has stayed clean, with none of the slimy build-up I’ve had with other setups. Thanks to the UV light that keeps the water tank clean.

• • Very little day-to-day involvement. . 

Depending on the model, CheerBio towers include automated fan, water circulation, LED lighting, water-level alerts, and app controls through the PlantMaster app, which also provides growing guidance and tutorials.

How CheerBio handles the checklist

What to look for	How CheerBio handles it
Water management	Automated circulation, water-level alerts
Cleaning	UV light to keep reservoir clean
Leaks and spills	Contained water design
Lighting	LED lighting
Nutrients	What to use, via PlantMaster guidance
Support in NZ	Local support, parts, warranty

What can you grow in a hydroponic tower?

Leafy greens and herbs suit most vertical systems well:

• • Leafy greens – lettuce, salad greens, rocket, spinach and kale

• • Herbs – basil, coriander, parsley, chives and mint

• • strawberries and edible flowers

• • some compact fruiting vegetables
  • climbing vegetables & vines (climbing module )

If you’re new, start with what you actually eat. If your household goes through lettuce every week, grow lettuce. If you cook often, start with herbs.

Can hydroponics grow food all year in New Zealand?

It makes year-round growing more practical, but it doesn’t remove the need to understand your plants. Light, temperature, water and nutrients still matter, and conditions vary from Auckland to Southland. Indoor systems with lighting give you more control, but not complete control.

Last winter i was still able to grow Basil , a variety of other herbs , lettuce leafy greens and strawberries. with my Cheerbio towers in an indoor setting.

Is hydroponics difficult for beginners?

It doesn’t have to be, and it depends heavily on the system. A DIY setup is a great project if you enjoy building and experimenting. But if your goal is “I want fresh lettuce and herbs without spending my weekends maintaining a garden”, a purpose-designed system is usually a better fit.

Look for a system that makes the basics straightforward: filling the tank, adding nutrients, monitoring water, managing lighting, cleaning, planting and harvesting.

Is a hydroponic tower worth the money?

It depends what you’re comparing. If you only want two pots of basil, a tower is more than you need. But a tower solves a different problem. You’re paying for growing capacity, vertical use of space, lighting, automation, water circulation, build quality, and support and warranty.

The better question is: what do I want this system to do for me?

Hydroponics isn’t just for homes

Vertical systems also make sense in:

• • cafes and restaurants (herbs and garnish customers can see growing)

• • offices and wellness spaces

• • schools and education settings

• • retirement villages and community spaces

In these settings the tower is both a food source and part of the environment. If you’re considering a commercial or community installation, get in touch.

Frequently asked questions

Can I grow vegetables in an apartment in NZ? Yes. Vertical hydroponic systems are designed for small spaces such as balconies, decks and suitable indoor areas.

Does hydroponics need a lot of maintenance? Less than traditional gardening for many people, but not none. You’ll still add nutrients, monitor plants, harvest and clean periodically.

What grows best in a hydroponic tower? Leafy greens and herbs, such as lettuce, rocket, basil and coriander, strawberries and small fruiting plants such as capsicums.

Can hydroponics work indoors? Yes, provided the plants get enough light. Many indoor systems include built-in LED lighting.

Where can I buy a CheerBio tower in NZ? NextWave Imports is the New Zealand distributor. View the range. 

What if something goes wrong? We offer a 1 year warranty for CheerBio Towers.

So, is hydroponics right for you?

 If you’ve always liked the idea of growing your own food and thought “I just don’t have the space or the time”, hydroponics is worth exploring. And if you want something genuinely low maintenance, look closely at the design of the system, not just how many plants it holds. How easy is it to fill, clean and live with? That’s what decides whether you’re still using it months later.

There’s something special about walking past your own little garden, picking what you need for dinner, and knowing you grew it yourself.

Ready to take a closer look? See the CheerBio range or ask me a question.

Grow fresh. Live well.

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