In the 17th century biologists discovered plants can grow without soil. There have been numerous experimental hydroponics projects initiated since then in an effort to improve the method. The real progress appeared after 1970 when plastics began to be used reducing technological expenses and stimulating farmers to think about the system’s viability.

The first experimental hydroponics project from Europe was started in England and growing mint was the first such successful project in 1699. When plastic was discovered this allowed low cost systems to be easily implemented.

Arid regions from all over the world like Iran, Arizona and Abu Dhabi were used for implementing experimental hydroponics in an effort of combining the advantages of solar radiation with the humidity provided by hydroponics; the main benefit of hydroponics is that it uses 90% less water than traditional soil agriculture.

From 1973 when oil price started to rise many investors lost their interest in experimental hydroponics, especially in US; bankruptcy and many financial problems followed for lots of experimental hydroponics system owners. The interest in the subject was reestablished following successful research in hydroponics in 1983 and 1985. At present when the concern to lower the level of chemical treatments applied to traditional crops is rising, experimental hydroponics has started to receive a lot more money in an effort to grow crops clean from ecological imbalances and other soil related problems.

Hydroponics is only good business if the growing crops can’t be produced on the local market by traditional soil agriculture.