Identifying & Understanding Adventitious Roots

Adventitious roots are natural growths that help, not hurt your plants. They help plants maximize their ability to absorb nutrients and breathe more efficiently. If you see them, there is no action, or concern, needed! 

When they first start to grow, adventitious roots look like small bumps arising on the stem of the plant. In Gardyn, they can also appear as roots growing on top of the rockwool. Adventitious roots are often white or brown in color, and grow outward while resembling thick, underground roots.

Check out the photos below to help you identify adventitious roots on your own Gardyn:

Adventitious roots begin to grow on the base of a Sweet Pepper stem (left), and in the middle of a Tomato stem (right) 

Adventitious roots grow on top of the rockwool in a Jalapeño yCube

More developed adventitious roots grow on a Strawberry (left) and Tomato plant (right)   

Adventitious roots are roots that grow from other parts of the plant - like the stem tissue - rather than the root system. In some plant species, plants grow adventitious roots in addition to their primary root system to increase their ability to absorb resources and improve the plant's health. Adventitious roots commonly develop on plants in hydroponic systems.

Despite growing above ground, (or in Gardyn’s case, above the yCube,) adventitious roots offer benefits to the plant through their ability to take up water and nutrients just like the original root system. Adventitious roots also enable the plant to breathe more efficiently.

Adventitious roots are completely natural, and not something you need to worry about or remove.

Some plants are more likely to grow adventitious roots than others. You often find them on peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, and even basil!

Remember, adventitious roots are natural and do not pose any threats to your Gardyn. If you see them, consider them your plant’s way of giving itself a little extra boost!

Questions? Reach us at support@mygardyn.com, or chat with us. We're here to help!